Love Actually, the seasonal romcom that has become a revelation and synonymous for so many with the festive period, will be coming to Sheffield City Hall on Tuesday 7 December 2021, with a full orchestra performing its soundtrack live to picture, in what is becoming an annual highlight of the holiday calendar.
Love Actually in concert has garnered sold out audiences in previous years, with the Shropshire Star describing it as ‘… a wonderfully-magical night that really got everyone into the Christmas spirit’; whilst the Nottingham Post commented the performance was ‘Funny, heart-wrenching and downright cheeky on occasion the musicians do not just provide the background noise but all have their moments to shine.’
Directed by Richard Curtis and originally released in cinemas in 2003, Love Actually tells ten separate yet interweaving stories of love around Christmas time.
The film features an all-star ensemble cast, including Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Bill Nighy, Martine McCutcheon, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley Rowan Atkinson, Martin Freeman, and many more.
A full, live orchestra will perform Craig Armstrong’s evocative score at these shows, with the film being projected onto a huge screen. Armstrong is one of the UK’s most recognised film composers, with his work being awarded a BAFTA for his Achievement in Film Music.
Tickets for Love Actually on Tuesday 7 December 2021 are available online on general sale from www.sheffieldcityhall.co.uk on Friday 12 March 2021.
CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED OUTDOOR SHOW C-O-N-T-A-C-T ANNOUNCES NEW DATES AND CASTING FOR SALFORD AND MANCHESTER
C-O-N-T-A-C-T WILL RUN FOR SIX WEEKS ONLY FROM 18 MAY – 29 JUNE 2021. TICKETS ARE ON SALE FROM WWW.THELOWRY.COM
PRODUCED BY ARIA ENTERTAINMENT, WEF PRODUCTIONS AND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOWRY, THIS INTIMATE THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE OFFERS THE PERFECT OUTDOOR TREAT FOR SPRING/SUMMER
Today Aria Entertainment and WEF Productions have announced that the critically-acclaimed outdoor production of C-o-n-t-a-c-t will run for six weeks from Tuesday 18 May – 29 June 2021 (as opposed to the previously announced dates of 19 January – 28 February 2020).
This immersive, two-hander outdoor performance featuring a captivating 3D sound design will run in partnership with The Lowry in two locations – Salford Quays and central Manchester for six weeks following a hugely successful run in London in autumn 2020. The casting for the two locations is Charles Angiama, Chloe Gentles, Rachael Gill-Davis, and Cellan Scott.
The production has also been licensed to open further afield in Brussels, Rome, and Sweden along with Toronto which will open in April, Ottawa, Vancouver, and Brampton in Spring/Summer this year along with four other Canadian locations in discussion. Conversations are also underway for productions in New York, Chicago, Seattle, LA, San Diego, China, Dubai, Australia, South Africa, and Germany too.
This innovative production opened to 4* reviews from The Guardian and the i, with The Times calling it “a tantalising vision of a new kind of theatre.”
C-o-n-t-a-c-t brings together a creative team of international talent including Director Samuel Sené, Book by Eric Chantelauze, English adaptation by Quentin Bruno, Music and Sound Designer Cyril Barbessol, and Associate Director Bronagh Lagan.
Originally created by Samuel Sené and Gabrielle Jourdain and premiering in France with French production company Musidrama last summer in a world where social distancing became the ‘new normal’, this timely story of a moving and unexpected encounter explores the themes of mental health and anxiety through the eyes of Sarah as she is approached by someone she believes to be a stranger. She discovers that he can hear her thoughts but how? Who is this man? Dive into her mind in this unique sensory and immersive new show and experience theatre like never before.
The show runs for 50 minutes without an interval and audiences download the audio from the app which is a completely new piece of technology synchronizing the spectators and actors, allowing the show to play with theatrical concepts and a new form of dramaturgy. Audiences of no more than 17 per show will purchase their tickets online and will then receive a link to download the app and exact location details.
The show complies with the safety and hygiene measures in place for businesses and the performing arts as set out by the government. This pedestrian performance is an outdoor promenade experience for small groups of up to 17 and adheres to strict social distancing between audience members. It is also an audio experience that involves no direct speaking of any actor in the play. Tickets can be purchased via The Lowry’s website here.
West End stars, direct to your cars – acclaimed concert series West End Musical Drive In returns Every Saturday from 17th April – 29th May 2021 West End Musical Drive In @ The Drive In Troubadour Meridian Water, Harbet Road, London, N18 3QQ
The UK’s biggest musical theatre concert series, West End Musical Drive In, will return for live performances this April – once again bringing top theatrical talent direct to people’s cars! Following an acclaimed summer and winter season, and digital restreaming, the stage is set for another fantastic celebration of musical theatre, every Saturday from 17th April to 29th May.
Bringing live entertainment back to the outdoor arena and brushing off the ‘stay home’ blues, this is the perfect pitstop on the roadmap out of lockdown. Previous Drive In performers include the biggest names in musical theatre such as Kerry Ellis, Rachel Tucker, John Owen-Jones, Lucie Jones, Alice Fearn, Layton Williams, Jodie Steele and many more.
From the producers of the sell-out West End Musical Brunch, West End Musical Drive In is another incredible experience for theatre fans, allowing people the opportunity to sing and dance along with their favourite stage stars as they belt their way through the musical canon.
Co Producer Chris Steward says, We are delighted to announce our reopening in line with the government’s roadmap. We will once again be one of the first live performance events to reopen and we can’t wait to celebrate the joy of musicals with theatre fans again.
Contact-free delivery services will be available for food and drink, to help ensure you have all the essentials for your Drive In party.
The Live in London series of concerts produced by Fourth Wall Live at the Hippodrome Casino London in December of last year will be available to stream on Stream.Theatre from 26 March 2021.
The series, which includes musical theatre stars, musicians and comedians, was recorded live from the casino’s theatre with live audiences. The streaming season is comprised of 12 concerts from the following artists: Aaron Sidwell, Anna-Jane Casey, Courtney Stapleton & Eloise Davies, Julie Atherton, Kim Ismay, Rock of Ages UK Tour Cast Reunion, Ryan Molloy, Sarah O’Connor, Shappi Khorsandi, Sooz Kempner & Richard Thomas, Vocal Xtr3me and Yury Revich.
Aaron Sidwell & Friends: EastEnders actor, West End star and recording artist Aaron Sidwell performs some contemporary hits and theatre songs. His performance includes an exciting reunion of the American Idiot cast among other special guests.
Anna-Jane Casey:Get up close and personal with the legendary Anna-Jane Casey as she opens up and holds nothing back in 60 minutes of unashamed and totally honest cabaret! An evening of songs and conversation, guaranteed to make you feel good!
Courtney Stapleton & Eloise Davies:Musical theatre superstars, Courtney Stapleton and Eloise Davies perform musical theatre favourites from productions they’ve starred in, pop mash ups and exciting new covers.
Julie Atherton:One of the West End’s most versatile entertainers, with a distinctive voice and unmatched comic timing. Join Julie Atherton for an evening of live theatre hits and original songs alongside her band.
Kim Ismay: Join Kim Ismay, whose wildly varied theatre career has spanned 35 years, alongside award-winning composer and musical director Alexander S. Bermage for songs old and new, humorous and heartbreaking, plus a handful of Alexander’s songs performed by both Kim and himself
Rock of Ages UK Tour Cast Reunion:Strictly star Kevin Clifton and musical theatre stars Rhiannon Chesterman and Luke Walsh, who all starred in the hit UK touring production Rock of Ages, reunite for this special performance. Join this stellar group as they perform some of their favourite hits from the show.
Ryan Molloy:West End and Broadway Star, Olivier Award Winner, Original Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys London and Lead Singer of The Trevor Horn Band “Frankie Goes To Hollywood”, Ryan Molloy presents “Broken Fingered Guitar Club LIVE!”
Sarah O’Connor:Join West End star Sarah O’Connor for this special performance which showcases her huge capacity to cross genres, characters and periods – from bold musical theatre numbers to jazz, soul and music from the heart of Sarah’s story as a girl from a small village near Dublin.
Shappi Khorsandi: One of the country’s finest comedians Shappi Khorsandi who has performed across the globe and appeared on countless TV and Radio shows performs stand up comedy.
Sooz Kempner & Richard Thomas: Wrong Songs: A night of live musical comedy with comedian, singer and Twitter sensation Sooz Kempner and composer and pianist Richard Thomas. Let this brilliant pair take you on a journey with all-original songs by Richard that are so wrong they’re right!
Vocal Xtr3me: This trio combines 3 of the more powerful, dynamic and contemporary voices of their generation, Dylan Turner,Grant Jackson and Stevie Hutchinson. Boasting the cleanest, tightest harmonies, the boys bring you some of the best classic 60s, 70s and 80s rock and power ballad anthems.
Yury Revich:A night of stunning live music with award-winning, international Stradivari violinist and composer Yury Revich. Playing on the ‘Princess Aurora’ violin from 1709, Yury performs beloved classics and original works.
The season streams for four consecutive weekends (Friday to Sunday) starting from Friday 26 March with each artist’s performance being streamed three times. Details below. For all information and tickets go to www.fw-live.comwww.stream.theatre.com
Date
3.00pm
7.30pm
9.00pm
Friday 26 March
Rock of Ages Reunion
Kim Ismay
Yury Revich
Saturday 27 March
Aaron Sidwell
Rock of Ages Reunion
Vocal Xtr3me
Sunday 28 March
Yury Revich
Ryan Molloy
Aaron Sidwell
Friday 2 April
Shappi Khorsandi
Shappi Khorsandi
Julie Atherton
Saturday 3 April
Courtney Stapleton & Eloise Davies
Vocal Xtr3me
Sooz Kempner
Sunday 4 April
Ryan Molloy
Julie Atherton
Yury Revich
Friday 9 April
Kim Ismay
Courtney Stapleton & Eloise Davies
Sooz Kempner
Saturday 10 April
Sooz Kempner
Anna-Jane Casey
Rock of Ages Reunion
Sunday 11 April
Julie Atherton
Sarah O’Connor
Ryan Molloy
Friday 16 April
Anna-Jane Casey
Kim Ismay
Shappi Khorsandi
Saturday 17 April
Vocal Xtr3me
Aaron Sidwell
Sarah O’Connor
Sunday 18 April
Sarah O’Connor
Courtney Stapleton & Eloise Davies
Anna-Jane Casey
Fourth Wall Live Fourth Wall Live is an exciting new venture between hit concert producers Club 11 London and producers DLAP Entertainment. Club 11 London and DLAP have previously collaborated on Chita Rivera at Cadogan Hall and are thrilled to be bringing live entertainment back into one of London’s most iconic venues. Club 11 London previously produced Jeremy Jordan, Tituss Burgess, Matthew Morrison, Michael Ball, Cynthia Erivo, and Shoshana Bean at the Hippodrome Casino.
Unsolved Online Productions offer an interactive, online unsolved mystery series, with weekly releases of suspect interviews, live clues and round up articles. Viewers can get involved by commenting along on the blog, on social media, or using the hashtag #WhoKilledTheLollipopMan. Each Tuesday and Thursday, we were introduced to a new suspect, with interviews ranging from 5-15 minutes.
Each suspect interview was gripping, never revealing more than necessary, and keeping the viewers on their toes. At times, I found myself forgetting that I was watching a production. The additions of articles and live clues adds to the immersive feeling of this production, and encourages discussion between viewers.
This unique production is great fun for the current Covid-19 climate, providing a great way to stay entertained during lockdown for theatre lovers and crime lovers alike. It fills the gap left by the closure of the West End and local theatres, while being something which would be just entertaining in normal times too.
With the final suspect due to drop, the suspense has never been higher. This is a production I have already been recommending to my friends, and a recommendation I would extend onto anyone who loves a good whodunnit!
NOW STREAMING UNTIL 16 MARCH DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND
Leicester’s Curve theatre has announced plans to extend its streamed run ofThe Color Purple – at Homedue to audience demand.
Produced in association with Birmingham Hippodrome, the musical will now stream online until Tuesday 16 March, with tickets on sale now, priced at £20 per household, at curveonline.co.uk.
Watched by an audience of over 15,000, The Color Purple – at Home follows the success of Curve’s production of Sunset Boulevard – at Home, the theatre’s first major stream. As part of its Curve at Home programme, Curve has employed over 150 freelance and local artists, production teams, actors and musicians.
The Color Purple – at Home has been acclaimed by audiences and critics alike since the showfirst began streaming on 16 February. In the course of the run so far, Curve and Birmingham Hippodrome have offered 2,000 free tickets to NHS workers and school staff members, and so far over 200 young people and those who would not otherwise be able to access theatre have received tickets to enjoy the production thanks to sponsorship from Leicester-based music licensing company PPL PRS and De Montfort University. Birmingham Hippodrome has also been able to offer tickets to first-time attenders in Birmingham through the support from the Culture Recovery Fund.
In addition, Curve has hosted a number of workshops and Q&As for schools, and audiences are also able to access a free digital learning pack created by the theatre to accompany the show, as well as a recording of an online Q&A featuring the musical’s writers and company members of The Color Purple – at Home. Curve has also commissioned local artists to create work in response to the production.
Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster said:
“Whilst we cannot wait to welcome audiences back to Curve, we’re thrilled audiences have more chances to enjoy our production of The Color Purple – at Home. We’re especially proud this magnificent production has been embraced by young people and in schools, where we’ve been able to offer workshops, learning resources and talkback events with the incredible writers of the musical and company members.
“Our thanks to the wonderful partners who have made this possible, especially Theatrical Rights Worldwide and our associate producers Birmingham Hippodrome. We’re also immensely grateful to our sponsors PPL PRS and De Montfort University, as well as Arts Council England, Leicester City Council, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Culture Recovery Fund.”
Marsha Norman’s poetic and powerful script along with the magnificent songs by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray celebrate life, love and the strength to stand up for who you are and what you believe in. This unforgettable story set in racially divided Southern America is staged by the team behind Curve and Birmingham Hippodrome’s award-winning 2019 co-production – Director Tinuke Craig, Musical Director Alex Parker and Choreographer Mark Smith.
T’Shan Williams leads the magnificent original company as the courageous heroine Celie, with Danielle Fiamanya (Winner – The Stage Debut Awards 2019) reprising her role as Celie’s Sister, Nettie. Carly Mercedes Dyer joins the cast as the vivacious Shug Avery, following her celebrated performance as Anita in the 2019 Made at Curve production of West Side Story.
The company is completed by returning cast members Geoff Aymer, KM Drew Boateng, Owen Chaponda, Perola Congo, Danielle Kassarate, Anelisa Lamola, Karen Mavundukure, Ako Mitchell, Rosemary Annabella Nkrumah, Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy, Landi Oshinowo, Simon-Anthony Rhoden and Jo Servi.
Drawing inspiration from jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues, a band of incredible musicians will combine with the company’s soulful vocals in bringing the score to life, including Push Da Button, Too Beautiful for Words and I’m Here.
Frozen Light present 2065:The Multi-Sensory Movie for audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities From 29th March 2021 Co-commissioned by Northern Stage and Attenborough Arts Centre, supported by Arts Council England
Frozen Light will premiere their first digital production 2065: The Multi-Sensory Movie, an innovative and engaging digital experience designed to bring theatre to the homes of those with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). The movie will be accompanied by a box of sensory props, allowing audiences to explore the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and textures of the world of 2065 while watching the film.
2065: The Multi-Sensory Movie, which was filmed in person after its tour was postponed due to Covid-19, follows a group of rebels living in a country run by an oppressive regime. The rebels exist in the shadows, keeping music alive in their hidden Nest with the belief that one day things will change, if they just keep imagining. Audiences will be directed by Frozen Light’s ‘archivistrebel in residence’ who will signal when to use the ‘Rebel Pack’ of props to explore certain sensory moments throughout the film.
Covid-19 has exacerbated feelings of isolation for those with PMLD, with carers often feeling excluded from vital support. Frozen Light has created this production with the primary aim of making cultural experiences more accessible for audiences with complex needs; the film offers an escape while audiences can find joy in the sensory interactions. With repetition vital for people with PMLD, the ability to re-watch this production is an essential part of its accessibility.
Frozen Light are renowned for creating engaging and high-quality theatre for audiences with PMLD through combining multi-sensory moments, live music, signing and poetic language. 2065: The Multi-Sensory Movie has been carefully curated as a digital experience in collaboration with people with PMLD who, with the support of carers, provided invaluable feedback to ensure the utmost quality for the performance.
Amber Onat-Gregory, Co-Artistic Director of Frozen Light, comments, We’re delighted to be able to reach audiences during this challenging time in the pandemic. We hugely miss engaging with audiences within a theatre setting but hope this film can bring some Frozen Light magic to people’s own homes.
Lucy Garland, Co-Artistic Director of Frozen Light, comments, It’s been so exciting to explore a new medium. We hope that by working with film we will be able to share our productions with audiences we may not have met before.
Created by Ben & Max Ringham, Bea Roberts and Ed Stambollouian
From 13 March 2021
Shoreditch Town Hall today announces the world première digital production of Curse of the Crackles! an interactive audio adventure for children and families written by Bea Roberts, featuring innovative sound technology by Ben & Max Ringham. Ed Stambollouian directs Norah Lopez Holden and Sam Swann. Tickets are available via shoreditchtownhall.com from 9am on 9 March 2021 – audiences will have access to stream the show for 72 hours from the date and time of their booking.
Riff is a good dog and the most excellentist puppy, but she needs your help! The world is in chaos – listen… It’s the Crackles! Those annoying little bits of naughty have muddled up all the sounds in the universe and now it’s up to you and Riff the puppy to put them all back. Are you ready to go on an exciting mission?
Featuring innovative three-dimensional sound technology, Curse of the Crackles! is a hilarious interactive audio adventure that immerses you in a brilliantly chaotic quest – the perfect sensory journey that can be enjoyed from anywhere, in any space.
James Pidgeon, Director & Chief Executive Shoreditch Town Hall, today said “Whilst the doors of the Town Hall’s building remain closed to the public our work very much continues, and we’re delighted to be producing this new audio adventure for young people. This unique and inventive experience, made over the last month by a ridiculously talented team of freelance creatives and crew, will no doubt entertain and delight young listeners, transporting them to a place where they can escape the ongoing impact and challenges of the pandemic”
Audiences will need an internet connection and headphones to get the full effect of the sound technology. Listeners are encouraged to move around their space, but it is not essential to enjoy the production.
Throughout the run there will be a series of online Q&As with cast and creatives about the creation of the show, details of which will be announced soon.
Recommended Age: 7-11
Bea Roberts is a multi-award-winning scriptwriter and lyricist. Her writing credits include Sir F. Mother****ing Drake (My England at the Young Vic), The Borrowers (Tobacco Factory Theatres), Loam (Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama), Little Mermaid (Theatre Royal Bath – won Best Play for Children & Young People at the 2018 UK Theatre Awards), Infinity Pool: A Modern Te-telling of Madame Bovary(Edinburgh Festival – nominated for a Total Theatre Award) and And Then Come The Nightjars (winner of the Theatre503 International Playwriting Award and finalist for The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize in 2015). In 2016 Roberts was awarded the J.B. Priestly Award for a young writer of promise by the Royal Literary Fund. She is currently under commission with the National Theatre, English Touring Theatre, Theatre Royal Plymouth, the Stephen Joseph Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Norah Lopez Holden’s theatre credits include Equus (UK tour/Trafalgar Studios), The Winter’s Tale (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Almighty Sometimes, Our Town (The Royal Exchange), Othello (The Tobacco Factory) and Ghosts (HOME).
Sam Swann’s theatre credits include Skellig (Nottingham Playhouse), Jerusalem (The Watermill Theatre), Prom Kween (Edinburgh Festival Fringe), Oil (Almeida Theatre), Pomona (National Theatre/Orange Tree Theatre), Primetime (Royal Court Theatre), Wendy & Peter Pan (RSC), Dr Korczak’s Example, A Winter’s Tale (Unicorn Theatre), Mercury Fur (Trafalgar Studios), The Kitchen, Greenland (National Theatre) and Dunsinan Boy (Hampstead Theatre/RSC). His television credits include The Five, Mr Selfridge, Jekyll & Hyde, Privates; and for film, Been So Long and The Current War: Directors Cut.
Nicola Chang is a composer/sound designer for stage and screen. Her theatre credits include Miss Julie (Chester Storyhouse), Funeral Flowers (Camden Roundhouse/Hackney Empire), Wild Goose Dreams (Theatre Royal Bath), Little Baby Jesus, The Tempest (Orange Tree Theatre), White Pearl (Royal Court theatre), The King of Hell’s Palace (Hampstead Theatre), The Death of Ophelia (Shakespeare’s Globe), Summer Rolls (Park Theatre) and A Hundred Words for Snow (Arcola Theatre). She is a member of the 2020/21 Old Vic 12 cohort (Composer/Sound Designer), BFI x BAFTA Crew (Film Composer) and a Composer and Musical Director attached to British Youth Music Theatre UK.
Ben and Max Ringham’s previous theatre credits for Composition and Sound Design include Blindness, Teenage Dick, Berberian Sound Studio, Cyrano de Bergerac, Pinter at the Pinter, Betrayal (West End), The Seven Ages of Patience, Pass Over (Kiln Theatre), Ugly Lies the Bone (National Theatre), Pygmalion, Dial M for Murder (UK tour), Party Skills (Shoreditch Town Hall), The Meeting (Chichester Festival Theatre), Machinal (Almeida Theatre), Love and Information (Sheffield Theatres), and Gloria (Hampstead Theatre). In 2019 they co-created Anna a headphone based show at the National Theatre.
Ed Stambollouian’s forthcoming productions include Animal Farm (NYT and Royal & Derngate)and KENREX (Out of Joint). Previous theatre credits include: Night School (Harold Pinter Theatre), Max and Ivan: The Straight Man (BAC), BLUSH (Soho Theatre, UK tour, Edinburgh Festival Fringe), That’s The Way Aha Aha Joe Lycett (Edinburgh Festival and National Tour), Joe Lycett: Some Lycett Hot (Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh), Prince of the River (Old Vic 12), Don’t Waste Your Bullets on the Dead (VAULT Festival), Dan & Phil: The Amazing Tour is Not on Fire (London Palladium, UK and international tour), Feathers in the Snow (Unicorn Theatre), Awkward Conversations with Animals I’ve F*cked (Edinburgh Festival Fringe), Wedding (Shoreditch Town Hall, Forest Fringe), Blacktop Sky (Talawa Studio), I Started a Fire (Arcola Theatre), Family Voices & Victoria Station (Trafalgar Studios), Finer Noble Gases/ Lobby Hero (Masterclass Showcase at Royal Theatre Haymarket), The Aliens (Trafalgar Studios 2), and Elegy (Shunt Vaults).
Created & Written by Bea Roberts;Created & Directed by Ed Stambollouian; Created, Sound Designed & Composed by Ben & Max Ringham andAssociate Sound Design & Composition by Nicola Chang.
A Shoreditch Town Hall production with support from the DCMS Culture Recovery Fund and Arts Council England.
The Time Traveller’s Wife, the best-selling novel by Audrey Niffenegger and the New Line Cinema film screenplay by Bruce Joel Rubin, will become a new musical and premiere in the UK in late 2021/early 2022. With a book by Lauren Gunderson, original music and lyrics by Joss Stone and Dave Stewart and additional lyrics by Kait Kerrigan, the production will be directed by Bill Buckhurst, with musical supervision & arrangement by Nick Finlow and illusions by Chris Fisher. Casting is by Stuart Burt CDG. It will be produced by Colin Ingram for InTheatre Productions, by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures.
Henry and Clare’s love story is like no other and yet like all others; they meet, flirt, fight, love, marry… but all out of order. Henry is often and uncontrollably ripped out of time, because he suffers from a rare condition where his genetic clock periodically resets, pulling him into his past or future, vanishing before one’s eyes, never knowing where or when he’s going next. Except he knows he’ll always come back to Clare, whether she’s 5 years old playing in a field or 85, dreaming of her time-travelling husband.
Lauren Gunderson said of adapting the novel, “I will never forget reading the last chapter of Audrey Niffenegger’s book over ten years ago and being floored by its thunderous emotion and potent humanity. I knew this love story belonged on stage with music and vision that matches its emotional punch and soaring feeling. I know this musical will lift, delight, hearten and exhilarate.”
The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical weaves a heart-breaking and soaring original musical score by multi Grammy Award-winning composers Joss Stone and Dave Stewart with one of the most beloved novels of the last 50 years. All couples ask how to truly know one another, to trust, to commit, to build a family, to work at something bigger than ourselves. Not all of us are time travellers. How do you love across time?
Dave Stewart and Joss Stone said of working together on the new musical, “We have been on many crazy adventures together but we’ve never ‘Time Travelled’ till meeting Lauren Gunderson. Writing these songs together whilst being in different locations on different time zones has been a trip (literally), throwing us into an eddy of emotive melodies and heart-wrenching lyrics to go with the push and pull of this unusual love story. We all time travel in our relationships and in our lives in general, but to write something that people will see and hear happening live on stage is thrilling to imagine, and hearing Bill Buckhurst’s interpretations of Lauren’s script for stage as we went along has been so inspiring.”
Producer Colin Ingram said, “Bringing this book to the stage was my wife’s idea, as, for her and so many others, The Time Traveller’s Wife has been a significant and deeply cherished story. Having Henry constantly appearing and disappearing throughout the story (with his age changing each time, backwards and forwards) requires this stellar creative team, and this show promises to be an incredibly emotional experience for the audience. Lauren’s adaptation is truly wonderful and the soulful sound of Dave and Joss’s music will lift everyone’s spirits as a truly wonderful tonic in post-pandemic world.“
Lauren Gunderson has been one of the most produced playwrights in the US since 2015, topping the list twice, including 2019/20. She is a two-time winner of the Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award for I and You and The Book of Will, the winner of the Lanford Wilson Award and the Otis Guernsey New Voices Award, a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and John Gassner Award for Playwriting, and a recipient of the Mellon Foundation’s Residency with Marin Theatre Company. She co-authored the Miss Bennet plays with Margot Melcon.
Grammy and Brit award-winning singer-songwriter, Joss Stone, has released seven studio albums since she secured a record deal at 15 and released her critically acclaimed debut album, The Soul Sessions, in 2003. Performing alongside many legendary artists such as James Brown, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Sting, Van Morrison and Melissa Etheridge, she has collaborated with and contributed to albums for many of the world’s finest musicians, including Jeff Beck, Mick Jagger and Damien Marley. In 2015 her album Water for Your Soul was released, achieving the spot of the number-one reggae album upon release and voted best reggae album by Billboard. In 2019, she completed her most audacious project to date, The Total World Tour, in which she has performed a gig and collaborated with local artists in over 200 countries around the world.
Award-winning singer, songwriter, musician, producer and Eurythmics co-founder, Dave Stewart is recognised as one of the most respected and accomplished talents in the music industry today with a music career spanning four decades and over 100 million album sales. Stewart co-wrote and produced each Eurythmics album in his world-famous duo with Annie Lennox, and has also produced albums and co-written songs with Mick Jagger, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Gwen Stefani, Jon Bon Jovi, Stevie Nicks, Bryan Ferry, Katy Perry, Sinead O’Connor, Joss Stone and many others. Along the way, his work has garnered numerous awards, including 26 ASCAP and BMI Awards for the most-performed songs; four Ivor Novello Awards for Best Songwriter; four BRIT Awards for Best Producer, including a Lifetime Achievement Award; The Silver Clef Award; The Clive Davis Legend in Songwriting Award; a Golden Globe and a Grammy Award and he was inducted into the UK Hall of Fame. In 2018, Eurythmics was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Most recently, they were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) and they will be inducted into The Songwriters Hall of Fame in June 2021.
In 2001, Stewart was approached by Nelson Mandela to help the fight against the Aids epidemic. Stewart developed a Global Campaign using Mandela’s prison number 46664. Stewart then went on to help organize the biggest concert ever staged in South Africa, appearing on stage with Beyoncé, Bono and Edge, Queen and many others, as well as bringing his long-time partner, Annie Lennox, on stage to perform together as Eurythmics. The concert was broadcast live to over 1 billion people. Stewart, along with songwriter/producer Glen Ballard, wrote the music for the musical adaptation of the 1990 Jerry Zucker film Ghost. With Mick Jagger, he wrote and produced the score for Alfie, starring Jude Law, which won the pair a Golden Globe for Best Original Song. More recently, Stewart created and is Executive Producer of the hit TV show for NBC, Songland.
Bill Buckhurst’s theatre directing credits for Tooting Arts Club include Sweeney Todd (West End, Harrington’s Pie and Mash Shop & Off-Broadway; Best Musical Off-West End Awards, Outstanding Revival of a Musical Lucille Lortel Awards, Best Musical Revival Off-Broadway Alliance, Best Off-Broadway Musical Theater Fans’ Choice Awards, Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Director of a Musical), Barbarians, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Tinderbox. Directing credits for Shakespeare’s Globe include Omeros, Hamlet (and International Tour), King Lear (and International Tour), Twelfth Night, Othello, The Merchant of Venice, Romeo & Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Macbeth (Playing Shakespeare).
Chris Fisher is a member of the Magic Circle and works worldwide as international illusions and magic consultant for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. His theatre credits as illusion consultant include Back to the Future the Musical (Manchester and West End), The Prince Of Egypt (West End), Company (West End and Broadway), Big – the Musical (Plymouth, Dublin and West End), Peter Gynt (National), A Very Very Very Dark Matter (Bridge) and Angels in America (National and Broadway).
Colin Ingram’s producing credits include Billy Elliot, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Ghost the Musical, Grease and Back to the Future the Musical. The latter will open in the West End at the Adelphi Theatre in Summer 2021. Colin worked for Cameron Mackintosh for six years, general managing Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera and Oklahoma! (starring Hugh Jackman). He then joined Disney Theatrical to be Managing Director and General Manager, overseeing the London productions of The Lion King and Beauty And The Beast. Colin then joined the Old Vic as Executive Producer for the first two years of the Old Vic Theatre Company and on the West End premiere of Billy Elliot – the Musical, after which he joined Madison Square Gardens in New York to run their Productions division including the Radio City Rockettes Spectaculars.
Digital concert revival of Gatsby A Musical returns due to popular demand Streaming: Thursday 11th – Sunday 14th March 2021
Due to popular demand the recent concert revival of Gatsby A Musical will return to streaming for a limited time only. Bringing together an incredible West End cast including Jodie Steele (Heathers; Six The Musical) as Daisy Buchanan, Ross William Wild (Million Dollar Quartet) as Gatsby, and four-time Olivier Award nominee Emma Williams (Mrs Henderson Presents; Zorro) as Myrtle Wilson, the captivating production was filmed at the historic Cadogan Hall for a socially-distanced spectacular.
The company are joined by Liam Doyle (Wicked; Legally Blonde) as Tom Buchannan, Joe Frost(Jersey Boys; An Officer and a Gentleman) as George Wilson, and Blake Patrick Anderson (RENT; Be More Chill) as Nick Carraway. Further casting includes Chanice Alexander-Burnett (Motown the Musical; Beautiful – the Carol King Musical), Lauren Chinery, Robert Grose, Oliver Mawdsley, and Tristan Pegg.
Adapted by director Linnie Reedman, and with music and lyrics by Joe Evans, this unmissable piece brings F Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel to life for a semi-staged concert experience. Vibrant characters, popped corks, and infectious rhythms collide with personal conflicts and lost loves in this tragedy of the vanishing jazz era.
Reedman comments, We’ve been overwhelmed by the positive response to the concert and are thrilled to be able to bring it back for more people to enjoy. It’s been a pleasure to work on this project with such a talented cast, during what has been such a strange time for the arts. We hope to be able to bring a fully staged version to you someday soon!
When Daisy Buchanan revisits Jay Gatsby’s mansion seven years after leaving that world behind, she is trying to confront her past by reliving the dream she shared with Gatsby. But where is he? With themes of loss, disappointment and ultimately hope for a better tomorrow, Gatsby, is surprisingly resonant with the ‘roaring twenties’ we find ourselves in once again.
A glamorous and engaging way to experience the story unfolding. Filled with great characterisations and spirited music (★★★★ Love London Love Culture)
