Month: August 2019

ON SALE TO BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME FRIENDS FROM 11AM TODAY
 

GENERAL ON SALE – TUE 27 AUG 2019, 11AM

Roll-up, roll-up for an all-singing, all-dancing new season as Birmingham Hippodrome continues its 120^th anniversary celebrations!

• Birmingham’s big top; celebrating the theatre’s origins as a circus

• Birmingham Hippodrome and the surrounding area is transformed into the greatest show on earth for a free open day featuring circus acts and interactive workshops to officially mark the theatre’s 120^th birthday
• The circus returns to its Birmingham roots in the main auditorium as Circus 1903 comes to the city for the very first time direct from a sell-out run at London’s Southbank Centre
• Musical marvels

• Just announced – a new production of the hit musical Sister Act starring Brenda Edwards and produced by Whoopi Goldberg
• Divorced. Beheaded. LIVE! The sell-out musical sensation SIX has its Birmingham premiere
• The brilliant original production of Broadway’s longest running musical, The Phantom of the Opera haunts the Hippodrome in summer 2020
• Dazzling dance

• Renowned choreographer, Dada Masilo presents her fearless re-imagining of Giselle
• Matthew Bourne’s production of The Red Shoes returns after two sell-out seasons in 2016
• Birmingham Royal Ballet revive their iconic Swan Lake and Carlos Acosta’s Don Quixote recieves its first UK performances outside of London
•  Laugh-out-loud comedy

• Big comedy names take top billing including Ben Elton, Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan plus a return home for Lenny Henry as he opens his brand new tour
• The fairest pantomime in the land, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs features an all-star cast including the hilarious Matt Slack back for his seventh consecutive year
• New Patrick Studio season
• The Patrick Studio continues its reputation for bringing the best in new performance with the announcement of a new season including the world premiere of Rosie Kay’s Fantasia, multi-award-winners Ad Infinitum return with Extraordinary Wall of Silenceand Birmingham Hippodrome’s monthly world-class poetry and spoken word event,Hit the Ode continues its residency

This October will mark Birmingham Hippodrome’s official 120^th birthday. To celebrate, the greatest show on earth will come to the city centre with a range of free performances and workshops honouring the theatre’s origins as a circus.

On Saturday 26 October, everyone is invited for a day of free family fun in and around Birmingham Hippodrome, as well as at Bullring & Grand Central. Try your hand at circus workshops where you can learn a range of performance skills, watch a variety of jaw-dropping circus acts such as jugglers and stilt walkers, and delve into the theatre’s rich history with a range of talks.

Continuing the celebration of the theatre’s heritage from 120 years ago, the circus returns to its Birmingham roots in the main auditorium as Circus 1903 (25 Oct-2 Nov) comes to the city for the very first time direct from a sell-out run at London’s Southbank Centre and packed with the thrills and daredevil entertainment of a turn-of-the-century circus. The show also includes sensational lifesized elephants stunningly created by puppeteers from War Horse!

Birmingham Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio has announced a new season of bold, creative work as the theatre strives to bring the best in new cabaret, comedy, dance and drama to the studio space. Equipped with over 18 million views on Youtube, Mawaan Rizwan brings his one man show Juice (12 Sep), Hippodrome Associate Rosie Kay premieres her brand-new work Fantasia (25 & 26 Sep) and award-winning original musical Eye of the Storm (8 & 9 Oct) by Theatr na nÓg brings an unmissable tale of one young girl’s scientific quest to pursue her passion for tornados. YOOO!!! (22-24 Oct) presented by Emanuel Gat Dance & Théâtre National de Chaillot is a hip-hop and contemporary dance show for all ages, Anjali Dance Company’s Genius(19 & 20 Nov) is a double bill by an exceptional group of six dancers and multi-award-winners Ad Infinitum return with Extraordinary Wall of Silence(22 & 23 Jan), a new production combining the company’s trademark physical storytelling with the beauty of Sign Language. Apples and Snakes and Birmingham Hippodrome’s monthly world-class poetry and spoken word event, Hit the Ode (11 Oct, 8 Nov, 31 Jan) also continues its residency in the Patrick Studio.

Just announced for the main stage, the Broadway and West End smash-hit musical Sister Act (15-26 Sep 2020) will come to Birmingham Hippodrome with a brand-new production starring Brenda Edwards and produced by Whoopi Goldberg. Nominated for 5 Olivier Awards including Best New Musical, SIX (21-25 Jul 2020) is the new musical phenomenon everyone is losing their head over as it comes to Birmingham for the very first time.

Now in its 33rd phenomenal year in the West End, The Phantom of the Opera (29 Jul-12 Sep 2020) will haunt the Hippodrome with the spectacular and brilliant original production in the summer of 2020. Tickets will go on sale to Birmingham Hippodrome Friends and Patron scheme members on Tuesday 10 September at 11am, to groups on Tuesday 24 September at 11am and to the general public from Thursday 26 September at 11am.

Other musical blockbusters include Blood Brothers (30 Sep-12 Oct), Priscilla Queen of the Desert (13-18 Apr 2020), We Will Rock You (20 Apr-2 May 2020), MAMMA MIA! (12-30 May 2020) and the return of Les Misérables (30 Jun-18 Jul 2020) following a sell-out 2019 season.

This year’s pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (21 Dec 2019–2 Feb 2020) promises to be one of the most spectacular yet featuring sets and costumes direct from the London Palladium. The all-star line up features Lesley Joseph, Matt Slack, Joe McElderry, Faye Brookes, Flawless, Doreen Tipton and Andrew Ryan.

Continuing Birmingham Hippodrome’s reputation as a hub for the best in dance from across the globe, South Africa’s internationally renowned choreographer, Dada Masilo, presents her fearless re-imagining of the iconic classic, Giselle (15 & 16 Oct) plus ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company return with Some Like It Hip Hop (18 & 19 Oct). International ballet superstar Carlos Acosta brings his critically acclaimed Cuban company, Acosta Danza (11 & 12 Nov) to Birmingham ahead of his exciting appointment as Artistic Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet in January 2020 and Matthew Bourne’s Olivier Award winning The Red Shoes (11-15 Feb 2020) returns following two sell-out seasons in 2016. Birmingham Hippodrome will also co-produce Message In A Bottle (8-11 Apr 2020) with Sadler’s Wells and The Lowry, an exciting new production choreographed by Kate Prince and set to the iconic hits of Sting.

Resident ballet company, Birmingham Royal Ballet bring their timeless classic productions of Giselle (25-28 Sep), The Nutcracker (22 Nov-14 Dec) and Swan Lake (18-29 Feb 2020) plus an Autumn Mixed Bill (19-21 Sep) and Carlos Acosta’s stunning version of the dazzling, Cervantes-inspired comedy, Don Quixote (19-27 Jun) marking the first UK performances of the production outside of London.

Some of the biggest names in comedy take to the stage including Ben Elton (14 Nov), Rob Beckett (6 & 7 Feb 2020) and Romesh Ranganathan (3 & 4 May 2020) plus a return home for Lenny Henry (20 Oct)as he opens his brand new tour right here in Birmingham.

Finally, Welsh National Opera present a brand new production of Carmen (5 & 8 Nov 2019 & 7 May 2020) by Jo Davies set in 1970 South America, plus their acclaimed production ofRigoletto (6 & 9 Nov) and David Pountney’s colourful The Cunning Little Vixen (7 Nov). They are joined by the opulent The Marriage of Figaro (6 May 2020) and Verdi’s grand opera Les vêpres siciliennes (9 May 2020).

FIONA ALLAN, Artistic Director and Chief Executive at Birmingham Hippodrome said:

“Birmingham Hippodrome’s 120^th year led me to reflect on this theatre’s rich heritage as well as our continual quest to remain relevant and exciting to an evolving population. As an independent charity, we have remained successful as the result of a shared a vision for Birmingham as a truly great, and global, city.

“Whilst perhaps we will always be best known for our thriving musicals and pantomime seasons, over the last few years, our efforts have also expanded into more visible charitable activity, and our efforts to enrich the cultural life of the region through developing and investing in regional talent.

“Our Hippodrome Education Network has expanded now to over 30 schools, we have established youth companies specialising in hip-hop, musical theatre and poetry, we run regular daytime programmes for toddlers, holiday workshops and free performances.  Our programme in the Patrick Studio, our second space, has also significantly expanded. And in 2019 we have developed two main stage productions, The Color Purple and West Side Story.

“On top of that, we now have seven Hippodrome Associates, who we help commission and present work on and off our stages.  Our dedicated festivals team delivered our largest outdoor programmes to date, including Chinese New Year, Summer in Southside and B-SIDE Hip-Hop festival along with free monthly activity in the Bullring.

“Over the past year we also constructed the Dance Hub, a new extension to our campus built on top of BRB’s studios, which will be a new home to OneDance UK.  And whilst finishing one build, we have been planning another- a revamp to our public spaces to better enable us to serve our public all day every day.  More news on that to come…

“Our new season provides a huge range of productions for audiences to choose from- from blockbuster musicals like The Phantom of the Opera to smaller, experimental work presented in The Patrick Studio like Fantasia, a brand new piece from Hippodrome Associate Rosie Kay.  I’m particular excited about new shows on sale like Whoopi Goldberg’s brand new production of Sister Act and the sensational SIX which tells a very different, and much sassier, story of Henry VIII’s many wives.

“With the official 120th birthday month of Birmingham Hippodrome fast approaching in October, we’re also busy preparing to celebrate our circus origins with hit show Circus 1903rolling into town direct from London, and on Saturday 26 October, our big birthday open day steps back in time presenting spectacular performers, family-friendly workshops and heritage talks and tours. Don’t miss the fun!

“As we move forward, remember there is so much more to Birmingham Hippodrome than the work you see on stage- there is an ambitious charity sitting behind it all- working hard to make this city and region synonymous with culture and creative talent.”

Park Theatre – until 14 September 2019

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Eugene O’Hare’s dark debut play is unapologetically grim and disturbing in its approach to human trafficking and modern slavery. For the promise of 6 months’ rent free and some extra cash, broke flatmates O’Rourke (Alec Newman) and Beezer (Mark Hadfield) agree to keep Mara (Niamh James), a twelve-year-old Romanian girl, in their flat for landlord Dollar (David Schaal).

What begins as a depressingly funny version of The Odd Couple, with O’Rourke and Beezer trading barbs and oddball one-liners soon shifts into an increasingly bleak study of intimidation, coercion and complicity. Instead of dehumanising the protagonists, O’Hare’s writing manages to portray each character’s humanity, in varying levels of ugliness, strength and despair, giving each the space to develop. Director Alice Hamilton’s light touch ensures the cast make every beat count, with silent moments conveying as much as O’Hare’s monologues.

The men’s denial about what they are involved in involves a lot of circular and ludicrous explanations about the life these children would be living anyway, but the knowledge that he is as trapped as Maya slowly dawns on O’Rourke as the second act becomes a series of brilliantly delivered monologues as Mara and then O’Rourke listen in wary silence to a man with power over them.

Niamh James impresses as Mara – never speaking, but conveying the fear and pain of the child, as well as glimpses of resilience and strength. Alec Newman’s performance is extraordinary as O’Rourke, squeezing every drop of emotion out of O’Rourke’s sensitively written and recognisable history and portraying his growing self-disgust effortlessly. Mark Hadfield’s shambolic Beezer is also a triumph, and Cyril Nri steadily ramps up the intensity in his smilingly menacing performance as Dollar’s driver Turkey. David Schaal’s Dollar is a bit of a stereotype, smartly suited, cultured and amiable on the surface, but the manner in which he terrorises his victims and his employees is acute and brilliantly written. Beneath the smiles, the gentle anecdotes about his mother and the apparent generosity the threat of violence is always lurking beneath the surface and the power he relishes is obvious. This terrifying character needs a trigger warning.

Wisely there is no happy ending or any sign of resolution, as the reality of modern slavery is a huge problem for the country. What O’Hare does in keeping Mara voiceless and denying her the chance to tell her story may not please everyone, but by shifting the focus to the men involved at different levels along the food chain he has created a disquieting study of fear, morality and self-delusion. Even with lots of dark and ridiculous humour throughout, The Weatherman isn’t an easy watch – but it is well worth the effort. A remarkable debut from Eugene O’Hare.

The Bunker Theatre and W14 Productions in association
with The Royal Court Theatre
Cast and creatives announced for
We Anchor in Hope at The Bunker Theatre
The Bunker, 53A Southwark Street, London SE1 1RU
Wednesday 25th September – Saturday 19th October 2019

From the award-winning Anna Jordan (Killing Eve, Sid Gentle Films Ltd; Succession, HBO), written between the Brexit vote and Trump’s Presidential victory, We Anchor in Hope captures a moment of deep uncertainty in recent history and the characters’ lives when local pub, The Anchor, closes for good. Chaos is in the air, and yet life goes on. For the duration of the play’s run The Bunker will become The Anchor – transformed into a functioning pub with post-show events including pub quizzes, karaoke nights and music.

Chris Sonnex’s first production at The Bunker since being appointed as the theatre’s Artistic Director in 2018 will feature Valentine Hanson (Orpheus Descending, Theatr Clwyd and Menier Chocolate Factory; Handfast, Summerhall Edinburgh Festival), Alex Jarrett (Aisha, Old Red Lion, King’s Head and Tristan Bates; Les Misérables, BBC), Daniel Kendrick (Ding Dong the Wicked and Vera Vera Vera, Royal Court; Coalition, Theatre503), David Killick (Pressure, Ambassadors Theatre; The Importance of Being Earnest, Vaudeville Theatre and Tour) and Alan Turkington (Antony & Cleopatra, National Theatre; Hamlet, Donmar at Wyndham’s Theatre)

Since 2001 a quarter of all UK pubs have disappeared, with two still closing every day. Like The Anchor, these pubs are likely to become private flats. For regulars the pub is many things: a haven, a burden, a family, a home. All are about to disappear. It’s the end of an era, but Kenny and the gang are going out with a bang – determined to drink the place dry. There’s karaoke and a lot of Campari. There’s secrets divulged and forgotten dreams resurrected. History, like beer, has seeped into the carpet. Tonight, there’s a lot more to lose than a pub.

We Anchor in Hope was commissioned by Chris Sonnex as part of the Royal Court Theatre’s Beyond the Court project. Originally performed script-in-hand it is a fictional piece inspired by interviews and drinking sessions Anna Jordan carried out in and around Pimlico

Playwright Anna Jordan comments, This play is very special to me for various reasons. I started the interviews in July 2016. It was two months after my mother had died and I was very raw. Three months later we were performing the play in a pub in Pimlico – script in hand. I almost didn’t do it, but I’m so glad I did. It saved me, in many ways. I’ll never forget those few months and the kindness and light brought to me by many people. And the play – so much about memory and love and loss – is a tribute to my mum. I think she would have liked it. I bloody hope she would.

The Bunker’s Artistic Director Chris Sonnex says, This play is rooted in my soul. I grew up in a council estate in Pimlico and spent childhood and teenage years running around pubs; absorbing the culture, playing too many games of pool and spending one pound coins to hear the new “Now That’s What I Call Music!” album on the jukebox. Pubs created a community and provided theatre for me before I even knew what both were, and that led me to commission Anna to write this play when I was working with The Royal Court community programme in Pimlico. I’m happy that I get to represent that important part of my life on stage with all the joy, rage, love, heartbreak and sarcastic mocking that has shaped part of who I am.

FIRST CHANCE TO HEAR THE CAST OF

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO FOOTAGE RELEASED TODAY

Video footage of the cast of & Juliet performing with the orchestra for the very first time has been released today, see following link: & Juliet – sitzprobe video

& Juliet – the joyous new musical that imagines Juliet’s famous ending as just her beginning – soars with the music of Max Martin, the acclaimed song-writer of some of the biggest pop anthems of the last 30 years.

& Juliet brings together a host of acclaimed West End stars who have headlined some of the most celebrated shows of recent years: Miriam-Teak Lee (Hamilton), Cassidy Janson (Leading Ladies, Chess, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical); Oliver Tompsett (Kinky Boots, Wicked); Arun Blair-Mangat (Leave to Remain, Angels in America); Melanie La Barrie (Wicked, Matilda); Jordan Luke Gage (who starred in the lead role of Strat in Bat Out of Hell), and Tim Mahendran (Spring Awakening).

Brought to life by an award-winning creative team in an explosive fusion of styles, & Juliet will be directed by Luke Sheppard (In the Heights) with a book by David West Read (Schitt’s Creek), electrifying choreography from Jennifer Weber, stunning set design from Soutra Gilmour and costume design by Paloma Young.

Leeds Grand Theatre – until 24 August 2019

5*****

With just a jump to the left and step to the right the Rocky Horror Show dances its way into Leeds this week.  And over 45 years later this show is still as fresh as ever.

The fans were out in force in their basques and fishnet stockings, their yellow top hats and fishtail coats, their lab coats and all the other Rocky Horror paraphernalia. They were there to cheer—a huge roar went up when the house lights started to dim, but then they came up again and the roar died away; they were there to heckle and make their contributions to the fun (which they did every chance they got) and they were there to do the Time Warp —and they did it at every conceivable opportunity. At the curtain call, the entire audience was on its feet—doing the Time Warp again

Duncan James is an absolute force of nature as Frank n Furter. As strapping as he is statuesque in the quintessential Frank look of basque, stockings, suspenders and heels, James has a stage presence that oozes confidence and vigour.  Whilst previous leads have played Frank as sophisticated and mysterious,James gave a fresh, vibrant and brilliantly scandalous performance as Frank ‘n’ Furter, with spot on comic timing.  For me he was a quite a butch Frank, different but still fabulous. Excitable like a child in a sweet shop his vocals – especially in his final solo piece – were outstanding and he seemed to love the audience as much as they loved him, interacting well.

Sweet Transvestite and Make You A Man were real standouts as his fine vocals filled the air. He nails Frank’s arrogance and frantic showman persona to a tee and earned a well deserved standing ovation.

Kristian Lavercombe (normally Riff Raff) was a natural fit for the narrator with a delightful charm that immediately drew the audience in.  The narrator in Rocky Horror can make or break a performance as the interaction with the audience is a crucial part of the show.  Lavercombe was exceptional – dealing with the hecklers and shouting, with witty asides and never putting down or insulting the audience.

Brad and Janet – played by James Darch and Joanne Clifton, both have excellent voices and portray young and naive with perfect charm.  Clifton perfectly portrayed Janet’s transition from sexually repressed to sexually awakened with Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me a real treat, while Darch always obtained a grain of innocence in spite of the saucy shenanigans going on around him. 

While Rocky Horror doesn’t have a huge cast, they all have a part to play with Laura Harrison eerie yet vampish as Magenta, Callum Evans definitely catching the eye as Rocky, Miracle Chance energetic and frustrated as Columbia and Reece Budin a real presence as Riff-Raff.

There isn’t a weak link in this show at all, performers, musicians and outstanding production make this one of the best versions of Rocky Horror to tour in a long time.

It’s a fan favourite, full of innuendo, an adult pantomime, camper than Christmas, and a guaranteed standing ovation when the audience rises as one to do an encore of the Time Warp.

JOHN PARTRIDGE, KARA LILY HAYWORTH, ANITA HARRIS 
AND FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR
KANDER & EBB’S MULTI AWARD WINNING MUSICAL

BILL KENWRIGHT PRESENTS
CABARET

IN THE SMASH HIT PRODUCTION DIRECTED BY RUFUS NORRIS

Full casting has been announced for Rufus Norris’ multi award-winning production of Kander and Ebb’s landmark musical Cabaret, which embarks on an extensive 2019 UK and Ireland tour, opening at Bromley’s Churchill Theatre from 28 August.

John Partridge, winner of Celebrity MasterChef in 2018, well known to TV audiences as EastEnders’ Christian Clarke, and one of West End theatre’s most prolific leading men (A Chorus Line, Chicago, and La Cage Aux Folles) leads this production of Cabaret as Emcee. In the role of Sally Bowles is Kara Lily Hayworth who recently won rave reviews across the country for her portrayal of Cilla Black in Cilla the Musical, after she was discovered by Bill Kenwright during the show’s nationwide TV auditions. As Fraulein Schneider we have singer and screen icon Anita Harris who first rose to fame as a singer in the 1960s, beginning a lifelong career as a performer and actress. She has appeared both on screen (Follow That Camel and Carry on Doctor) and on stage, most notably as Grizabella in the West End’s Cats.

Joining this talented line-up is Basienka Blake (Casualty) as Fraulein Kost, Charles Hagerty (The Bodyguard, West End) as Cliff Bradshaw, James Paterson (The Phantom Of The Opera, West End) as Herr Schultz and Nick Tizzard (Doc Martin) as Ernst Ludwig. 

The ensemble comprises: Gemma Archer, Joseph Dockree, Francis Foreman, Sophie Hirst, Mary Hodgkinson, Sara Morley, Hannah Nicholas, Oliver Roll, Ben Rutter, Catherine Saunders and Tom Scanlon. 

Directed by the National Theatre’s Artistic Director Rufus Norris and featuring the Olivier Award Winning Choreography by Javier De Frutos, the production has enjoyed two smash hit West End runs at The Lyric and The Savoy theatres.

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…

Following Bromley, the tour will then continue to Wolverhampton, Nottingham, Crawley, Chester, Dublin, Belfast, Leicester, Shrewsbury, Hull, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Malvern, Peterborough, Sunderland, Oxford, Wimbledon, Manchester, Leeds, Canterbury, Sheffield, Cardiff and Stoke. Further dates and venues will be announced in due course.

CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE AND MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY

ANNOUNCE FULL CAST FOR THE LONDON PREMIÈRE OF

LAURA WADE’S CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED THE WATSONS

Chichester Festival Theatre and Menier Chocolate Factory present

THE WATSONS

A new play by Laura Wade

Adapted from the unfinished novel by Jane Austen

20 September – 16 November

Director: Samuel West; Designer: Ben Stones; Lighting Designer: Richard Howell

Sound Designer: Gregory Clarke; Music: Isobel Waller-Bridge; Movement: Mike Ashcroft

Casting Director: Charlotte Sutton

Chichester Festival Theatre and Menier Chocolate Factory today announce the full cast for the London première of Olivier Award-winner Laura Wade’s The Watsons at the Menier. Samuel West directs original cast members Sam Alexander (Robert Watson), Sally Bankes (Nanny), Joe Bannister (Lord Osborne), Jane Booker(Lady Osborne), Elaine Claxton (Mrs Edwards), Tim Delap (Mr Howard), Sophie Duval (Mrs Robert), Louise Ford (Laura), John Wilson Goddard (Mr Watson), Grace Molony (Emma Watson), Elander Moore (Bertie), Paksie Vernon (Elizabeth Watson), Cat White (Miss Osborne) and Laurence Ubong Williams (Tom Musgrave), who are joined by Rhianna McGreevy (Margaret Watson), with Isaac Forward, Sonny Fowler and Teddy Probets sharing the role of Charles Howard for the run at the Menier. The Watsons played to critical acclaim at Chichester Festival Theatre in 2018. The production opens at the Menier on 30 September, with previews from 20 September, and runs until 16 November.

What happens when the writer loses the plot?

Emma Watson is nineteen and new in town. She’s been cut off by her rich aunt and dumped back in the family home. Emma and her sisters must marry, fast. If not, they face poverty, spinsterhood, or worse: an eternity with their boorish brother and his awful wife.

Luckily there are plenty of potential suitors to dance with, from flirtatious Tom Musgrave to castle-owning Lord Osborne, who’s as awkward as he is rich.

So far so familiar. But there’s a problem: Jane Austen didn’t finish the story. Who will write Emma’s happy ending now?

Based on her incomplete novel, this sparklingly witty play looks under the bonnet of Jane Austen and asks: what can characters do when their author abandons them?

Laura Wade is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter. Her credits include Home I’m Darling (Theatr Clwyd, National Theatre, Duke of York’s Theatre and UK tour – Olivier Award for Best New Comedy), Tipping the Velvet (Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, adapted from the novel by Sarah Waters), Posh (Royal Court Theatre and West End), Alice (Sheffield Theatres), Kreutzer vs. Kreutzer (Sydney Opera House and Australian Tour, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Royal Festival Hall and UK tour), Other Hands (Soho Theatre), Colder Than Here (Soho Theatre and MCC Theatre New York), Breathing Corpses (Royal Court Theatre), Young Emma (Finborough Theatre), and 16 Winters (Bristol Old Vic Basement).  Film credits include The Riot Club and Britain Isn’t Eating.  

The cast is Sam Alexander (One Man, Two Guvnors – National Theatre, and Theatre Royal Haymarket, Love’s Labour Lost – Chichester, RSC and West End), Sally Bankes (East is East – Trafalgar Studios, and for television,World Without End and Titanic), Joe Bannister (Ramona Tells Jim – Bush Theatre, Wild Honey – Hampstead Theatre and Hobson’s Choice – Vaudeville Theatre), Jane Booker (The Beaux Stratagem – National Theatre, and for film Finding Neverland), Elaine Claxton (Carthage – Finborough Theatre, and for television, Delicious), Tim Delap (Jane Eyre – National Theatre and UK tour, Losing Venice and French Without Tears – Orange Tree Theatre), Sophie Duval (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time – National Theatre and Apollo Theatre, for television, Doctor Who and Chewing Gum, and for film, Topsy-Turvey), Louise Ford (Quartermaine’s Terms – Wyndham’s Theatre, and for television, The Windsors and Crashing), John Wilson Goddard (The Question – BAC, Oedipus Needs Help – Vital Experience), Rhianna McGreevy (Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Venice and The Taming of the Shrew – Shakespeare Globe tour), Grace Molony (The Country Girls at Chichester – winner of The Stage Debut Award, and Lady Windemere’s Fan – Vaudeville Theatre, and for film, Artemis Fowland Mary Queen of Scots), Elander Moore (The Rink – Southwark Playhouse and The Goat, Or Who is Sylvia? – Theatre Royal Haymarket), Paksie Vernon (Network and Angels in America – National Theatre), Cat White (Our Town – North Wall, Shudder – Soho Theatre), and Laurence Ubong Williams (The Deep Blue Sea – Chichester, Jumpy – Theatr Clwyd), with Isaac Forward, Sonny Fowler and Teddy Probets.

Samuel West directs. His directorial work includes After Electra (Tricycle Theatre), Close The Coalhouse Door(Northern Stage), Waste (Almeida Theatre) and Dealer’s Choice (Menier Chocolate Factory/Trafalgar Studios). As Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres he directed the first revival of The Romans in Britain by Howard Brenton, and As You Like It for the RSC’s Complete Works Festival. He also directed Money by Edward Bulwer-Lytton for BBC Radio. As an actor, work includes the title roles in Hamlet and Richard II for the RSC, Jeffrey Skilling in Lucy Prebble’s Enron (Chichester/Royal Court/Noel Coward theatres), three series of Mr Selfridge, the film Howards End, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, Suffragette and On Chesil Beach.

This production is based on the Chichester Festival Theatre production which had its world première at the Minerva Theatre on 3 November 2018.

This production is generously supported by Sonia Friedman Productions and Playing Field.

Listings Information                                                                                                                   The Watsons

Venue:                                Menier Chocolate Factory

Address:                             53 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1RU

Dates:                                 20 September – 16 November

Times:                                 For the performance schedule, please see the website

Box Office:                         020 7378 1713 (£2.50 transaction fee per booking)

Website:             www.menierchocolatefactory.com (£1.50 transaction fee per booking)

Tickets:                               Prices vary, as below from discounted preview tickets to premier seats. With the emphasis on ‘the sooner you book, the better the price’:

A meal deal ticket includes a 2-course meal from the pre-theatre menu in the Menier Restaurant as well as the theatre ticket.

www.menierchocolatefactory.com

Twitter: @MenChocFactory

Mayflower Theatre Southampton -until  24 August 2019

Reviewed by Jo Gordon

5*****

Bill Kenwrights stage adaption of Saturday Night Fever is certainly a crowd pleaser, I have not seen a theatre audience so buzzing for a while! Most people of a certain age are aware of the huge 1977 film of the same name, I’ve never seen it but it does seem imbedded in my psyche as I recognised the iconic white suit and musical score just as well as the long term fans around me. 

Set in 1970’s New York we follow the life of Tony Manero (Richard Winsor). Living with an out of work abusive father, his downtrodden mother and under the shadow of his brother who joined the Priesthood Tony loves to dance to get away from it all. He lives to dance at the 2001 club with his friends and thinks of himself as a ladies man. While trying to fend off the unwanted advances of Annette (Natasha Firth) and falls for beautiful dancer Stephanie Mangano (Olivia Fines). A dance competition is announced with a prize of $1000, Tony has to decide which lady will be his partner all while dealing with the trials, tribulations and heartache life is throwing at him… will he succeed in becoming the man he wishes to be?

There is no question that Richard is perfect for this part being from a dancing background, he wiggles and thrusts his way through the production perfectly without missing a beat and flips from bolshy Tony to gentle Tony beautifully. The equally triple talented Stephanie wows the audience with her dance, singing and acting skills bringing to life the vulnerabilities of her character. The whole cast were on the mark throughout, an exceptionally talented bunch discoing their way across the stage bringing the 2001 club alive helped by the Bee Gees stood centre stage providing the well known tunes we all know  and disco balls dazzling the audience. Lots of iconic moments that the crowds went wild for with one being more popular than most in when Tony pops on his famous white suit… for many many reasons!

Every one was buzzing on leaving the theatre, its a Discoballed Strutfest that lifts your spirits in uncertain times !

THE SPELLBINDING WEST END PREMIERE OF  

MUST END ITS CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED RUN AT

THE VAUDEVILLE THEATRE

ON 8 SEPTEMBER

★★★★

Daily Telegraph, Time Out, Mail On Sunday, WhatsOnStage,

Daily Express, The Week, The Stage, The Observer

‘Young theatregoers can – finally – believe in magic’ The Times

‘A cauldron of delights perfect for a family summer show’ WhatsOnStage

‘Enchanting’ Mail On Sunday

‘Delightfully boisterous production… splendid’ Daily Telegraph

‘Magical mischief and crowd pleasing mayhem’ WhatsOnStage

‘A riot from start to finish… pure magic’ Sunday Mirror

Casting a spell on the West End this summer, the critically acclaimed production of The Worst Witch must complete its run at the Vaudeville Theatre on 8 September 2019. Budding young witches and wizards have less than 3 weeks left to catch this hit production before it flies off into the night.

The Worst Witch, adapted for the stage by Emma Reeves from Jill Murphy’s original books, has enjoyed a magical summer season in London’s West End, following a hugely successful nationwide tour and run at the Royal & Derngate, Northampton.

The Worst Witch is the story of an ordinary girl who finds herself in an extraordinary place: a school for witches.

Accident-prone Mildred Hubble and her fellow pupils leave a trail of mayhem behind them as they find themselves at the centre of a battle that’s being fought for their future.

Featuring Jill Murphy’s much-loved characters, the production includes original songs, music, magic and a dose of Mildred’s unique brand of utter pandemonium!

The all-female cast at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches are: Rosie Abraham (Ethel), Danielle Bird (Mildred), Molly-Grace Cutler (Miss Bat), Meg Forgan (Fenella), Rachel Heaton (Miss Hardbroom), Rebecca Killick (Maud), Emma Lau (Drusilla), Megan Leigh Mason (Miss Drill), Polly Lister (Agatha/Miss Cackle), Lauryn Redding (Griselda) and Consuela Rolle (Enid).

The Worst Witch is directed by Theresa Heskins (2017 UK Theatre Award for Best Show for Children and Young People) and designed by Simon Daw, with lighting by Aideen Malone, sound by Leigh Davies, original music by Luke Potter, aerial direction by Vicki Amedume, choreography by Beverley Norris-Edmunds, and illusions by John Bulleid. Kenny Wax Family Entertainment, Novel Theatre and Nica Burns present a Royal & Derngate, Northampton production.

THE IMPOSSIBLE MAN

• A BRAND NEW MUSICAL IS IN DEVELOPMENT BASED ON THE TRUE STORY OF ILLUSIONIST AND SHOWMAN HARRY HOUDINI.
   
• PRODUCER KARL SYDOW AND DIRECTOR/PRODUCER FEDERICO BELLONE WILL BRING TOGETHER AN INTERNATIONAL CREATIVE TEAM.
   
• THE MUSICAL SPECTACULAR PROMISES OVER TWENTY BIG ILLUSIONS NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN ON STAGE OR SCREEN.
   
• FOLLOWING INITIAL READINGS AND RECORDING SESSIONS IN LONDON, FULL WORKSHOPS ARE TO TAKE PLACE IN 2020 WITH PREVIEWS IN DETROIT IN 2021 AND SIGHTS ON BROADWAY AND THE WEST END.

Producer Karl Sydow (The Last Ship, Dance of Death, Red Joan) and Director Federico Bellone (Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins in Milan, new production of Dirty Dancing and upcoming revival of Sugar both in the West End) announce the development of a brand new musical, The Impossible Man, based on the true story of illusionist and stunt showman, Harry Houdini.

Following successful readings and recording sessions in London, the show will see workshops from 2020, with full scale previews planned for Detroit (location of Houdini’s last stunt) the year afterwards and sights on Broadway and the West End.

Bringing together an international creative team, The Impossible Man will feature over twenty big stage illusions, many of which have never been presented before on a stage or screen, and a musical theatre score influenced by the Hungarian folk music of Houdini’s birthplace.

Budapest-born Houdini moved to America as a child where, from a young age, he would marvel audiences; first as a trapeze artist before making a name for himself in the US and on European tours as an escapologist and stunt daredevil. The Impossible Man is set during the last show of the great magician’s life in the autumn of 1926 and through a series of flashbacks, we experience his life, loves and rise to fame.