Month: October 2019

Theatre Royal Bath Productions presents
GOD OF CARNAGE
by Yasmina Reza
Directed by Lindsay Posner

• 10TH ANNIVERSARY HIT PRODUCTION OF YASMINA REZA’S AWARD-WINNING FARCE GOD OF CARNAGE TO RETURN FOR 2020 UK TOUR, DIRECTED BY LINDSAY POSNER
   
• DOWNTON ABBEY’S ELIZABETH MCGOVERN AND OLIVIER AWARD NOMINATED NIGEL LINDSAY WILL REPRISE STAR ROLES WITH SAMANTHA SPIRO AND SIMON PAISLEY DAY JOINING THE CAST
   
• THE TOUR WILL OPEN IN GUILDFORD ON 14 JANUARY AND VISIT BATH, GLASGOW, CAMBRIDGE AND KINGSTON THROUGH TO 15 FEBRUARY 2020

Following an acclaimed run as part of its Summer Season 2018, Theatre Royal Bath Productions is delighted to announced the return of its hit comedy production of Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage for a UK tour starting in January 2020. Elizabeth McGovern, fresh from starring in the celebrated Downton Abbey film, reprises her dazzling performance as Veronica with Nigel Lindsay back as her bluff husband Michael. Directed by Lindsay Posner, the production welcomes two-time Olivier Award-winning actress Samantha Spiro who will play Annette and Simon Paisley Day, recently seen in Ralegh: The Treason Trial at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, in the role of husband, Alan.

God of Carnage will run at Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre (14 – 18 January 2020), Theatre Royal Bath (20 – 25 January), Theatre Royal Glasgow (27 January – 1 February), Cambridge Arts Theatre (3 – 8 February) and Rose Theatre Kingston (10 – 15 February).

When 11-year-old Ferdinand hits 11-year-old Bruno with a stick in a playground punch-up and knocks out two of his teeth, the combatants’ enlightened parents decide to meet to talk things over civilly. But once the niceties are done with and the drink starts flowing, it is the parents who turn into spoiled brats.

God of Carnage is a ruthlessly comic study of middle-class parenting. Originally written in French, the play was translated by Christopher Hampton in 2008. The production went on to win the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy and the Tony Award for Best New Play.

Elizabeth McGovern is well known for her Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award nominated role as Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey. She has also played Evelyn Nesbit in Ragtime for which she received an Academy Award nomination. Her theatre credits include Broadway productions of Time and the Conways, Hamlet and Love Letters. Other film and television credits include Ordinary People, Once Upon a Time in America, The Handmaid’s Tale and The Wings of the Dove.

Nigel Lindsay is an Olivier Award nominated actor. His numerous television credits include the ITV series Victoria, Spooks, White Gold and The Capture. For film he has appeared in Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa and Four Lions, for which he was nominated for Best British Comedy Performance in Film at the British Comedy Awards. His many stage credits include the title role in Shrek the Musical for which he was nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical, Guys and Dolls (West End), Harrogate (Royal Court), A Small Family Business (National Theatre), Broken Glass (Tricycle Theatre) and Awake and Sing (Almeida).

Samantha Spiro is a two-time Oliver Award-winning actress. Her numerous television credits include her British Comedy Award-winning role in Grandma’s House, Game of Thrones and Cold Feet. She recently appeared on stage in Lady Windermere’s Fan (West End). Previous credits include Guys and Dolls (West End), Macbeth and The Taming of the Shrew (Shakespeare’s Globe), her Olivier Award winning title role in Hello, Dolly! and Mary Flynn in Merrily We Roll Along which also saw her receive the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.

Simon Paisley Day’s recent screen credits include Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Born A King, The Crown, Brexit: The Uncivil War and Victoria & Abdul. He previously appeared at Bath in Richard Eyre’s Private Lives. Further stage credits include Twelfth Night (National Theatre), The Lorax (Old Vic), West End productions of Anything Goes, The Philanthropist, The 39 Steps and Private Lives, the title role in Timon of Athens (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Low Road and The Ugly One (Royal Court).

Yasmina Reza has written numerous plays including Olivier and Tony Award winning God of Carnage, Art, The Unexpected Man and The Passage of Winter.  She has also written novels Hammerklavier, Desolation, Adam Haberberg, Happy are The Happy and Babylone and the screenplay for Carnage.

Lindsay Posner’s career includes positions as Associate Director of Royal Court Theatre, Artistic Director of Royal Court Theatre Upstairs and Deputy Director for main house.  Additional credits include Olivier nominated productions of A View from the Bridge (Duke of York’s Theatre) and Carousel (Churchill Theatre, UK Tour and Savoy Theatre) as well as The Lie (Menier Chocolate Factory), The Truth (Menier Chocolate Factory, Wyndham’s), Hayfever (Theatre Royal Bath/West End) and The Winslow Boy (Roundabout Theatre, New York; Old Vic Theatre). Television credits include Two Oranges and a Mango and The Maitlands.

The 10th anniversary production of God of Carnage was staged last year in Artistic Director Jonathan Church’s 2018 Summer Season at Theatre Royal Bath. It will mark the third revival from the season following the critically acclaimed West End transfer of The Price at the Wyndham’s Theatre and Switzerland at the Ambassadors Theatre. The 2019 Summer Season has also proved hugely successful and will soon see the return of Blithe Spirit starring Jennifer Saunders in a UK tour from 22 January 2020 and a strictly limited West End run at the Duke of York’s Theatre from 5 March – 11 April 2020.

Listings

Theatre Royal Bath Productions presents
God of Carnage
By Yasmina Reza
Translated by Christopher Hampton
Directed by Lindsay Posner
Designed by Peter McKintosh

Tuesday 14 January – Saturday 18 January 2020
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Millbrook, Guildford, Surrey GU1 3UX
Box Office: 01483 440 000
www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

Monday 20 – Saturday 25 January 2020
Theatre Royal Bath
Sawclose, Bath BA1 1ET
Box Office: 01225 448 844                
www.theatreroyal.org.uk

Monday 27 January – Saturday 1 February 2020
Theatre Royal Glasgow
282 Hope Street, Glasgow, G2 3QA
Box Office: 08448 717 647
www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-glasgow/

Monday 3 – Saturday 8 February 2020
Cambridge Arts Theatre 
6 St Edward’s Passage, Cambridge CB2 3PJ
Box Office: 01223 503 333
www.cambridgeartstheatre.com 

Monday  10 – Saturday 15 February 2020
Rose Theatre, Kingston 
24-26 High St, Kingston upon Thames KT1 1HL
Box Office: 02081 740 090
www.rosetheatrekingston.org/

King’s Theatre, Edinburgh – until 2 November 2019

Reviewed by James Knight

5*****

For many people, the intricacies of the technical specifications required in cinema remain a mystery, which is why the opening of Prism, a snapshot of the life of one of Hollywood’s most prolific cinematographers, opens with a quick lesson in film ratios using a mechanised garage door.

It’s a simple technique, framing only the actors’ legs, and instantly introduces us to how important a viewpoint is in film – we see what the director wants us to see, and how the cinematographer wants us to view it.

Perception in an obvious, and vital theme in Prism. Robert Lindsay plays Jack Cardiff, the cinematographer famous for Black Narcissus, The Red Shoes and The African Queen. Cardiff is in the early throes of dementia, and his son, Mason (Oliver Hembrough) wants him to complete his autobiography – a difficult challenge considering Jack doesn’t know whether he’s in the pub or in the garage. Lucy (Victoria Blunt) has been hired to help care for him and maybe, just maybe help him finish his writing. Watching over this with justified apprehension is Jack’s wife, Nicola (Tara Fitzgerald), whom Jack now longer recognises, instead seeing his old flame Katie, that is, Katherine Hepburn.

Lindsay gives a truly stunning performance as Jack, effortlessly capturing the impish glee and gruff stubbornness of a man who has lived quite a life. Although Jack may not see the world as we do anymore, it is quite clear that his life still makes some sense to him. Blunt is also a charismatic presence, multi-roling as Lucy and then in the second act as Lauren Bacall and Marilyn Monroe.

The second act employs a wonderful framing device. As the curtains close on Act One, and the back wall of garage opens to reveal the Congo river, Act Two shows us Jack in his prime, chatting with Humphrey Bogart, Katherine Hepburn and Lauren ‘Betty’ Bacall. But then, in the second scene, we see a scene from the first half, of Jack photographing Lucy, from his point of view. Now Lucy is Marilyn, and Mason is Arthur Miller… it’s a moment that could so easily be cliched or insensitive, but the deftness of Terry Johnson’s writing, coupled with the calibre of talent onstage, makes for a beautiful moment of connection.

It’s the little touches like this that truly elevate the play: photos Jack has taken of Hollywood stars morph to illustrate how a Technicolor camera works, for example. Great care has been taken to depict a man with respect as dementia claims his mind, as it should, even as the programme states that artistic license and liberties have been taken.

Prism is a sensitive, moving piece on life and art and how the two complement each other, how each can heighten the other.  

‘A real life does not boast a satisfying story arc. We are doomed to live the events of our lives in the wrong damn order; it’s like shooting a film, not watching one…The time of our lives is not the finished masterpiece; it’s just whatever we got in the can today.’

Theatre Royal Bath – until 2 November 2019

Reviewed by Nicky Wyatt

3***

A really clever set design, instantly transports you back in time to the 1950’s. The initial slum like set depicts the tenements of the time in Salford. It’s dingy , grimy and next door to the abattoir. It is the place that is the new home of Helen (Jody Prenger) and errant teenager daughter Jo (Gemma Dobson).

These two have an odd relationship neither show each other love, they both seem to harbour bitterness and angst to each other. Helen has never enjoyed being a mum, left with a baby at a young age to fend for them both in any way she could.

While Jo is pretty much bringing herself up and resents her life and mums choices. They have an incredible amount of dialogue between them which deserves praise for remembering it all. I did at times find it difficult to catch as it is very fast and slightly monotone in it’s delivery.

Throughout the performance we are blessed with some fabulous Jazz musicians, they really set the tone and mood, at times the cast break into a tune with them.

Things take a turn when Helen is pursued by car salesman Peter (Tom Varey). He has fallen for the older woman and she has fallen for his money. As he woos her with flowers and chocolates, daughter Jo who is feeling more alone meets sailor Jimmie (Durone Stokes). She is lonely and vulnerable and he is a man of the world who happens to have the most amazing voice, when he sings it’s as smooth as honey, she is very taken with him. He makes such a fuss of her and she revels in his attentions. When a swing seat appears from the rafters she jumps on , he pushes her it is a very sweet moment and just one of many smooth set
changes. With Helen rushing off to marry Peter a poorly Jo is looked after by Jimmie, he has already proposed and made huge promises to her, following her mothers lead she takes him to bed because that’s what you do when someone shows you attention . Soon after Jimmie goes back to sea leaving a lonely Jo pregnant and alone.

She tries to hide it and works two jobs almost unheard of in those times. Her best friend Geoffrey(Stuart Thompson) steps in to help her, he moves in and they have some frank exchanges she wants to know why he is gay and he wants to know about the baby, an unlikely alliance forms and they bumble along quite well until he starts to worry and reaches out to Helen for help. The reunion isn’t what he hoped especially as he bears the brunt of some awful jibes about his sexuality.

The story has come full circle. Unmarried mums struggling against poverty and adversity to survive.

WHATSONSTAGE AWARDS RETURN FOR THEIR 20TH YEAR WITH THE CEREMONY TAKING PLACE ON

SUNDAY 1 MARCH 2020 AT THE PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE

VOTING FOR THIS YEAR’S NOMINEES NOW OPEN

WhatsOnStage today announce that the 20^th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards will take place on Sunday 1 March 2020 at the Prince of Wales Theatre. As well as seeing the winners crowned across 25 categories, theatregoers will also enjoy a host of live performances from top West End talent. The event is co-produced by Paul Taylor-Mills.

Booking opens on Wednesday 6 November 2019. Tickets will be available from £25 at whatsonstage.com.

Now in their 20^th year, they are the only major theatre awards decided entirely by the theatregoers themselves. Nominations are now open and close on Wednesday 27 November 2019 ahead of the shortlists being announced. Voting then opens on Thursday 5 December 2019, closing on Monday 27th January 2020, ahead of the winners being announced at an awards ceremony on Sunday 1 March 2020.

Best West End Show will be rebranded for this year’s ceremony. The shortlist for the technical categories (Choreography, Costume Design, Direction, Graphic Design, Lighting Design, Musical Direction, Set Design, Sound Design and Video Design) will be decided by an independent panel of industry experts appointed by WhatsOnStage. Their shortlist will then be voted on by the general public. Further details will be announced shortly.

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Royal & Derngate announces full cast and creative team for
its 2019 Christmas show Pippi Longstocking
The World Premiere of
Pippi Longstocking
by Astrid Lindgren
A Musical Adventure
Adapted for the stage by Mike Akers
Original music by Stu Barker
Tuesday 10 to Tuesday 31 December 2019

The full cast and creative team has been announced for the world premiere of Pippi Longstocking, Royal & Derngate’s 2019 Made in Northampton Christmas show. Pippi Longstocking is adapted for the stage in the UK for the first time by Mike Akers from Astrid Lindgren’s much-loved books, 75 years after they were first written, following on from an initial script by the late John Miller. With original music by Stu Barker, this joyful new musical will be directed by The Wardrobe Ensemble’s Jesse Jones and Helena Middleton who co-directed Education, Education, Education for Royal & Derngate in 2017. Design is by Katie Sykes, with Sally Ferguson as lighting designer and Dominic Bilkey as sound designer. An ensemble cast is led by Emily-Mae as Pippi.

Celebrating nearly three quarters of a century since Astrid Lindgren first conceived Pippi Longstocking as “the strongest girl in the world”, this stage premiere of one of our best loved children’s books promises an epic musical adventure that will be created especially for family audiences at Royal & Derngate this Christmas. It follows on from the huge success of last year’s The Worst Witch which went on to delight London audiences in the West End this summer.

Nine-year-old Pippi is strong, brave and fearless. When she comes to live in her new home with her monkey and horse but with no parents and no rules, she brings mischief, chaos and confusion to the folk of this ordinary Midlands town. What else would you expect from the daughter of a swashbuckling pirate captain?

The part of Pippi Longstocking is played by Emily-Mae, whose recent credits include Little Shop of Horrors (Storyhouse, Chester), Brooklyn (Greenwich Theatre) and The Producers (Royal Exchange, Manchester). A talented ensemble cast of actor-musicians includes Scott Brooks (Much Ado About Nothing, Antic Disposition), Matthew Churcher (Peter Pan, National Theatre), Philippa Hogg (Peter Pan, National Theatre), Hanora Kamen (Education, Education, Education, Wardrobe Ensemble), Rowena Lennon (The Animals and Children Took to the Streets, 1927 Productions), Alex Parry (Burke and Hare, Watermill Theatre) and Luke Potter (composer and musical director for The Worst Witch, Royal & Derngate, UK tour and Vaudeville Theatre).

Pippi Longstocking has been adapted for the stage by playwright Mike Akers whose numerous family shows include Treasure Island, Peter Pan and Jane Eyre for Bristol Old Vic and the National Theatre.

Composed and musically directed by Stu Barker, whose West End and Broadway credits with Kneehigh Theatre Company include Brief Encounter and The Red Shoes, this energetic and joyful production will be directed by The Wardrobe Ensemble’s Jesse Jones and Helena Middleton, who together directed Royal & Derngate’s co-production of Education, Education, Education, which won The Stage Award for Best Ensemble and a Fringe First. Jesse’s other credits for Royal & Derngate include early years Christmas show Second Star to the Right, whilst Helena’s family production of The Star Seekers recently played at the National Theatre.

The production is designed by Katie Sykes whose credits include A Monster Calls at the Old Vic, and Jane Eyre and Peter Pan for the National Theatre. The lighting designer is Sally Ferguson (The Importance of Being Earnest, Watermill Theatre; Strange Fruit, Bush Theatre) and sound design is by Dominic Bilkey (Jane Eyre and Peter Pan, National Theatre; Shadowlands, national tour).

This enchanting family show is co-produced by Wizard Presents and ABA International Touring (UK) as part of Royal & Derngate’s Made in Northampton season.

Pippi Longstocking takes to the Royal stage from Tuesday 10 to Tuesday 31 December 2019. For more information, call Royal & Derngate’s Box Office on 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk. Pippi Longstocking is presented by arrangement with IPR Ltd in cooperation with Nordiska ApS., Copenhagen.

Made in Northampton is sponsored locally by Michael Jones Jeweller.

@RoyalDerngate / #MadeInNorthampton / #pippimusical

* A charge of £3.50 applies for all transactions of £20 and over. Does not apply to Groups, Members or Disabled Patrons, and is per-transaction, not per-ticket.

Kenny Wax Family Entertainmentis delighted to share production shots of its new family stage show Oi Frog & Friends!.  As previously announced, the musical production will make its West End premiere at theLyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue for a strictly limited season from 29 November 2019 to 5 January 2020, as part of a national UK Tour.  

Oi Frog & Friends! will bring together Kes Gray and Jim Field’s bestselling and award-winning picture books Oi Frog!,Oi Dog!, Oi Cat! and Oi Duck-billed Platypus!, published by Hachette Children’s Group. It is created for the stage by Director Emma Earle, Designer Zoe Squire (Co-Artistic Directors of Pins and Needles Productions), Composer Luke Bateman and Lyricist Richy Hughes. Puppet Design is by Yvonne Stone with Lighting Design by Ric Mountjoy.

The West End cast (pictured) are: Darren Seed as DOG,Lucy Tuck as CAT, John Winchester as FROG and Simon Yadoo as CHEETAH. 

LISTINGS

London – West End

Show: Oi Frog & Friends!

Adapted from the bestselling books by Kes Gray and Jim Field

Dates: 29 November 2019 – 5 January 2020

Venue: Lyric Theatre, 29 Shaftesbury Avenue, Soho, London W1D 7ES

Press Performances: Thursday 5 December 11am & Saturday 7 December 12pm

Flexible press dates available

Times: Daytime performances at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 2pm

Playing under ‘Thriller’

Tickets: From £15.50

Schools & Groups: 10+ £10 plus 11th ticket free.  Family Ticket (Admits 4): £66 

ACCESS: Thursday 12th December 11am BSL & Relaxed Performance 

For the full performance schedule and prices visit https://oifrogandfriendslive.com 

Box office: 0330 333 4812 / https://oifrogandfriendslive.com 

Category: Theatre / Family Shows / Children / West End / Play with Music

Suitability: Families with children 3+, Early Years, Reception and Key Stage 1

Running time: Approximately 55 minutes (no interval)

UK TOUR 

See your local Box Office for full tour details or visit https://oifrogandfriendslive.com. 

2019

Farnham, Frensham Heights                 12 – 13 October                       

Norwich Playhouse                               15 – 20 October           

Billingham, Forum Theatre                   22 – 23 October           

Ipswich, New Wolsey                            24 – 25 October

Hertford Theatre                                  26 – 27 October                        

Kingston, Rose Theatre                         29 October – 3 November 

2020

Hayes, Beck Theatre                             11 – 12 February

Aylesbury, Waterside                           13 – 15 February

Chichester, Minerva Theatre                17 – 20 February

Nottingham, Theatre Royal                   21 – 23 February

Liverpool, Playhouse                            26 – 29 February          ON SALE SOON 

Aberdeen, His Majesty’s Theatre          18 – 21 March

Bromley, Churchill Theatre                   1 – 4 April                     ON SALE SOON

Newbury, Corn Exchange                      6 – 7 April                     ON SALE SOON 

Birmingham Town Hall                         10 – 13 April

Leicester Curve                                    15 – 19 April                 ON SALE SOON 

Cardiff, Wales Millennium Centre         1 – 3 May

Mold, Theatr Clwyd                              4 – 6 May                      ON SALE SOON 

Newcastle, Theatre Royal                     8 – 9 May

Canterbury, Marlowe Theatre               22 – 24 May                  ON SALE SOON 

Salford, Lowry Quays                            26 – 31 May

Radlett Centre                                     8 – 11 June                   ON SALE SOON 

Lichfield Garrick                                   13 – 14 June                 ON SALE SOON 

Leeds, Grand Theatre                           18 – 20 June

More dates to be added…

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THEATR CLWYD’S CHRISTMAS PRODUCTIONS –

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK AND A CHRISTMAS CAROL

With the world première of Emily White’s Pavilion finishing its run at The Riverside in Newport, and the company’s large-scale promenade show Mold Riots having just taken to the streets, Artistic Director of Theatr Clwyd Tamara Harvey and Executive Director Liam Evans-Ford today announce the full casts for their upcoming Christmas productions – Jack and the Beanstalk and A Christmas Carol – adapted for the stage by Alan Harris.

For A Christmas Carol, Liz Stevenson directs Matthew Bulgo (Bob/Fezziwig), Amy Drake (Mrs Aubin/Belle/Beggar), Steven Elliott (Scrooge) and Kerry Peers (Christmas Past/Mrs Roberts).

For Jack and the Beanstalk, Zoë Waterman directs Adam Barlow (Squire Simon), Katie Elin Salt (Fairy Daffodil), Lynwen Haf Roberts (Poison Ivy), Phylip Harries (Dame Tabitha Trott), Jessica Jolleys (Jill Stinker), Ben Locke (Tommy Trott), Alice McKenna (Harriet/Villager/Cow), Peter Mooney (Jack), Elin Phillips (Shake), and Luke Thornton (Vac).

www.theatrclwyd.comTwitter: @ClwydTweets
Facebook.com/TheatrClwyd 

A Theatr Clwyd production

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

By Christian Patterson

22 November – 18 January 2020

Cast: Adam Barlow (Squire Simon), Katie Elin Salt (Fairy Daffodil), Lynwen Haf Roberts (Poison Ivy), Phylip Harries (Dame Tabitha Trott), Jessica Jolleys (Jill Stinker), Ben Locke (Tommy Trott),

Alice McKenna (Harriet/Villager/Cow), Peter Mooney (Jack), Elin Phillips (Shake), Luke Thornton (Vac)

Director: Zoë Waterman; Designer: Adrian Gee; Lighting Designer: Mark Howland

Sound Designer: Matthew Wills; Musical Director: Tayo Akinbode; Choreographer: Will Tuckett Casting Director: Kay Magson

Join Jack’s moo-sical journey up the beanstalk in this giant, magical, egg-cellent adventure!

Theatr Clywd’s acclaimed rock ‘n’ roll panto returns with a brand new script by Christian Patterson, full of super slapstick, bonkers frocks, sparkling sets and our brilliant dame, Phylip Harries.

Adam Barlow returns to Theatr Clwyd to play Squire Simon – he previously appeared in Beauty and the Beast. His other theatre work includes War Horse (National Theatre), Cyrano, The Merry Wives (Northern Broadsides), Jumpers for Goalposts, Our Day Out (Oldham Coliseum), and Inherit the Wind and I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire! (New Vic Theatre). For television his work includes Coronation Street (as Wayne Hayes), The Street and Burn It.

Katie Elin-Salt returns to Theatr Clwyd to play Fairy Daffodil – she previously appeared in Under Milk Wood, Season’s Greetings and Educating Rita. Her other theatre work includes The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (Bolton Octagon), Out of Love, Black Mountain, How To Be a Kid (Paines Plough), Twelfth Night (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Comedy of Errors (National Theatre tour) and Crouch Touch Pause Engage (Out of Joint and National Theatre Wales). For television, her work includes Stella, Flash Prank and Tissues and Issues.

Lynwen Haf Roberts returns to Theatr Clwyd to play Poison Ivy – her previous work for the company includes Dick Whittington – The Purrrrrfect Rock ‘N’ Roll Panto and Sleeping Beauty – The Rock ‘N Roll Panto. Other theatre credits include A Berlin Kabaret(UK tour), Iesu!, Deffro’r Gwanwyn (Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru), Arandora Star (Theatr na nÓg), Fala’ Surion, Hawl/Right (Frân Wen), Lleuad yn Olau, Cysgu’n Brysur (Arad Goch) and Sherman Swingers (Sherman Theatre).

Phylip Harries returns to Theatr Clwyd to play Dame Tabitha Trott – he previously appeared in Dick Whittington – The Purrrrrfect Rock ‘N’ Roll Panto, Little Shop of Horrors,Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk and Sleeping Beauty. Other theatre credits include Milwr Yn Y Medddwl, Macbeth (Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru), One Man, Two Guvnors (UK tour), Aberystwyth Mon Amour (Lighthouse Theatre), TOM – A Story of Tom Jones. The Musical (Theatr na nÓg), Much Ado About Nothing (Stafford Gatehouse Theatre). His television credits include The Light, Tourist Trap, Trollied, The Kennedys, Hinterland and Y Pris; and for film, King Arthur: Excalibur Rising and Masterpiece.

Jessica Jolleys plays Jill Stinker. She recently graduated from Rose Bruford College.

Ben Locke plays Tommy Trott. His theatre work includes Robin Hood and the Revolting Peasants, Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing (Oddsocks Productions), Fugitive Songs (Borderline Confrontational) and Billy Young: A Life on Death Row (Lying Lips Theatre Company).

Alice McKenna returns to Theatr Clwyd to play Harriet/Villager/Cow – she previously appeared in Dick Whittington – The Purrrrrfect Rock ‘N’ Roll Panto. Her other theatre credits include Girls Don’t Play the Guitar (Royal Court Liverpool), Underneath a Magical Moon (US tour), Merrily We Roll Along (Yvonne Arnaud Theatre), Underneath a Magical Moon (York Theatre Royal) and Sensation – Music of The Who (UK tour).

Peter Mooney returns to Theatr Clwyd to play Jack – he previously appeared in Dick Whittington – The Purrrrrfect Rock ‘N’ Roll Panto. His other theatre credits include Macbeth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (The Watermill Theatre and tour), A Midsummer Night’s Nap (The Garage), Once (The New Wolsey Theatre/Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch), Save + Quit (The New Theatre, Dublin), The Commitments (Palace Theatre/UK tour), Eye of the Storm (Theatr na nÓg) and Romeo and Juliet (The Watermill Theatre); and for film, The Usurpers and Viral.

Elin Phillips plays Shake. Her theatre work includes The Populars (Volcano Theatre), Henry V (The Barn Theatre), Dau (RCT Theatres), Penblwydd Poenus Pete (Theatr Iolo) and Alice in Wonderland (Sherman Theatre). For television, her work includes Îha Sheelagh, Gwaith Cartref, Zanzibar and Crash; and for film, Love Type D and Y Syrcas.

Luke Thornton returns to Theatr Clwyd to play Vac – he previously appeared in Sleeping Beauty and Aladdin. His other theatre work includes Midnight (Union Theatre), Summer Holiday (Bolton Octagon), Footloose (UK tour), Dusty (Charing Cross Theatre) and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (London Palladium).

Christian Patterson scripted his début pantomime Dick Whittington for Theatr Clwyd last year, having written award-winning pantomimes at other venues across the UK. He is currently directing Wave Me Goodbye for the company. As an actor his credits for the company include The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Insignificance, All My Sons and Under Milk Wood. Other credits include The Way of the World (Donmar Warehouse), My Country (National Theatre), Blackbird (The Other Room) and Plays in a Bag – The Knowledge (Royal Court Theatre). His television credits include My Country, Ellen and Mr Selfridge; and for film, Pride and Malice in Wonderland. He won the Best Actor honour at the Wales Theatre Awards in 2016.

Zoë Waterman returns to the theatre to direct, continuing her collaboration with Patterson following last year’s Dick Whittington. She is the Associate Director at the New Vic Theatre where her credits includePlayhouse Creatures and The Kitchen Sink. Other theatre credits include Sleeping Beauty (Theatr Clwyd), The Rubenstein Kiss, Amy’s View and After Miss Julie (Nottingham Playhouse), Remarkable Invisible, The Vertical Hour, Enlightenment and Shining City (Theatre by the Lake), The Bogus Woman (Theatre by the Lake/UK tour), Swan Song: an evening of music and song (Swan Theatre), The Demand (Shooting Fish Theatre Company), Aladdin, Sleeping Beauty, Jack and the Beanstalk (Loughborough Town Hall).

A Theatr Clwyd production

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Adapted for the stage by Alan Harris

13 December – 5 January

Cast: Matthew Bulgo (Bob/Fezziwig), Amy Drake (Mrs Aubin/Belle/Beggar), Steven Elliott (Scrooge) and Kerry Peers (Christmas Past/Mrs Roberts)

Director:Liz Stevenson; Designer: Frankie Bradshaw; Lighting Designer: Matt Leventhall

Sound Designer: Alexandra Faye Braithwaite; Composer/Musical Director: Barnaby Race

Movement Director: Sian Williams; Casting Director: Peter Hunt CDG

It’s Christmas Eve and Ebenezer Scrooge is miserable and unhappy, can you help him find his Christmas spirit?

Explore a living, breathing Victorian street with residents to meet before being whisked away to a dream world where anything can happen and ghosts are just around the corner… A funny immersive family show filled with music and mystery.

Matthew Bulgo returns to Theatr Clwyd to play Bob/Fezziwig – he previously appeared in All My Sons and Lord of the Flies (also Sherman Theatre). His theatre credits include The Cherry Orchard, The Sleeping Beauties, Clytemnestra, A Christmas Carol (Sherman Theatre), The Insatiable, Inflatable Candylion, Praxis Makes Perfect (National Theatre Wales), I’m With The Band, Horizontal Collaboration (Traverse Theatre), Kenny Morgan (Arcola Theatre), Under Milk Wood (Royal and Derngate), The Prince Hamlet (Toronto Dance Theatre), Play, Silence (The Other Room) and Blue/Orange (Canoe Theatre). Bulgo is an Associate Director of Dirty Protest Theatre and also works as a playwright and dramaturg.

Amy Drake plays Mrs Aubin/Belle/Beggar. Her theatre credits include Babushka (Hard Graft Theatre), War and Peace (at Hurricane Speed), Keep Breathing (Reallife Theatre Company), Under The Market Roof (Junction 8 Theatre), Treasure Island (Lancaster Dukes Theatre) and Shakers (Deaf Dog Theatre). For television, her work includes Cold Feet; and for film, The Blast Project and Top Dog.

Steven Elliott plays Scrooge. He is an Associate Artist at Theatr Clwyd. His theatre work includes seasons at the National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre Wales, the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, and many other theatre companies throughout the UK. For television, his work includes The Crown, Da Vinci’s Demons, Mike Basset – Manager, Ghostboat, Judge John Deed and S4C’s English/Welsh series Porthpenwaig; and for film, The Watcher in the Woods, Les Misérables, Hamlet and Time Bandits.

Kerry Peers returns to Theatr Clwyd to play Ghost of Christmas Past/Mrs Roberts. Previous work for the company includes Wave Me Goodbye, Much Ado About Nothing, Jumpy, A Streetcar Named Desire and One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. Other theatre work includes The Words Are Coming Now (Theatre503), Pride and Prejudice (Nottingham Playhouse/ York Theatre Royal), The Father, Dead Funny – both Manchester Theatre Awards nominations, Brighton Beach Memoirs – Manchester Theatre Awards Winner (Oldham Coliseum), Peter Pan (Northcott Exeter), and Shirley Valentine (Frinton Summer Theatre). Television work includes Clink, Butterfly, Bulletproof, Hollyoaks, Waterloo Road and Shameless; and as series regulars in The Bill (as WDC Suzi Croft) and Brookside (Helen Carey).

Alan Harris’ plays include Sugar Baby (Edinburgh Fringe 2017, Soho Theatre 2018), How My Light is Spent (winner of the Judges’ Award at the 2015 Bruntwood Prize, produced by the Royal Exchange, Manchester, Sherman Theatre and Theatre By The Lake), Love, Lies and Taxidermy (Paines Plough, Theatr Clwyd and Sherman Theatre), The Opportunity of Efficiency (New National Theatre Tokyo / National Theatre Wales), A Good Night Out in The Valleys (the inaugural production of the newly formed National Theatre Wales), The Future For Beginners (liveartshow / Wales Millennium Centre), The Magic Toyshop (Invisible Ink / Theatr Iolo), Cardboard Dad (Sherman Cymru), Miss Brown To You (Hijinx Theatre), and Orange (Sgript Cymru). His latest play For The Grace of You Go I will feature in Theatr Clwyd’s season for 2020.

Liz Stevenson is the Artistic Director Theatre by the Lake, and Junction 8 Theatre. She won the 2015 JMK Young Director Award. Barbarians at the Young Vic was nominated for a 2016 Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre. She was the Associate Director on the UK and Ireland tour of the National Theatre’s production of Macbeth. As a director, her other work includes The Secret Garden (York Theatre Royal, Theatre by the Lake), Under The Market Roof (Chorley Market, Junction 8 Theatre), Handbagged (Theatre by the Lake), How My Light Is Spent (Royal Exchange Theatre, Sherman Theatre, Theatre by the Lake), Macbeth (Dukes Theatre, Lancaster), Barbarians (Young Vic), Bluestockings, Too Fast and Midnight at The Hotel Beauregard (ALRA North).

Listings                                                                                                                                  Theatr Clwyd

Raikes Lane, Mold CH7 1YA

Box Office: 01352 701521

www.theatrclwyd.com/en/

JOAN OF LEEDS

·       3-21 December, New Diorama Theatre 

·       World premiere of first ever Christmas show by Breach Theatre

·       Contemporary slant on medieval mystery play with live music – based on the extraordinary true story of a runaway 14^th century rebel nun

Breach Theatre return to New Diorama this December with the world premiere of their first ever Christmas show.

Based on a fascinating and scandalous true story, Joan of Leeds adds a raucously funny seasonal twist to Breach’s signature combination of thrillingly incisive storytelling, theatrical invention and the deployment of history to comment on contemporary society.

In a 14th Century Yorkshire convent, Sister Joan is blessed with unholy visions. A seductive serpent and sinful saints exalt the earthly pleasures of forbidden sex.

Her visions – and ensuing actions- cause a scandal in the order, but Joan is determined to spread her new carnal creed… even if it means getting a little creative.

Sounds fun, right?

Joan of Leeds borrows its structure from the early medieval Mystery Plays, which mixed verse and choral music to tell stories from the bible, but Breach have given the genre a sharp contemporary reinvention, mixing verse and dialogue with a psychedelic 70s aesthetic and folk-rock soundtrack, feminist undertones, uproarious humour and a healthy does of festive spirit. 

The show is co-written by Breach’s Billy Barrett and Ellice Stevens, with music by James Frewer – whose credits include Middle Child Theatre’s mega hits All We Ever Wanted Was Everything and The Canary and the Crow.

The cast includes Rachel Barnes and Laurie Jamieson, both of whom also starred as actor-musicians in The Canary and the Crow at the 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, alongside Bryony Davies (Macbeth, Royal Exchange, A Girl In School Uniform (Walks Into A Bar), New Diorama), Olivia Hirst (Artistic Director of LostWatch Theatre, star of Secret Life of Humans, and co-writer and star of The Incident Room – both New Diorama Theatre) and Alex Roberts (The Wardrobe Ensemble’s Rocky Shock).

New Diorama Theatre Associate Ensemble Breach Theatre’s previous plays include The Beanfield, Fringe First winner Tank, and Fringe First, The Stage and Untapped Award winner It’s True It’s True It’s True which restaged the 1612 trial surrounding the rape of artist Artemisia Gentileschi and will transfer to The Barbican’s Pit in spring 2020.

GWEN TAYLOR TO STAR IN

THE WORLD PREMIERE OF NEW THRILLER

THE CROFT

TO TOUR UK IN 2020

The Original Theatre Company present the new Ali Milles thriller, The Croft, based on a true story and starring Gwen Taylor. The Croft will begin its UK tour at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham on 22 January 2020.

The Croft is set in the remote Scottish Highlands village of Coillie Ghille, where we encounter three women from different eras whose lives are intertwined by the croft’s dark history. In the 1880’s, we have Enid, the last person left in the village – she’s resilient, a survivor, who takes in the Laird’s pregnant daughter, Eilene. In 2005, Ruth occupies the croft, which she and her husband Tom bought as a holiday home and where Ruth has her affair with local man, David. In the present day, Laura returns with her friend Suzanne to her parent’s croft after her mother Ruth’s death. They discover the terrifying truth that lurks within the croft. In this bold and haunting play, the present interweaves with the past, as these women search for love in the midst of great danger. As we watch their stories intertwine and ancient tales surface, can the present heal the past?

Gwen Taylor will play Enid and is best known for playing the title role in the ITV sitcom Barbara, as well as Anne Foster in Coronation Street, Peggy Armstrong in Heartbeat, Rita Simcock in A Bit of A Do, for which she was nominated for a BAFTA TV Best Actress Award, and Amy in Duty Free.  Her film appearances include Another Mother’s Son, The Lady in the Van and Monty Python’s Life of Brian.  Gwen is currently touring the UK in The Lady Vanishes. Her other theatre credits include The Importance of Being Earnest and Night Must Fall (both for Original Theatre), Allelujah! (Bridge Theatre), The Slaves of Solitude (Hampstead Theatre), Driving Miss Daisy (Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre / UK Tour), Calendar Girls (UK tour), the title role in the national tour of Shirley Valentine, Top Girls (Royal Court and New York) and Gertrude in Sir Peter Hall’s production of Hamlet (London’s Gielgud Theatre and national tour).

Caroline Harker will play the roles of Suzanne / Ruth. She is best known for her role as Celia in BBC’s Middlemarch, as well as WPC Hazel Wallace in ITV’s A Touch of Frost. Her other notable television credits include Coronation Street, Doctors and Holby City. Caroline’s film credits include Lady Godiva: Back in the Saddle and The Madness of King George. She most recently starred in Relatively Speaking, Breaking Code and Handbagged (Salisbury Playhouse). Her other theatre credits include The Sweet Science of Bruising (Southwark Playhouse), The Chalk Garden (Chichester Festival Theatre) and Pride and Prejudice (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre).

Lucy Doyle will play the roles of Laura / Eilene. She recently graduated from RADA and made her professional debut this year at Theatre Royal Bath in Vienna 1934 – Munich 1938 alongside Vanessa Redgrave and Paul Hilton.

Further casting to be announced.

The Croft is directed by the award-winning director Philip Franks, with design by Adrian Linford, lighting by Chris Davey and sound by Max Pappenheim.

This production is produced by The Original Theatre Company (The Habit of Art, The Night Watch, Birdsong).

Website: www.originaltheatre.com

Facebook: Original Theatre #TheCroft

Twitter: @OriginalTheatre #TheCroft

Age Guidance 12+

2020 UK Tour Schedule

22 – 25 January                           Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham                           01242 572573

                                                    www.everymantheatre.org.uk

27 January – 1 February              Derby Theatre                                                       01332 59 39 39

                                                    www.derbytheatre.co.uk                                        On sale soon

4 – 8 February                             Perth Theatre                                                         01738 621031

                                                    www.horsecross.co.uk                                           On sale soon

11 – 15 February                         Darlington Hippodrome                                          01325 405405

                                                    www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

24 – 29 February                         Palace Theatre, Southend                                     01702 351135

                                                     www.palacetheatresouthend.co.uk 

11 – 14 March                             Cambridge Arts Theatre                                         01223 503333

                                                    www.cambridgeartstheatre.com                             On sale soon

16 – 21 March                             Ashcroft Playhouse, Fairfield Halls, Croydon         0203 292 0002

                                                    www.fairfield.co.uk

24 – 28 March                             Theatr Clwyd, Mold                                                01352 344101

                                                    www.theatrclwyd.com                                           

31 March – 4 April                       Richmond Theatre                                                 0844 871 7651

                                                    www.atgtickets.com/richmond-theatre                   

6 – 11 April                                   Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne                   0132 341 2000

                                                     www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk                             On sale soon

15 – 18 April                                Belgrade Theatre, Coventry                                   024 7655 3055

                                                    www.belgrade.co.uk                                             

Further dates to be added. 

The Man in the White Suit

Adapted for the stage by Sean Foley

Based on the play “The Flower Within the Bud” by Roger MacDougall and Screenplay by Roger MacDougall, John Dighton and Alexander Mackendrick   

By special arrangement with STUDIO CANAL

Directed by Sean Foley

Designed by Michael Taylor

• PRODUCERS TODAY HAVE ANNOUNCED THAT THE MAN IN THE WHITE SUIT WILL END ITS RUN ON SATURDAY 7th DECEMBER, EARLIER THAN PREVIOUSLY ADVERTISED

Producers today announced that Sean Foley’sadaptation of the classic Ealing Studios comedy, The Man in the White Suit,will end its run at Wyndham’s Theatre on Saturday 7th December, earlier than previously advertised.

Despite winning praise from audiences, sales for the show have not proved strong enough and producers have taken the difficult decision to end the run early.

Ticket holders for performances after 7th December should contact their point of sale.