Month: July 2019

Milton Keynes Theatre – until 20 July 2019

Reviewed by Alex Sykes

5*****

Set in 1960s America, at the height of the Vietnam war, Hair tells the story of a tribe of Hippies in New York.

The audience are first introduced to Berger (Jake Quickenden) who is one of the more vocal members of the tribe. Along with Berger there is also Claude (Paul Wilkins) who has been enlisted into the army to help with the war that the rest of the tribe are against. Joining then are Jeanie, a pregnant hippy, Sheila, who loves Berger, and various other members of the tribe.

The songs are short and catchy and add to the story, and the audience sang along with Let The Sunshine In as everyone seemed to know it. The staging is basic, with the background being made up of lots of ribbons. The band are also on stage in tents and shelters which have been made to look like the rest of the hippie commune.

The story is easy to follow and portrays a serious matter in a comical way with the cast interacting with the audience, especially in the finale when audience members are invited on to the stage. The only questionable part is why the first act ends with every one naked on stage.

All in all a good night out with plenty of songs to keep you singing for days afterwards

Darlington Hippodrome – until 20 July 2019

5*****

Stones in his Pocket, this wonderful little gem of a show, arrives in to Darlington as part of it current tour – and what a treat the audiences are in for

When a touch of glamour lands in a quiet village, the impact on the local community can be enormous. Stones in his Pockets tells such a story. The central premise is fairly simple, as a Hollywood film crew descend on a remote, sleepy village in Ireland, and engage many of the local people as extras, setting in motion a chain of events that leads to tragedy. All is not doom and gloom, however. being very funny, and at the same time very poignant. 

Marie Jones’ award winning play is about  the stars, the villagers, the extras and the production team shooting The Quiet Valley in County Kerry. There’s Aisling, Assistant Director, and Simon her superior, John the weary dialogue coach, Jock from security, Caroline Giovanni the glamorous leading lady, Clem, the English director and Wee Mickey, who is the only surviving extra from The Quiet Man. Not to mention Charlie and Jake, our two extras, each with disappointments in his past and dreams for his future. Charlie, an outsider from the village has written a screenplay after his DVD rental outlet ironically went under. Jake, a likeable local lad, is just back from the States after getting homesick.

All of the characters are played by two incredibly talented actors, Owen Sharpe and Kevin Trainor, who effortlessly slip into the voice and the physique of a dozen or more cherishable characters and sketching scores of memorable scenes: coffee in Caroline’s trailer, the “destitution” mime, the poignant flashback to Sean and Finn’s childhood friendship, before drugs and life push Sean to take his own life by drowning with stones in his pockets

The only props are a box and two stools, so the illusion is maintained by the skill of the two actors and some clever dialogue, against a backdrop of the impressive but simple set by Peter McKintosh and Lindsay Posner’s excellent direction

Though there are darker themes, what we always take away is the tour-de-force that brings all these characters to life – Simon becomes the seductive, needy Caroline, Finn becomes the kindly old teacher, Brother Gerard. And they all appear at once in the Flatley inspired finale – this Irish jig is sheer brilliance 

Stone in His Pockets allows its audience to enter the world of its characters providing an entertaining, amusing and thought-provoking evening.  Despite the tragedy and undercurrent of exploitation that run through the piece, we are left with a feeling of hope that for some people at least, their experiences on film have awakened a sense of determination and self-belief. A complete joy throughout

THEY’RE ON A MISSION…

THE CHICAGO BLUES BROTHERS

COME TO THE WEST END:

LONDON’S SAVOY THEATRE – FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY

 “Tight Classy and Brassy” Time Out

“Fun and Infectious” The Stage

“A high octane musical mash up” Bristol Post

On August 4^th audiences are invited to dance the night away ‘The Chicago Blues Brothers’ – Europe’s biggest and best-loved production of the Blues Brothers which comes to the West End London’s Savoy Theatre

This award-winning spectacular is a high-octane, adrenaline-pumping musical mash-up presents the best material from the original Blues Brothers movies; jam-packed full of songs by legends such as Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Otis Redding, Ray Charles, Tina Turner, Cab Calloway – plus many more.

Featuring blues, soul, Motown and funk classics with a few surprises thrown in along the way ‘The Chicago Blues Brothers’ captures the sound, energy and persona that propelled the film to a cult status and that still thrills audiences worldwide today.

Backed by the multi award winning CBB Band and the Sweet Soul Sisters, a new stage set and state of the art full stage projection

‘The Chicago Blues Brothers’ is a joyous hoot, a musical riot, a juiced-up jamboree of the coolest, funkiest soul, blues and Motown hits performed with style, class and showmanship by a troupe of some of the finest entertainers working in modern musical theatre.

Infectious, dazzling, riotous, exuberant and spirited, the legacy of Jake and Elwood has been jump-started for a new generation with an energy. ‘The Chicago Blues Brothers’ are on a mission once again and hope to give London audiences a night to remember. 

CHRIS HINDLE is JOLIET JAKE BLUES

Chris Hindle is the driving force behind ‘The Chicago Blues Brothers’, not only does he play Jake in the show, he also is responsible for the production of the show. From stage set to artwork, social Media to arrangements – Chris is right there at the heart of everything.

Chris also trained at the De Costa academy in York studying the art of Italian Opera. A natural tenor and performer, he was able to hit those high notes with ease, but his musical passion laid elsewhere. In Joliet Jake Blues he has truly found his calling.

GARETH DAVEY is ELWOOD BLUES

Award winning vocalist Gareth ‘Elwood’ Davey was a well-established solo artist for several years touring throughout the UK but he decided to leave his solo career behind him and join ‘The Chicago Blues Brothers’. He amazes audiences with his natural vocal ability; from deep bluesy bass vocals to sweet soulful falsetto, Gareth has a vocal range that very few pro singers can compare to.

Chris and Gareth have been best friends for over 16 years, and this shines through on stage. They are both professional wind up artists and enjoy playing tricks on everyone in the band and members of the public. Their off-stage friendship is one of the magical aspects that makes the Chicago Blues Brothers such a fun and unique show.

FIRST TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED FOR 2020 UK TOUR OF

Selladoor Family and Beano Studios are delighted to announce that their all new musical stage production Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed! will open on 23 January 2020 at the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury before embarking on a year-long UK tour throughout 2020.

This new family friendly show is based on the hit TV show Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed! and is being developed by Selladoor – the company behind hits including Madagascar the Musical and Little Shop of Horrors.

The musical tells the story of the mischievous twosome and their best friends, Rubi, JJ and Pieface and their mission to save Beanotown from the grips of the evil W Corps! Featuring live music, hilarious pranks, and of course, Dennis’ trademark skateboard, this brand new, high-octane family musical is perfect for pranksters young and old!

BAFTA-winning writer/producer-director Will Brenton will write the show which will feature Dennis and Gnasher’s imitable sense of fun and ageless humour delivered with a repertoire of songs.  He commented:

“The idea behind this show has always been to do something different. This adaptation takes the spirit of Dennis and the Dinmakers and puts them at the centre of an indie rock musical – where the characters take human form, play live music and won’t be happy unless the audience end up on their feet dancing. With amazing music, both original and known, slick dance routines, pranks, explosions and surprises to delight and transport the audience, this show is aimed at the whole family”.

The creative team will also include set and costume Designer Jean Chan and choreographer Kendra Horsburgh.

The stage production follows on from the success of Beano Studios’ international Emmy-nominated TV seriesDennis & Gnasher: Unleashed! The TV show stars Beano’s irrepressible hero Dennis, his dogged side kick Gnasher and fearless mates including Rubi, JJ, Pieface and his pet potato Paul. Together they cook up crazy plans, get in all sorts of scrapes and take on every challenge, no matter how big.

Casting and further tour dates will be announced in due course.

DENNIS AND GNASHER UNLEASHED! 2020 TOUR DATES

Thursday 23 – Sunday 26 January                                                                 Box Office: 0844 871 7607

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre                                                                         Website: www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury

Tuesday 28 January – Saturday 1 February                                                Box Office: 01262 678258

Bridlington Spa                                                                                                   Website: www.bridspa.com

Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 February                                                                  Box Office: 0844 871 3017

Liverpool Empire                                                                                                Website: www.atgtickets.com/liverpool

Tuesday 18 – Saturday 22 February                                                              Box Office: 0844 871 3019

Palace Theatre, Manchester                                                                           Website: www.atgtickets.com/manchester

Tuesday 25 – Saturday 29 February                                                              Box Office: 0844 871 3011

Birmingham Alexandra                                                                                     Website: www.atgtickets.com/birmingham

Tuesday 3 – Saturday 7 March                                                                       Box Office: 0118 960 6060

Reading Hexagon                                                                                               Website: www.readingarts/hexagon

Tuesday 10 – Saturday 14 March                                                                  Box Office: 01684 892277

Malvern Theatres                                                                                              Website: www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

Tuesday 17 – Saturday 21 March                                                                  Box Office: 0844 871 7646

New Wimbledon Theatre                                                                                Website: www.atgtickets.com/wimbledon

Tuesday 24 – Saturday 28 March                                                                  Box Office: 01271

Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple                                                                          Website: www.queenstheatre-barnstaple.com

Tuesday 31 March – Saturday 4 April                                                           Box Office: 0844 871 7647

Glasgow Theatre Royal                                                                                     Website: www.atgtickets.com/glasgow

Tuesday 7 – Saturday 11 April                                                                        Box Office: 01482 300306

Hull New Theatre                                                                                               Website: www.hulltheatres.co.uk

Tuesday 14 – Saturday 18 April                                                                      Box Office: 01904 623568

York Theatre Royal                                                                                            Website: www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

Further dates to be announced

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR ROYAL & DERNGATE AND ENGLISH TOURING THEATRE’S PRODUCTION OF TWO TRAINS RUNNING

Royal & Derngate and English Touring Theatre present

TWO TRAINS RUNNING

by August Wilson

UK tour: 31 August – 27 November 2019

Directed by 2018 RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award winner Nancy Medina

Designer: Frankie Bradshaw; Lighting Designer: Amy Mae; Movement Director: Rachael Nanyonjo

Royal & Derngate and English Touring Theatre today announce the full cast for Nancy Medina’s production of August Wilson’s Two Trains Running. Medina directs Geoff Aymer (West), Ray Emmet Brown (Wolf), Derek Ezenagu (Hambone), Andrew French (Memphis), Leon Herbert (Holloway), Michael Salami (Sterling) and Anita-Joy Uwajeh (Risa). The production opens at Royal & Derngate Northampton on 4 September, with previews from 31 August and runs until 14 September before embarking on a UK tour to Nuffield Southampton Theatres, Oxford Playhouse, Cast Doncaster, New Wolsey Theatre, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre and Derby Theatre.

There’s a controversial new president in the White House, and racial tensions are on the rise.

It is Pittsburgh, 1969, and the regulars of Memphis Lee’s restaurant are struggling to cope with the turbulence of a rapidly changing world. The diner is in threat of being torn down, a casualty of the city’s renovation project that is sweeping away the buildings of a community, but not its spirit.

The iconic American playwright August Wilson paints a vivid portrait of everyday lives in this defining moment of American history.

Directed by Nancy Medina, this major revival will introduce this Pulitzer Prize shortlisted modern classic to UK-wide audiences for the first time. Nancy is the recipient of the 2018 RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award, this year hosted by Royal & Derngate, to enable an emerging director of exceptional potential to direct their first regional mainstage production.

August Wilson(1945–2005) was an American playwright. He won a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award for his playFences and earned a second Pulitzer Prize for The Piano Lesson. His other notable works include King Hedley II, Seven Guitars, Gem of the Ocean, Jitney and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

Geoff Aymer plays West. His theatre credits include The Color Purple due to open at Leicester Curve in June, previous credits include Robin Hood and the Arrow of Destiny (Theatre Peckham), The Plague (After La Peste by Albert Camus) (Arcola Theatre), The Importance of Being Earnest (UK tour), A Midsummer Night’s Dream(Young Vic), and To Kill a Mockingbird (Barbican Theatre/ UK tour).

Ray Emmet Brown plays Wolf. His previous theatre credits include Sweet Bird of Youth (Chichester Festival Theatre), Moon on a Rainbow Shawl (National Theatre/UK tour), A Raisin in The Sun (Royal Exchange), and Les Negres (Young Vic). For television, his credits include The Stranger, Mum, The Dumping Ground and Outlaws.

Derek Ezenagu plays Hambone. His previous theatre credits include Perseverance Drive (Bush Theatre), Death and the King’s Horseman (National Theatre), Othello (Keble Reilly Theatre), A Village Without Lights (Crescent Theatre), Mother Courage and Her Children (Nottingham Playhouse/UK tour), Musical Youth (Birmingham Repertory Theatre), Hamlet and Much Ado About Nothing (RSC).

Andrew French plays Memphis. His previous theatre credits include Romeo and Juliet (RSC), While We’re Here (Bush Theatre), The Flesh of Mine/When Nobody Returns (Theatre Bay, Acklam Village), The Iphigenia Quartet (Gate Theatre), Bully Boy (Mercury Theatre), and Julius Caesar (RSC). For television, his credits include A Very English Scandal, Marvin Can’t Fail, and Perfect Parents.

Leon Herbert plays Holloway. His previous theatre credits include Gone With The Wind, West Side Story(Coventry Belgrade Theatre), Napoleon Noir, Robeson (Young Vic), The Great White Hope (Tricycle Theatre). Television credits include Outlander, The Paradise Club and The 10^th Kingdom. For film, his credits include Alien 3, Batman, Scandal and Emotional Backgammon as Director.

Michael Salami plays Sterling. Previous theatre credits include The Night Before Christmas (Southwark Playhouse), Housed (The Old Vic), Negril Beach (Bush Theatre), Crosswords (Theatre503), The Grandfathers(Soho Theatre), and Kettled Passions (Lyric Hammersmith). For television, his credits include Temple, Just A Couple, and as series regular Shane Sweeney in Hollyoaks for which he won Best Actor at the UK Entertainment Awards.

Anita-Joy Uwajeh plays Risa. Her previous theatre credits include King Lear (Duke of York’s Theatre), Grotty (Bunker Theatre), Twelfth Night (Shakespeare’s Globe), Girls, Fury (Soho Theatre), and We Wait in Joyful Hope (Theatre503). For television, her credits include Lucky Man, Not Safe for Work and Transporter.

Nancy Medina was the 2018 winner of the RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award and the 2017 Genesis Future Director Award winner for the Young Vic. She is an acting tutor at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and Course Leader for a post-16 Professional Acting Diploma at Boomsatsuma. Her directing credits include Strange Fruit (Bush Theatre), Half God of Rainfall (Kiln Theatre), Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties (Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama), When They Go Low (NT Connections/ Sherman Theatre), Yellowman (Young Vic), Curried Goat and Fish Fingers (Bristol Old Vic), Dogtag (Theatre West), Strawberry and Chocolate (Tobacco Factory Theatres), Dutchman (Tobacco Factory Theatres) and Persistence of Memory (Rondo Theatre).

#TwoTrains2019

Two Trains Running is supported by a production grant from The Royal Theatrical Support Trust (RTST)

The production is part of Royal & Derngate’s Made In Northampton season, sponsored locally by Michael Jones Jeweller

Tour Dates

Opens at:

Royal & Derngate Northampton

31 August – 14 September 2019

Box Office: 01604 624811 / www.royalandderngate.co.uk

Before touring to:

Nuffield Southampton Theatres

17 – 21 September 2019

Box Office: 023 8067 1771 / www.nstheatres.co.uk

Oxford Playhouse

24 – 28 September

Box Office: 01865 305305 / www.oxfordplayhouse.com

Cast, Doncaster

1 – 5 October 2019

Box Office: 01302 303 959 / www.castindoncaster.com

New Wolsey Theatre 

8 – 12 October

Box Office: 01473 295900 / www.wolseytheatre.co.uk

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

15 -19 October 2019

Box Office: 01483 44 00 00 / www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

Derby Theatre

22 – 27 October 2019

Box Office: 01332 59 39 39 / www.derbytheatre.co.uk

BACK!

Professor Goodman will visit the Ambassadors Theatre in the West End to confirm the supernatural is PURELY a trick of the mind…

LIMITED WEST END SEASON RUNS FROM

THURSDAY 3^RD OCTOBER – SATURDAY 4^th JANUARY 2020

Tickets go on sale today (Monday 15^th July)

WARNING

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

There’s something dark lurking in the theatre. Enter a nightmarish world, full of thrilling twists and turns, where all your deepest fears and most disturbing thoughts are imagined live on stage. A fully sensory and electrifying encounter, Ghost Stories is the ultimate twisted love-letter to horror, a supernatural edge-of-your-seat theatrical experience like no other.

After exhilarating audiences across the globe with record breaking, sell-out productions and a smash hit film, Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson’s worldwide cult phenomenon Ghost Stories returns to the West End this autumn, following a smash-hit extended run at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. More spine-tingling and terrifying than ever, the Olivier Award-nominated show’s strictly limited transferopens at The Ambassadors Theatre on Thursday 3rd October 2019, where it runs until Saturday 4^thJanuary 2020.

Casting to be announced.

Andy Nyman is an award-winning actor, director and writer who has earned acclaim from both critics and audiences for his work in theatre, film and television. On stage Andy is currently playing the iconic role of Tevye in Trevor Nunn’s revival of Fiddler on the Roof. It is playing at the Playhouse Theatre until November 2nd. Andy was also seen in Martin McDonagh’s Hangmen (Wyndham’s Theatre), Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins (Menier Chocolate Factory) and Abigail’s Party (also Wyndham’s Theatre). Other theatre work includes the original production of Ghost Stories (Lyric/Duke of York’s Theatre) which has recently been made into a major motion picture, also written, starred and directed by Andy & Jeremy Dyson. Other film credits include The Commuter, Death at a Funeral and Kick-Ass 2. Hisupcoming films include playing opposite The Rock & Emily Blunt in Disney’s Jungle Cruise plus starring opposite Renee Zellweger in Judy. TV he is best known for Peaky Blinders, Campus & Dead Set, and has recently appeared in BBC 1’s Wanderlust.

Jeremy Dyson is a screenwriter, stage-writer and author, best known as a member of comedy group The League of Gentlemen. With Andy Nyman he co-wrote and co-directed the stage and film versions of Ghost Stories. In addition he co-created and co-wrote the BAFTA-nominated comedy-drama series Funland and co-created, co-wrote and directed the Rose d’Or-winning all-female comedy show Psychobitches.  His second collection of stories, ‘The Cranes that Build the Cranes‘ won the Edge Hill Award for short fiction.

Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Smith and Brant Theatricals and the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre present the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre’s production of Ghost Stories.

For more information, please see:

www.ghoststorieslive.co.uk

FINAL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR WORLD PREMIERE OF NANCY HARRIS’

T W O    L A D I E S

DIRECTED BY NICHOLAS HYTNER

Lorna Brown, Raghad Chaar and Yoli Fuller join the previously announced Zoë Wanamakerand Zrinka Cvitešić to complete the casting for Two Ladies, a new play by Nancy Harris to be directed by Nicholas Hytner at the Bridge Theatre.

Two Ladies previews from 14 September 2019 with opening night on 25 September.  This strictly limited 6-week run will conclude on 26 October 2019.  Set and costume designs are by Anna Fleischle withlighting by Johanna Town, sound by George Dennis and music by Grant Olding.

As their husbands clash over an international crisis, the first ladies of France and America find themselves alone together in a side room.  Friends, or enemies? When the stakes are so high, can they trust each other?   Can they trust their husbands? 

Zoë Wanamaker (Hélène) was last on stage as Meg in Harold Pinter’s The Birthday Party at the Harold Pinter Theatre.  She has had a much-celebrated career working for the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal Court Theatre and the Donmar Warehouse as well as in the West End and on Broadway.  Her many television credits include My Family, Poirot and Mr Selfridgeas well as Killing Eve, Britannia and Girlfriends.  Her many film credits include My Week with Marilyn, It’s a Wonderful Afterlife, Wilde and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.  As well as being the recipient of numerous awards and nominations, Wanamaker was appointed a CBE for her services to Drama.

Croatian born Zrinka Cvitešić (Sophia) was last on stage in London playing ‘Girl’ in the UK premiere of Once for which she received the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.  As a member of the Croatian National Theatre her roles have included Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Natasha Rostova in War and Peace, Gwendoline in The Importance of Being Ernest, Irina in Three Sisters and Juliet in Romeo and Juliet.  Her television credits include Capital and London Spy.  Her film credits include On the Path for which she was the first Croatian actress to win the Shooting Star Award at the Berlin Film Festival and a nomination for European Film Academy Award for Best Actress, My Beautiful Country for which she won the Bernhard Wicki Award (German Award for Culture) and What Is a Man Without a Moustache for which she won Sarajevo Film Festival Award for Best Actress. In 2017 she was honoured with a Medal of Honour by the President of Croatia.

Lorna Brown (Sandy)was last on stage in the Royal Shakespeare Company production of Hamlet. Her other theatre credits include Wings at the Young Vic, Bodies and Torn at the Royal Court Theatre, Medea, Blurred Lines, Damned by Despair at the National Theatre and The Oresteia at the Almeida Theatre and Trafalgar Studios.  Her television credits include The Devils, Chewing Gum, Press, The Catherine Tate Show and French and Saunders. Her film credits include The Jungle Book, The Lady in the Van, Les Misérables and World War Z.

Raghad Chaar (Fatima) made her professional stage debut in How to Hold your Breath at the Royal Court Theatre.  Her television credits include The State and Collateral.

Yoli Fuller (Georges) made his UK stage debut in Mosquitoes at the National Theatre. His previous theatre credits, all in France, include The Tragedy of Hamlet, B.A.B.A.R (Le Transparent Noir),Pushup, Les Trois Mousquetaires, Huckleberry Finn and Espejo.  On television his credits include ITV’sThe Widow, BBC One’s Silent Witness and the Netflix original series No Second Chances.

Playwright Nancy Harris was born in Dublin.  Her plays include The Beacon, No Romance, Our New Girl, Love in a Glass Jar, Baddies: The Musical, Journey to X, The Kreutzer Sonata and an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Red Shoes.  Harris received The Rooney Prize for Irish Literature and The Stewart Parker Award for her debut full-length play No Romance in 2012.  She was a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Award.  She has also written for radio and television and was nominated for a BAFTA as a Breakthrough Talent in 2014 for her writing on the Channel 4 seriesDates.

Nicholas Hytner co-founded the London Theatre Company with Nick Starr.  He was Director of the National Theatre from 2003 to 2015, where the productions he directed included The History Boys, Hamlet, One Man, Two Guvnors, and Othello.  His films include The Madness of George III, The Lady in the Van and The History Boys.  Hisbook Balancing Acts is published by Jonathan Cape. For the Bridge, Hytner has directed Young Marx, Julius Caesar, Allelujah! and Alys, Always.  His immersive production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream continues at the Bridge until 31 August.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Address:                           Bridge Theatre, 3 Potters Fields Park, London, SE1 2SG

Box Office:                        0333 320 0051 or [email protected]

Access:                            0333 320 0051 or [email protected]

Website:                           www.bridgetheatre.co.uk

Twitter:                            @_bridgetheatre

Instagram:                        _bridgetheatre

Facebook:                         facebook.com/bridgetheatrelondon

Fiery Angel and Ambassador Theatre Group Productions present the Bristol Old Vic, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, and Fuel production of 
TOUCHING THE VOID
Based on the book by Joe Simpson
Adapted by David Greig

• PRODUCERS ANNOUNCE CASTING FOR THE WEST END TRANSFER OF TOM MORRIS’ PRODUCTION OF TOUCHING THE VOID
• THE PRODUCTION WILL OPEN IN PREVIEWS AT THE DUKE OF YORK’S THEATRE ON NOVEMBER 9^TH WITH AN OPENING NIGHT OF NOVEMBER 14^TH
• TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW

Casting has today been announced for Touching The Void. Following critically acclaimed runs at the Bristol Old Vic, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Hong Kong Festival and on Tour in the UK Tom Morris’ production of Touching the Void will see original cast members Fiona Hampton, Patrick McNamee and Josh Williams return to the show, joined by Angus Yellowlees. The show will open in the West End at the Duke of York’s Theatre previewing from November 9^th for a strictly limited season with an opening night of November 14^th.

Fiona Hampton will play Sarah. Her theatre credits include: Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare’s Globe); Tamburlaine (Yellow Earth/Arcola Theatre and UK tour); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (New Wolsey Theatre); Private Lives (Octagon Theatre/New Victoria Theatre); Winter Hill, The Glass Menagerie, Tull, Of Mice and Men, Lighthearted Intercourse (all Octagon Theatre); Don’t Laugh (Cockpit Theatre); Playhouse Creatures (Chichester Festival Theatre); The Changeling (The Production Works/Southwark Playhouse); Roar, Clockheart Boy (Rose Theatre Kingston); The Merchant of Venice (Derby LIVE). Film includes: The Good Neighbour, Revolution, Kingsman: Secret Service, The Windmill, Legacy. Television includes: The Collection (Amazon Prime/BBC Worldwide); Switch (ITV); Holby City (BBC); The Sarah Jane Adventures (DW Productions).

Patrick McNamee will play Richard. His theatre credits include: French Without Tears (Orange Tree Theatre); The History Boys (Selladoor); Sweeney Todd, A Few Good Men, Love and a Bottle, The Way of the World, Three Sisters, Hamlet, Women Beware Women, Iona Rain, For Services Rendered (all LAMDA). Film includes: The Invisible Hours (VR project). Television includes: Series regular on Our Girl, Inspector George Gently (BBC).

Josh Williams will play Joe. His theatre includes: If We Got Some More Cocaine I Could Show You How I Love You (Project Arts Centre); One Night in Miami (Donmar Warehouse); Barbarians (Found 111); New Views: Is There a WIFI in Heaven? (National Theatre); Wendy and Peter Pan (RSC); Love and Information, Our Private Life (Royal Court); Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare’s Globe); Shivered (Southwark Playhouse); Lord of the Flies (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre). Television includes: Doctors, May Day, Holby City (BBC); Agatha Raison (Sky One); Midsomer Murders, Law and Order (ITV).

Angus Yellowlees will play Simon. Angus trained at LAMDA graduating in 2017 where credits whilst training included Bury Fair, Hobson’s Choice and The Cherry Orchard. Screen credits include The Last Commanders (BBC) and We Have Everywhere To Go (NFTS). Radio work includes The Balloaloes and The Gnats. Angus is originally from the Scottish Borders and is a keen climber. Touching the Void will be his professional stage debut.

Bristol Old Vic’s Tom Morris (War Horse, Swallows & Amazons,) directs the first stage version of Touching the Void, adapted by The Lyceum’s David Greig (The Events, The Suppliant Women, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) from the award-winning memoir by Joe Simpson, which also became a BAFTA-winning film. They are joined by Designer Ti Green, Sound Designer and Composer Jon Nicholls, Lighting Designer Chris Davey, Movement Director Sasha Milavic Davies and with casting by Jill Green CDG. This production marks the 30^th anniversary of the publication of Joe Simpson’s best-selling memoir, charting his extraordinary struggle for survival on the perilous Siula Grande mountain in the Peruvian Andes. Alongside this struggle is the appalling dilemma of his climbing partner Simon Yates, perched on an unstable snow-cliff, clinging onto the rope tying him to the severely injured Joe. Unable to recover Joe from the void, Simon is faced with the agonising decision to cut the rope that binds them…

LISTINGS

Touching the Void 
Based on the book by Joe Simpson
Adapted by David Greig
Directed by Tom Morris

Performance Dates:

Duke of York’s Theatre
St Martin’s Lane, Charing Cross, London WC2N 4BG
TouchingTheVoidPlay.com
0844 871 7623
Saturday 9th November 2019 – Saturday 29th February 2020
Monday – Saturday 7:30 pm
Wednesday and Saturday 2.30pm
First Saturday matinee 16th November
First Wednesday matinee 20th November 

@TheVoidPlay
#TouchingTheVoid

Tickets from £15
Groups Bookings: 020 7206 1174
Access Bookings: 0844 871 7677

Full casting announced for the Box of Tricks premiere of Daniel Kanaber’s new play Under Three Moons

Box of Tricks are delighted to announce full casting for the premiere of Daniel Kanaber’s (Shiver,Watford Palace Theatre) new play Under Three Moons which will start its Autumn tour at The Lowry, Salford in late September.

The production’s two-hander will feature Darren Kuppan (Around The World In 80 Days, Hamlet, A Christmas Carol, Road, Europe  (all as part of the Leeds Playhouse Ensemble), Guards At The Taj (Bush Theatre), Cymbeline & The Tempest (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre), East Is East (Trafalgar Studios & UK Tour) and An August Bank Holiday Lark (Northern Broadsides) as Paul and Kyle Rowe (Eastenders, Coronation Street and Peaky Blinders) as Michael.

Spanning half a lifetime,Under Three Moonstakes place on three nights across three decades of two friends’ lives. From a school trip to France as teenagers, to a surf shack in their twenties, to Christmas in their thirties, Mike and Paul meet up and talk into the night. From boyhood to manhood to fatherhood, these are the nights they share.

The new play tells the story of the two men growing together, a relationship that’s close but often unarticulated. It also explores how that lack of direct expression can become the defining trait in a life and the shifting view of male identity in today’s society from talk of ‘lad culture’ to the ‘metro-sexual’ and now ‘toxic masculinity’.  

The production is directed by Box of Tricks’ Joint Artistic Director and co-founder Adam Quayle (Plastic Figurines, Box of Tricks) and is designed by award-winning designer Katie Scott (Narvik, Box of Tricks and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse Studio Design Prize).

Under Three Moons will open at The Lowry, Salford from the 24-28 September and then tours until the 2 November to Huddersfield, Liverpool, Crewe, Hull, Leeds, Ormskirk, York, Newcastle, Mold and Whitehaven.  

For further information and tickets for Under Three Moons and Box of Tricks, visitwww.boxoftrickstheatre.co.uk.

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR

ANGELA’S ASHES – THE MUSICAL

AS IT MAKES UK PREMIERE

AT CROYDON’S FAIRFIELD HALLS

TUESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER 2019

The critically acclaimed Irish production of Angela’s Ashes – The Musical will make its UK premiere this autumn, playing the Ashcroft Theatre at Croydon’s Fairfield Halls from Tuesday 24 September – Saturday 5 October.

With music and lyrics by Adam Howell and book by Paul Hurt, this major musical adaptation of Frank McCourt’s best-sellingmemoir is directed by Thom Southerland and tells the remarkable story of the author’s childhood in Limerick and of the McCourt family’s inspirational rise from adversity to triumph.

As his parents struggle to provide for him and his brothers in 1940s Ireland, we follow young Frank’s escapades and experiences in a Dickensian landscape peopled by a drunken father, a helpless mother, pompous priests, bullying schoolmasters and money-lenders culminating in his defiant escape to a new life in America.

Irish musical theatre legend Jacinta Whyte returns to the production to star as ‘Angela’, alongside Eoin Cannon as Frank and Marty Maguire as ‘Malachy’.

The full cast includes Norma Sheahan as ‘Mrs Finucane’, Amanda Minihan as ‘Grandma’, Bryan Burroughs as ‘Quasimodo’,Connor Gormley as ‘Malachy Jnr’, Fiona Browne as ‘Nora’, Michael Joseph as ‘Billy Heffernan’, David O’Meara as ‘Uncle Pat’, Mark O’Regan as ‘Mr Griffin’, Brigid Shine as ‘Theresa Carmody’ and Cáit Moloney as ensemble.

Thom Southerland said, “I’m delighted that Angela’s Ashes is coming to the Fairfield Halls – my local theatre. We worked on the show two years ago in Ireland and did a small tour, but we’ve always had hopes and aspirations that it would come to the UK and I couldn’t be more pleased that it’s making its UK premiere in Croydon!”

Described by The New York Times as a “stunning memoir” back in 1996, the publication of Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes caused a literary sensation. The book climbed quickly to the top of that newspaper’s Bestseller lists and remained there for nearly three years, selling 4 million copies in hardback alone. Since then, sales of over 10 million copies worldwide have become a phenomenon continuing to attract a global readership.

As well as a fixture on the bestseller lists on  both  sides  of  the Atlantic, the book won multiple accolades including the Pulitzer Prize and the US National Critics Circle Book Award in 1997, has been listed in The Guardian as one of the top 50 best-selling books of all time and has been translated into 126 languages.

McCourt’s memoir of growing up in the ‘Lanes of Limerick’ was followed by a 1999 Alan Parker film.

Angela’s Ashes – The Musical is directed by Thom Southerland, with set and costume design by Francis O’Connor, lighting design by Sinead McKenna, movement direction by Ste Clough, and sound design by Jason Fallon. David Hayes is Musical Director and Mike Dixon is Musical Supervisor, with Original Arrangements & Orchestrations by Colm Ó Foghlú and Arrangements & Orchestrations by Joe Csibi. Angela’s Ashes – The Musical is produced by Pat Moylan.