Month: November 2019

ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER AND CAMERON MACKINTOSH

ANNOUNCE THREE FURTHER VENUES

FOR THE UK AND IRELAND TOUR OF

THE BRILLIANT ORIGINAL PRODUCTION OF

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

SUNDERLAND EMPIRE – 4 NOVEMBER – 5 DECEMBER 2020

WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE CARDIFF

9 DECEMBER 2020 – 16 JANUARY 2021

PLYMOUTH THEATRE ROYAL – 20 JANUARY – 20 FEBRUARY 2021

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh are delighted to announce three further venues for the UK and Ireland tour of the brilliant original production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. These are Sunderland Empire (4 November – 5 December 2020), Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff (9 December 2020 – 16 January 2021) and Plymouth Theatre Royal (20 January – 20 February 2021).

As previously announced, the tour will open at Curve, Leicester on 22 February 2020 where it will run until 21 March 2020before playing Manchester Palace Theatre (26 March – 30 May 2020), Bord Gais Energy Theatre Dublin (10 June – 18 July 2020), Birmingham Hippodrome (29 July – 12 September 2020) and Edinburgh Festival Theatre (23 September – 31 October 2020).

Full venue details and on sale dates below with further dates and full casting to be announced soon.

Now in its 34^th phenomenal year in the West End, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is widely considered one of the most beautiful and spectacular productions in history. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s romantic, haunting and soaring score includes Music of the Night, All I Ask of You, Masquerade and the iconic title song.

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

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

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

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lyrics by Charles Hart, and Additional Lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. Book is by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber,   Based on the novel ‘Le Fantôme de l’Opera’ by Gaston Leroux, with Orchestraions by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber. It is produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group Ltd.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is currently showing in London, New York, Prague and Sao Paulo, as well as on tour in the US and Asia. 

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

UK AND IRLEAND TOUR

SATURDAY 22 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 21 MARCH 2020

Curve Theatre, Leicester

www.curveonline.co.uk

THURSDAY 26 MARCH – SATURDAY 30 MAY 2020

Palace Theatre, Manchester

www.atgtickets.com/venues/palace-theatre-manchester/

WEDNESDAY 10 JUNE – SATURDAY 18 JULY 2020

Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin

www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie

WEDNESDAY 29 JULY – SATURDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 2020

Birmingham Hippodrome

www.birminghamhippodrome.com

WEDNESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER 2020

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

www.capitaltheatres.com/your-visit/festival-theatre

WEDNESDAY 4 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 5 DECEMBER 2020

Sunderland Empire

www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland
ON SALE 18 NOVEMBER 2019

WEDNESDAY 9 DECEMBER 2020 – SATURDAY 16 JANUARY 2021

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff

www.wmc.org.uk

ON SALE 25 NOVEMBER 2019

WEDNESDAY 20 JANUARY – SATURDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2021

Plymouth Theatre Royal

www.theatreroyal.com

ON SALE SPRING 2020

Old Red Lion Theatre – until 30 November 2019

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Kathryn O’Reilly’s Poisoned Polluted is a hard-hitting but moving two-hander examining the scars of childhood abuse and trauma. Two sisters, never named, just Her (Anna Doolan) and Sister (Kathryn O’Reilly) relive the same cycle of Her forlorn hope that Sister will be able to live cleanly without drugs, only for Sister to fall back into her habit.

Director Lucy Allan makes the story seem organic and allows the cast to shine on the minimalist set. The walls of the stage are covered in sheets of paper that form the image of a woodland – the forest of their childhood escapes – but the sheets are peeling away, just like their image of the forest as the women see their forest for what it was – a meagre stand of trees on the edge of the park which also became a scene of abuse.

As the sisters describe and re-enact their childhood, chasing each other with gleeful innocence until they reach the disturbing truth of their mother’s death and their father’s abuse, the two actors capture the innocent confusion and horror of young children suffering such horrors effortlessly. Their childhood arguments and teasing are sweet and authentic, and big Sister’s protection of her sister is instinctive. As the girls grow up, this instinct becomes blame as Sister spirals into addiction just like her parents, and O’Reilly writes and delivers the desperate, spiteful lines with passion and compassion. The script is non-judgmental, simply revealing the ongoing trauma of victims. The younger sister’s feelings of responsibility for her sister are holding her back from her dreams, but her guilt and love are overwhelming. Doolan and O’Reilly have wonderful chemistry, and both give passionate and physical performances. The movement pieces between scenes are hypnotic, and the sequence where a comforting hug from Sister turns into a relentless grip that Her cannot escape from is inspired.

Poisoned Polluted isn’t a comfortable play to watch, but is emotional and disturbing, with unexpected laughs and heartfelt performances.

Intermission Theatre – until 30 November 2019

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Intermission Youth Theatre’s contributions to Shakespeare’s Globe’s Sonnet walks and Shakespeare within the Abbey have brought a fresh dynamism to those events and sparked the idea for Excluded. With many of the cast having been excluded from school, and the creeping exclusion of the arts in state education, Darren Raymond’s blending of Shakespeare’s works with modern issues that effect the young people in the cast has created a play that is fiercely funny, gritty and accessible.

The students of William High School are preparing for their GCSEs, but these students are the 15 and 16-year-old modern versions of iconic figures from Shakespeare’s plays. Caesar (charismatic Alexander ‘X’ Lobo Moreno) – the new boy whose cult of personality upsets former top dog Brutus (a beautifully judged performance from Elijah Blunt as he finally succumbs to the masculine stereotype demanded by his negligent father), Bottom (Crerar Antony – a joy to watch) – the drama obsessed extrovert who can’t help interrupting the teacher, Romeo (hilarious Kai Jerdioui) – the ladies’ man who woos new girl Juliet with song lyrics and Shakespeare’s text. Hamlet’s (wonderfully intense Oliver Knight) mental health, grieving for his father and obsessing over his mother’s new relationship, changes from a running joke to a gloriously intense breakdown. Each character is instantly relatable to their adult counterparts in Shakespeare’s plays, but with their attitudes and actions completely at home with their modern situation. Ashley Hodges as teacher Miss Portia shows fantastic depths in her performance as she keeps trying to focus the class and prepare them for life, knowing that the system is failing them all. The ease with which Darren Raymond has slipped these characters into 21st century events without any jarring notes is a testament to his skill as a writer, the young cast’s engaging interpretations and the timeless qualities of the iconic figures. I’ve never felt so sorry for poor Isabel (beautifully understated Rakiya Hasan). Switching between Shakespearean text and modern English could feel awkward in less skilful hands, but the flow of the language feels organic and authentic and is often very funny.

With two casts playing on alternate performances, it would be fascinating to see both to witness the different nuances and relationships between the actors, but whichever cast you see, you are guaranteed an energetic, thoughtful and thoroughly modern take on Shakespeare that leaves you full of hope for the future of the arts in the hands of these inspiring actors.

The Vaults – until 15 January 2020

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

It’s panto season again, and if you want to see beautiful princesses, plucky young heroes and hissable villains without a child in sight, then this is the perfect night for you.

Darling & Edge return to The Vaults and this year transform the space into the land of Agrablahblahblah. The Sultan is dead, and Princess Jizzmine must find a suitable suitor by midnight. Aladdin finds a mysterious lamp in Widow Hankey’s launderette and takes it to the palace, pursued by the dastardly Jaclose.

The bar area is transformed into Hankey’s Launderette – named to lampoon Hollywood’s whitewashing of Asian characters – and the audience gather here to try the jewel themed cocktails. The action soon moves to the Feast of Wonders at the place, where a delicious banquet is served, with courses punctuated by further nonsensical scenes, before returning to the launderette for the finale and dancing.

ShayShay’s script has some fantastic comedy moments, and the exuberant cast are a joy, handling the “hilarious” contributions of the merriest audience members with quick-thinking skill and wit. The gameshow aspect of the quest for Jizzmine’s suitor has the potential to bomb, but the audience members are corralled expertly by the cast.

With alcohol and food in abundance, and a relaxed, almost chaotic feel to the production, Aladdin and the Feast of Wonders is a perfect night for a fun filled Christmas outing with friends. Escape the twee traditional festivities and let your hair down in Agrablahblahblah

West End Wilma, the mother and son theatre blogging duo, are delighted to announce the winners of the sixth annual West End Wilma Awards in association with Free@Last TV Ltd and Martina Cole.

The ceremony took place this afternoon at Café de Paris in the West End of London. This year’s entertainment was sponsored by Encore Radio.

Waitress swept the board with four awards, including Best West End Show, Best Take Over In A Role (Lucie Jones) and Best Performer In A West End Show (Marisha Wallace).

Here are all of this year’s winners…

Best Touring Production
Sponsored by The Orchard Theatre, Dartford
Kinky Boots

Best Cabaret/Solo Performance
Sponsored by Royal Vauxhall Tavern
Lea Salonga (Nottingham Royal Concert Hall)

Best Ensemble Performer
Sponsored by The MTA
Clive Carter (Come from Away)

Rising Star
Sponsored by Concord Theatricals
Olivia Moore (Waitress)

Best Understudy
Grace Mouat (SIX)

Best Takeover In A Role
Lucie Jones (as Jenna in Waitress)

Best Performer In An Off-West End Show
Luke Bayer (Fiver – Southwark Playhouse)

Best Performer In A West End Show
Marisha Wallace (Waitress)

Best Off-West End Show
Little Shop Of Horrors (Regents Park Open Air Theatre)

Best West End Show:
Waitress (Adelphi Theatre)

Adam Spiegel and Stephen Waley-Cohen present
THE MOUSETRAP TOUR 2020

• AGATHA CHRISTIE’S LEGENDARY MURDER MYSTERY THE MOUSETRAP ANNOUNCES BRAND NEW DATES FOR 2020 WITH THE HIT UK TOUR NOW SET TO VISIT MORE THAN 80 VENUES ACROSS THE COUNTRY
• THE RECORD-BREAKING WEST END RUN CONTINUES AT THE ST MARTIN’S THEATRE, NOW IN ITS 68TH YEAR WHERE IT HAS RECENTLY CELEBRATED ITS 28,000^TH PERFORMANCE
• BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND, THE MOUSETRAP HIT THE ROAD WITH A SECOND MAJOR NATIONAL TOUR IN JANUARY 2019 AND HAS BEEN THRILLING AUDIENCES ACROSS THE COUNTRY
• TELEVISION STAR SUSAN PENHALIGON PLAYS MRS BOYLE ON THE UK TOUR THROUGH TO JULY 2020
• FOR BOOKING INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT: WWW.MOUSETRAPONTOUR.COM

The world renowned murder mystery The Mousetrap from Queen of Crime Dame Agatha Christie today announces further extensive dates for the hit UK tour which will return in 2020, opening at Poole Lighthouse from 21-25 January and then continuing to travel the length and breadth of the country until November 2020.

Television star Susan Penhaligon (Bouquet of Barbed Wire, A Fine Romance, Emmerdale) who joined the tour in the summer, will play Mrs Boyle through to July 2020, with further casting to be announced in due course. Following the success of the first ever UK tour in 2012, the timeless thriller returned to the road by popular demand in January 2019, and has been earning standout reviews from critics and public alike. Directed by Gareth Armstrong, the tour will visit more than 80 venues in total as it continues throughout 2020.

Now in its 68th year, The Mousetrap continues a record-breaking run in the West End where it recently celebrated its 28,000th performance at the St Martin’s Theatre. First seen in Nottingham in 1952 starring Richard Attenborough and his wife Sheila Sim, The Mousetrap went on to become the world’s longest running stage production following its West End transfer to The Ambassadors in 1952 and St Martin’s in 1973 where it has played ever since. 

The Mousetrap tour will return in 2020 at Poole Lighthouse and will then visit Hull New, Billingham Forum, Swindon Wyvern, Yeovil Octagon, Plymouth Theatre Royal, Leicester Haymarket, Aylesbury Waterside, Doncaster Cast, Dublin Gaiety, Cork Opera House, Inverness Eden Court, Tunbridge Wells Assembly Hall Theatre, Hastings White Rock, Wolverhampton Grand, Skegness Embassy, Bath Theatre Royal, The Courtyard Hereford, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Southampton Mayflower, Weston-Super-Mare Playhouse, Shrewsbury Severn, Swansea Grand, Manchester Opera House, Buxton Opera House, Leeds Grand, Ipswich Regent, Cambridge Corn Exchange, New Brighton Floral Pavilion, Wellingborough Castle Theatre, Lichfield Garrick, Edinburgh Kings, King’s Lynn Corn Exchange and Chelmsford Civic.

The full cast includes Susan Penhaligon (Mrs Boyle), Martin Allanson (Detective Sgt. Trotter), Laura Costello (Miss Casewell), Steven Elliott (Mr Paravicini), John Griffiths (Major Metcalf), Edith Kirkwood (Mollie Ralston), Adam Lilley (Giles Ralston) and George Naylor (Christopher Wren). Susan Penhaligon will perform with the tour through to Manchester Opera House with her final performance taking place on 18 July 2020. Further star casting for the role of Mrs Boyle will be announced in due course.

Gareth Armstrong (Director) has worked across the world as both a director and actor. He was an Artistic Director of Cardiff’s Sherman Theatre where he directed classics including Shakespeare, Shaw and Chekov and modern works from Coward to Stoppard. He is a founding director of the Made in Wales Stage Company and previously an Associate Artist Director at the Salisbury Playhouse. Gareth most recently directed Hugh Whitemore’s Sand in the Sandwiches seen in the West End and on UK tour. He has written and performed his own solo play, Shylock, which premiered at the Salisbury Playhouse and toured internationally for ten years.

Susan Penhaligon (Mrs Boyle) is well-known for her role in the ITV drama Bouquet of Barbed Wire, as Helen Barker in the ITV sitcom A Fine Romance, and as Jean Hope in Emmerdale. She has toured the UK with stage productions including The Importance of being Earnest, Cabaret, Rehearsal for Murder, And Then There Were None, The Constant Wife, Verdict and Dangerous Obsessions. Stage credits also include Caste (Finborough Theatre), Murder on Air (Theatre Royal Windsor), Broken Glass (West Yorkshire Playhouse), The Compliant Love (Palace Theatre) and The Cherry Orchard (Royal Exchange). Susan has also appeared on film in Top Dog, Citizen Versus Kane, Say that You Love Me, Say Hello to Yesterday and Private Road.

Martin Allanson’s (Detective Sgt. Trotter) theatre credits include: Wuthering Heights (Birmingham Rep & UK Tour), Coco (Sadler’s Wells), 55 Days and Fabrika Hill (Hampstead Theatre), Riot (National Theatre Studio), How The Vote Was Won (Orange Tree Theatre), Bouncers (Guildford Fringe), Lee Harvey Oswald (Finborough Theatre), Tomorrow/Seppuku (Arcola Theatre), Machine Gunners (Polka Theatre), In an Instant and Christmas (Theatre 503), His Face, Her Face (Bath Theatre). Television includes Doctors, Hashtag, Tosh, The Private Life of Monarchs.

Laura Costello (Miss Casewell) recently graduated from The Oxford School of Drama. Credits include: Sandy in Flashes (Soho Theatre); LV in the Rise and Fall of Little Voice; Fanny Willoughby in Quality Street; and Annie in Chicago (Pitlochry Festival Theatre Rep 2018 Company), Eliza in The Tide Jetty (Eastern Angels tour).

Steven Elliott’s (Mr Paravicini) theatre credits include Danny Boyle’s production of Frankenstein and Sir Nicholas Hytner’s The Winter’s Tale plus other productions during his seasons at the Royal National Theatre. David Edgar’s Pentecost and A Christmas Carol amongst others at the Royal Shakespeare Company, and Professor Marcus in The Ladykillers (UK tour). Steven is an Associate Artist at Theatr Clwyd and has performed with many other theatre companies such as National Theatre Wales and Abbey Theatre in Dublin. Television credits include The Crown, Da Vinci’s Demons, Holby City, Inspector Morse, Judge John Deed and S4C’s Porthpenwaig.  Film includes The Watcher in the Woods, Les Misérables, Hamlet, Time Bandits and NT Live recordings of King Lear, True West and Frankenstein.

John Griffiths’ (Major Metcalf) West End theatre credits include The Sound of Music (London Palladium), The Woman in White (Palace Theatre), The Royal Family (Haymarket), The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s) and Oliver! (Aldwych). He has also appeared in the national tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as well as Volpone at the National Theatre and The Tempest, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Kiss Me Kate and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. John is delighted to be touring for the second successive year in The Mousetrap UK Tour.

Edith Kirkwood (Mollie Ralston) has starred in Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre), Peculiar Distractions (York Theatre Royal), The Princess and the Sprout, Billy Shakes: Wonder Boy, Peter Pan in the Park, Three (Wrongsemble), Austen the Musical (Old Hall Theatre), Simeon’s Watch, Baked Alaska, Inheritance, Fantastic Acts (Riding Lights), Blood and Chocolate (Slung Low/Pilot), The Star Child (Tell Tale Theatre), York Mysteries 2012, Two Planks and a Passion (York Theatre Royal/Riding Lights). Edith is also Associate Artist for Leeds based family theatre company Wrongsemble.

Adam Lilley (Giles Ralston) most recently appeared in the 2019 UK tour of Rain Man and previously in the West End in The 39 Steps and The King’s Speech. His other theatre credits include Gaslight (UK tour); Dangerous Obsession (English Theatre of Hamburg); Encounter (Above The Stag Theatre, London), Maurice (Off-West End Award nomination for Best Male Performance – Above The Stag Theatre, London) As You Like It and The Comedy of Errors (Guildford Shakespeare Company). ​TV and screen credits include: Autopsy: The Last Hours of Larry Hagman, Queers, Final Hours, A Violent Mind.

George Naylor’s (Christopher Wren) theatre credits include: One Man Two Guvnors (Torch Theatre); Wendy and Peter Pan (Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh); Much Ado About Nothing (Heartbreak Productions); The Rover, Conspiracy, Madness in Valencia, The Taming of the Shrew, London Cuckolds (The Richard Burton Company); Boys (Open Letter Theatre Company) and Macbeth (Guildford Shakespeare Company). Television credits include: Web of Lies and Casualty.

The Mousetrap continues its open-ended run at St. Martin’s Theatre, London.

1917 AND WALKING WITH THE WOUNDED JOIN FORCES TO
‘WALK HOME FOR CHRISTMAS’

  Cast & crew of WWI film 1917 supporting military charity campaign

 Sam Mendes calls on fans to sign up to ‘Walking Home For Christmas’​

Campaign by Walking With The Wounded to support 400 veterans

Sam Mendes’ latest film 1917 centres on two young British soldiers who are given a seemingly impossible mission at the height of The First World War. In a race against time, they must cross enemy territory and deliver a message that will stop a deadly attack on hundreds of soldiers. Mendes is calling on the public to deliver a message of their own this Christmas as part of a campaign to raise money for current veterans and their families.

The director of Skyfall was inspired to make 1917 after conversations with his grandfather, so supporting a partnership with military charity Walking With The Wounded and their nationwide ‘Walking Home For Christmas’ fundraiser has a strong personal impact for him.

Sam Mendes, who directed, produced and co-wrote 1917, said: “I care about our ex-military because my own grandfather fought in the war and it’s his experiences that inspired me to write and direct 1917. It shows the extraordinary things young men and women do and go through during wartime. Those experiences will impact their lives forever and especially at Christmas.

“While we’re not in conflict now, there are still too many ex-military who will be alone this Christmas. Troops who were involved in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, who are socially isolated and need support to get back into employment and independence. You can support by signing up to Walking Home For Christmas, creating a story of your own and walking to raise funds for those who have walked in far more dangerous places on behalf of us.”

George Mackay and Dean-Charles Chapman, the lead actors from the film, will be joining the official launch of Walking Home For Christmas on 12 November as a precursor to walking down the red carpet for the Royal Film PerformanceTM and World Premiere of 1917 in December. The campaign invites anyone to register for free, receive a branded Santa hat and do a sponsored walk home or somewhere important to them anytime between 12 -22 December.

The event is aiming to support 400 ex-servicemen and women who are socially isolated, struggling with their mental health, homeless or caught in police custody – and get them back into employment and independence to ensure they can support themselves and their families next Christmas.

Ed Parker, CEO of Walking With The Wounded said: “We’re so grateful to Sam Mendes and the team behind 1917 for his and their involvement. People in the public eye throwing their support behind the campaign makes a huge difference to our outcomes supporting veterans who have little to look forward to this Christmas get back into a place where they can support themselves and their families next year.”

About Walking Home For Christmas:

How To Enter:

·         Sign up for free at www.walkinghomeforchristmas.com

·         Receive a Santa hat and fundraising pack, plan your walk and tell your friends

·         Walk as far as is challenging for you, 1 mile or 100

·         Any time from 12th – 22nd December

Need ideas for your walk?

·         The Long Haul – Go large and surprise yourself and a relative

·         The workplace challenge – Teambuilding or client engaging!

·         School’s out – Walk home from school or uni with parents or friends

·         The Team Outing – Walk to a pub for dinner

·         The Ingenious Idea – Hand deliver a present or carry a Christmas tree home

·         The Train-ing Plan – Get off the train a stop early

·         The (long) dog walk – Take the lead and have an adventure

·         Strava Art – Map out a message of support with your walking route

NUFFIELD SOUTHAMPTON THEATRES ANNOUNCE

SPRING 2020 SEASON

Director of Nuffield Southampton Theatres, Samuel Hodges, today announces the company’s Spring 2020 season.

Highlights of the season include new adaptations of three classic novels including a co-production of H.G. Well’s The War of the Worlds created by Rhum and Clay and written with Isley Lynn, a co-production of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights created by Inspector Sands and the critically-acclaimed co-production of Tron Theatre Company and Blood of the Young’sPride and Prejudice* (*sort of) which arrives at NST City as part of its UK tour on 17 March and will be extending its run by a week, running until 4 April 2020. In addition, the company present Heist with its resident dance company, ZoieLogic Dance Theatre.

Director of Nuffield Southampton Theatres, Sam Hodges, said today “This is a season of radical new versions of much-loved texts with Blood of the Young’s hilarious and moving Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of), Rhum & Clay’s thrilling, shape-shifting The War of the Worlds and Inspector Sands’ sensory Wuthering Heights. In each adaptation, these fiercely talented theatre-makers are telling the story from a new perspective, and by doing so, making them funnier, more relevant, and more gripping – exactly what theatre should be.

It’s also a season about supporting some of the country’s most exciting up-and-coming theatre companies. We’re delighted to be working in partnership to introduce Blood of the Young, an excellent Scottish company, to England, and support Rhum & Clay, Inspector Sands and our resident dance company ZoieLogic all to grow their work to the mid-scale for the very first time.”

In April 2020 NST Campus will be closing in order to undergo a major refurbishment as part of The University of Southampton’s wider renovation of the Highfield Campus. The theatre will continue to present a full programme of produced and touring work at their city centre venue NST City.

NST City

A Nuffield Southampton Theatres co-production with Brighton Festival, HOME Manchester and New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth

The War of the Worlds

Created by Rhum and Clay and written with Isley Lynn

Directed by Hamish McDougall and Julian Spooner;Designed by Bethany Wells

15 – 25 April 2020

“No-one would have believed in the early years of the twentieth century that this world was being watched…”

But we did believe. We believed that Martians landed in New Jersey. We believed a water tower was an alien war machine. We believed a man walked on the moon. We believe everything the internet trolls tell us and now the end of the world is being broadcast live…

Inspired by H.G. Wells’ novel and Orson Welles’ classic radio play, this legendary science fiction thriller is playfully reimagined for our era of Fake News and ‘alternative facts’.

Originally commissioned by New Diorama Theatre.

NST City

A Nuffield Southampton Theatres, Royal & Derngate, China Plate and Inspector Sands co-production in association with Oxford Playhouse production

Emily Brontë’s 

Wuthering Heights

Created by Inspector Sands

Conceived by Lucinka Eisler and Ben Lewis

Written by Ben Lewis

Directed by Lucinka Eisler

11 – 23 May 2020

“We don’t in general take to foreigners here… unless they take to us first”

Does it take a village to raise a monster?

Channelling Emily Brontë’s piercing wit and fierce emotion, Inspector Sands present this classic story of obsessive love and revenge in a thrilling new version for our times.

Expect violence, passion, peril, social awkwardness, high winds, heavy rain, loud music and mud. 

NST City

A ZoieLogic Dance Theatre and Nuffield Southampton Theatres co-production. Co-commissioned by Gulbenkian and Pavilion Dance South West

Heist

Directed and Choreographed by Zoie Golding

31 January – 1 February 2020

When did you last face your fears?

An unlikely band of brothers embark on a heist to reclaim what’s important to them. Expect the unexpected in this gripping and suspense-filled journey as the men are forced to confront their fears in a fight to survive.

A new action-packed dance show from Nuffield Southampton Theatre’s resident dance company ZoieLogic Dance Theatre and makers of the smash hit Sleuth.

NST City

Nuffield Southampton Theatres and Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh present a Tron Theatre Company and Blood of the Young’s production with co-producers Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Leeds Playhouse, Northern Stage and Oxford Playhouse

Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)

by Isobel McArthur after Jane Austen

Directed by Paul Brotherton; Designer by Ana Inés Jabares-Pita

17 March – 4 April 2020 

A fun new musical take on the original rom-com, Pride & Prejudice. Men, money and microphones will be fought over in this loving and irreverent all-female adaptation of Jane Austen’s unrivalled literary classic.

An adaptation like no other, drawing on over two-hundred years of romantic pop history this is Blood of the Young’s unique take on a beloved novel – the hugely acclaimed Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of).

Let the ruthless match-making begin!

YOUTH THEATRE PROGRAMME

Alongside the company’s main season of work Nuffield Southampton Theatres presents a season of work by NST Youth Theatre which provides the opportunity for local young people to work with professional theatre makers.

Nuffield Southampton Youth Theatre present Mayflower 400, a one-off commemorative season of plays, new and old, to mark the 400^th year since Southampton’s Mayflower sailed for the New World.

NST City

A Nuffield Southampton Youth Theatres production

WITCHES CAN’T BE BURNED

26 – 27 March 2020

NST City

A Nuffield Southampton Youth Theatres production

THE CRUCIBLE

7 – 8 August 2020

Listings                                                                                                                 Nuffield Southampton Theatres

NST Campus, University Rd, Southampton, SO17 1TR

NST City, Above Bar Street, Guildhall Square, Southampton, SO14 7DU

www.nstheatres.co.uk

Twitter: @nstheatres

Facebook: /nstheatres

Box Office:          023 8067 1771

                              Monday – Friday: 10am – 6pm

               Saturday: 10am – 4pm

SEASON AT A GLANCE

Heist

NST City

31 January – 1 February 2020

Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)

NST City

17 March – 4 April 2020 

The War of the Worlds

NST City

15 – 25 April 2020

Wuthering Heights

NST City

11 – 23 May 2020

JASON & JAC ARE BACK!

Jason Donovan returns to the role of Pharaoh

Jac Yarrow to wear the Dreamcoat again,

following his critically acclaimed professional debut this summer

Performances next year begin Thursday 2 July 2020

Michael Harrison and the Really Useful Group are delighted to announce that Jason Donovan and Jac Yarrow will be back at the London Palladium in 2020, as the new, smash hit production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat returns following its triumphant season this year.

Jason Donovan will return in the role of Pharaoh. He was originally in the show when he made his defining stage performance as the title character of Joseph in the 1990s, in a sold-out 18-month run which produced a No.1 single and best-selling soundtrack album. Jason raised the roof of the London Palladium this year as Pharaoh, who rocks ‘Song of the King’ in the iconic musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Jac Yarrow caused a sensation when he made his professional stage debut playing Joseph, following in the footsteps of a line of stars who have previously played the title character. His portrayal of Joseph won him unanimous acclaim, with his rendition of ‘Close Every Door To Me’ regularly stopping the show with standing ovations.

Performances will begin on Thursday 2 July 2020, with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat playing a strictly limited 10-week season through until Sunday 6 September 2020 (Gala Night: Thursday 16 July 2020).

Jason Donovan commented: “Following on from the success of this year’s awesome, reimagined version of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, I’m delighted to be returning in the summer of 2020 to reprise my role as the Pharaoh.

This year was an absolute joy. Joseph has such a special connection with its audience and it has a huge emotional connection for me. Quite simply the show is pure musical magic. To be able to lean on the past yet build something new for the role of Pharaoh is an opportunity that cannot be done just once, and for performer or audience member alike, it just doesn’t get much better than the Palladium experience.

Joseph. Palladium Summer 2020. Bring It On!”

Jac Yarrow commented: “Playing the iconic role of Joseph at its spiritual home, The Palladium, last summer was what I thought was a once-in-a-life-time opportunity. When I was asked to step back into the Dreamcoat for a second time, I couldn’t quite believe it.

I can’t wait to be back!”

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat enjoyed a completely sold out season this year. Audiences and critics were unanimous in their acclaim for the legendary musical – the first major collaboration by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber – as it returned to the London Palladium.

Released as a concept album in 1969,the stage version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has become one of the worlds most belovedfamily musicals. The multi-award winning show, which began life as a small scale school concert, has been performed hundreds of thousands of times including multiple runs in the West End and on Broadway, international number one tours, and productions in over 80 countries as far afield as Austria and Zimbabwe and from Israel to Peru! The show features songs that have gone on to become pop and musical theatre standards, including Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door To Me, Jacob and Sons, There’s One More Angel In Heaven and Go Go Go Joseph.

Told entirely through song with the help of the Narrator, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat follows the story of Jacob’s favourite son Joseph and his eleven brothers. After being sold into slavery by the brothers, he ingratiates himself with Egyptian noble Potiphar, but ends up in jail after refusing the advances of Potiphar’s wife. While imprisoned, Joseph discovers his ability to interpret dreams, and he soon finds himself in front of the mighty but troubled showman, the Pharaoh. As Joseph strives to resolve Egypt’s famine, he becomes Pharaoh’s right-hand man and eventually reunites with his family.

Further casting for 2020 will be announced at a later date.

Grand Opera House York – until 9 November 2019

Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

5*****

Based on the bestselling books by Liz Pichon, Tom Gates Live on Stage, is bought to the stage by the same producers who gave us Horrible Histories and Gangsta Granny.

It tells the story of Tom (Matthew Chase), who is trying to keep his nose clean at school, after receiving so many sad faces on the school achievement chart. He is in dangerous water, one more sad face and he won’t be able to go on the next school trip. No matter how hard he tries, things just seem to go from bad to worse. Tom is really quite cool, he plays in a band, Dog Zombies, has quite a cool family and great friends, but really struggles with school and homework, especially with the meddlesome Marcus in his class. In his quest to get rid of his sad faces in order to get on that school trip, to the trip of his dreams, to a biscuit factory, we see him trying to redeem himself, with some disastrous consequences.

I’m not quite sure how old Tom is meant to be, about 10 I would guess. Chase provides great energy in his performance and we can thoroughly believe he is that character, full of mischief and loveable at the same time. He is joined by best friend Derek (Matthew Gordon, who also doubles up as Grandad), angelic Amy (Amy Hargreaves, doubling up as stroppy sister Delia) and thoroughly annoying Marcus (Ashley Cousins, doubling up as granny). Daniel Harkin, Justin Davies, Alice Redmond and Ebony Wong, make up the rest of the talented cast, who were more that suited for all their roles, providing just the right energy for their target audience.

The set is simply amazing and so well thought out. Tom is a master doodler and a lot of doodling goes on, this is done via a screen projection at the back, with some truly fabulous effects, and apparently Liz Pichon’s own work. The doodles from the book turn into doors and windows, that open, but the pièce de résistance is the car. It was a sight to behold, the hotdog car (a drawing), trundling along with the windows winding up and down, and the characters being picked up and dropped off, as it travels around town. Magical! The zimmer frames also created a stir and a laugh, when I realised what they were.

I must admit I did not know anything about Tom Gates beforehand, though I had seen the books around, which I described as involving some sort of graffiti, pretty close to the mark, I think. This is a really fun show that had us grinning ear to ear and interacting and singing about how we all love chips, along with the rest of the audience. Even though we were the only adults in the theatre without an appropriately aged child, though I did take my very big child, we still had a great time.

This is definitely my favourite children’s play I have seen to date, pure fun for the whole family and a delight to watch. A chance to be a big kid for the evening.