Month: March 2020

ALL REMAINING TICKETS FOR MARCH FOR

MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY’S PRODUCTION OF INDECENT

TO BE SOLD AT £20

The Menier Chocolate Factory today announces that all remaining tickets for March for performances of Paula Vogel’s Tony Award-winning Indecent will be sold at £20 each. These tickets will go on sale from 6am on Wednesday 11 March.

Artistic Director of the Menier, David Babani, said today, “We are enormously proud to be staging Paula Vogel’s award-winning Indecent – it’s an extraordinary piece of theatre with a company that deserves to be seen. Inspired by Scott Rudin’s stance on Broadway, we have decided to sell all remaining tickets for March’s performances at £20. Our doors are open, and we want to share this important piece of theatre with audiences across the capital.”

For Indecent, Rebecca Taichman directs Cory English – The Middle (Male); Beverley Klein – The Elder (Female); Finbar Lynch – The Stage Manager; Molly Osborne – The Ingenue (Female); Peter Polycarpou – The Elder (Male); Alexandra Silber – The Middle (Female); Joseph Timms – The Ingenue (Male); Merlin Shepherd – The Clarinettist; Anna Lowenstein – The Violinist, and Josh Middleton – The Accordionist.

A seminal work of Jewish culture or an act of traitorous libel? Indecent explores the origins of the highly controversial play The God of Vengeance by Sholem Asch. We follow the path of the artists who risked their careers and lives to perform it in this deeply moving play accompanied by a small live klezmer band.

Indecent reunites Vogel and director Rebecca Taichman who co-created and directed the original production. Indecent had its world première production at Yale Repertory Theatre in October 2015. The play had its New York première Off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre in May 2016, and transferred to Broadway in April 2017. It was nominated for the Tony Award for Best New Play received the Tony Awards for Best Direction of a Play for Taichman and Best Lighting Design of a Play for Christopher Akerlind (who has also lit the Menier production).

Indecent is being presented in association with Daryl Roth, Elizabeth I McCann and Cody Lassen.

LISTINGS INFORMATION                                                                                MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY

53 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1RU

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

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

www.menierchocolatefactory.com

Twitter: @MenChocFactory

Instagram: @menierchocolatefactory

JOE THOMAS, BO PORAJ AND THE CAST OF WHAT’S IN A NAME?

RAISE A GLASS TO THE PRODUCTION AT MALMAISON BIRMINGHAM

Earlier today the cast of What’s In A Name?, which plays at The Alexandra this week, gathered for a pre-show dinner party at the Malmaison Birmingham. Joe Thomas (The Inbetweeners, Fresh Meat), Bo Poraj (Miranda, Musketeers), Louise Marwood (Emmerdale), Alex Gaumond (Company, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Matilda) and Emma Carter (Temple) raised a glass to the production ahead of opening night tomorrow.

What’s In A Name? hilariously captures a particularly awkward family dinner party. The witty and razor-sharp production returns home to Birmingham, following its opening at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in 2017.  The extended tour kicks off at The Alexandra from this Wednesday 11^th until Saturday 14^th March.

For tickets and more information please visit: whatsinanameplay.com

T: @WhatNamePlay | F: /WhatsInANamePlay | #WhatsInAName

The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
11 – 14 March
0844 871 3011* | www.atgtickets.com/venues/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/*

*Fees apply

• LUCIE JONES AND DAVID HUNTER WILL BE RETURNING TO THE DINER ON  23 MARCH 2020
   
• LAST CHANCE TO SEE SARA BAREILLES AND GAVIN CREEL WHO WILL LEAVE THE SHOW ON SATURDAY 21 MARCH
   
• NaTASHA YVETTE WILLIAMS JOINS THE COMPANY IN THE ROLE OF BECKY

Lucie Jones and David Hunter will return to the roles of Jenna and Dr Pomatter in the 2020 Olivier Award nominated musical Waitress from Monday 23 March. Waitress is nominated for Best New Musical and Best New Original Score for music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles who is currently performing with Gavin Creel at the Adelphi Theatre until 21 March. NaTasha Yvette Williams joins the Waitress company in the role of Becky.

Waitress celebrated its official opening night at the Adelphi Theatre on 7 March 2019 and is now booking until 4 July 2020. The show has recently announced a new UK and Ireland tour which will open in Dublin in November 2020.

Lucie Jones (Jenna) has played some of the most iconic roles in musical theatre, with previous theatre credits that include Cosette in Les Misérables (Queens Theatre), Maureen Johnson in RENT (The Other Palace and national tour), Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (national tour), Holly in The Wedding Singer (national tour), Victoria in American Psycho The Musical (Almeida), Molly Jensen in Ghost: The Musical (Asian tour) and Meat in the We Will Rock You (world arena tour). Lucie was a finalist in the 2009 series of The X Factor and toured the UK playing to sell out arena crowds on The X Factor Tour in 2010. In January 2017, she won the public vote on the BBC2 show Eurovision – You Decide with her original song ‘Never Give Up On You’. She competed at the Eurovision World Final in Ukraine. Other television work includes roles in Midsomer Murders (ITV) and The Sarah Jane Adventures (BBC).

David Hunter (Dr. Pomatter) trained at The Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA). He previous West End credits include the lead role of Charlie Price in Kinky Boots (Adelphi Theatre), Once (Phoenix Theatre), One Man, Two Guvnors (Adelphi Theatre, National Theatre and UK Tour), Seussical (Arts Theatre) and The Who’s Tommy (Prince Edward Theatre). Other theatre credits include The Hired Man (Leicester Curve and Colchester Mercury), Pub (The Royal Exchange) Spinach (The Royal Exchange) and The Mayor Of Zalamea (Liverpool Everyman). In 2012 David reached the semi-finals of ITV’s Superstar, competing to play the role of ‘Jesus’ in Jesus Christ Superstar. Screen credits include the film Nativity 3 and he has recently filmed an episode of Holby City for BBC1. As the frontman of pop/rock band ‘Reemer’, David has recorded with the producers responsible for The Rolling Stones and The Who, before earning support slots for artists such as The Feeling, Scouting for Girls and finally McFly on their UK Arena Tour. In April 2018 David released his first Solo EP, Silver Linings, featuring five original songs.

NaTasha Yvette Williams (Becky) is returning to the role of Becky after playing the part on Broadway. Her other Broadway credits include: Chicago (Mama Morton), A Night With Janis Joplin (Aretha, Joplinaire), The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess (Mariah), The Color Purple (Sofia). TV appearances include NoS4A2 and The God Father of Harlem, Madam Secretary, Orange Is the New Black, The Wiz Live and Odd Mom Out. NaTasha is also a recording artist, director and writer.

Waitress tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams her way out of a loveless marriage. When a hot new doctor arrives in town, life gets complicated. With the support of her workmates Becky and Dawn, Jenna overcomes the challenges she faces and finds that laughter, love and friendship can provide the perfect recipe for happiness.

Brought to life by a ground breaking, female-led creative team, Waitress features an original score by seven-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles (Love Song, Brave), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam) and direction by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus (Pippin, Finding Neverland) and choreography by Lorin Latarro. The production is also currently touring the US and Canada and has announced an Australian premiere in 2020 at the Sydney Lyric Theatre with further productions to open in Holland next year and Japan in 2021.

Waitress premiered on Broadway in March 2016 and has since become the longest running show in the history of the Brooks Atkinson Theater. The production is also currently touring the US and has announced an Australian premiere in 2020 at the Sydney Lyric Theatre with further productions to open in the Netherlands in September 2020, the UK and Ireland in November 2020 and in Japan in 2021.

On its Broadway opening, Waitress was nominated for four Outer Critics’ Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical; two Drama League Award Nominations, including Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical; six Drama Desk Nominations, including Outstanding Musical; and four Tony Award Nominations, including Best Musical.

NaTasha Yvette Williams is appearing with the support of UK Equity, incorporating the Variety Artistes’ Federation, pursuant to an exchange program between American Equity and UK Equity.

Wales Millennium Centre – until 14 March 2020

Reviewed by Rhys Payne

4****

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, which recently landed at the Wales Millennium Centre, is a true celebration of the music of this insanely talented and iconic songwriter/performer! 

I have to be honest before this show I knew barely anything about Carole King so walking into this show I didn’t really know what to expect. At its most fundamental level, this show is there to showcase Carole’s music as the entire musical is almost a jukebox of her greatest hits and the focus remained on the songs constantly. Its purpose is obviously to shine a light on the life and success of Carole King and as I learnt something new about the singer/songwriter it succeeds in doing this perfectly. Like I said I didn’t know much about King but it appeared that lots of the more mature audience members did and so it was clearly an issue due to my age. This is a show for an older audience who are familiar with King and her works but I personally missed the nostalgia of this show as I wasn’t around when the music was originally realised. On top of this, the show, in general, was somewhat slow-moving (due to the nature of the songs ) and every character was relatable/realistic rather than the massive over-the-top characters you see in many musicals. In fact, the show itself addressed this when King says “I’m just an ordinary girl.” The tying together of dialogue with the character types on stage is a very clever thing to do which made the show very enjoyable to watch.  The songs which included microphones on stands was an honest reflection of how songs are recorded but did restrict the movement of the actors and so dancing at times was very limited. All these ideas show a lot of similarities to the Motown Show, where iconic bands appear to sing the songs as a part of the show (which Beautiful also did) I do think this at times is confusing as new characters/bands are introduced for one song and then disappear again but if you are familiar with the songs being covered by a certain artist/band then I suppose this is done to really turn up the nostalgia level.

A highlight of this performance was obviously Daisy Wood-Davis who played the incomparable Carole King. Wood-Davis showed many different skills within her performance and really solidified herself as a talented force to be reckoned with. The most noticeable thing was her being able to play extremely complex piano melodies while singing at the same time. If you have read any of my reviews before, you will know I hate musical instrument props that are only mimed as it looks awful but in this production, Daisy played the piano perfectly which really helped with the softness of the character she was portraying. On top of this, her acting as the young and innocent Carole was so believable and perfectly performed that it made the rest of the narrative so understandable and believable. Daisy has an incredible voice but it was only truly showcased in a final couple of musical numbers. The closing songs “(You Make me Feel Like) a Natural Women” and the titular song “Beautiful” were flawlessly performed with the former being one of the best renditions of that song I have heard in a long time!

Carole King’s husband Gerry Goffin was played by the marvellous Adam Gillian who managed to perform every aspect of his character with ease. This character started as being lovable and friendly but goes through more darker periods throughout the show. It is incredibly important that this show portrays mental health issues, especially in men, and Adam managed to perform the darker scenes in a very respectable manner. Gerry is somewhat of a frustrating character due to some of his questionable actions in this show and it is only towards the end of the show that we finally see Carole stand on her own two feet. As Adam was able to perform this role in such a way that when Carole eventually rises up the audience is behind her (which is a testament to both Daisy and Adam’s excellent portrayals if there characters.) From the programme I notice that Adam is a relatively I discovered artist and I am sure he is destined for incredible things after this tour and he is someone to keep a close eye on! 

Staging wise the set mostly stayed the same through although the one highlight for me was the lobby of the studio. The lights, positioning of actors across high and low levels, set and singing really helped to create a party-like vibe which even the audience felt brought into. This was very cleverly created and performed! The dancing in this show really fitted the style and nature of the show itself. The choreographer (Josh Prince) clearly worked hard to develop dances that were suitable for the era the show is set in whilst also working extremely hard with the dancers themselves to have them perform to their best possible standard which was fantastic to see. 

Overall, Beautiful – the Carole King Musical is a fanatic celebration of King’s music and showcases her life to people who may not be familiar to her. I personally ‘missed’ a certain level of the show but I am aware that if you are familiar with her music then this is a nostalgic trip down memory lane! I would rate this show 4 stars and would encourage any Carole King fans to catch this show before it is gone! 

Theatre Royal, Windsor – until 14 March 2020

Reviewed by Carly Burlinge

4****

Duchotel (Tony Gardner) loves to go hunting, or so he tells his wife, but instead is having far to much fun hunting for different prey all together. When his wife Leontine (Tesse Peake-Jones), a respectable lady, discovers through the talk of others of his shenanigans. She decides that she is going to plot her revenge. Although her husbands friend and Doctor Morciet (Richard Earl) holds a torch for her and comes across romantic and a lot of flirtatious moments take place between them.
She is very intent though, that she is under no obligation towards her flirtatious moments with Morciet and most certainly wants to make sure her reputations stands tall. But will she be faltered if her husband is up to no good, or will she try to catch him out or be the one that gets caught out herself?

Morciet plays a great part being a doctor who thinks quite a lot of himself but can also come across quite nervous at times but is very energetic on stage. He enjoys putting the seed of doubt into Leontines head in order to get what he wants. He does a great job of winding her up which makes her at times very abrupt, loses her patience and flies into mini rages making it very funny to watch with lots of laughter. Duchotel is fun to watch whilst he constantly chats and over-talks, which on many occasions gets himself into further trouble through all his constant squabbling and lying making the audience laugh out loud.
Who will get caught in the end who will actually tell the truth and how many accusations  can be put out in order to confuse the situation any further?

The set  was great as stylish Paris apartments with great detail all around such as panelling and French cornices, candle sticks, French tables with vases along with a grand fireplace to the left. Scene change was done amazingly well with a few changes to furniture as well as some of the set being rotated in the wall simple but very effective

Bang Bang is a very funny chaotic comedy that was fun to watch, offered many laughs throughout the show with lots of mayhem thrown in. Definitely one to go and see.

Yvonne Arnaud – until 14 March 2020

Reviewed by Heather Chalkley

4****

Willy Russell didn’t want to write a ‘problem play’, only a play to entertain and educate. Drawing on his own life experience, you get a real sense of the class battle that existed in the 80’s. Educating Rita brings together two very different worlds to show how happiness is not a material thing, it has to come from within.

The deep loneliness and sense of regret that Stephen Tompkinson (Frank) brings to his character is palpable. His ability to perform various levels of drunkenness is funny and impressive! He brings humour, sour and bitter notes to the piece. Frank’s foresight into the pretentious academic world that Rita (Jessica Johnson) so yearns for, makes his own sad situation even more depressing. Jessica Johnson brings energy to the part, in a ball of pent up of repression. Instead of anger at the injustice of her situation as a working glass young women, Rita is willing to fight for her right to choice. Johnson’s body language expresses so much of her character, cleverly growing in confidence as the piece progresses. You can forgive Johnson for the slightly dodgy midlands accent as a result. The demise of Frank into drunken oblivion comes to a head when they switch roles, marked by Rita sitting in the tutor’s chair, giving him a lecture on life!

The creatives produce an authentic set that is instantly recognisable. This is Frank’s college office come library, with floor to ceiling books. I particularly like the music between scenes, which is light and mischievous. It complements the discovery of many hidden bottles of scotch!

I hope Willy Russell gets to see this version of his iconic story. Director Max Roberts has done him proud. It has many reflections of my own life growing up in the 80’s and is both entertaining and educating!

SHERIDAN SMITH

TO REVISIT HER AWARD-WINNING TV ROLE AS

CILLA

IN THE HIT STAGE MUSICAL ADAPTATION

FROM SEPTEMBER 2020 OPENING AT THE LIVERPOOL EMPIRE

After much speculation, producers have confirmed that Sheridan Smith will revisit her award-wining portrayal of the late Cilla Black to star in Bill Kenwright’s stage production, Cilla The Musical, written by BAFTA award-winning writer Jeff Pope.

The musical will open at the Liverpool Empire for a 4 week residency commencing 23rd September 2020, ahead of a UK tour to Aylesbury, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Leeds. Tickets go on sale 10^th March at 10 am.

Sheridan wowed fans and critics alike with her portrayal of the nation’s favorite singer and TV personality in Jeff Pope’s BAFTA award-winning ITV series.  “Mesmerising… a joy to watch… she really does embody the young Cilla perfectly…” (Independent).  Her acclaimed portrayal of the British icon won Sheridan both a 2015 National TV Award and a 2015 TV Choice Award, and went on to see her nominated for a BAFTA (2015) and a second international EMMY Award (2015).

Hailed “The Greatest Theatre Star of her Generation” by The Evening Standard and with nearly two decades of television, film and theatre success, Sheridan Smith is widely considered Britain’s favourite actress.  After starting a career in such sitcoms as The Royle Family, Two Pints of Lager, Gavin & Stacey and Benidorm, she starred in Jonathan Creek (2013) and went on to receive acclaim for a succession of television dramas such as Mrs Biggs (2012), Cilla (2014), The C Word (2015), Black Work (2015) and The Moorside (2017).  Sheridan was named Best Actress at the 2013 BAFTA TV Awards for Mrs. Biggs.

Theatre credits include her first Olivier Award nomination for Little Shop of Horrors at the Menier Chocolate Factory and her first Olivier Award and WhatsOnStage Award for her role as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde.  Following this, she won an Olivier Award and an Evening Standard Theatre Award for her role of Doris in Flare Path. Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler at The Old Vic gave her another WhatsOnStage Best Actress Award.  She also enjoyed a hugely celebrated run in the West End as Fanny Bryce in Funny Girl.

*****

‘YOU’LL LAUGH, CRY AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.

CILLA THE MUSICAL IS SIMPLY FLAWLESS’

LIVERPOOL ECHO 2017

Cilla The Musical is a spectacular and heart-warming musical adaptation of the TV series. The 2017 debut tour was met with five-star reviews and standing ovations up and down the UK and was nominated Best New Musical in the WhatsOnStage Awards.

The story follows the extraordinary life of an ordinary teenage girl from Liverpool, Priscilla White, and her rocky, yet incredible, rise to fame. By the age of just 25 she was recognized as international singing star Cilla Black. By 30 she had become Britain’s favorite television entertainer headlining series of Blind Date, Surprise Surprise and many more.  The musical score features the ultimate soundtrack to the 60’s including Cilla’s greatest hits Anyone Who Had a Heart, Alfie and Something Tells Me, alongside a backdrop of the legendary “Liverpool Sound”.

Jeff Pope is an award-winning writer for film and television. Film credits include Pierrepoint: The Last Hangman (Timothy Spall); Essex Boys (Sean Bean, Tom Wilkinson); Philomena (Judi Dench, Steve Coogan) for which Jeff picked up a Golden Globe, BIFA and London Critics Circle nominations and BAFTA and Venice Film Festival wins for Best Adapted Screenplay and most recently the critically acclaimed Stan & Ollie (Steve Coogan, John C. Reilly).

TV work includes the BAFTA winning ITV drama Mrs Biggs (starring Sheridan Smith), the multi-award winning Dirty, Filthy Love; Cilla (starring Sheridan Smith) and Lucan (starring Rory Kinnear). As a producer, Jeff has helmed a number of award-winning dramas including Mo, a bio-pic based on the life of politician Mo Mowlam, the BAFTA winning See No Evil – The Moors Murders; Appropriate Adult (Starring Dominic West and Emily Watson), which earned five BAFTA awards; as well as a Golden Globe nomination in the acclaimed BBC One drama The Moorside and more recently A Confession (starring Martin Freeman).

*****

‘A PERFECT BALANCE OF SONG AND STORYLINE… CILLA WOULD HAVE BEEN PROUD.’

MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS 2017

ON 2017 UK TOUR

BILL KENWRIGHT & LAURIE MANSFIELD

PRESENT

SHERIDAN SMITH

IN

CILLA THE MUSICAL

BY JEFF POPE

DIRECTED BY BILL KENWRIGHT   AND   BOB TOMSON

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: ROBERT WILLIS

DESIGN: GARY MCCANN

LIGHTING DESIGN: NICK RICHINGS 

SOUND DESIGN: DAN SAMSON

MUSICAL DIRECTION:  SCOTT ALDER 

LISTINGS

UK TOUR DATES

Liverpool, Empire Theatre                                                  atgtickets.com/Liverpool

w/c 21 September, w/c 28 September,                             0844 871 3017

w/c 5 October & w/c 12 October  

Aylesbury, Waterside Theatre                                            atgtickets.com/Aylesbury

w/c 19 October                                                                      0844 871 7607

Edinburgh, Playhouse Theatre                                           atgtickets.com/Edinburgh

w/c 26 October                                                                      0844 871 3014

Birmingham, The Alexandra Theatre                               atgtickets.com/Birmingham

w/c 2 November                                                                   0844 871 3011

Leeds, Grand Theatre                                                           leedsgrandtheatre.com

w/c 9 November & w/c 16November                                0844 848 2700

Two Operatic Masterpieces
Puccini’s La Bohème & Madama Butterfly
Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
La Bohème, Wed 25 March & Madama Butterfly, Thur 26 March 7.30pm
*Tickets: £38 – £23
Concessions & Group Prices available.
Call the Box Office on 01274 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk
*All prices shown include booking fees but are subject to postage charge if applicable.
Bradford Theatres usual terms and conditions apply

Award-winning opera producer Ellen Kent brings one of the most romantic operas ever written, La Bohème to the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford on Wednesday 25 March.

Set in the backstreets and attics of Bohemian Paris, this powerful and emotional opera tells the heart-breaking tale of the doomed, consumptive Mimi and her love for a penniless writer, Rodolfo. Puccini’s masterpiece, La Bohème, is based on Henri Murger’s novel Scenes de la vie de bohème.

Traditionally staged, the set is inspired by the art of the Bohemian period, particularly Chagall and Renoir, reflecting the art of the period. The authentic costumes also beautifully add to the ambience. The production includes a brass band, snow effects and Musetta’s adorable dog will also make an entrance.

La Bohème, the classic story of Parisian love and loss, features many famous arias including Your Tiny Hand is Frozen, They Call Me Mimi and Musetta’s Waltz.
Ellen said:
“The scene where Mimi and Rodolfo meet and she sings ‘They call me Mimi’ always makes me cry. It’s such a beautiful piece of music. I try to do opera that the audience can emotionally connect with, not just on a musical level but with the personal drama happening on stage”.

Ellen’s production showing the extreme poverty in the backstreets and attics of Paris, was inspired by reading George Orwell’s book Down and out in Paris.

Ellen Kent’s stunning traditional production of Puccini’s masterpiece Madama Butterfly is at the Alhambra Theatre the following evening on Thursday 26 March.

Madama Butterfly is Puccini’s tragic tale on which the hit West End musical, Miss Saigon, is based. One of the world’s most popular operas, Madama Butterfly tells the heart-breaking story of the beautiful young Japanese girl who falls in love with an American naval lieutenant – with dramatic results. Highlights include the melodic Humming Chorus, the moving aria Un bel di vedremo (One Fine Day), the famous tenor aria Amore o grillo (Love or fancy) and the unforgettable Bimba, Bimba, non piangere (Love Duet).

With exquisite sets featuring a spectacular Japanese garden and fabulous costuming including antique wedding kimonos from Japan, the story will be told in the original Italian with English surtitles. As with any of Ellen Kent’s shows, Madama Butterfly is set to be a visually beautiful and moving production.
Ellen said:
“My operas have to be emotional and beautiful.”

La Bohème and Madama Butterfly will be conducted by Vasyl Vasylenko, who is the artistic director and conductor at the National President’s Orchestra of Ukraine, Kiev. He will be joined by the guest conductor and artistic director of the National Opera of Moldova, Nicolae Dohotaru and 30 members of the National Ukrainian Orchestra, Kiev, together with the National Moldovan Opera.

Both La Bohème and Madama Butterfly will be sung in Italian with English surtitles. Cast subject to change.

Morley’s Chicken is sponsoring theatre tickets for young people to see

South London actor and playwright Corey Bovell’s new play

Chicken Burger n Chips

which plays a sell-out run at the Brockley Jack Theatre this week

South London’s favourite fried chicken franchise, Morley’s Chicken, is lending its support to South London actor and playwright Corey Bovell’s new edgy and moving one-man play Chicken Burger n Chips.  The production, which has sold out in advance, plays the Brockley Jack Studio Theatre from Tuesday 10 until Saturday 14 March – a venue just a stone’s throw away from the streets, estates and takeaways of South East London at the heart of Corey’s drama. 

Morley’s Chicken, which has more than 40 shops across South London, will be funding an allocation of theatre tickets for young people who might not otherwise be able to see the production. The company will also provide numerous branded props for the show, which features Morley’s heavily as a location within the Lewisham-based storyline. 

Shan Selvendran, Managing Director of Morley’s Chicken, said: “Morley’s is excited to support Chicken Burger n Chips. Like Corey, Morley’s was born in South London. We are a proud part of the community that calls us its own. As the play shows, fried chicken is important to many South Londoners. Some things are more important than fried chicken. Too many in our community have been affected by knife crime. We are keen to support causes that address this issue. Our involvement with the #knifefree campaign started after a stabbing outside one of our stores which resulted in a tragic death, in November 2018.  “Chicken-shop culture” has been discussed in a lot of badly informed and prejudiced media comment, which depicts all young chicken shop customers as gang members. Chicken Burger n Chips pays homage to the real South London and our community, while confronting the way knife crime has stopped people reaching their potential.”

Maeve O’Neill from Rua Arts, producer of Chicken Burger n Chips, said: “We are delighted that Morley’s Chicken have shown real interest and engaged with this production. We’re grateful for their generous support, which, alongside support from After Hours Restaurant, enables 40 young people from the local community to see the play. Morley’s Chicken shops are part of South London’s culture and feature as an integral location within this story. To have the support of local businesses is fantastic and helps ensure that this story reaches and resonates with the very community in which it is set.”

For more information about the play, visit: www.brockleyjack.co.uk.

Chicken Burger n Chips is written and performed by Corey Bovell and directed by Kwame Asiedu, with design by Sandra Falase, art design by Fabienne Ayton, lighting design by Pablo Fernandez, sound design by Xana, movement direction by Kara-Dee Rai and stage management by Frederick Zennor. It is produced by Oisel Productions & Rua Arts. The project is supported by Arts Council England, Oisel Productions, Rua Arts, The Bruntwood Prize for Playwrighting, Morley’s Chicken and AfterHours.

MIKE BATT AND BERNIE CLIFTON HEADLINE THE VARIETIES’ GOOD OLD DAYS

Singer-songwriter, Mike Batt, and all-round entertainer, Bernie Clifton, top the bill this March in The Good Old Days at City Varieties Music Hall.

Best known as the founding member of The Wombles – Britain’s biggest selling singles group of 1975 – Batt is a singer-songwriter, arranger, record producer, director, conductor and author, working across a wide range of art-forms and genres.

Having achieved initial success as a solo singer he went on to write hits for revered artists including Art Garfunkel (Bright Eyes), Elkie Brooks (Lilac Wine), Steeleye Span (All Around My Hat), Sarah Brightman and Steve Harley (The Phantom Of The Opera), as well as co-writing with Sir Tim Rice and producing for David Essex the seasonal hit, A Winter’s Tale.

In 1995 he discovered teenage violinist Vanessa Mae; producing and composing her 4m selling album The Violin Player. He also discovered singer Katie Melua with whom he sold 11m records worldwide on his own label, Dramatico. He has conducted many of the world’s great orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic, London Philharmonic and Sydney Symphony.

In addition to his many multi-platinum awards he has received five Ivor Novello awards and was created Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) by The Queen in the 2013 Birthday Honours List.

As well as being a talented singer, Bernie Clifton is probably most famous for his outrageous props… The Nun, The Diving Suit, The Biscuit Tins, The Cat on his Back, and of course The Ostrich; his unique style has taken him around the world in a career spanning 60 years.

Countless TV appearances, summer seasons, pantos and several Royal Variety Performances have cemented his place as a true comedy ‘legend’. 

The Spring season is as follows:

When:  Friday 20 and Saturday 21 March 2020

Who:Mike Batt headlines the opening weekend alongside guest Chairman Richard Gauntlett. Joining them will be magician and comedian Mel Harvey, ventriloquist Emily Brown and vocalists Rosie Ashe and Mickie Driver.

When:  Friday 27 and Saturday 28 March 2020

Who:     Comedian and entertainer, Bernie Clifton, tops the bill. The show will be presented by special guest Chairman David Graham. Also appearing are vocalists Judith Hibbert and Jan Hunt, Andy Eastwood on ukulele and magician Scott Penrose.

Each show featurestheCity Varieties Orchestraunder the masterful direction of Mr David Smith.

The Good Old Days was a BBC television light entertainment programme produced by Barney Colehan which ran from 1953 to 1983. Filmed at The Varieties, the show recreated an authentic atmosphere of the Victorian–Edwardian music hall with songs and sketches of the era performed by present-day performers in the style of the original artistes. Compered by Leonard Sachs, the show featured more than 2,000 performers over the course of its run, including Les Dawson, Barbara Windsor, Bruce Forsyth, Eartha Kitt, John Inman, Ken Dodd and Barry Cryer. The original series has recently enjoyed a re-run on BBC4.

Book online at cityvarietiesmusichall.co.uk or call box office on 0113 243 0808