Month: December 2019

BILL KENWRIGHT PRESENTS THE NEW PRODUCTION FROM

THE CLASSIC THRILLER THEATRE COMPANY

THE CAT AND THE CANARY

THE CREEPY COMEDY THRILLER BY JOHN WILLARD

ADAPTED BY CARL GROSE

STARRING

MARK JORDON, TRACY SHAW, MARTI WEBB

GARY WEBSTER, BEN NEALON, NIKKI PATEL, ERIC CARTE

AND

BRITT EKLAND

ON UK TOUR FROM JANUARY 2020

Building on the phenomenal decade-long success of The Agatha Christie Theatre Company, Bill Kenwright’s Classic Thriller Theatre Company (Rehearsal For Murder, Judgement in Stone, The Case of the Frightened Lady and The Lady Vanishes), returns with their latest chilling whodunit, the creepy comedy thriller The Cat and the Canary.

This new adaptation of the murder mystery by John Willard, which inspired three classic movies starring the likes of Bob Hope, Paulette Goddard, Edward Fox, Honor Blackman and Olivia Hussey, will embark on a nationwide tour from January 2020.

Heading the cast of The Cat and the Canary is silver screen and Bond-girl legend Britt Ekland, whose numerous films include The Man with The Golden Gun with Roger Moore, The Wicker Man with Christopher Lee, and Get Carter with Michael Caine.

Britt stars alongside Mark Jordon, who played the much-loved PC Phil Bellamy in Heartbeat for over 16 years and more recently Daz Spencer in Emmerdale, and Tracy Shaw, best known for her long-running role as Maxine Peake in Coronation Street. They are joined byWest End leading lady Marti Webb, whose credits include Evita and Tell Me On A Sunday; Gary Webster, who played Gary Costello in Family Affairs and Ray Daley opposite George Cole in ITV’s Minder; Classic Thriller Theatre Company veteran Ben Nealon, who played Lt. Forsythe in the drama series Soldier Soldier,  Nikki Patel, known as Amber Kalirai in Coronation Street, and Eric Carte, who played Geoff Roberts in two series of Bouquet of Barbed Wire.

The cast is completed by Joe Reisig, Jack Taylor and Briony Rawle.

Twenty years after the death of Mr. West, his descendants gather at a remote mansion to learn who will inherit his vast wealth and the hidden family jewels.

When the heir is revealed, the heritage hunters turn into prey and a chain of macabre events is set in motion; walls crack open, shadows loom and dark secrets are revealed. Will the heirs dare to face the haunting presence toying with them?

When the cat prowls, the flock takes fright…

The Cat and The Canary is director Roy Marsden’s fifth Classic Thriller Theatre Company production. Other credits include the West End premieres of Agatha Christie’s A Daughter’s a Daughter at the Trafalgar Studios and Noël Coward’s Volcano at the Vaudeville Theatre. As an actor, he is well-known to television audiences as Inspector Dalgliesh in the long-running P.D. James series.

Adaptor Carl Grose is co-artistic director of Kneehigh Theatre. His numerous plays and adaptations include book and lyrics for The Grinning Man, which Tom Morris directed at the Trafalgar Studios in 2017.

Designer takis’s diverse international credits include In the Heights, Gifford’s Circus and the Royal Opera.

Lighting Designer Chris Davey’s work includes Witness for the Prosecution at London’s County Hall and Touching the Void at the Duke of York’s Theatre.

Dan Samson is resident Sound Designer for The Classic Thriller Theatre Company. West End credits include Heathers at the Theatre Royal Haymarket and Evita at the Dominion Theatre.

Several special guests joined FROG, DOG and CAT at the West End premiere of Oi Frog & Friends! this week at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, with Matt Henry, Hannah Waddingham, MC Grammar and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, as well as author Kes Gray and illustrator Jim Field, amongst those attending the brand new family show. 

Oi Frog & Friends! has songs, puppets, laughs and more rhymes than you can shake a chime at. It brings together Kes Gray and Jim Field’s bestselling and award-winning picture books, 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. 

Oi Frog & Friends! plays the Lyric Theatre in the West End until 5 January 2020, before heading on a UK Tour from February 2020.  Visit: https://oifrogandfriendslive.com. 

The Riverside Quarter is up and running in York, seeking to match the aspirations of such successful quarters as Micklegate and the Minster.

Launched formally at Plonkers basement bar, in Cumberland Street, on December 5,the new quarter will promote the riverside businesses’ array of offerings that can be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, as well as looking to improve the presentation of this popular area and hoping to work with charities and organisations to promote safety by the River Ouse.

In attendance were the Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Janet Looker, Town Crier Ben Fry and Cllr Fiona Fitzpatrick, representing Guildhall ward, along with representatives from Visit York and York Bid, the Grand Opera House, the York Dungeon, Plonkers, The Lowther pub, Independent Life, Riding Lights Theatre, York Boats, Eboracum Security, KUDA nightclub and many more.

Stuart Jarman, York Dungeon’s general manager, says:”The York Dungeon has been an integral part of both the visitor and resident offer since 1986. I’m pleased that we’ll be strengthening our relationship with many great businesses in the Riverside Quarter to showcase the unique offering we collectively provide in the city, from theatres, restaurants and bars to accommodation and more. We’ve seen great work from other groups, such as traders on Bishopthorpe Road and the Micklegate Quarter. There’s real appetite to improve the area for all to come and enjoy and I’m excited for what we’re setting out to achieve in 2020.”

Cllr Fiona Fitzpatric says: “As a Guildhall ward councillor, I’m delighted to support the launch of the Riverside Quarter. It’s an important part of the city’s heritage and it’s good to see businesses coming together to develop an exciting experience for residents and tourists alike, while at the same time rejuvenating the city-centre economy.”

100,000th PANTO TICKET WILL BE PURCHASED THIS COMING WEEK

One lucky theatre-goer is set to become the 100,000th visitor to the annual pantomime since the re-opening of Darlington Hippodrome – and it could be you, as the special ticket will be purchased in the coming week.

The annual festive family pantomime is an opportunity to share magical theatre memories with friends and family. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in the zany antics, fun and sheer delight of the annual tradition of pantomime. This year, one lucky visitor will be the 100,000th to attend Darlington Hippodrome’s pantomime since our re-opening in November 2017. The lucky individual will be presented with a whole host of goodies including a signed programme and an opportunity to meet the cast of this year’s pantomime – Jack and the Beanstalk.

Don’t miss out on this fabulous opportunity to be the 100,000th panto visitor – get booking now!

This year Darlington audiences have been spell-bound watching Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas, Britain’s Got Talent winner George Sampson, comedian Phil Walker and comedy actor Daniel Taylor heading the cast of this Hippodrome pantomime spectacular.

Shirley Ballas said “This is only my second pantomime having been encouraged to give it a try last year by fellow Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood. I’m so excited to be appearing in Darlington and this wonderful theatre – the restoration is absolutely stunning and the audiences so far have been amazing, so warm and welcoming.”

Jack and the Beanstalk runs at Darlington Hippodrome right up to Sunday 5 January 2020. To be in with a chance to be the 100,000th pantomime visitor book now at www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk or call 01325 405405.

Relish Theatre in association with Park Theatre present the world premiere of
TIME AND TIDE

By James McDermott

5-29 February 2020 | Park Theatre

Relish Theatre in association with Park Theatre are proud to present the world premiere of award-winning playwright James McDermott’s new play TIME AND TIDE, directed by Rob Ellis. Starring Wendy Nottingham as May (Vera Drake, Peaky Blinders, Mr Selfridge), Paul Easom as Ken, Elliot Liburd as Daz, and Josh Barrow as Nemo, the production runs from 5-29 February 2020, with a national press night on Friday 7 February.

May runs a crumbling caff on the end of Cromer Pier. Her delivery man, Ken, is running out of customers, thanks to Costa. Nemo is desperate to tread the boards in London. His unrequited love, Daz, is burying his head in the sand over his best mate leaving.

This touching LGBT comic drama examines the lives of a Norfolk community struggling with change. TIME AND TIDE was longlisted for The Verity Bargate Award, the Bruntwood and Papatango Playwriting Prizes, and developed as part of Park Theatre’s Script Accelerator Programme.

Wendy Nottingham plays May. Wendy is perhaps best known for her collaborations with Mike Leigh, including the BAFTA award-winning Vera Drake and Grief at the National Theatre. TV credits include: the recurring role of Mrs Crabbe in ITV’s Mr Selfridge, and series regular Mary in Peaky Blinders. Most recently Wendy appeared alongside Emma Thompson on screen in The Children Act, and starred in Diminished at the Hampstead Theatre. Forthcoming film appearances include parts in Francis Lee’s next feature, Ammonite, and Blueprint Picture’s The Last Letter From Your Lover.

Paul Easom plays Ken. Paul’s West End credits include: The Girls, Beyond The Rainbow, Evita, The Boyfriend, Budgie, and The Screen Writers Daughter. He played Lord Byron in Manfred, alongside Rudolph Nureyev (USA tour) and has toured South America with Italian Popstar Raffaella Carra. Other theatre credits include: Resistible Rise Of Arturo Ui,  Gypsy,  Death Of A Salesman, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, The Seagull, Chicken Dust, My Big Gay Italian Wedding,  Canterbury Tales, Dracula, Hunchback Of Notre Dame, Tale Of Two Cities,  Robin Hood with the New Vic Theatre Company, and Hans Christian Andersen with Tommy Steele. His TV credits include: Kids, The Cleopatras, Lifelike, and The Quartermass Experiment. And, film credits include: Lair Of The White Worm, Aria, North West Five, and Anna Karenina. Paul was last seen at Park Theatre in Hamlet.

Elliot Liburd plays Daz. Elliot’s recent theatre credits include: Beasy Baby (Liverpool Unity and The Tobacco Factory), Porthos in The Three Musketeers (Iris Theatre),  Danny in Bismillah: An Isis Tragicomedy (Wound Up Theatre), Valemon in The Girl with the Iron Claws (The Wrong Crowd), and  Arron The Moor in Titus Andronicus (Fourth Monkey Theatre Company). Elliot is Co-Founder of Fools Rush In Theatre Company and recently debuted his first piece, A Murder Most Foley, at the Pleasance Theatre, London.

Josh Barrow plays Nemo. Josh’s theatre credits include: Silk Road – How to Buy Drugs Online (Trafalgar Studios), The Outsider (The Print Room), and If Not Now, When? (National Theatre). Television credits include Sky One’s Temple, and ITV’s Vera. Josh has had film roles in The Trap, and the award-winning short My Brother Is A Mermaid.

James McDermott is a scriptwriter and performance poet based in East Anglia. Plays include: Fast Food starring Jude Law (Lyric Hammersmith), Justice 39 (Luton Culture, co-written with Roy Williams and Atiha Sen Gupta), Street Life (Norwich Theatre Royal) and Rubber Ring (Pleasance Islington; UK Tour; Winner of Pulse Festival’s Suitcase Prize 2017). James is an Associate Artist at HighTide and Norwich Arts Centre, and resident playwriting teacher at Norwich Theatre Royal.

TIME AND TIDEis directed by Rob Ellis. Rob is Artistic Director of Relish Theatre, for whom he has directed Cuttings (Hope Theatre). Other directing credits include: The Merry Wives Of Windsor (Théâtre de Verdure du Jardin Shakespeare, Paris), The Taming Of The Shrew and The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Quite Right Theatre, Albert Square Gardens), Unicorn (Theatre N16), Bluebird (Katzpace), The 39 Steps (Upstairs At The Gatehouse), Six Pack (Leicester Square Theatre), Clybourne Park (St Brides Institute), and A Matter Of Life And Debt (Edinburgh Fringe).

TIME AND TIDE will have set and costume designs by Caitlin Abbott, and sound design by Fizz Margereson.

www.parktheatre.co.uk

Box office: 020 7870 6876*

THE LAST QUIZ NIGHT ON EARTH SET FOR 2020 UK TOUR

WITH GREATER MANCHESTER DATES

Immersive, innovative new play gives audiences

the rare opportunity to get quizzical!

An asteroid is heading towards Earth, so what you would do? Head to your local pub for a quiz of course!

The Last Quiz Night on Earth is an immersive, innovative new play by Alison Carr – and it’sbeing taken on a UK Tourby Box of Tricks theatre company, promising audiences a very different experience of live performance.

The play goes on tour throughout Spring 2020. The Last Quiz Night on Earth will be staged in urban and rural venues across the country, including theatres, community arts centres and local pubs – enabling the play to connect with audiences in their local communities.

The immersive play smashes the fourth wall as audiences are plunged into the drama of the show.

The tour opens at the Welcome Inn in Salford, in association with The Lowry, from Tuesday 11 February to Saturday 15 February 2020, before touring unusual spaces until Saturday 11 April 2020.

Award-winning Box of Tricks is based in Manchester and champions playwrights, producing top quality new plays on local and national stages. The company has recently won critical acclaim with its productions SparkPlug, Narvik and Under Three Moons.

Following two sold-out tours of Chip Shop Chips, Box of Tricks presents this brand new pre-apocalyptic comedy, The Last Quiz Night on Earth.

It’s the final countdown. Landlady Kathy invites audiences to the last quiz night on earth with Quizmaster Rav. He’s the host with the most. But with time ticking, some unexpected guests turn up out of the blue. Bobby wants to settle old scores, and Fran wants one last shot at love. Expect the unexpected to the bitter end and plenty of drama as the show gets quizzical!

The Last Quiz Night on Earth is written by Alison Carr, directed by Hannah Tyrrell-Pinder, associate producer is Max Emmerson, with design by Katie Scott.

Playwright Alison Carr received critical acclaim for her plays Caterpillar and Iris, and her play Tuesday has been commissioned for the National Theatre’s 2020 Connections programme.

Playwright Alison Carr explains the background to the new play: “I wanted to combine the known and the unknown, the safe and the downright terrifying. My vision was to create something that audiences don’t just sit and watch but are part of – but not in a scary way. Personally, the thought of audience participation makes me feel sick but a quiz is something we can all do – whether we’re a general knowledge expert or the neatest so we can do the writing.

“The Last Quiz Night on Earth was so much fun to research and write. I have to admit, I know a lot about asteroids now, and the answers to a fair amount of quiz questions! I am so excited to have Box of Tricks bring it to life and to share it with audiences, we can’t wait to tour the play in Spring 2020.”

Director Hannah Tyrrell-Pinder added: “I’m really excited to be working with Alison Carr on her first play for Box of Tricks. Alison is a writer of real talent, crafting plays of depth, wit and real emotional warmth. The Last Quiz Night on Earth is a unique piece – a pre-apocalyptic comedy bringing people together through the power of trivia for a great night out.

“Following our success touring Chip Shop Chips to the heart of communities, I’m really looking forward to revisiting some wonderful places and spaces as well as discovering new locations with this play.”

Casting will be announced early in 2020.

Website:         www.boxoftrickstheatre.co.uk

Facebook:       www.facebook.com/boxoftrickstheatre
Twitter:           @bottc #LastQuizNight

Instagram:      @boxoftrickstheatre

LISTING INFORMATION

THE LAST QUIZ NIGHT ON EARTH

Running time approximately 120 minutes including interval

Age guidance 14+

THE WELCOME INN, SALFORD (in association with The Lowry)

Tuesday 11 February – Saturday 15 February 2020

HIGHLIGHTS NORTH

Thursday 20 February – Saturday 22 February 2020

THE HOLBECK, SLUNG LOW, LEEDS

Sunday 23 February 2020

ARTS OUT WEST, KIRKGATE

Thursday 27February – Sunday 1March 2020

HOPE MILL THEATRE, MANCHESTER
Monday 2 March – Wednesday 4 March 2020

SPOT ON LANCASHIRE

Thursday 5 March – Sunday 8March 2020

BANK TOP TAVERN (in association with Oldham Library & Oldham Coliseum)

Monday 16 March – Tuesday 17 March 2020

BLACK COUNTRY TOURING

Wednesday 18 March 2020 – Thursday 19March 2020

POCKLINGTON ARTS CENTRE

Friday 20March 2020

NORTHWICH MEMORIAL COURT
Saturday 21 March 2020

STEPHEN JOSEPH THEATRE, SCARBOROUGH
Tuesday 24 March – Wednesday 25March 2020

HIGHLIGHTS NORTH
Thursday 26 March – Sunday 29 March 2020

THE BURNTWOOD PUB, MOLD (in association with Theatr Clwyd)
Tuesday 31 March – Wednesday 1 April 2020

CHESHIRE RURAL TOURING ARTS

Friday 3 April – Sunday 5 April 2020

THE MET, BURY

RADCLIFFE MARKET

RAMSBOTTOM CIVIC HALL (in association with The Met, Bury)

Tuesday 7 April – Thursday 9 April 2020

THE DUKES, LANCASTER

Friday 10 April – Saturday 11 April 2020

Studio cast recording released for
Antic Disposition’s A Christmas Carol
Middle Temple Hall, Middle Temple Lane, London, EC4Y 9AT
Saturday 21st – Monday 30th December 2019

Ahead of their return to the historic Middle Temple Hall this December with the acclaimed sellout musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol, Antic Disposition are delighted to announce the release of a cast album of songs and scenes from the show.

The cast of fourteen multi-talented actor-musicians is led by West End star David Burt (Enjolras in the original cast of Les Misérables; original cast of Evita) in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, Haydn Oakley (An American in Paris; Sunset Boulevard) as Bob Cratchit and – in his first ever appearance in the role – theatrical legend Brian Blessed as the Ghost of Christmas Present.

In a career spanning six decades, Blessed has starred in countless West End productions. He originated the role of Old Deuteronomy in Cats and Baron Bomburst in the musical version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, while his screen credits include I, Claudius, Blackadder and Flash Gordon – but incredibly, he has never before played the jolly, booming Ghost of Christmas Present.

Brian Blessed said, Christmas for me has a magic, and Dickens believes in that magic, which is why of all his novels, A Christmas Carol is my favourite. I first heard it as a child on the radio during the war years, when it gave people great hope. And then I went around acting it at school, being the Ghost of Christmas Present, but I’ve never played him since, so it’s a real treat to be able to do it on this recording.

The album combines Charles Dickens’ much-loved tale with original songs inspired by some of the best-loved Victorian Christmas carols reimagined and rearranged by lyricists Ben Horslen and John Risebero, and composer Nick Barstow. A festive treat for all the family, it’s sure to delight fans of the show and those discovering it for the first time.

The album is available to pre-order from https://www.anticdisposition.co.uk/a-christmas-carolalbum.html

York Theatre Royal – until Saturday 25 January 2020

Review by Zoe Giles

3***

This year sees Martin Barrass take on the main role from the legendary York panto dame Berwick Kaler, for as many years as I can remember Martin has played right hand man to Berwick so it was lovely to finally see him take centre stage playing the Queen and come into his own, he did this alongside two other firm pantomime favourites at the York Theatre Royal Suzy Cooper as Beauty and the wonderfully wicked David Leonard as Evil Diva a role he was born to play getting the audience to
shout and boo and hiss every time he made an appearance.

York’s most famous and well-known pantomime dame has however still had a major part to play in this year’s production as Berwick has still written this year’s panto and directed along with Matt Aston, and made several guest appearances during the evening’s performance.

As usual there is all the slap stick tongue in cheek humour, we have come to expect from the classic York Theatre Royal panto, along with the good old sing a long session, and all the other usual fun and games, however I personally felt now was the time to bring it in to the 21st century and update the routines and give us something different and unexpected as with Berwick retiring this would have been the perfect opportunity to do so.

Full credit to Anthony Lamble for the amazing, outstanding and colourful costumes and set design both are wonderful and the hours of work that must have gone into producing such eye-catching costumes is unimaginable, the stage design too is dazzling, adding in the lighting from director Mark Jonathan and the mood is really set as we are taken along the performance.

Musical director Elliot Styche and Choreographer Grace Harrington must also have worked hard and closely together with all the members of the orchestra and dancers to achieve such memorable and beautiful pieces and scenes, performed by all the cast and they were very talented as were the young children who appeared alongside them,giving confident and strong stage performances.

However a huge disappointment for myself and my family personally is that the well known and much loved classic story of Sleeping Beauty is so far removed from the pantomime interpretation that we found it really hard to follow and so the children became bored and restless, we also noticed after the interval several empty seats from people who hadn’t even bothered to return I can only assume this is because it was so hard to follow.

Sheffield Lyceum Theatre – until Sunday 5 January 2020

Reviewed by Charleigh

5*****

I haven’t seen a pantomime in years, so it was safe to say I was suitably excited to see one of the Lyceums legendary shows. The atmosphere was electric as soon as you walked in, with a great mix of children and adults alike in the audience and all were thrilled to be there.

The show started with Strictly star Joanne Clifton playing “Fairy Godmother”. Straight away she had the audience interacting and laughing along with her and managed to kick the show off with a bang. Following this we were introduced to a variety of classic Cinderella characters.

The show was filled to the brim with puns, jokes and gags and had me laughing out of my chair. Although following the traditional pantomime script for the most part, writer Paul Hendy did a fabulous job of making modern twists on a typical show, including a thoroughly independent 8 year old (played by various) who does a fantastic job of challenging panto’s more old fashioned views.

“Buttons” was played by Phil Gallagher and he had both adults and children alike enthralled with his emotive performance, having be both crying with laughter and my heart breaking for him. He carried the story forward with ease and is a highly talented actor.

The one who stole the show for me had to be the brilliant Damian Williams who was playing one of Cinderella’s ugly stepsisters “Donaldina”. He didn’t fail to make me laugh and had me shouting at the top of my lungs, I almost felt like a child again myself.

The rest of the cast an ensemble was brilliant and kept the audience engaged throughout, a hard feat when you remember half the audience were children.

The set was amazing, managing to fully transport us into the world of theatre. The showstopper was when the coach came out, there was an audible collective gasp from the audience as we admired the beauty of it.

Musical Director James Harrison was a face in the show too which was a nice touch for me as the music was brilliant, so it was nice to be able to see who had put such hard work into putting this together.

I was utterly entertained the entire performance and had a magical night. I would recommend this show to anyone who likes a laugh and a good night out, it’s not just for kids!

New Wimbledon Theatre – until 5 January 2020

Reviewed by Alexandra Sykes

4****

With nights getting longer and colder the best place to be at the moment is the Panto and none is better than Cinderella at the New Wimbledon Theatre. With an all star cast, lots of laughs and plenty of magic, this is a show not to be missed.

Playing the role of Cinderella is former Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton, whose powerful vocals make everyone stop and listen. Although she herself doesn’t mention her past, little jokes mention it, including a character singing “Don’t Cha” to themselves for a few seconds.The villain of the show is Baroness Demonica, played by Samantha Womack, who not only mentions her Eastenders past but begs for it to stop. The Fairy Godmother is played by Lesley Garrett whose opera style voice is powerful and enchanting.

However, the true star of the show is Pete Firman as Buttons. With his cheesy jokes, engagement with the audience and amazing magic tricks, he may not have got the girl he loves but he does have the love of the audience. Rounding out the cast are Edward Chitticks as Prince Charming, whose performance of “I’m Still Standing” could rival Elton John, Will Jennings as Dandini, and Leon Craig and Bobby Delaney as the Ugly Sisters.

With an impressive set, including a gold carriage which flies, and catchy songs, this is definitely a family favourite. The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is because the microphones stopped working at various points so it was hard to hear what was being said.

A good night out with lots of jokes for both young and old, get a ticket before the clock strikes 12.