Month: February 2020

CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE RSC’S 2020 PRODUCTION OF THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare

Directed by Phillip Breen

Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

Saturday 25 April – Saturday 3 October 2020

Press night: Tuesday 5 May, 7pm

Box Office: 01789 331111, rsc.org.uk

Casting details are announced for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC) 2020 Summer production of The Comedy of Errors, which plays in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from 25 April 2020.  Joining the previously announced Miles Jupp, who will make his RSC debut as Antipholus of Syracuse, is Jonathan Broadbent (Dromio of Syracuse), Justin Edwards (Antipholus of Ephesus), Greg Haiste (Dromio of Ephesus), Georgia Landers (Luciana) and Annette McLaughlin (Adrianna). Directed by Phillip Breen, the production will be cross-cast with The Winter’s Tale (from 28 March 2020) and Pericles (from 15 August 2020).  All three plays are sponsored by Darwin Escapes.

A fairytale farce of everyday miracles and double vision that asks how we really know who we are? A man arrives in a strange town only to find that everyone knows his name, but thinks he’s someone else. A woman wonders why her husband is not the man he was, but starts to rather like it. Confusion mounts as identities split apart. Will they ever find themselves again? And do they really want to?

Following its run in Stratford-upon-Avon, the production, along with The Winter’s Tale and Pericles, will transfer to the Barbican in London.

Phillip Breen said, “I am absolutely thrilled that Miles is making his Royal Shakespeare Company debut after our collaboration on A Day in the Death of Joe Egg at the Glasgow Citizens. He is joining this brilliant and talented ensemble and I am really happy to be bringing this collaboration to the RSC. Miles is known for his great improvised wit and humour as a comedian but here he brings the other side of his game; his serious chops as a classical actor.”

Jonathan Broadbent will play Dromio of Syracuse. His previous RSC credits include The Tempest, Queen Anne and Love for Love. Other theatre credits include Henry VI Parts 1,2 and 3, Richard III, Henry IV Parts 1 and 2 and Henry V, all for Shakespeare’s Globe, The Double Dealer and Humble Boy for the Orange Tree Theatre, The Wizard of Oz for Sheffield Crucible, The Norman Conquests for Chichester Festival Theatre and My Night with Reg both at the Donmar Warehouse and at the Apollo Theatre in the West End. Jonathan’s screen credits include The Crown, Father Brown, Silent Witness, EastEnders and Kenneth Branagh’s film adaptations of The Magic Flute and As You Like It.

Justin Edwards will make his RSC debut as Antipholus of Ephesus. Justin was most recently seen on stage in The Ferryman, both in the West End and on Broadway. His film credits include Sam Mendes’ multi award-winning feature 1917, the Richard Curtis/Danny Boyle feature Yesterday, The Man Who Invented Christmas, Armando Iannucci’s The Death of Stalin and Whit Stillman’s Love and Friendship. Justin is also well known for his extensive work in comedy and television including The Thick of It, In and Out of the Kitchen, and Michael Winterbottom’s The Trip as well as returning in the forthcoming second series of acclaimed show There She Goes alongside David Tennant and Jessica Hynes.

Greg Haiste will make his RSC debut as Dromio of Ephesus.  His numerous theatre credits include Quiz for Chichester Festival Theatre and the Noël Coward Theatre in the West End, Richard III and Nell Gwynn for Shakespeare’s Globe and its West End run at the Apollo Theatre, 39 Steps at the Criterion Theatre, Peter and the Starcatcher and A Christmas Carol both at Royal and Derngate, Lysistrata, at the Rose Theatre, Kingston, Low Pay, Don’t Pay at the Salisbury Playhouse andThe Lady in the Van, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Hamlet and The Accrington Pals, all for the West Yorkshire Playhouse. His TV credits include Pennyworth, Timewasters, Home Fires, True Crimes, See How They Run, Heartbeat, Jane Hall, Emmerdale, and Touch Me, I’m Karen Taylor whilst film credits include The Current War, The Time of Our Lives and Starfish.

Miles Jupp makes his RSC debut as Antipholus of Syracuse. Miles’ most recent theatre credits include the West End productions of The Life I Lead and Neville’s Island, as well as Rules for Living and Alan Bennett’s People, both at the National Theatre. Miles played Nigel McCall in the Bafta-winning BBC series Rev. and Basil in ITV’s The Durrells. His other television credits include Howard’s End, The Crown,The Thick of It, Bad Move, A Young Doctor’s Notebook and Watership Down. His film credits include Journey’s End, Misbehaviour, The Man Who Invented Christmas and the Michael Winterbottom films The Look of Love and Greed. Miles hosted BBC Radio 4’s flagship topical comedy show The News Quiz for four years and wrote and starred in the series In And Out Of The Kitchen, for Radio 4 for and for BBC television. His book Fibber In The Heat was shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book Of The Year.

Georgia Landers makes her RSC debut as Luciana. Her previous theatre credits include A Woman of No Importance on UK tour, Anna and Antony and Cleopatra both for the National Theatre. Her screen credits include the BBC One series Press and The Looming Tower.

Annette McLaughlin plays Adrianna. Her previous RSC credits include Volpone, Love’s Sacrifice, The Jew of Malta, Measure for Measure, Written on the Heart, and the West End company of Matilda the Musical. Other theatre credits include Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre, Pinocchio for the National Theatre, Twelfth Night for Shakespeare’s Globe, the UK Tour of Billy Elliot, Kneehigh’s Brief Encounter on tour in UK, St Ann’s Warehouse Brooklyn and Studio 54 on Broadway, Chicago at the Cambridge Theatre and Adelphi Theatre, Anything Goes at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Our Town for the Almeida Theatre, She Loves Me, 5/11, and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying all for Chichester Festival Theatre. Her TV credits include Heartbeat, Law & Order and Lunar V1 whilst her film credits include Leigionaire. 

Further cast comprises Alfred Clay (Dr Pinch), Andrew French (Duke Solinus), William Grint (Merchant), Avita Jay (Luce), Cornell S. John (Egeon), Zoe Lambert (Aemilia), Mogali Masuku (Courtesan), Dyfrig Morris (Jailer/Merchant), Baker Mukasa (Merchant), Patrick Osborne (Balthasar) and Zach Wyatt (Angelo).

Joining Phillip Breen on the creative team are Max Jones (Designer), Tina MacHugh (Lighting), Paddy Cunneen (Music), Dyfan Jones (Sound), Charlotte Broom (Movement) and Renny Krupinski (Fights).

The production will be broadcast live into cinemas on 15 July 2020.

THE JAMIE LLOYD COMPANY ANNOUNCES FULL CAST FOR

ANYA REISS’ ADAPTATION OF CHEKHOV’S THE SEAGULL

The Jamie Lloyd Company, the successful partnership between Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) and Artistic Director Jamie Lloyd, today announces the full cast for Anya Reiss’ adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull. Joining the previously announced Emilia Clarke (Nina) to complete the cast are Danny Ashok (Medvedenko), Robert Glenister (Sorin), Tom Rhys Harries (Trigorin), Daniel Monks (Konstantin), Tamzin Outhwaite (Polina), Patrick Robinson (Dorn), Seun Shote (Shamrayev), Indira Varma (Arkadina), and Sophie Wu (Masha). The production opens at Playhouse Theatre on 19 March, with previews from 11 March, and runs until 30 May.

The Seagull is the second production in the Playhouse season, in association with British Airways, which opened last year with the critically acclaimed production of Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac, in a new version by Martin Crimp and starring James McAvoy – running until 29 February 2020; and closes with Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, in a version by Frank McGuinnesswith Jessica Chastain, which opens on 18 June, with previews from 10 June and runs until 5 September 2020.

As part of its continued commitment to audience development, The Jamie Lloyd Company, supported by British Airways, are offering 15,000 free tickets to first time theatre-goers and 15,000 £15 tickets for under 30s, key workers and those receiving job seeker’s allowance and other government benefits across the season.

‘We need the theatre, couldn’t, couldn’t do without it. Could we?’  

A young woman is desperate for fame and a way out. A young man is pining after the woman of his dreams. A successful writer longs for a sense of achievement. An actress wants to fight the changing of the times. In an isolated home in the countryside where dreams are in tatters, hopes dashed, hearts broken and there is nowhere left to turn, the only option is to turn on each other.

Anya Reiss’ playwriting credits include Oliver Twist (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Uncle Vanya (St James’ Theatre), Spring Awakening (UK tour), Three Sisters (Southwark Playhouse), and The Acid Test and Spur of the Moment (Royal Court Theatre); and as screenwriter her credits include Ackley Bridge and EastEnders.

Danny Ashok plays Medvedenko. His theatre credits include Alys, Always (Bridge Theatre), Guards at the Taj, Zaida and Aadam (Bush Theatre), Disgraced (Bush Theatre/Lyceum Theatre, Broadway), The Djinns of Eidgah (Royal Court Theatre), The Royal Duchess Superstore (The Broadway Theatre), Small Fish Big Cheese (Unicorn Theatre), Henry IV (Theatre Royal Bath) and Blood and Gifts (National Theatre). His television credits include C.B. Strike, Cobra, Deep Water, Capital, Chasing Shadows, Silk, The Dumping Ground and The Tower; and for film, Dark Justice, Finding Fatimah and Four Lions.

Emilia Clarke plays Nina. Her theatre credits include Breakfast at Tiffany’s (Cort Theatre, New York). Her television credits include as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones; and for film, Spike Island, Dom Hemingway, Terminator: Genisys, Me Before You, Solo: A Star Wars Story and Last Christmas.

Robert Glenister plays Sorin. His theatre credits for the company include Moonlight/Night School (Pinter at the Pinter, Harold Pinter Theatre). Other theatre credits include Alys Always (Bridge Theatre), Glengarry Glen Ross (Playhouse Theatre), Great Britain, Never So Good, Blue Remembered Hills (National Theatre), Noises Off (The Old Vic/Novello Theatre), The Late Middle Classes (Donmar Warehouse), Hedda Gabler (Theatre Royal Bath), The Winterling (Royal Court Theatre), Uncle Vanya (Royal Exchange Theatre), Measure for Measure, The Tempest, The Spanish Tragedy, Little Eyolf (RSC), According to Hoyle (Hampstead Theatre), Hamlet (Sheffield Theatres) and Tango at the End of Winter (Piccadilly Theatre). His television credits include C.B. Strike, Curfew, Cold Feet, Close to the Enemy, Paranoid, Code of a Killer, The Cafe, Hustle, We’ll Take Manhattan, Legless, Spooks, Between the Sheets, Dirty Work, Soldier Soldier, Chancer and Sink or Swim; and for film The Aeronauts, Journey’s End, Live by Night, Cryptic, Creation and The Secret Rapture.

Tom Rhys Harries plays Trigorin. His theatre credits include Tumulus (VAULT Festival), The Pitchfork Disney (Shoreditch Town Hall), Dedication (Nuffield Southampton Theatres), Creditors (Young Vic), Four Play (The Old Vic), Mojo (Harold Pinter Theatre), The History Boys (Sheffield Theatres) and Torch Song Trilogy (Menier Chocolate Factory). His television credits include Britannia, 15 Days, Merched Parchus, Unforgotten, Chewing Gum, Hinterland, Jekyll and Hyde, Under Milk Wood, If I Don’t Come Home: Letters from D-Day, Parade’s End and the forthcoming White Lines for Netflix; and for film, The Gentlemen, Slaughterhouse Rulez, Dragonheart: Battle for the Heartfire, Crow, Hot Property, Iron Clad: Battle for Blood and Hunky Dory.

Daniel Monks plays Konstantin. His theatre credits include Teenage Dick (Donmar Warehouse), Lord of the Flies (Sydney Theatre Company) and The Real and Imagined History of The Elephant Man (Malthouse Theatre, Sydney – for which he was nominated for a Helpmann Award and Green Room Award for Best Lead Actor in a Play). For film, he wrote, produced, edited and starred in Pulse – which won the Busan Bank Award at the Busan International Film Festival 2017 and for which he was nominated for the Australian Academy Award (AACTA) for Best Lead Actor in a Film. He is an Ambassador for the Starlight Children’s Foundation, and in 2018, he was named the Ambassador for People with Disabilities Australia at the 40th Sydney Mardi Gras Parade. 

Tamzin Outhwaite plays Polina. Her theatre credits include Stepping Out (Theatre Royal Bath/Vaudeville Theatre), How the Other Half Loves (Theatre Royal Haymarket), Di & Viv & Rose (Hampstead Theatre/Vaudeville Theatre), Breeders (St James Theatre), Sweet Charity (Menier Chocolate Factory/Theatre Royal Haymarket), Boeing Boeing (Comedy Theatre), Breathing Corpses, Flesh Wound (Royal Court Theatre), Oliver (London Palladium), Grease (UK tour/Dominion Theatre), Carousel (National Theatre) and Radio Times (Birmingham Rep/The Queen’s Theatre). Her television credits include as series regular Melanie Owen in EastEnders, Josh, New Tricks, Paradox, The Fixer, Vital Signs, Hotel Babylon, Walk Away and I Stumble, Frances Tuesday, When I’m Sixty-Four, Red Cap, Final Demand and Out of Control; and for film, Great Expectations, Radio Cape Cod, Cassandra’s Dream and Backwaters.

Patrick Robinson plays Dorn. His theatre credits include Macbeth (National Theatre/UK tour), Baskerville (Liverpool Everyman Theatre), King Lear, Merchant of Venice (Chichester Festival Theatre), The Rover, King John (RSC), Shawshank Redemption (UK tour), Waiting for Godot (West Yorkshire Playhouse), War Horse (New London Theatre), Rough Crossings (Headlong), Much Ado About Nothing (RSC/Novello Theatre), Gem of the Ocean (Tricycle Theatre), Macbeth (international tour), Festen (Almeida Theatre/Lyric Theatre), Guantanamo (Tricycle Theatre/Ambassadors Theatre), Mappa Mundi (National Theatre), and Dangerous Corner (Garrick Theatre). His television credits include as series regulars Ash in Casualty and DC Jacob Banks in The Bill. Other television credits include Mount Pleasant, Him, Daylight Robbery, A Many Splintered Thing, Pig Heart Boy and The Man.

Seun Shote plays Shamrayev. His theatre credits for the company include Cyrano de Bergerac (Playhouse Theatre). Other theatre credits include The Princess and The Hustler, Egusi Soup, Our Country’s Good, Mother Courage and Her Children (UK tours), Pitchfork Disney (Shoreditch Town Hall), Bob, Routes (Royal Court Theatre), Hearing Things (Albany Theatre), City of God, (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Play Mas (Orange Tree Theatre), One Man, Two Guvnors, Death and the Kings Horseman (National Theatre), 12th Night (Nottingham Playhouse), Salome (Headlong Theatre), Sizwe Bansi is Dead (New Vic Theatre/Stephen Joseph Theatre), The Fortune Club (Tricycle Theatre/Leicester Haymarket) and Off Camera (West Yorkshire Playhouse). His television credits include Black Mirror, Unforgotten, Birds of a Feather, One Child, Little Miss Jocelyn and Little Britain; and for film, Bruno and Welcome to the Punch.

Indira Varma plays Arkadina. Her theatre credits for the company include The Hothouse (Trafalgar Studios). Other theatre credits include The Treatment, Five Gold Rings (Almeida Theatre), Man and Superman, Ivanov, Remembrance of Things Past, Othello (National Theatre), Tiger County (Hampstead Theatre), Titus Andronicus (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Dance of Death (Donmar Trafalgar), Twelfth Night (Donmar Warehouse/Wyndham’s Theatre), The Vortex, Privates on Parade (Donmar Warehouse), Ingredient X, The Vertical Hour, The Country (Royal Court Theatre), Hysteria (Theatre Royal Bath), The Skin of Our Teeth (Young Vic), Celebration (Almeida Theatre/Lincoln Centre/Harold Pinter Theatre). Her television credits include as series regular Ellaria Sand in Game of Thrones and as Zoe Luther in Luther. Her other television work includes This Way Up, Carnival Row, Patrick Melrose, Paranoid, What Remains, Silk, Remains, Rome and Indian Summer; and for film, Close, Official Secrets, Exodus: Gods and Kings, Una and Basic Instinct 2.

Sophie Wu plays Masha. Her theatre credits include Vassa (Almeida Theatre), Sketching (Wilton’s Music Hall), Shopping and F**king (Hammersmith Apollo), The Callous Corruption of Wesley McBunion (Paines Plough), Punk Rock (Royal Exchange Theatre/Lyric Hammersmith), The Wood Orchid (Bush Theatre,) and The Table (National Theatre). Her television credits include New Blood, Babylon, The Midnight Beast, Fresh Meat, Black Mirror, The Fades; and for film, Wild Child, Tormented, Kick-Ass, Kick-Ass 2 and Tonight You’re Mine.

Jamie Lloyd directs. His credits as Artistic Director of the company include Cyrano de Bergerac (Playhouse Theatre), Betrayal (Harold Pinter Theatre/Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, Broadway), One For The Road, The New World Order, Mountain Language, The Lover, The Collection, Landscape, A Kind of Alaska, Monologue, Party Time, Celebration, A Slight Ache, The Dumb Waiter (Pinter at the Pinter, Harold Pinter Theatre), Doctor Faustus (Duke of York’s Theatre), The Maids, The Homecoming, The Ruling Class, Richard III, The Pride, The Hothouse, Macbeth (Trafalgar Studios). Other theatre credits include Evita (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre – Evening Standard Award for Best Musical).

With design by Soutra Gilmour; Lighting Design: Jackie Shemesh

Composition & Sound Design: George Dennis; Projection Design: Duncan McLean

Casting Director: Stuart Burt CDG; Costume Supervisor: Anna Josephs

Props Supervisor: Fahmida Bakht; Associate Director: Jonathan Glew

Associate Designer: Rachel Wingate

£15 tickets

For specific Monday evening and Thursday matinee performances across the season every seat in the house is £15. These tickets are exclusively for under 30s, key workers and those receiving government benefits.

The first four £15 performances of The Seagull will take place on Monday 16March (7.30pm), Thursday 9 April (2.30pm), Monday 13April (7.30pm) and Thursday 23April (2.30pm) – and will go on sale on Monday 24 February at 12pm via www.atgtickets.com/seagull15 only.

For A Doll’s House these will take place on Thursday 23 July (2.30pm), Monday 27 July (7.30pm), Thursday 6 August (2.30pm) and Monday 10 August (7.30pm) – and will go on sale on Monday 8 June at 12pm via atgtickets.com/adollshouse15 only.

Free tickets

A dedicated outreach manager will be distributing these tickets amongst both secondary state schools and community organisations who otherwise would not have access to the theatre. If you work with a group who does not have the means or opportunity to visit the theatre, please register your interest here.

Season Listings                                                                                                                                                                

Playhouse Theatre

Northumberland Avenue, Charing Cross, London WC2N 5DE

CYRANO DE BERGERAC

Until 29 February 2020

THE SEAGULL

11 March – 30 May 2020

A DOLL’S HOUSE

10 June – 5 September 2020

Box Office: 0844 871 7631

https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/playhouse-theatre/

Please note £15 tickets must be booked via a special link on the ATG Tickets website and can only be picked up from the theatre box office 45 minutes prior to the show, and valid ID must be presented upon collection, or entry will be denied

http://thejamielloydcompany.com

Twitter: @JamieLloydCo

Instagram: @jamielloydco

Churchill Theatre, Bromley – 5 February 2020

Reviewed by Elizabeth Smith

4****

Marketed as a special evening with the “Prince of Soul”, An Evening with Marvin Gaye is exactly that.

With a plethora of songs sung beautifully by the main man Wayne Hernandez, the auditorium came alive within minutes with gyrating bodies. 

Wayne was accompanied firstly by Holly Petrie, who had amazing power and tone to her voice and the chemistry between the two was super sexy. Hot on Holly’s tail was Ladonna Young who sung with great passion. It almost felt spiritual, especially as the opening number was The Lord’s Prayer.

The band were visibly enjoying themselves and that shown through their music. The trumpet player, Matt Holland and the percussionist, Rob Anderson, were especially animated through out.

Working through all of Marvin’s greatest hits and a few lesser known numbers the evening flew by with sing-alongs and plenty of stand up and dance tunes.

Wayne Hernandez had incredible charisma and had the audience eating out of his hand. Speaking in his dulcet tones he was making most of the audience weak at the knees.

This is not just a band playing covers of Marvin’s songs this is a performance of talented musicians and vocalists.

Come the finale the audience had reach fever pitch and the Churchill Theatre was truly alive with music.

If you’re a soul devotee this is an evening not to be missed

4 February 2020

Reviewed by Hayley Thompson

The Friarage Theatre is a lovely small venue which is a brilliant place for a live theatre event. Comfy seats, huge screen and great speakers give you a wonderful experience of theatre, as if you were there. Highly recommend for any customers who would wish to visit London to go and watch a live theatre show. The bonus of this is that you really get to see the full picture close up. Sat in row M on the upper circle wont give you this type of experience. We get to see the detail, the expression, the real emotion and even the sweat from all the hard working performers on that stage! What a brilliant piece of entertainment to bring to an audience. 

Killian Donnelly was the perfect actor for this part. If you have seen the movie you can really see the similarity! His vocals were outstanding with his wide range. Matt Henry was brilliant as Lola who I like to call Angels Father from RENT! What a great link we could find here… But most of all the favourite of mine would have to be Natalie McQueen who played a wonderful and hilarious role of Lauren. Her quirks were brilliant and I wanted more of her on stage! 

Kinky Boots is a wonderful production with a great story line to follow. The moments of acceptance and even forgiveness are so heartwarming and relatable for others it pulls you into the story more. The team of Angels are the most fabulous drag queens that you would have ever seen with the most perfect wardrobe collection. 

If your one for a night out but cant stand wearing your high heels then Kinky Boots will be the one to watch! Let them wear the heels for you! I’m sure they will teach you a thing or two. 

SAMANTHA WOMACK & CAMERON BLAKELY

TO REVIVE THEIR ROLES AS MORTICIA & GOMEZ ADDAMS IN

THE ADDAMS FAMILY, A MUSICAL COMEDY

NEW UK & IRELAND TOUR BEGINS 30 JULY 2020

Samantha Womack and Cameron Blakely will revive their much loved roles as Morticia and Gomez Addams in the new UK & Ireland Tour of THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a musical comedy, with book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, the creators of multi award-winning Jersey Boys, and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, based on the characters created by Charles Addams.  This follows a highly successful premiere tour in 2017.  The 2020 Tour will open at the Newcastle Theatre Royal on 30 July 2020 and will once again be directed by Matthew White.  Further casting is to be announced.

Samantha Womack is best known for her long-running role as Ronnie Mitchell in BBC1’s EastEnders.  Most recently, Samantha guest starred in last year’s series of Silent Witness and she has also played Tanya Dawson for three series of the hit comedy Mount Pleasant, Ingrid in Home Again, Ruth in Babes in the Wood, Imogen in Imogen’s Face and Mandy in the hugely popular Game On.  Samantha’s film credits include the box office breaking Kingsman: The Golden Circle and Kingsman: The Secret Service.  Her stage credits include Nellie Forbush in the Lincoln Center Theater’s Tony Award-winning production of South Pacific (Barbican Theatre & UK Tour), Michael Grandage’s West End production of Guys & Dolls opposite Patrick Swayze (Piccadilly Theatre) and Peter Hall’s production of Pinter’s Betrayal (Theatre Royal Bath).  Most recently, Samantha starred in The Girl on the Train in the West End and on a UK Tour.

Cameron Blakely’s previous theatre credits include the roleof Thenardier in Les Misérables, a role he played for two years in London’s West End. Cameron was also part of the 25^th Anniversary at the O2, where he played Bamatabois. Other credits include Smee in Stiles and Drewe’s Peter Pan at the Adelphi Theatre and Fagin in Oliver! at The Watermill Theatre. He has also appeared in many productions at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet and The Taming of the Shrew.  Most recently, he played Dennis Dupree in the UK Tour of Rock of Ages, and Lex Hogan in Eugenius! at The Other Palace.

Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and has a shocking secret that only Gomez knows; she’s fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family! Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before — keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia.  Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents.  All the usual clan are present – Uncle Fester, Lurch, Pugsley et al.

Academy Award-winner Marshall Brickman wrote or co-wrote the film screenplays for Sleeper, Annie Hall, Manhattan, Manhattan Murder Mystery, For the Boys and Intersection, and was head writer for The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.  Rick Elice’s play, Peter and the Starcatcher, received nine nominations and won five 2012 Tony Awards.  He also wrote the book for The Cher Show, a musical based on the early life and career of Cher, which opened at the Neil Simon Theatre on Broadway in December 2018.  Andrew Lippa wrote the music and lyrics for the Broadway musical, Big Fish, the music for the Broadway production of Aaron Sorkin’s play The Farnsworth Invention and the book, music and lyrics for the Drama Desk award-winning musical The Wild Party.  He wrote the song called ‘Evil Like Me’, which was sung by Dove Cameron and Kristin Chenoweth in the 2015 Disney film Descendants.

British director Matthew White has directed the UK Tours of Mr Stink, Carousel and The Producers, the UK Tour and West End run of the multi award-winning Top Hat, and, for the Menier Chocolate Factory, The Boy Friend, She Loves Me, Candide, Sweet Charity (and West End) and Little Shop of Horrors (and West End).

THE ADDAMS FAMILY 2020 UK & Ireland Tour is produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Music & Lyrics Limited, and is presented through special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide.

For further information, please visit www.theaddamsfamily.co.uk Twitter: @AddamsFamilyUK

LISTINGS INFORMATION

30 July – 8 August                            Newcastle Theatre Royal                                         0844 811 2121

                                                         www.theatreroyal.co.uk                                           

11-15 August                                    Liverpool Empire                                                      0844 871 3017

                                                         www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire          

18-22 August                                    Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin                           0844 847 2455                                                                                                                  www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie                                

25-29 August                                    Glasgow King’s Theatre                                           0844 871 7648      

                                                         www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre               

1-5 September                                 His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen                             01224 641122

                                                         www.aberdeenperformingarts.com                         

8-12 September                                The Alexandra, Birmingham                                       0844 871 3011

                                                          www.atgtickets.com/birmingham                              

15-19 September                             Royal & Derngate, Northampton                               01604 624811                                                                                                                                           www.royalandderngate.co.uk                                  

29 September – 3 October               New Wimbledon Theatre                                          0844 871 7646

                                                         www.atgtickets.com/new-wimbledon-theatre           

6-10 October                                    Bristol Hippodrome                                                  0844 871 3012

                                                         www.atgtickets.com/bristol

13-17 October                                  Nottingham Theatre Royal                                        0115 989 5555                                                                                                                                             www.trch.co.uk                                                       

20-24 October                                  New Victoria Theatre, Woking                                  0844 871 7645                                                                                                                                             www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre    

27-31 October                                  Churchill Theatre, Bromley                                       020 3285 6000                                                                                                                                               www.churchilltheatre.co.uk                                     

3-7 November                                  The Lowry, Salford                                                  0343 208 6000                                                                                                                                                www.thelowry.com                                                  

10 – 14 November                           New Theatre, Oxford                                                0844 871 3020

                                                         www.atgtickets.com/oxford                                      

Further tour dates to be announced.

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford – until 8 February 2020

Reviewed by Antonia Hebbert

3***

Handsome, charming tennis star Tony Wendice has settled down into seemingly blissful married life. His wife thinks he doesn’t know about her past affair, but we know that he knows, and that he has a secret of his own: he married to get rich, and now he wants to be rich and single. This has the ingredients of a fiendish whodunnit, except that you actually do know who the villain is, and exactly why and how he plans to do away with his victim, while giving himself a cast-iron alibi. The perfect crime … but will he get away with it?

The beginning is rather slow and wordy, as Wendice has to explain everything, but once the plot is unhatched, it’s gripping and fun, with a neat twist to keep you focusing on those important clues. It helps that the quick-footed Wendice is played by that nice Tom Chambers, who won series six of Strictly Come Dancing. He’s entirely believable as the controlling husband who seems to be doing all he can to protect his wife (Sally Bretton, who makes the best of being a baffled innocent with hardly any words). Christopher Harper brings a swagger to the proceedings as the sharp detective inspector. Michael Salami is the lover who just happens to be a specialist in murder mysteries.

Dial M for Murder is best known for the 1954 film version by Alfred Hitchcock, but this production has replaced moody 1950s glamour with classic 1960s styling. David Woodhead’s set is a delight, as are some of the outfits. Ben and Max Ringham provide an atmospheric soundscape. It all makes for an entertaining evening, though the play itself feels pretty dated – the role of the wife in particular is awfully thin.

Mayflower Southampton  – until 8 February 2020

Reviewed by Jo Gordon

5*****

Kay Mellors award winning TV series Band of Gold has made a return but this time on the stage. Set in Bradford around the early 90’s we follow the lives of a group of women trying their best to survive despite addictions, single parenting and austerity. To help pay their rents and feed the kids they feel the only option is to work The Lanes as prostitutes which in turn brings in fines from the police, which leads to working more clients to pay the fines that turns into loans from unscrupulous loan sharks and the vicious circle continues!

The streets are unsafe but brothels are illegal so Anita (Laurie Brett) allows the girls to use her flat for a small fee on the days her lover George (Mark Sheals) stays at home with his wife, or so she thinks he is!

Young Mum Gina (Sacha Parkinson) is new to it all after struggling to make ends meet selling Avon and in debt with the local “Finance Expert” (Joe Mallalieu)  whilst dealing with a violent estranged husband (Kieron Richardson). She gets taken under the wing of long time lane worker Carol (Emma Osman)  who tries her best to put her off and teach her the ways of the job while dealing with her own issues of single parenting, debts and the compulsive cleaning and bleaching of her house.

All three women answer to the street savvy Rose (Gaynor Faye), self proclaimed Queen of the lanes who turned to prostitution many years before to fund her drug addictions which bring with it lots of heartache.

Their lives are beautifully intertwined as each characters personal story starts to unravel before us, the audience soon gets drawn in to the highs and lows as it has quite an intimate feel to it and despite being quite dark at times there is still plenty of humour. There are lots of twists and turns to the plot but each one has its place to bring their stories together.

As the curtain goes up, Kay Mellor’s comforting Northern tones request we tell all about the play but don’t share the surprises, so I will honour that and you will have to find out for yourselves! One little thing I will say is if you’re a fan of the washing up glove you’re in for a treat…….!!!

The set works well with clever transitions turning the stage from internal scenes in houses and pubs to the dark, seedy and sometimes dangerous lanes. You will hear some well known tunes at times too that will instantly put you in the right era.

An incredibly strong and talented cast that tell a story about equally strong women and despite the years passing by, is sadly still as relevant today in modern times of austerity as when Kay first began researching for Band of Gold in the 80’s.

Beautifully Gritty.

Royal & Derngate Theatre, Northampton – until 8 February 2020

Reviewed by Boo Wakefield

5*****

My companion turned to me at the end of the first act of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical and all she could say was “wow”!

Directed by Marc Bruni, Beautiful is the story of Carole King’s life from a gawky, enthusiastic wannabe 16 year old singer/song writer getting her first break in 1958, through the 60s up to 1970 when she released her first solo album. This true story is told through the songs she composed with her husband Gerry Goffin, who wrote lyrics to her music. They are constantly challenged by Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, another song writing couple, who are as keen to write the next number one as they are and are their best friends. King’s marriage is not a happy one with Goffin struggling under the pressures of needing to produce the next hit alongside King’s need for him to be part of a normal family life with their young daughter.

The story runs smoothly through the incredible 26 songs written mainly by King and are sung by the ensemble as the story progresses. Songs we all know from the Righteous Brothers, the Drifters and the Shirelles to name but a few are belted out with obvious joy and passion from this talented group. Josh Prince’s choreography sits perfectly in these performances, taking you right back to the 60s. Alejo Vietti is a magician as the costume designer – the typical 1960’s dress that Little Eva wears as King’s nanny which then changes to a fabulous shimmering silver and purple dress for her to perform “Locomotion” in, with one smooth motion on stage is amazing. This is all complimented by the staging which seems to constantly move, sometimes as if by magic, so that the story never seems to falter. Derek McLane, as Scenic Designer, has been so clever to not over complicate the large space The Durngate Auditorium gives, the larger of the two stages at Northampton, allowing room for the performers to move with the staging as they perform their many songs.

The two couples, Carole King (Daisy Wood-Davis) and Gerry Goffin (Adam Gillian) alongside Cynthia Weil (Laura Baldwin) and Barry Mann (Cameron Sharp) are a quirky mixture of characters who compliment each other. Weil and Mann are a light relief with Weil’s sharp wit and Mann’s constant hypercondria to King’s often down to earth, almost dowdy character and Goffin’s struggles with the pressures and temptations of the music industry. This quartet are exceptional, both vocally and dramatically, and deliver a quality performance throughout.

But Daisy Wood-Davis really is the star of the show. She shows her immense skills as an actor transforming from a dream-filled innocent teenager through to her 30s as a mother struggling to cope with her huge success and disastrous marriage seamlessly. Her voice is electrifying – from her first song (“So Far Away”) to her rendition of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”, Wood-Davis draws you into her character with such emotion and is mesmerising.

My companion turned to me at the end of the second act and all she could still say was “wow” along with the regret that the story didn’t continue into a third act. Beautiful is beautiful – a great evening of musical theatre and one you should definitely see.

Alhambra Theatre, Bradford – until 8 February 2020

Reviewed by Aimee Liddington

5*****

More than 50 years after Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice gave life to it, this biblical story (turned musical comedy) is still one of the most colourful, bright and uplifting productions to grace our country’s stages. The script retells and elaborates on the ‘coat of many colours’ story of Joseph from the Bible’s Book of Genesis and the Bible never looked so good!

You will be blown away by the dazzling array of talent showcased by the cast in this exuberant musical. Alexandra Doar opens the show phenomenally in her professional debut as Narrator. Her voice is flawless and her omnipresence allows the scenes to transition effortlessly. This, coupled with the natural stage presence, embodiment of character and strength of voice of Mark McMullan (who plays Joseph) only begins to describe the level of ability of this group of actors. Last, but certainly not least, the comedic value of ‘the brothers’ will have you in fits of giggles as they interact with each other and each of them seem masters in the trio of skills of acting, singing and dancing.

Intricate stage design, beautiful costumes and perfectly timed lighting effects elevate the production to advanced heights. The audience is transported from Israel to Egypt with pop-up, life-size sheep, recreations of a Sphinx and Egyptian tapestry. The costumes are fabulous, in particular, the transformation of Joseph’s ‘coat of many colours’ from start to finish. The wardrobe team have obviously taken great care in analysing how the coats work on the stage and their use of colour has a huge impact in the final scenes. Similarly, the lighting team have ensured that their lighting changes match seamlessly with the words spoken by the characters. In the song ‘Joseph’s Coat’ the back of the stage changes colour as the colours are listed in the song which has a striking overall effect.

This production will have you singing along almost immediately and will leave you smiling ear to ear. ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ is a timeless classic and this troupe certainly do it justice.

WATERSIDE FAMILY RAVE

Families of Bucks and beyond, are you raring to rave?! The Waterside Family Rave is sure to have you throwing shapes, chasing bubbles and generally having immense family fun at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre on Sat 28 Mar from 2pm.

You can expect classic garage and house music bangers in the venue’s main auditorium complete with craft area to keep the little ones entertained. Play together, dance together and soak up the festival feel all in the safe surroundings of Aylesbury’s landmark theatre.

Whether you’re a parent itching for something new to do, or a grandparent young at heart, this event is designed to be fun for families regardless of age – and offers a fully licensed bar for bigger kids aged 18+!

Theatre Director Lee Duffy said: “We always love having the chance to share our flat floor layout with visitors – and the Family Rave is the perfect excuse to see it in all its glory! It’s our 10th birthday year and we want this to be the first of many inclusive events celebrating a decade of Aylesbury Waterside Theatre.”

Tickets for this spring’s must-do family event are available now. Call the Box Office on 0844 871 7607 (bkg fee. Calls cost up to 7p per min plus your phone company’s access charge) or visit atgtickets.com/aylesbury (bkg fee).