Month: July 2019

LAYTON WILLIAMS AND SHANE RICHIE
TO STAR IN NATIONAL TOUR OF
EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, the smash-hit, critically acclaimed West End musical is to embark on its first UK tour in 2020. Initial casting includes West End star Layton Williams as Jamie New and EastEnders’ much-loved Shane Richie as Hugo / Loco Chanelle. Both Layton and Shane will be reprising their roles from the West End production. The tour commences in February 2020 in Sheffield, where the show is set and first opened four years ago.

★★★★★
‘It’s the real deal. Everyone really should be talking, singing, shouting about Jamie now’
The Times

★★★★★
‘Every parent can relate. Every child can relate. This is a show about family. A treat for any age’
Daily Express

Layton Williams said:
“I’ve loved my time in the West End but am beyond excited to be playing Jamie on tour! This will be my 6th tour and I can’t wait to come back to some of my favourite venues with this beautiful show. I hope you’ll welcome me back with open arms as we share this beautiful story and spread love across the U.K! See you’s soon…”

Shane Richie said:
“I had such a fantastic time playing Hugo/Loco Chanelle in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie in the West End, so when I was offered the chance to be involved in the touring production I jumped at the opportunity to get back into those heels! I believe this show has such an important message for younger and older generations I’m excited to be taking it to a larger audience around the UK.”

Nica Burns, Producer of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie said:
“Since Everybody’s Talking About Jamie opened in early 2017 at the Sheffield Crucible, written by a virgin British musical theatre writing team and performed by a large cast of mostly new faces, all our dreams for the show have come true. We are a hit! In November we will be starting our third year in the West End! The movie is currently shooting in Sheffield! We have won awards! Now we are going to be playing 20 cities nationwide led by two of our brilliant West End stars, the superb Layton Williams as Jamie and the wonderful Shane Richie as Hugo / Loco Chanelle. Fittingly, we are looking forward to opening our national tour back at its home in Sheffield on the 4th anniversary of its first performance.”

Layton Williams plays Jamie New. Layton is one of the most exciting talents in UK theatre. He has been playing Jamie New in the West End production of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie since JanuaryLayton recently performed as Angel in the UK Tour of much-loved musical Rent, for which he received great reviews and in the Sheffield Crucible production of Kiss Me, Kate.

On screen Layton is known for playing the character Kylie in the BBC’s Beautiful People, and for playing the lead alongside Jack Whitehall in the critically acclaimed BBC comedy Bad Education and follow up film.

Layton began his career as one of the boys who played the title role in the West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical. He then went on to star as the original Young Michael Jackson in Thriller. Further theatre credits include the role of Seaweed in Hairspray and the touring production of Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man.

Layton is an anti-bullying and LGBTQ+ activist

Shane Richie plays Hugo/Loco Chanelle has had a hugely successful career in theatre, film and television spanning four decades and is a regular fixture on primetime television. He is best known for his role as Alfie Moon in the BBC’s EastEnders which he first started playing in 2002 and for which he has won several industry awards and accolades including Best Actor at the Rose d’Or Television Festival.

His extensive television drama credits include Oliver Twist (BBC), New Tricks (BBC), We’re Doomed: The Dad’s Army Story (BBC), What We Did on Our Holidays (ITV), The Good Samaritan (ITV), As Good As It Gets (ITV), Skins (CH4), Moving On (BBC), Minder (CH5), Redwater (BBC), Benidorm (ITV) and Claude (Disney). He has also hosted television shows including Lucky Numbers (ITV), The Shane Richie Experience (ITV), Win, Lose or Draw (ITV), Don’t Forget the Lyrics! (SKY1), Reflex (BBC) and Win Your Wish List (BBC).

On stage Shane has starred in Grease (West End), One Flew over The Cuckoo’s Nest (UK Tour), Scrooge: The Musical (UK Tour), Lone Star and Private Wars (Kings Head Theatre). He also played the leads in Peter James’ The Perfect Murder and Not Dead Enough. Shane co-wrote and co-produced the UK tour of Boogie Nights which went on to a sell-out season at the Savoy Theatre in the West End. Film roles include Macbeth (CH4), The Reverend (Burn Hand Film), Prisoners of the Sun (Miromar Entertainment) and Flushed Away (Dreamworks Animation).

In 2003 Shane wrote the No.1 autobiography and The Sunday Times best seller Rags to Richie. In the same year he released the No.1 record I’m Your Man for BBC Children In Need. In 2017 Shane’s album A Country Soul made it to No.1, securing his position as the UK’s biggest selling country artist.

Further casting to be announced.

Jamie New is sixteen and lives on a council estate in Sheffield.

Jamie doesn’t quite fit in.
Jamie is terrified about the future.
Jamie is going to be a sensation.

Supported by his brilliant loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight. With catchy songs by lead singersongwriter of The Feeling, Dan Gillespie Sells, and book and lyrics by writer Tom MacRae, this funny, fabulous, feel-good, musical sensation has been wowing audiences and critics alike. Sixteen: the edge of possibility. Time to make your dreams come true.

Music by Dan Gillespie Sells
Book and Lyrics by Tom MacRae
From an idea by Jonathan Butterell
Directed by Matt Ryan from original direction by Jonathan Butterell
Design by Anna Fleischle
Choreography by Kate Prince
Lighting design by Lucy Carter
Sound design by Paul Groothuis
Casting by Will Burton
Musical Supervisor Theo Jamieson
Video Design Luke Halls

THE GLOBAL PHENOMENON RETURNS

QUEEN AND BEN ELTON’S 
‘WE WILL ROCK YOU’

CASTING ANNOUNCED

FOR 2019/20 UK TOUR

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Casting has been announced for the brand new 2019/2020 tour of Queen and Ben Elton’s smash hit musical We Will Rock You, which will storm the UK and Ireland from 19 September.

Taking on the role of Galileo is Olivier Award nominee Ian McIntosh (Beautiful – The Carole King Musical / The Commitments), who will be joined by Elena Skye (Les Misérables / Kinky Boots) in the role of Scaramouche. Playing Killer Queen is Jennifer O’Leary (Heathers The Musical / Rent), with Michael McKell (Macbeth / Blood Brothers)as Buddy. Adam Strong (Jesus Christ Superstar / Rock of Ages)will take on the role of Khashoggi, with David-Michael Johnson (We Will Rock You, Germany / Jesus Christ Superstar) reprising the role of Brit and Amy Di Bartolomeo (Bat Out of Hell / Priscilla Queen of the Desert) playing Oz.

Brian May said: “This is a stunning state-of-the art new-look production of WWRY – but of course the original story is now more relevant than ever. We’re confident WWRY fans will love revisiting the world’s first true Rock Theatrical, and a whole new generation will now discover the VIBE!” 

Featuring 24 of Queen’s biggest hits and Ben Elton’s hilarious futuristic comedy writing, We Will Rock You boasts the scale and spectacle that marked the band’s legendary live performances. This global phenomenon will continue to be one of the most spectacular musicals to tour the United Kingdom & Ireland.

The show has seen unprecedented success in theatres and arenas around the world and the nine month tour will see the Rock Theatrical performed in front of thousands of rock fans in Bromley, Ipswich, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Derry, Dublin, Southend, Leeds, Nottingham, Plymouth, Glasgow, Blackpool, Hull, Southampton, Manchester, Aberdeen, Bradford, Canterbury, Oxford, Llandudno, Bristol, Milton Keynes, Liverpool, Cardiff, Birmingham, Norwich, Northampton, Bournemouth, Stoke and Reading.

Since 2002 over 15 million theatregoers in 17 countries have been thrilled by We Will Rock You’s awe-inspiring production showcasing a number of Queen’s finest hits, including We Are The Champions, Radio Ga Ga, I Want To Break Free, Somebody To Love, Killer Queen, Under Pressure, Bohemian Rhapsody, Another One Bites The Dust and, of course, We Will Rock You. Before closing its glorious 12 year run at London’s Dominion Theatre,the show was performed an astonishing 4600 times.

The touring production of We Will Rock You reaches theatres carrying with it an impressive legacy: when it first became news that one of Britain’s most phenomenally successful comedy writers Ben Elton was teaming up with legends of rock, Queen, for a musical there was much speculation on what such a unique collaboration would turn out. So impressed after attending the original workshop, screen icon Robert De Niro and his company Tribeca came on board as American partners. De Niro continues to support the show, even making a special visit to London in 2013 to help celebrate the 10th anniversary in style. The audience erupted with thunderous applause, as he joined the cast on stage after the landmark performance.

The announcement of the We Will Rock You UK & Ireland tour follows the smash hit release of the hugely anticipated Queen biopic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. The Oscar nominated film, celebrating the career of one of the greatest ever rock bands has wowed Queen fans all around the world, opening at the number one box office position in over 30 countries.

“Magnifico!”

The Sun

“One of the best shows I’ve seen in yonks. 
An evening of sheer entertainment and enjoyment”

Daily Mirror

“The sheer power of the best Queen numbers strikes hard”

Financial Times

“There was wild applause at the climax of the show…and it only got louder”

The Daily Telegraph

“Spectacular”

Daily Express

We Will Rock You UK Tour Dates

19 – 21 September 2019                                Bromley Churchill Theatre

23 – 28 September 2019                                Ipswich Regent Theatre

30 September – 5 October 2019                  Sheffield Lyceum

7 – 12 October 2019                                         Edinburgh Playhouse

14 – 19 October 2019                                       Newcastle Theatre Royal

21 – 26 October 2019                                       Derry Millennium

28 October – 2 November 2019                  Dublin Bord Gais Theatre

5 – 9 November 2019                                      Southend Cliffs Pavilion

11 – 23 November 2019                                 Leeds Grand Theatre     

25 – 30 November 2019                                 Nottingham Concert Hall              

2 – 7 December 2019                                       Plymouth Theatre Royal               

9 – 28 December 2019                                    Glasgow Theatre Royal

6 – 11 January 2020                                          Blackpool Opera House

13 – 18 January 2020                                       Hull New Theatre

20 – 25 January 2020                                       Southampton Mayflower Theatre

27 January – 8 February 2020                       Manchester Palace

10 – 15 February 2020                                     Aberdeen His Majesty’s Theatre

17 – 22 February 2020                                     Bradford Alhambra                         

24 – 29 February 2020                                     Canterbury Marlowe

2 – 7 March 2020                                               Oxford New Theatre

9 – 14 March 2020                                            Llandudno Venue Cymru

16 – 21 March 2020                                          Bristol Hippodrome                       

23 – 28 March 2020                                          Milton Keynes Theatre

30 March – 4 April 2020                                  Liverpool Empire

6 – 18 April 2020                                                Cardiff Millennium Centre

20 April – 2 May 2020                                      Birmingham Hippodrome            

4 – 9 May 2020                                                   Norwich Theatre Royal                  

11 – 16 May 2020                                              Northampton Derngate

18 – 23 May 2020                                              Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre

25 – 30 May 2020                                              Stoke Regent Theatre

1 – 6 June 2020                                                  Bromley Churchill Theatre

15 – 20 June 2020                                          Newcastle Theatre Royal

22 – 27 June 2020                                             Southend Cliffs Pavilion

29 June – 4 July 2020                                       Ipswich Regent Theatre

6 – 11 July 2020                                                 Reading Hexagon

Further cast includes:

Ensemble                                                            Laura Ava-Scott 

Ensemble/Aretha                                            Emily Olive Boyd   

Ensemble                                                            Jack Chambers        

Ensemble                                                            Louis Clarke-Clare

Ensemble                                                            Victoria Collins  

Ensemble                                                            Christopher D Hunt

Ensemble                                                            Anna Davey       

Ensemble                                                            Joanne Harper 

Ensemble                                                            Crystal Leah      

Ensemble                                                            Edward Leigh    

Ensemble                                                            Kate Leiper                                              

Ensemble                                                            Andres Quero Marin  

Ensemble/Puff                                                  Sam Robinson       

Ensemble                                                            Sjoerd van der Meer          

Male Swing/Dance Captain                          Jacob Fearey     

Female Swing                                                    Ellie Mitchell      

Website: wewillrockyou.com

Twitter: @wwryglobal

Instagram: wewillrockyouglobal

Facebook: facebook.com/wewillrockyouglobal

STORYHOUSE ANNOUNCE

AUTUMN SEASON PACKED

WITH HEADLINE SHOWS

Saturday Night Fever, The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret,

Calendar Girls The Musical, Ed Byrne, Ben Elton all feature

A star-studded programme of headline shows is heading to Storyhouse this autumn, completing a fantastic year of live entertainment at the Chester venue.

The coming season’s spotlight firmly falls on musicals, and theatregoers will be spoilt for choice with the high calibre of shows heading to the city.

Season highlights include Saturday Night Fever, The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret, and Calendar Girls The Musical – bringing a real “feel good factor” to Chester.

The new season programme starts with Bill Kenwright’s reimagined and revitalised stage version of cult film Saturday Night Fever from Tuesday 10 September to Saturday 14 September.

West End star Richard Winsor dons the famous white suit in the iconic role of Tony Manero, made famous in the Box Office smash hit film by Hollywood actor John Travolta. The musical features the greatest hits of the Bee Gees including Stayin’ Alive, How Deep Is Your Love, Night Fever, Tragedy and More Than a Woman, as well as 1970s favourites Boogie Shoes, Disco Inferno – the show also features a group playing the Bee Gees live on stage.

Cult classic The Rocky Horror Show returns to the stage this autumn for the return of one of theatre’s naughtiest musicals from Monday 16 September to Saturday 21 September. Theatregoers can expect a guaranteed party combining science fiction, horror, comedy and music – and audience participation means (optional) outrageous fancy dress!

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

Strictly’s Joanne Clifton plays Janet in The Rocky Horror Show, and is joined by James Darch as Brad;Stephen Webb as Frank ‘N’ Furter; and Kristian Lavercombe as Riff Raff. Television actor Philip Franks,known for his roles in The Darling Buds Of May, Heartbeat, Absolutely Fabulous, Foyle’s War, and Midsomer Murders, plays The Narrator.

Continuing the theme of film favourites, Bill Kenwright returns with Cabaret from Tuesday 24 September to Saturday 28 September.

It’s 1931, Berlin is a haven of divine decadence and the legendary Sally Bowles is about to take stage at the infamous Kit Kat Klub. This multi award-winning production of Kander and Ebb’s landmark musical features show-stopping choreography, dazzling costumes, and iconic songs including Money Makes The World Go Round, Maybe This Time, and Cabaret.

The cast features former EastEnders actor and West End star John Partridge as Emcee; fresh fromCilla The Musical, actress and singer Kara Lily Hayworth as Sally Bowles; and singer and screen iconAnita Harris as Fraulein Schneider.

Musical fun and frolics continue with Calendar Girls The Musical by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth fromTuesday 29 October to Saturday 2 November.

Calendar Girls The Musical is inspired by the true story of a group of ladies, who create a Women’s Institute (WI) calendar to raise funds to buy a settee for their local hospital in memory of one of their husbands. The twist is they appear nude in the pictures. This musical comedy highlights life in their Yorkshire village, the effect on husbands, sons and daughters, but most of all how a group of ordinary women achieved something extraordinary. Their story was also made into a smash hit film.

The cast features Ruth Madoc, Rebecca Storm, Sarah Jane Buckley, Sue Devaney, Julia Hills, Judy Holt, and Lisa Maxwell. They are joined by Phil Corbitt, Ian Mercer, Sebastian Aberneri, Alan Stocks, Pauline Daniels, Ellie Leah, Danny Howker, Isabel Caswell, and Tyler Dobbs.

Continuing with music, Wireless Wise – A Celebration Of Radio 4 is on Sunday 22 September.

Wireless Wise brings together a remarkable group of seasoned radio personalities – Alistair McGowan, the Reverend Richard Coles, Garry Richardson, Charlotte Green, and special guest Richie Web – to celebrate BBC Radio in an unforgettable evening of comedy, anecdotes, sketches, music and nostalgia. Collectively, these presenters have appeared on the airwaves for more than two centuries.

There’s something gruesome and thrilling for youngsters with a double bill Horrible Histories fromTuesday 5 November to Friday 8 November with brand new shows, Terrible Tudorsand Awful Egyptians.

Terrible Tudors take a trip through the horrible Henrys to the end of evil Elizabeth and hear the legend (and the lies!) about the torturing Tudors. Find out the fate of Henry’s headless wives and his punch-up with the Pope. Survive the Spanish Armada as it sails into the audience! Terrible Tudorsruns from Tuesday 5 November to Friday 8 November 2019.

Awful Egyptians invites visitors to meetthe fascinating Pharaohs, gasp at the power of the pyramids, and discover the foul facts of death and decay with the meanest mummies in Egypt. It’s the history of Egypt with the nasty bits left in! Awful Egyptians runs from Wednesday 6 November to Friday 8 November 2019.

Comedy continues to feature strong on the Storyhouse programme, and this season dates include Ed Byrne, Ben Elton, Tom Rosenthal, Vikki Stoneand Laurence Clark.

Ed Byrne presents his new show If I’m Honest on Monday 18 November. Ed’s new masterclass in observational comedy comes hot on the heels of his 2017/2018 tour, Spoiler Alert. Ed takes a long hard look at himself, and tries to decide if he has any traits that are worth passing on to his children. Ed has recently appeared on Live At The Apollo, Mock The Week, The Pilgrimage, Top Gear, and QI.

Catch Ben Elton Live on Tuesday 10 December. The comic burst onto television screens more than 30 years ago hosting Channel 4’s ground-breaking Saturday Live. Now, after a 15-year absence, Ben is back on the road with an all-new stand-up show – and promises to try and make sense of a world which appears to have gone stark raving mad.

Tom Rosenthal brings his Manhood show to Storyhouse on Friday 20 September. Known for his roles in Friday Night Dinner and Plebs, Tom was named Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year and was also nominated for Best Breakthrough Artist at the British Comedy Awards.

Multi award-winning comedian and musician Vikki Stone presents her show, Songbird, on Thursday 24 October. The show promises an evening of full of Vikki’s trademark comedy songs and stand up. Vikki has appeared on BBC Radio 4’s The Now Show, BBC One’s John Bishop Show, and the BBC Proms Podcast.

Comedian Laurence Clark brings his inspirational show An Irresponsible Father’s Guide To Parentingto Storyhouse on Sunday 8 September. Growing up Laurence never saw dads with cerebral palsy, which made him think he’d never be a parent himself. The BBC1 documentary We Won’t Drop The Babyfollowed his family’s journey as they welcomed their second child. This new stage show gives a brutally honest and charming account of what it’s really like to be a disabled parent. Challenging and engaging, it has the potential to reach new audiences by exploring the commonality and differences in the experiences of disabled and non-disabled fathers.

An exciting autumn season concludes with the Storyhouse show for Christmas 2019 – Peter Pan,which runs from Friday 6 December 2019 through to Sunday 12 January 2020.

Following last year’s stunning production of The Wizard Of Oz, Storyhouse presents classic Peter Panto entertain audiences of all ages this festive season. Journey to Neverland for a high-flying adventure. The forever young Peter Pan sails through the skies to bring Wendy and the Darling children to the Lost Children’s enchanted island, where the fearsome Captain Hook rules over the high seas. Based on the timeless book by JM Barrie.

Storyhouse Artistic Director Alex Clifton commented: “No sooner does one season finish, than we start counting down to starting all over again and welcoming a brand new programme of entertainment. The spotlight is most definitely on music and dance for autumn, and as the evenings draw in and the days get shorter, what’s better than a trip to the theatre to experience a live show – giving you the real feel-good factor.”

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

Website:         www.storyhouse.com

Facebook:       www.facebook.com/storyhouselive/

Twitter:           @StoryhouseLive

LISTING INFORMATION

STORYHOUSE AUTUMN SEASON 2019

LAURENCE CLARK: AN IRRESPONSIBLE FATHER’S GUIDE TO PARENTING

Garret Theatre

Dates: Sunday 8 September 2019

Times: 7.30pm

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER

Dates: Tuesday 10 September – Saturday 14 September 2019

Times: Tuesday – Saturday 7.30pm / Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm

ROCKY HORROR SHOW

Dates: Monday 16 September – Saturday 21 September 2019

Times: Monday – Thursday 8.00pm / Friday – Saturday 5.30pm & 8.30pm

TOM ROSENTHAL: MANHOOD

Garret Theatre

Date: Friday 20 September 2019

Time: 8pm

WIRELESS WISE – A CELEBRATION OF RADIO 4

Date: Sunday 22 September 2019

Time: 7.30pm

CABARET

Dates: Tuesday 24 September – Saturday 28 September 2019

Times: Monday – Saturday 7.30pm / Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm

VIKKI STONE: SONGBIRD

Garret Theatre

Date: Thursday 24 October 2019

Time: 8pm

CALENDAR GIRLS THE MUSICAL

Dates: Tuesday 29 October – Saturday 2 November 2019

Times: Tuesday – Saturday 7.30pm / Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm

HORRIBLE HISTORIES: TERRIBLE TUDORS

Dates: Tuesday 5 November – Friday 8 November 2019

Time: Tuesday 5.30pm / Wednesday 1.30pm / Thursday 6pm / Friday 10.30am

HORRIBLE HISTORIES: AWFUL EGYPTIANS

Dates: Wednesday 6 November – Friday 8 November 2019

Time: Wednesday 10.30am / Thursday 10.30am / Friday 6pm

ED BYRNE: IF I’M HONEST

Date: Monday 18 November 2019

Time: 8pm

PETER PAN

Dates: Friday 6 December 2019 – Sunday 12 January 2020

Time: Performance times vary, check website listings

BEN ELTON LIVE

Date: Tuesday 10 December 2019

Time: 8pm

STORYHOUSE

Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR

HOW TO BOOK

Online:            Visit www.storyhouse.com

By Phone:       Call 01244 409 113

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

Howard Panter for Trafalgar Theatre Productions

and Eilene Davidson Productions

present

Starring

TOBY STEPHENS & CLAIRE SKINNER

WRITTEN BY PETER NICHOLS

DIRECTED BY SIMON EVANS

TRAFALGAR STUDIOS

PREVIEWS FROM SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY 19 JULY

Toby Stephens (Oslo, Lost in Space) and Claire Skinner (Outnumbered, The Father) will make their long awaited returns to the West End stage this autumn in Peter Nichols’(Privates on Parade, Passion Play) funny and moving masterpieceA Day in the Death of Joe Egg.  Directed by Simon Evans (Killer Joe, Arturo Ui), this revival of Nichols’ acclaimed bittersweet comedy reunites two of the greatest actors of their generation. The stars, who last worked together 18 years ago on the award winning BBC TV drama ‘Perfect Strangers’, will now be performing on stage together for the very first time. Opening at Trafalgar Studios on Saturday 21 September, tickets go on-sale on Friday 19 July.

Bri (Stephens) and Sheila (Skinner) have been struggling to care for their disabled 10-year old daughter Josephine ever since she was born. Nicknaming her “Joe Egg”, they lose themselves in fantasy games and black humour to help cope with the struggle of their daily reality. This remarkable story challenges all our assumptions on the limits of love and the power of family.

Inspired by Nichols’ own experience of bringing up his disabled daughter in the 1960s, Joe Egg was one of the ground-breaking plays of its generation and the issues faced by two parents in this bittersweet comedy still resonate with audiences today, breaking your heart one minute and filling it with warmth the next. Now this startlingly funny and celebrated play returns to the West End for a limited season until Saturday 30 November.  Further casting will be announced soon.

Toby Stephens said: “I’m thrilled to be part of a revival of this fantastic play.  Reading it for the first time, I couldn’t believe that it had been written in the late sixties; it felt so vivid, dark and anarchically funny. The play still feels very raw and relevant, today. I’m very glad to be working with Claire Skinner again after quite a long interval – some 18 years!  I think she is a very fine actor and I was really excited to hear that she wanted to do the play as well.”

Claire Skinner said: “I’m really looking forward to coming back to the West End with this complex, thought provoking and funny play and I’m also looking forward to working with Toby again after 18 years!”

Simon Evans said: “At a time when the act of living well from day to day seems tougher than ever, I can’t help but resonate with the characters in Joe Egg: displaying such wit, weakness, cruelty and courage as they struggle on. I’ve been a fan of Toby and Claire for years and the opportunity to explore Bri and Sheila with actors of their calibre, and share Peter’s seminal play again with a London audience, is such an honour.”

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Performances: Monday – Saturday at 7:30pm, Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2:30pm
Box Office: www.atgtickets.com/trafalgarstudios / 0844 871 7632

Ticket Prices: From £25

Access performance dates to be confirmed

Website: www.JoeEggPlay.com 

Cast and creatives announced for
This is Black at The Bunker
The Bunker, 53A Southwark Street London SE1 1RU
Monday 5th – Sunday 25th August 2019

Opening The Bunker’s Autumn Season the curated festival This is Black will premiere theatre productions by four new and exciting Black writers across an alternating double-bill. Exploring identity, family relationships and universal struggles, the festival will showcase All the Shit I Can’t Say to My Dad by Abraham Adeyemi and Blue Beneath My Skin by Macadie Amoroso with PYNEAPPLE by Chantelle Alle and Melissa Saint and Teleportation by Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo.

The festival will also feature a visual art exhibition curated by Sophia Tassew, an art director and creative who has curated a number of sell-out exhibitions with brands such as ASOS and Converse. The exhibit will run every Sunday, highlighting the work of artists Amaal Mohamed, Sharon Adebisi and Taja Boodie in response to the stimulus, ‘What does it mean to be Black in the UK? Past, present and future’.

Abraham Adeyemi’s All the Shit I Can’t Say to My Dad is a musical exploration of unresolved conflicts within a strained parent relationship, from differences of faith to absent fatherhood. Through music the relationships are analysed and unspoken truths surface. Director Jade Lewis (Superhoe, Royal Court and Brighton Festival, Assistant Director for Nine Night, National Theatre and Trafalgar Studios) will bring the production to life, with casting still to be announced.

Macadie Amoroso will both write and star in her one-woman debut, Blue Beneath my Skin, directed by established actor Janet Etuk (TAO of Glass, Royal Exchange Theatre; Love, National Theatre, Birmingham Rep and UK Tour). Using her own experiences and poetic prose to capture the mixedrace experience of identity and knowing your heritage, Macadie explores the universal struggles of humanity – we can all feel blue regardless of race, gender, or ethnicity.

A debut from the SPYCE collective, PYNEAPPLE by writers Chantelle Alle and Melissa Saint, is a vibrant and humorous new play grappling with the stereotypes surrounding young black women. Set in a London hair salon, shampoo and social conditioning get the theatre treatment as a group of women come together with difference voices but same shared experiences. Directed by Abigail Sewell (The Lost Ones, Ovalhouse; Assistant Director for Pah-La, Royal Court Theatre; Things of Dry Hours, Young Vic) the cast includes co-writer Melissa Saint, as well as Amba Rose Mendy, Elise Palmer, and Odera Ndujiuba.

Differing cultures collide in the debut play Teleportation by actress Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo (Doctor Who, BBC; The Mountaintop, Young Vic) when a carer meets her new disabled companion, exploring how two polar-opposites can share a single spirit, question their prejudices and discover themselves through one another. This will be directed by festival curator, Steven Kavuma (BOYS, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden; Assistant Director for Still No Idea, Royal Court Theatre), starring actress Antonia Layiwola.

This is Black curator Steven Kavuma comments, As a writer and director, I have always wanted to go and showcase my work at the Edinburgh Fringe but have felt mindful of participating as I am aware of the mental and physical baggage it involves to be a Black artist presenting work in Edinburgh and other fringe theatre spaces which are often occupied by white people. I have heard stories from friends about their experiences from racial profiling, racist comments and white audiences unwilling to take flyers for their shows.

It feels as though there is only space, time, money and resources for a particular kind of person in this industry, who is always given the license to make “edgy”, “radical” and “experimental” work. When we do make work and take ownership of spaces, it is often branded by some critics as “aggressive”, “too loud”, “too violent” and “not challenging enough”. As an artist, this annoys me but as a Black person making work, it displaces me in this industry and in this country.

Kavuma adds, I believe that Blackness is not one dimensional; it is layered, complex, beautiful, ugly, angry, loud, and everything more that is unsaid and with all the plays in this festival, we aim to offer audiences a varied depiction of Black stories. With the DJ sets and exhibition, I hope this will begin to deconstruct how none or not regular theatregoers interact and engage with theatre.

This is Black aims to support, encourage and celebrate Black artists, and to create a supportive fringe festival experience that existing platforms do not always successfully provide. Friday and Saturday nights will also include a DJ set until late from Ashleigh Simone who has DJed events such as Sony Music Entertainment’s International Women’s Day Event, Boxpark Croydon Ree-Up Presents and Syco’s Annual Summer Party at the V&A museum.

Grease is the word as 1959 pink Cadillac rolls 
in to Birmingham

This week, ahead of the arrival of the world’s best-loved musical, GREASE a 1959 pink Cadillac rolled in to Birmingham’s Brindley Place bringing those Summer Nights to the people of Brum.

The Cadillac even added some Summer Lovin’ to a special day as a pair of newlyweds stopped by to have their photo taken just minutes after tying the knot.

The brand new production of GREASE comes to Birmingham Hippodrome from Tuesday 13 – Saturday 24 August. Peter Andre and Ore Oduba will share the role of Teen Angel at certain performances with Dan Partridge as Danny, Martha Kirby as Sandy, Louis Gaunt as Kenickie and Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky as Rizzo.

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 40th 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 Phillips, 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, InTheatre Productions, Donovan Mannato, William Sinclair, Ricardo Marques, Hunter Arnold and Curve.

GREASE comes to Birmingham Hippodrome from Tuesday 13 – Saturday 24 August. To book visit birminghamhippodrome.com or call 0844 338 5000 (4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge). 

Gala Premiere of LS Lowry biopic to take place at The Lowry in Salford.

The Lowry arts centre in Salford is to host a special ‘Gala Premiere’ of the upcoming LS Lowry biopic, Mrs Lowry & Son, on Tuesday 27 August.

The film, which stars Academy Award® winner Vanessa Redgrave and BAFTA® Nominee Timothy Spall in the title roles, depicts the complicated relationship between the two in 1930s Salford.

Tickets for the red carpet event have gone on sale today priced at £15.

Spall will be among those attending the premiere in the venue’s Lyric Theatre and will take part in an on-stage ‘In Conversation’ with the film’s director, former Royal Shakespeare Company director, Adrian Noble, after the screening.

Commenting on their hosting of the Gala Premiere, Julia Fawcett OBE, chief executive of The Lowry, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to showcase this very powerful yet humorous insight into the relationship between Lowry and his mother to a home audience here in the heart of Salford

“Lowry is a much-loved artist but there’s so much more to him than many people know. I think cinemagoers will be surprised to see some of the struggles he faced throughout his career, not least of all his mother’s criticism of his work.”

Timothy Spall said: “I’m delighted to be bringing this film back to Lowry’s hometown of Salford, and am thrilled that the premiere is taking place in the building where his work is on display for all to enjoy.”

Mrs Lowry & Son opens in cinemas nationwide on Friday 30 August

The Lowry is home to the world’s largest public collection of paintings and drawings by the Salford artist. It provides critical and curatorial analysis of his work and seeks to raise his profile as an artist of international stature.

Their permanent exhibition, LS Lowry: The Art & The Artist, features more than 160 paintings and drawings from a collection of over 300 works held in trust on behalf of the people of Salford.

Open daily and free of charge, it currently features a display dedicated to Mrs Lowry & Son, including behind the scenes photographs, props, film clips, mood boards, shooting schedules and the final screenplay signed by the cast.

Listing information:

Mrs Lowry & Son – Gala Premiere & In Conversation
Tuesday 27 August 2019, 7.30pm
The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ
Tickets: £15 (Box Office: 0343 208 6000 / Website: www.thelowry.com)

CAMERON MACKINTOSH INTRODUCES

SHAN AKO AND LILY KERHOAS TO JOIN THE PRINCIPAL CAST OF

L E S   M I S É R A B L E S  

THE STAGED CONCERT

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED AS REHEARSALS BEGIN

As rehearsals begin for Les Misérables –The Staged Concert, Cameron Mackintosh introduces Shan Ako and Lily Kerhoas who complete the principal casting as Éponine and Cosette respectively.  They join the previously announced Michael Ball as Javert, Alfie Boe as Jean Valjean, Carrie Hope Fletcher as Fantine, Matt Lucas as Thénardier, Rob Houchen as Marius, Bradley Jaden as Enjolras, Katy Secombe as Madame Thénardier and, for three performances a week,John Owen-Jones as Jean Valjean. 

This spectacular staging of the legendary concert, with a company of over 65, will run from 10 August – 30 November 2019 at the intimate Gielgud Theatre, next door to the home of Les Misérables at the recently re-named Sondheim Theatre, previously the Queen’s.

The Company also includes Rosanna Bates, Adam Bayjou, Ciarán Bowling, Simon Bowman,Oliver Brenin, Earl Carpenter, Vinny Coyle, Samantha Dorsey, Tamsin Dowsett, Nicola Espallardo, Celia Graham, Barnaby Hughes, Holly-Anne Hull, Oliver Jackson, Christopher Jacobsen, Gavin James, Will Jennings, Ciaran Joyce, Katie Kerr, Sarah Lark, Joanna Loxton, Craig Mather, Stephen Matthews, James Nicholson, Rosa O’Reilly, Claire Parrish,Sophie Reeves, Grainne Renihan, Leo Roberts, Raymond Walsh, Gemma Wardle andAndrew York. 

Les Misérables‘’ much celebrated score includes the songs I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, Stars, Bring Him Home, Do You Hear the People Sing?, One Day More, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, Master Of The House and many more. 

Les Misérables is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and is based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmerand original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel with additional material by James Fenton and adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird.

Produced on stage by Cameron Mackintosh, Les Misérables is the world’s longest running musical now in its 35^th year in London.  Produced on screen also by Mackintosh (along with Working Title and Universal), Les Misérablesis now the most successful movie of an original stage musical.  The new production of Les Misérables, with a separate company, is currently on a sold-out international tour which has recently been extended to Autumn 2020.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Les Misérables – The Staged Concert

Theatre:                    Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 6AR

Dates:                       10 August – 30 November 2019

Performances:           Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm, Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm

                                At certain performances John Owen-Jones will be performing the role of Jean Valjean

Les Misérables – The New Production

Theatre:                    Sondheim Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 6AR

Dates:                       From 18 December 2019

Performances:           Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm, Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm

Booking details

Website:                    https://www.lesmis.com/london

Box Office:                0844 482 5151

Facebook:          https://www.facebook.com/lesmisofficial/          

Twitter:                     https://twitter.com/lesmisofficial

Instagram       https://www.instagram.com/lesmizofficial/

Previews begin tomorrow for Sally Cookson’s magical retelling of Peter Pan at Troubadour White City Theatre, a brand new state-of-the-art venue in West London.

The National Theatre production of Sally Cookson’s magical retelling of Peter Pan takes flight tomorrow night at Troubadour White City Theatre, London’s newest theatre, located just minutes from Westfield in West London. Peter Pan runs until 27 October

Peter Pan, first seen at Bristol Old Vic and reconceived at the National Theatre in 2016, is a thrilling story suitable for all ages. Devised by the companies and directed by Olivier Award-winner Sally Cookson (The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Jane Eyre, A Monster Calls), the production features innovative aerial acrobatics and live music from an on stage band. Bursting with magic, mischief, music and make-believe, this wondrously inventive Peter Pan is a funny and moving version of a much-loved story.

Troubadour White City Theatre opens for the first time tomorrow at White City Place, the former BBC Media Village in West London. The venue consists of two fully flexible spaces including a 1,200 seat theatre where Peter, Wendy and the lost boys will soar over the audience in the fully flexible space, and an 800-seat multi-purpose state-of-the-art theatre. White City Place is a joint venture development between Stanhope, Mitsui Fudosan and AIMCo.

John Pfumojena, who played Michael Darling in the 2016 production at the NT leads a 24-strong company as Peter Pan, alongside Daisy Maywood as Wendy Darling and Kelly Price as Captain Hook, who also plays Mrs Darling. They are joined by: Greg Bernstein (Ensemble), Matthew Churcher (Ensemble), Raffaella Covino (Swing & Dance Captain), Josh Donovan (Swing), Ammar Duffus (Michael Darling/Pirate), Jemma Geanaus (Swing), Philippa Hogg (Ensemble), Mark Kane(Nana/Tootles/Pirate), Richard Kent (Ensemble), Cora Kirk (Jane/Nibs/Pirate), David Langham (Mr Darling/Smee/Lost Boy (Twin Two)), Nadine Lee (Band), Iniki Mariano (Ensemble), Harry Miller(Band), Jessica Murrain (Tiger Lily/Slightly/Pirate), Loren O’Dair (Twin One/Pirate/Ensemble), Miles Paloma (Swing), Luke Potter (Band), Shiv Rabheru (Tinkerbell/Curly/Pirate), Jools Scott (Band) and Alistair Toovey (John Darling/Pirate).

Peter Pan is designed by Michael Vale with costume design by Katie Sykes, dramaturgy by Mike Akers, lighting design by Aideen Malone, and sound design by Dominic Bilkey. Peter Pan features original music by Benji Bower, with movement direction by Dan Canham, puppetry design and direction by Toby Olié, aerial direction by Gwen Hales, fight direction by Rachel Bown-Williams andRuth Copper-Brown of RC-ANNIE Ltd, and Aerial Rigging Direction by John Maddox. Casting is bySam Stevenson CDG.

Sally Cookson trained at LAMDA and worked as an actor for ten years before embarking on a freelance directing career. Her theatre credits include The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (West Yorkshire Playhouse); Jane Eyre and Peter Pan (Bristol Old Vic/National Theatre). She is an associate artist at Bristol Old Vic, where other productions include Sleeping Beauty, Treasure Island,The Boy Who Cried Wolf, Papa Please Get the Moon for Me, Clown, Strange Case, Pericles, Pains of Youth and The Visit. Her numerous collaborations with Travelling Light theatre include Strictly Balti,The Ugly Duckling, Boing!, How Cold My Toes, Shadowplay, Cloudland, Lenny and Bob the Man on the Moon. Other theatre includes One Hundred and One Dalmatians, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves,Cinderella – A Fairytale (Tobacco Factory Theatre, Olivier Award nomination); La Strada, Hetty Feather (Olivier Award nomination); We’re Going On A Bear Hunt (Kenny Wax Productions); Romeo and Juliet (The Rose Theatre); Stick Man and Tiddler (Scamp Theatre).

Peter Pan is a National Theatre co-production with Bristol Old Vic.

Presented by special arrangement with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity and Samuel French Ltd.

Peter Pan at Troubadour White City Theatre is supported by American Express, the National Theatre’s preferred Card Partner.

DRYWRITE, SOHO THEATRE AND ANNAPURNA THEATRE PRESENT

FLEABAG

Written and performed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Directed by Vicky Jones   

• THREE BRAND NEW WAYS TO SEE FLEABAG IN THE WEST END

• FLEABAG WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE TO CINEMAS AROUND THE UK AND INTERNATIONALLY ON 12^TH SEPTEMBER WITH NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE  
   
• ONLINE LOTTERY: 50 SEATS AT £15 WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR EVERY PERFORMANCE VIA TODAYTIX
   
• A LIMITED NUMBER OF £10 STANDING TICKETS ARE SET TO BE AVAILABLE FROM THE WYNDHAM’S THEATRE BOX OFFICE ON THE DAY OF EACH PERFORMANCE
   
• PHOEBE WALLER-BRIDGE’S MULTI AWARD-WINNING PRODUCTIONFLEABAG RUNS AT WYNDHAM’S THEATRE FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON FROM 20 AUGUST – 14 SEPTEMBER

​DryWrite, Soho Theatre and Annapurna Theatre have today announced three brand new ways to see the critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning FLEABAG in the West End this summer. There will be a live cinema broadcast of the production on 12th September, an online lottery for £15 tickets to every performance of the show and £10 standing tickets which are to be made available at box office daily. The production runs at Wyndham’s Theatre from 20^th August – 14^th September.

FLEABAG will be broadcast live to venues around the UK and internationally on 12^th September at 7.30pm with National Theatre Live. For more information on where to watch and how to buy tickets, audiences are advised to check with their venue or the NT live website.

A digital lottery will be available through the TodayTix app. A total of 50 tickets for each of the 30 performances (1,500 in total) will be available for £15. The FLEABAG lottery will be held weekly during the season, with the first one opening on Monday 12 August and closing on Wednesday 14 August, enabling users to apply for multiple performances at the same time. To enter the lottery, users must download the free TodayTix app, and register. All TodayTix users will be notified when the lottery opens and winners will have the choice to purchase either one or two tickets. Seats allocated for the lottery will include prime positions in the front row. Please see the ‘Listings’ section below for the full lottery schedule.

There will also be a limited number of £10 tickets will be available to purchase each morning in person from 10am at the Wyndham’s Box Office. Each person will be permitted to purchase one ticket each and are subject to availability.

The critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning FLEABAG will play the West End for a strictly limited four week run this summer. Written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and directed by Vicky Jones, the one-woman show recently played to a sold-out house Off-Broadway in New York, and premiered its second season on BBC Three to universal acclaim. The homecoming run will be the last time Waller-Bridge will perform the piece. The play will begin previews on 20 August 2019 with an opening night on Wednesday 28^th August 7:30pm at Wyndham’s Theatre.

FLEABAG was originally produced by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Vicky Jones and producer Francesca Moody’s company DryWrite. It previewed at Soho Theatre before its Edinburgh Festival debut in 2013, winning rave reviews and a Fringe First Award. It returned to play the Soho Theatre in London that autumn and was revived by DryWrite and Soho Theatre in 2014 and 2016, as well as touring the UK (2015 and 2018), South Korea (2014) and Australia (2018) and an Edinburgh Festival revival as part of the British Council Edinburgh Showcase (2017). The production also won The Stage Best Solo Performer Award, the Off-West End Award for Most Promising New Playwright and Best Female Performance, and was nominated for an Olivier Award and an Evening Standard Award. In 2019, Annapurna Theatre produced the New York Off-Broadway premiere, co-produced by DryWrite and Soho Theatre. The extended, sold-out New York run earned Waller-Bridge a Drama League Award nomination for Distinguished Performance, a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Outstanding Solo Show, and a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Solo Performance. 

FLEABAG was adapted into a BBC Three Television series in partnership with Amazon Prime Video in 2016 and earned Phoebe a BAFTA Award for Best Female Comedy Performance. The series was also nominated for a Gotham Independent Film Award, Television Critics Association Award and Critics Choice TV Award, among other accolades. The BBC and Amazon renewed the series for a second season, which premiered on BBC Three and Amazon Prime Video earlier this year. Waller-Bridge also created and wrote the first season of the celebrated BBC America television series “Killing Eve,” which was nominated for an Emmy, Golden Globe and 15 BAFTA TV Awards. FLEABAG and Phoebe Waller-Bridge received several 2019 Emmy nominations on Tuesday, including Outstanding Comedy Series, Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series.

FLEABAG is a rip-roaring look at some sort of woman living her sort of life. Fleabag may appear emotionally unfiltered and oversexed, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. With family and friendships under strain and a guinea pig café struggling to keep afloat, Fleabag suddenly finds herself with nothing to lose.

FLEABAG is produced by DryWrite, Soho Theatre and Annapurna Theatre.