Month: April 2021

Bad Nights and Odd Days:
Greenwich Theatre presents a trio of
acclaimed short plays by Caryl Churchill
Wednesday 23rd June – Saturday 10th July 2021
Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, Greenwich, London SE10 8ES

Bringing together a trio of short and unforgettable plays from one of the country’s most prominent playwrights, Caryl Churchill (Top Girls; A Number; Drunk Enough To Say I Love You), Greenwich Theatre are reopening once again with their first in-house production since December. Led by acclaimed actor Paul McGann (Withnail and I; Doctor Who), Churchill’s earlier works will be brought to life for this limited season. Further casting will be announced in due course.

Bad Nights and Odd Days will see Churchill’s rarely performed plays, Abortive, Seagulls, and Three More Sleepless Nights, reenergised for the stage under the direction of Artistic Director James Haddrell. Exploring life-shattering events, a carousel of shifting relationships and the presence of psychic phenomena, this intimate collection of plays shows why it is so hard to categorise Churchill’s writing, blending the personal with the political, the naturalistic with the supernatural, the spoken with the unspoken.

Abortive highlights the strains of a married couple reeling in the aftermath of a shocking event; Three More Sleepless Nights details the everyday arguments and daily suppression of emotions; while Seagulls is Churchill’s powerful and personal allegory about losing the ability to write

Director James Haddrell comments, We are delighted to be emerging from the last year of closure with this special collection of short plays. Caryl Churchill is undoubtedly one of the most important British playwrights of the past half century, and thanks to support from Arts Council England I am excited to be able to share some of her earliest, most rarely performed work. With special permission from Churchill herself to bring the pieces together under the title Bad Nights and Odd Days, I know that this collection of intimate, quietly heart-stopping dramas will offer a powerful, moving evening of live theatre – the kind of evening that we have all been missing so much.

Greenwich Theatre is excited to bring quality entertainment back to the area. The theatre continues to adhere to the ongoing government guidance, with social distancing potentially in place for indoor performances. Should the restrictions and circumstances change they will look to adjust accordingly

FILM VERSION OF JESSIE CAVE’S SUNRISE

TO RECEIVE WORLD PREMIERE ON

SOHO THEATRE ON DEMAND ON 27 MAY

A SOHO THEATRE PRODUCTION

SUNRISE

WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY JESSIE CAVE

DIRECTED BY ADAM BRACE

Soho Theatre announces the World Premiere of Jessie Cave’s Sunrise, the film version of the critically acclaimed stage show, released exclusively on Soho Theatre On Demand from Thursday 27 May.

Dating again after a complex break-up Jessie is trying to get her personal life in order – before her kids wake up. From actress, comedian, writer and doodler Jessie Cave, Sunrise is an honest, tender-hearted and uproariously funny story about crying in the woods, sexual accidents, Harry Potter conventions and Instagram espionage – but also about motherhood and trying to get stuff done.

First performed in 2018 at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Sunrise was a critical and commercial hit – selling out 7 weeks at Soho, touring the UK and being nominated for a South Bank Award.  Sunrise was filmed at Soho Theatre in April 2021 under current government guidelines – with an audience of one, Jessie’s sister Bebe – directed by Soho Theatre’s Associate Director Adam Brace (who also developed and directed the stage version) with Director of Photography and Editor Andrew Nolan (Witch Hunt, Asking For It and Bad Laptop sketches, BBC Three). 

Sunrise Writer and Performer Jessie Cave said: ‘I feel so lucky to be filming Sunrise after such a long journey with it. I’ve done the show over 150 times now and so I think this will be the final outing for my pillow puppets. I’m incredibly grateful to the Soho Theatre for supporting me at every step. I hope the show helps people in some way, and can be shared with people who might need a little hope.’

Sunrise Director Adam Brace said: ‘It’s been a genuine pleasure revisiting this piece and working with Jessie again. Soho Theatre have produced this show from the very beginning and this covid-safe filmed version has even fewer audience members than its original incarnation – 38 in the converted storeroom of an Edinburgh hotel during the Fringe. Since then it has been seen by thousands back at Soho then around the UK. Hopefully this version means Jessie’s unique blend of confessional comedy and DIY Performance Art will continue to find new audiences.’

Jessie Cave is a talented actress, writer and illustrator who is best known for playing Lavender Brown in the Harry Potter films. She has a lead role in Buffering for Avalon / ITV2 and starred as regular Heather in Sky One’s Trollied. Further drama credits include Call the Midwife for BBC 1, Black Mirror for Netflix and Glue for Channel 4. She will next be seen starring in new ITV2 comedy Buffering, opposite Iain Stirling. 

She is a brilliant stand-up who has had three critically acclaimed and sell-out solo shows including Bookworm, Sunrise and I Loved Her. She has featured on 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Comedy Central’s Roast Battle and has recently filmed for Jon Richardson’s Ultimate Worrier.        

Jessie’s first novel Sunset is being published by Welbeck and available to buy from 24June. She has scripted projects in development with Kudos and E4 and co-wrote the pilot Bump with Rick Edwards under Big Talk Productions. She has also had a book of illustrations published, titled Lovesick.

Soho Theatre’s Associate Director Adam Brace is a Director, writer and dramaturg. Alongside Sunrise, Adam has directed all of Sh!t Theatre’s work as well as shows by Ahir Shah, Alex Edelman, Alfie Brown, Ivo Graham, Janine Harouni, Lou Sanders, Lucy Pearman, and Ruby Wax. As a dramaturg he has worked with writers including Lucy Prebble, Nick Payne and Vicky Jones. His plays have been performed at the Almeida (They Drink It In The Congo), the Donmar (Midnight Your Time) and in collaboration with the National Theatre (Stovepipe). His screenplay Best won Best Short Film at Sundance London and he has also written for The Mash Report, Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo (BBC) and The Stand Up Sketch Show (ITV).

Listings Information:

Film:                                     Sunrise

Produced by:                      Soho Theatre

Release date:                     Thursday 27 May, Soho Theatre On Demand

Link:                                                 https://sohotheatreondemand.com/

Standard Streaming price:           £5.99

PRAISE FOR SUNRISE’S STAGE VERSION

***** “Comedy perfection” The Scotsman

 **** “Devastatingly honest, wickedly funny… Sunrise pitches us right into Cave’s life, and her head” The Guardian

**** “Confessional comic storytelling of the highest order” The Times

****  “One of comedy’s most compellingly unique voices” The i 

****  The Sunday Times

 **** Evening Standard

CREATIVE AND PRODUCTION TEAM

Writer and Performer                                            Jessie Cave

Director                                                                    Adam Brace

Set Designer, Backdrop and Pillow Maker        Debbie Cave

Sister, Make Up Artist and Therapist                 Bebe Cave

Pillow 1 and Himself                                              Alfie Brown

Children                                                                   Donnie, Margot and Tennessee Brown

Brother                                                                    Jamie Lloyd

Director of Photography and Editor                    Andrew Nolan

Sound Design and Composer                             Adam Welsh

Sound Supervisor                                                  Kevin Millband

Lighting Designer                                                  Daniel Carter-Brennan

Production Manager and 1st Assistant Director           Seb Cannings

Camera Operator                                                  Tristan Shepherd

Assistant Camera and DIT                                               Elijah Grant

Colourist                                                                  Steve Doran

Online Editor                                                                      Andrew Nolan

Technician                                                              Hannah Fullelove

Producer                                                                 Sarah Dodd

THEATR CLWYD REOPENS ITS DOOR TO

FOUR WORLD PREMIÈRE PRODUCTIONS IN 2021

Artistic Director Tamara Harvey and Executive Director Liam Evans-Ford today announce the reopening of Theatr Clwyd, and the programming of four world première productions as part of Theatr Clwyd’s 2021 season.

The season opens with Alan Harris’ For The Grace of You Go I with James Grieve directing Remy Beasley, Darren Jeffries, Rhodri Meilir; then continues with Curtain Up,a three-week season of fifteen new plays from Welsh playwrights – Meredydd Barker, Matthew Bulgo, Katherine Chandler, Amy Bethan Evans, Ciaran Fitzgerald, Rebecca Jade Hammond, Tracy Harris, Ming Ho, Mari Izzard, Jennifer Lunn, Samantha O’Rourke, Lisa Parry, Kristian Phillips, Mali Ann Rees and Alun Saunders; Tamara Harvey then directs Isla by Tim Price – in a co-production with the Royal Court Theatre; and completing the season is Missing Julie by Kaite O’Reilly freely adapted from Strindberg’s Miss Julie. Named by The Stage as the 2020 Regional Theatre of the Year, Theatr Clwyd is continuing its work of supporting local and emerging artists with an open call for creatives for Missing Julie in partnership with#OpenHire.

Also as part of the new season the Outdoor Stage will return this summer from 10 June to 11 September with a festival of music, comedy, theatre, dance and family shows, with the full programme to be announced shortly.

Tamara Harvey said today, “If the last year has taught us anything, it’s taught us that we don’t know what the future holds. What we do know now, is that whatever happens, we will make theatre at Theatr Clwyd this year. Working with some of the most exciting writers, creatives and actors from across Wales and the wider UK, we are bringing these amazing stories, new and old, to life on our stages. Theatres in Wales are finally, for the first time in 14 months, able to open. So right now, we know we can share this brilliant season with our audiences here in our building. If there’s a moment when that becomes impossible, we’ll find new and different ways of sharing these stories across the miles. But whatever happens, we will make theatre. Because now more than ever, our audiences and our artists need us to bring everyone together to laugh and cry, and celebrate our shared humanity. It’s time.”

All productions will be staged in line with current Welsh government guidelines, with contingencies in place for livestreamed performances and outdoor performance spaces.

For The Grace of You Go I and Curtain Up are on sale from 4 May 2021, with Isla and Missing Julie on sale mid-June.

THEATR EMLYN WILLIAMS

WORLD PREMIÈRE

FOR THE GRACE OF YOU GO I

by Alan Harris

Cast: Remy Beasley, Darren Jeffries, Rhodri Meilir

Directed by James Grieve; Designed by Jacob Hughes; Lighting Design by Katharine Williams

Sound Design by Dominic Kennedy; Video Design by Daniel Denton

12 – 25 June

Jimmy’s writing messages. In pepperoni. On top of pizzas.

Adding meats to “handmade” artisan pizzas, Jim’s life is going nowhere. But after watching the film I Hired A Contract Killer, he’s found a solution – he’ll just put out a hit on himself.

What could possibly go wrong?

A darkly funny, quick-witted, fast-moving new comedy by acclaimed writer Alan Harris (Love, Lies & Taxidermy).

A filmed version of the show will be available later this year.

Alan Harris’ plays include Sugar Baby (Edinburgh Fringe 2017, Soho Theatre 2018), How My Light is Spent (winner of the Judges’ Award at the 2015 Bruntwood Prize, produced by the Royal Exchange, Manchester, Sherman Theatre and Theatre By The Lake), Love, Lies and Taxidermy (Paines Plough, Theatr Clwyd and Sherman Theatre), The Opportunity of Efficiency (New National Theatre Tokyo / National Theatre Wales), A Good Night Out in The Valleys (the inaugural production of the newly formed National Theatre Wales), The Future For Beginners (liveartshow / Wales Millennium Centre), The Magic Toyshop (Invisible Ink / Theatr Iolo), Cardboard Dad (Sherman Cymru), Miss Brown To You (Hijinx Theatre), and Orange (Sgript Cymru).

Remy Beasley plays Irina. Her previous theatre credits include Do Our Best (Edinburgh Festival Fringe), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Growth, Love Lies and Taxidermy, I got Superpowers for my Birthday (Paines Plough), The Insatiable, Silly Kings, Little Dogs, Love Steals Us From Loneliness (National Theatre Wales), Symphony (Lyric Hammersmith, UK tour), and Taming of the Shrew (Shakespeare’s Globe). For television, her credits include The Salisbury Poisinings, Shakespeare and Hathaway, The Tourist Trap, Sick of It, and Stella.

Darren Jeffries plays Mark. His previous theatre credits include The Sensational Emmet Bradshaw and Trevor (Slung Low) This Is Where We Are (HOME Manchester), Dear Nomad (Octagon Theatre), Eight (Oldham Coliseum), My Version of Events (Hope Mill Theatre), Shirley (Square Chapel Arts Centre), and When Both Sides Surrender (53two). For television, his credits include series regular Sam O’Brien in Hollyoaks.

Rhodri Meilir plays Jim. His previous theatre credits include Dwyn I Gof (Theatr Bara Caws), How My Light is Spent (UK tour), The Funfair (HOME Manchester), Bright Phoenix (Everyman Theatre), Mametz, Dau.Un.Un.Dim/Yn Y Tren, Gwlad Yr Addewid/House Of America(National Theatre Wales), and Actorion Yn Dweud Storiau/Actors Telling Stories(Sherman Cymru). For television, his credits include Byw Celwydd, Craith/Hidden, In My Skin, Merched Parchus, Y Gwyll/Hinterland, and Frontier.

James Grieve returns to Theatr Clwyd to direct – he previously directed The Assassination of Katie Hopkins. He was joint Artistic Director of Paines Plough – the UK’s national theatre of new plays – where his credits for the company included Out Of Love, Black Mountain and How To Be A Kid (Roundabout, Theatr Clwyd and Orange Tree), Angry Brigade and Jumpers For Goalposts (Bush Theatre), Hopelessly Devoted (Tricycle Theatre, UK Tour), Wasted (Latitude Festival), Tiny Volcanoes (Liverpool Everyman) You Cannot Go Forward From Where You Are Right Now (Traverse Theatre). Other credits include the forthcoming God’s Dice (Soho Theatre), the award-winning Translations (Sheffield Theatres), The Whisky Taster, Psychogeography (Bush Theatre) and The List (Arcola Theatre).

THEATR EMLYN WILLIAMS

CURTAIN UP

By Meredydd Barker, Matthew Bulgo, Katherine Chandler, Amy Bethan Evans, Ciaran Fitzgerald, Rebecca Jade Hammond, Tracy Harris, Ming Ho, Mari Izzard, Jennifer Lunn, Samantha O’Rourke, Lisa Parry, Kristian Phillips, Mali Ann Rees and Alun Saunders

Directed by Tamara Harvey with associates Francesca Goodridge and Emyr John

16 August – 4 September

30 Actors. 15 writers. 3 weeks. 1 Season

Short plays by Wales’ most exciting writers. Theatre at its most live. Each week five new short plays,

performed as a collection together by 10 actors. The audience decide who plays who and their props and costumes.

THEATR EMLYN WILLIAMS

WORLD PREMIÈRE

MISSING JULIE

by Kaite O’Reilly

Freely adapted from Strindberg’s Miss Julie

16 September – 9 October

Press night: 21 September

Miss Julie, the heiress of a Welsh stately home, finds herself in a world radically changed by The Great War. Robbed of marriage after the carnage in the trenches, she is one of the ‘surplus women’, facing the possibility of a solitary life. In one night of desperate liberation, it seems that the old hierarchies may be over… Will she dare to break all taboos with her servant, John?

Freely adapted from Strindberg’s play about class and social Darwinism, Missing Julie gives the controversial classic a twentieth century twist.

The production’s director is to be recruited as part of the #OpenHire campaign.

Kaite O’Reilly is a playwright, radio dramatist, writer, and dramaturg who works in disability arts and culture and mainstream culture. Her work includes And Suddenly I Disappear: The Singapore/UK ‘d’ Monologues’ (Elliot Hayes Outstanding Achievement in Dramaturgy honouree), Lie With Me, Woman of Flowers, The 9 Fridas, The Echo Chamber, Told by the Wind, peeling, The Almond and the Seahorse (Susan Smith Blackburn Prize finalist), Persians (winner of Ted Hughes Award for New Works in Poetry), I Fall to Pieces, In Praise of Fallen Women, Speaking Stones, Silent Rhythm, Henhouse, Perfect (winner of Manchester Theatre Awards’ Play of the Year), andYard(winner of Peggy Ramsay Award). O’Reilly received two Cultural Olympiad Commissions for In Water I’m Weightless and Leaner Faster Stronger, during the 2012 London Paralympics/Olympics.

THEATR EMLYN WILLIAMS

WORLD PREMIÈRE

Theatr Clwyd and Royal Court Theatre present

ISLA

By Tim Price

Directed by Tamara Harvey

16 October – 6 November

Do algorithms and machine learning set us free, or trap us forever?

Roger hates technology, but when his daughter gives him an Isla device for Lockdown 2020, he finds himself opening up to the virtual assistant device. What happens when the only fulfilling relationship you have is with a digital slave?

Isla asks what are the costs and benefits of machine learning…and do we want the AIs to learn from us?

Tim Price is a Welsh playwright and screenwriter. His plays include For Once, Salt Root and Roe (winner of Best English Language playwright at the Theatre Critics of Wales Award), Demos, The Radicalisation of Bradley Manning (winner of the James Tait Black prize for drama), I’m With the Band, Protest Song and The Internet Is Serious Business. He is associate playwright at the Traverse theatre and co-founder of Welsh new writing company Dirty Protest.

Tamara Harvey has been Artistic Director of Theatr Clwyd since August 2015. Most recently she directed the award-winning What A Carve Up! and The Picture of Dorian Gray (both online), Orpheus Descending (co-production with Menier Chocolate Factory), and the world premières of Pavilion,and Home I’m Darling by Laura Wade – which was nominated for UK Theatre and Evening Standard Awards, as well as five Olivier Awards, winning the Olivier for Best New Comedy. Also for the company she has directedThe Panto That Nearly Never Was!, Much Ado About Nothing, the première of Elinor Cook’s award-winning play, Pilgrims, Skylight by David Hare and the première of Peter Gill’s version of Uncle Vanya (Best Production, Best Supporting Actress and Best Director in the English Language at the Wales Theatre Awards). She has directed in the West End, throughout the UK and abroad, working on classic plays, new writing, musical theatre and in film. Her previous credits include the world premières of From Here to Eternity (Shaftesbury Theatre), Breeders (St James Theatre), The Kitchen Sink, The Contingency Plan, Sixty-Six Books and tHe dYsFUnCKshOnalZ! (Bush Theatre), In the Vale of Health (a cycle of four plays by Simon Gray), Elephants and Hello/Goodbye (Hampstead Theatre), Plague Over England (Finborough Theatre & West End). Other theatre includes Kreutzer vs Kreutzer (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse/Royal Festival Hall), Bash (Trafalgar Studios), Whipping It Up (New Ambassadors), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Gielgud & Garrick Theatres), the UK première of Something Cloudy, Something Clear (Finborough Theatre) and Pride and Prejudice (Sheffield Theatres).

Northern Ballet returns to touring this June

Dangerous Liaisons: 1 – 10 June 2021

Contemporary Cuts 2021: 11 & 12 June 2021

Swan Lake: 17 – 26 June 2021

Northern Ballet plans to return to touring for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Leeds-based company, which has not been able to perform outside of its home city since November 2019, will hold a limited three venue tour to Salford, London and Leeds this June.

The Company will open its tour with a revival of David Nixon OBE’s Dangerous Liaisons with performances at The Lowry, Salford from 1 – 5 June 2021, followed by performances at Sadler’s Wells, London from 8 – 10 June 2021. Inspired by the original scandalous novel and acclaimed Hollywood retellings, danced to Vivaldi’s rousing The Four Seasons, Dangerous Liaisons is the bodice-ripping tale of two bored aristocrats as they spin a web of heartbreak and ruin.

.Also at Sadler’s Wells, from 11 – 12 June 2021 Northern Ballet will perform Contemporary Cuts 2021, a mixed programme of contemporary and modern ballet works including the London première of Kenneth Tindall’s States of Mind and Amaury Lebrun’s For an Instant as well as Demis Volpi’s Little Monsters and excerpts from Jonathan Watkins’ 1984 and Cathy Marston’s Jane Eyre.

Closing the season, Northern Ballet will return home to Leeds Grand Theatre for performances of David Nixon OBE’s Swan Lake, a unique adaptation of the traditional tale where, haunted by a childhood tragedy resulting in the death of his beloved brother, Anthony looks to the water for answers – in whatever form they take.

David Nixon OBE, Artistic Director of Northern Ballet, said: “We are thrilled to be able to announce this return to touring. As the pandemic has continued, so has our hunger to perform live and although this is only a short tour, I truly hope that these first steps are the beginning of a return to normality. We cannot wait to see our audiences in person and hope that this tour will open the doors to more performances, more venues and full audiences in the near future.”

Dangerous Liaisons and Swan Lake will feature live music played by Northern Ballet Sinfonia. Contemporary Cuts 2021 will be performed to recorded music apart from live piano for the Jane Eyre excerpt. Dangerous Liaisons and Contemporary Cuts 2021 performances will be performed in full costume but ‘black box style’ without sets. Audiences will be socially distanced.

For full details of all performances plus booking information visit northernballet.com/whats-on

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AT KEEPMOAT AMPHITHEATRE DONCASTER MAKES A GLORIOUS RETURN THIS SUMMER FROM 19 – 22 AUGUST.

A spectacular new outdoor concert series – Lakeside Live – promises to rock audiences’ socks off with Queen Symphonic, the Great Yorkshire Proms and an evening of West End stars. Tickets are now live for Lakeside Live – a four-day series of concerts featuring musical theatre legends, orchestral icons, the UK’s number one rock & roll touring show and symphonic spectacular, with two spellbinding firework finales.

Opening the series on Thursday 19 August 2021 is That’ll Be The Day. The best rock & roll show on the road takes audiences on a nostalgic rollercoaster ride of hits from the ‘50s, fab ‘60s, glam ‘70s and into the ‘80s. Get ready to be relentlessly entertained with high-energy performances.

Queen Symphonic will stun audiences on Friday 20 August. Celebrating the hits of Queen, blending rock with symphonic arrangements, Queen Symphonic features exceptional vocalists, a world-class rock band and the fantastic Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra. Experience the unforgettable magic of Queen with hits such as Crazy Little Thing Called Love, We Will Rock You, Don’t Stop Me Now and Bohemian Rhapsody.

The Great Yorkshire Proms hosted by Aled Jones MBE takes place on Saturday 21 August, featuring an unmissable line-up of classical talent. Special guests include West End star Sophie Evans, soprano supreme Peyee Chen and the Rat Pack of Opera -Tenors Unlimited. The stars will be accompanied by The Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra, a 50-piece orchestra specifically created to support professional Yorkshire-based freelance musicians who have been hit hard by the pandemic.

The Lakeside Live series will end on Sunday 22 August with An Evening at the Musicals. Performing the world’s greatest show tunes, the night features the stars of Les Misérables– The Barricade Boys. They’ll be joined by West End stars Kerry Ellis, Jai McDowall and Trevor Dion Nicholas. No show tune spectacular would be complete without the West End Live Band, who’ll be accompanying the star vocalists.

Queen Symphonic on Friday 20 and The Great Yorkshire Proms on Saturday 21 will both end with a firework finale, wowing guests with a stunning display to celebrate the return of live entertainment.

Guests are invited to bring their own refreshments, chairs and blankets to enjoy a magical evening with the stars, under the stars, at the Keepmoat Amphitheatre.

Ben Crick, conductor for Vivo Entertainment and the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra, says: “Both entertainers and audiences have been without live music for too long and we can’t wait to be reunited. Having the opportunity to bring together freelance musicians as part of the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra is a dream, and it’s been clear from the start how passionate every single performer involved in Lakeside Live is. Join us for what’s sure to be a mesmerising four days of musical moments!”

The event has been created and designed to ensure potential government restrictions, including social distancing and household bubbles, can be adhered to if required. Additional safety measures such as on-site hand sanitising stations and queuing systems will also be in place.

Profits from the event are helping to support Doncaster Rovers Football Club, after what has been a difficult year financially for football clubs.

Ticket prices begin at £35. For more information and to buy tickets go to: www.vivolive.co.uk/doncaster [vivolive.co.uk]

EVENT LISTINGS:

● Thursday 19th August: That’ll Be The Day Rock & Roll Show

● Friday 20th August: Queen Symphonic with the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra

● Saturday 21st August: The Great Yorkshire Proms hosted by Aled Jones MBE and featuring Sophie Evans, Peyee Chen, Tenors Unlimited and The Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra

● Sunday 22nd August: An Evening at the Musicals with the Barricade Boys, Kerry Ellis, Jai McDowall and Trevor Dion Nicholas accompanied by the West End Live Band

Picnic Proms Summer Concert Series at Harewood House

Alfie Boe, Sir Willard White, Aled Jones, Tenors Unlimited and Queen Symphonic will headline three spectacular concerts at Harewood House this September.

After a long year of lockdowns, stars of the West End, Broadway, and international music arenas will gather for a rousing, spine-tingling extravaganza in the magnificent grounds.

Picnic Proms Summer Concert Series is a three day series of concerts featuring musical theatre legends, orchestral icons, a symphonic spectacular and spellbinding silent firework displays.

Alfie Boe will open the series of concerts on Friday 3rd September 2021.

Ever since he exploded onto the music scene nearly 20 years ago, Alfie Boe, a veteran of the London stage and Broadway, has racked up one extraordinary achievement after another. He has two UK Number 1 albums to his credit and has sold more than one million albums in the UK. Having performed in some of the world’s greatest venues, he has the rare ability to bring together all sorts of music lovers.

Not many artists can lay claim to having appeared in the West End theatre, Broadway with lead roles in Les Miserables, La Boheme (which earned him a Tony award) and the spectacular orchestral classic rock album Quadrophenia. He is a singer who transcends categories. “When I look at the crowd at my concerts,” he says, “I can see I’ve got Who fans, musical theatre fans and jazz fans as well.” Most recently having starred as Jean Valjean in the ‘All Star’ concert of Les Miserables, Alfie will be performing some of his favourite songs and West End hits with special guests and fellow West End and Broadway stars; Louise Dearman and Rachel Tucker who will open the show.

On Saturday 4th September 2021, The Great Yorkshire Proms will feature another stellar line-up of classical talent. Hosted by singer and presenter Aled Jones MBE, special guests include Sir Willard White, Sophie Evans, Peyee Chen and Tenors Unlimited, also known as the Rat Pack of Opera. They will be accompanied by The Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra, a professional orchestra specifically created to support freelance musicians from Yorkshire, who have been hit hardest by the pandemic.

The final night on Sunday 5th September will see international rock band Queen Symphonic wow audiences with performances of Queen’s greatest hits. The unique sound blends symphonic arrangements with classic Queen songs. Queen Symphonic features exceptional vocalists, a world class rock band and the incredible 50-piece Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra. Expect to hear unforgettable tunes such as Crazy Little Thing Called Love, We Will Rock You, Don’t Stop Me Now and of course Bohemian Rhapsody.

Saturday and Sunday’s performance will end with a live firework finale, uniquely silent to ensure minimal disturbance to Harewood House’s gorgeous wildlife. The shows will take place in the grounds of Harewood House, taking full advantage of the picturesque surroundings. Event

guests are invited to bring their own food, drink, chairs and blankets, enjoying a full Picnic Proms experience in the heart of Harewood.

Ben Crick, conductor for Vivo Entertainment and the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra, says: “We’re sure event-goers can’t wait to enjoy live music once again and it’s our pleasure to present this spectacular series of outdoor events. Harewood House is the perfect setting for such prestigious artists and legendary musicians to showcase their talents. We’re sure Picnic Proms Summer Concert Series will be a truly magnificent series of events for everyone involved, including our wonderful audiences.”

The event has been created and designed to ensure potential government restrictions, including social distancing and household bubbles, can be adhered to if required. Additional safety measures such as on-site hand sanitising stations and queuing systems will also be in place.

Ticket prices begin at £35 and will go on sale on Friday 16th April at 9am. For more information and to buy tickets please visit www.vivolive.co.uk [vivolive.co.uk]

Event listings:

Picnic Proms Summer Concert Series at Harewood House

• Friday 3rd September: Alfie Boe with special guests Louise Dearman and Rachel Tucker

• Saturday 4th September: The Great Yorkshire Proms hosted by Aled Jones and featuring The Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra, Sir Willard White, Sophie Evans and Tenors Unlimited

• Sunday 5th September: Queen Symphonic with the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra

THE ONE JOLLY HOLIDAY YOU CAN COUNT ON THIS SUMMER

DISNEY AND CAMERON MACKINTOSH’S

SUPERCALIFRAGILISTIC

M A R Y   P O P P I N S

FLIES BACK INTO THE PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE ON 7 AUGUST 2021

Cameron Mackintosh and Disney are delighted to announce that their Olivier award-winning production of Mary Poppins, ‘practically perfect in every way’, will resume performances at the Prince Edward Theatre from 7 August 2021.  After over a year of shutdown, the company led by the critically acclaimed stars of the show Zizi Strallen as ‘Mary Poppins’ and Charlie Stemp as ‘Bert’ will begin rehearsals shortly in advance of their return.  Tickets are now on sale.

Cameron Mackintosh said: “The last year has been unbelievably hard for everyone but particularly so for the Theatre profession. I have been moved and inspired by the resilience and camaraderie of so many practitioners from all aspects of our industry who have taken on any job so that they and their families could survive. I am therefore thrilled to announce that the world’s most beloved Nanny is now able to return to give us a Supercalifragilistic time from 7August – now that the Prime Minister has told us that we are on track to reopen “cautiously but irreversibly” this summer. Even if foreign travel is still a big question mark, Mary Poppins is the one Jolly Holiday you can book with certainty this summer! A huge welcome back to the theatre to my wonderful artists and our brilliantly supportive audiences.”

Thomas Schumacher, President and Producer Disney Theatrical Productions, said: “Theatre is a foundational human need that has roared back following every interruption for thousands of years.  My friend Cameron Mackintosh and I believe that has never been truer than now.  And that there is no better re-entry to theatre than Mary Poppins, a tale about the healing power of enchantment and a family made whole.  What better time than now to spend an evening at 17 Cherry Tree Lane?”

The magical story of the world’s favourite Nanny arriving on Cherry Tree Lane has been triumphantly and spectacularly brought to the stage with dazzling choreography, incredible effects and unforgettable songs. The stage version of Mary Poppins, brilliantly adapted from the wonderful stories by PL Travers and the original beloved Walt Disney film, continues to be a smash hit around the world since its opening in London 16 years ago.

Mary Poppins was the winner of Best Musical Revival at the 2020 Whatsonstage Awards and Best Set Design and Best Theatre Choreographer awards at the 2020 Olivier Awards.

Based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the original Walt Disney film, the cast is led by Zizi Strallen in the title role and Charlie Stemp as Bert.  Full casting will be announced soon.

The original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman include the classic songs Jolly Holiday, Step in Time, Feed the Birds and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.  New songs and additional music are by the Olivier award-winning British team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.  Book is by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter and Downton Abbey creator, Julian Fellowes and this production is co-created by Cameron Mackintosh.  The producer for Disney Theatrical Productions is Thomas Schumacher.

This production of Mary Poppins has orchestrations by William David Brohn with dance and vocal arrangements by George Stiles. It has a new sound design by Paul Gatehouse and new lighting by Hugh Vanstone and Natasha Katz. Co-choreography is by Stephen Mear. The reimagined set and costume designs are by Bob Crowley. Co-direction and choreography is by Matthew Bourne and direction by Richard Eyre.

Obtaining Government backed contingency insurance to protect against further unscheduled closures remains a priority.  All plans for the re-opening of Mary Poppins are in accordance with the Government’s latest directives and therefore subject to change. 

LISTINGS INFORMATION 

Theatre:                             Prince Edward Theatre, Old Compton St, Soho, London W1D 4HS

Dates:                                Now booking to 13 February 2022

Prices:                                Tickets from £20, no booking fee applies

Reduced ticket prices for family performances, check website for details

Box Office:                          0844 482 5151

Website:                             marypoppinsonstage.co.uk

Social Media:                      facebook.com/marypoppins

twitter.com/marypoppins

instagram.com/marypoppinsmusical

marypoppinsonstage.co.uk

#MaryPoppins

HAVE DINNER WITH BRIAN BLESSED O.B.E THIS SUMMER

Irrepressible actor and explorer to share incredible tales of his life and adventures in a one-of-a-kind exclusive event.

North West audiences are being given a rare opportunity to spend An Intimate Evening With Brian Blessed this summer.

The larger-than-life actor, writer, presenter, raconteur and force of nature will visit The Bowdon Rooms in Altrincham for the unique event on Saturday, September 4.

The unmissable ‘evening with’ includes, guests enjoying a star-studded red-carpet entrance, Champagne reception while enjoying world class live entertainment and unique Art installations showcasing Brian Blessed’s illustrious career on stage and screen.

There will also be the opportunity to take part in a question-and-answer session and what makes this event truly spectacular is that each guest will get the opportunity to meet the legend himself and have a professional souvenir photograph to commemorate your evening.

Brian Blessed was born in Yorkshire in 1936, the son of a coal hewer, and grew up in the mining village of Goldthorpe.

He worked as a plasterer before studying at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and began his acting career in panto at the age of 21, playing a robber in Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. Peter O’Toole was the dame.

Since then, the 84-year-old has forged a stellar stage and screen career from an early breakthrough performance in seminal 60s’ TV series Z Cars and I, Claudius in the 1970s to Flash Gordon, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Blackadder, Doctor Who and even Peppa Pig.

On stage he created the role of Old Deuteronomy in the original cast of Cats and was a member of the company at the RSC where his roles included Exeter in Henry V, Claudius in Hamlet and Hastings in Richard III.

His working relationship with Sir Kenneth Branagh meanwhile embraces four films and goes back more than 30 years to when he was cast in the 1989 screen version of Henry V.

Away from acting, he is also an intrepid explorer who has scaled Everest without oxygen – coming within 1,000ft of the summit, survived a plane crash in the jungle in Venezuela, has completed hundreds of hours of training at Space City in Russia, and in 1999 became the oldest man to trek to the Magnetic North Pole on foot.

In 2016 he was awarded an OBE for his services to the arts and to charity.

Edward Prophet, who runs The Bowdon Rooms with brother Anthony, says: “Brian Blessed is a monumental figure in the world of acting, a truly intrepid and inspirational explorer, a big-hearted supporter of charity and hugely eloquent and entertaining company.

“It’s a real privilege to have him come to The Bowdon Rooms to share stories of his life and adventures; it should be a truly memorable evening.”

For the latest news and updates visit www.thebowdonrooms.co.uk

FOLLOW THE BOWDON ROOMS

Website:                                 www.thebowdonrooms.co.uk

Facebook:                               www.facebook.com/thebowdonrooms

Twitter:                                   www.twitter.com/TheBowdonRooms

Instagram:                              www.instagram.com/thebowdonrooms

VENUE INFORMATION

THE BOWDON ROOMS

The Firs, Bowdon

Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 2TQ

www.thebowdonrooms.co.uk
0161 926 8992

BOX OFFICE

www.bowdontickets.co.uk

0345 208 1836 

LISTINGS

AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH BRIAN BLESSED

Date: September 4

Time: 6pm

Tickets: £128.25

SLEEPING BEAUTY TO BRING HALF-TERM MAGIC TO LIVERPOOL

Gareth Gates stars in Shone Productions’ sparkling new pantomime at the Auditorium at M&S Bank Arena

Panto magic comes to the Liverpool waterfront next month when Shone Productions’ enchanting Sleeping Beauty opens at The Auditorium at the M&S Bank Arena.

Singing Sensation Gareth Gates stars as the handsome prince in Sleeping Beauty – The Pantomime of Your Dreams which runs from Saturday 29 May until Saturday 5 June 2021. He is joined by Peppa Pig’s Emma Grace Arends as the Princess, while the cast also includes comedy favourite Bippo.

When the Evil Carabosse curses Princess Beauty to die on her 21^st birthday, Beauty’s Fairy ensures she only falls into a deep sleep which can be broken with a kiss from her one true love.

A handsome prince must come to her rescue and save the day.

The sparkling show also features a live band, beautiful scenery and costumes, amazing special effects, and lots and lots of laughs.

Gareth Gates shot to fame at the age of 16 when he was runner up in the first series of ITV talent show Pop Idol in 2002. He went on to have three consecutive number one hits – the third a duet with Pop Idol winner Will Young – and has sold more than three-and-a-half million records in the UK alone.

In 2009 he took on the leading role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and his musical theatre career has also included Marius in the 25^th anniversary world tour of Les Mis, Warner Huntington III in Legally Blonde and Willard in Footloose.

His panto credits include Jack and the Beanstalk, Aladdin and Robin Hood, and several seasons as the Prince in Cinderella at venues including the New Wimbledon Theatre, Manchester Opera House and Nottingham Theatre Royal.

Gareth Gates says: “It’s always a pleasure to perform for Liverpool audiences – people in the city really appreciate live theatre and they know how to have a good time.

“The last 12 months have been very difficult for everyone in the entertainment business, performers and audiences alike. I know I can’t wait to get back on stage, and I can promise this brilliant new production of Sleeping Beauty will be a real treat for all the family.”

Emma Grace Arends has enjoyed a career in film, television and theatre both here and in America and Australia.

She has appeared as Daisy in Peppa Pig: My First Cinema Experience, alongside David Mitchell and Jo Brand, and on stage in Peppa Pig’s Big Splash and Peppa Pig’s Surprise, while her previous panto roles include Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast.

Meanwhile Bippo the Clown has been a favourite on stage and screen for 20 years. His panto credits at the Auditorium include Silly Billy in Jack and the Beanstalk, Muddles in Snow White and Smee in Peter Pan.

Producer James Shone says: “We all deserve some fun and laughter in our lives, and what better way to celebrate the easing of Covid restrictions than with a magical panto?

“The Auditorium is a fantastic venue and I know that our audiences are going to have a happy half-term as they cheer on the handsome prince and plucky princess and boo the baddie Carabosse.”

The pantomime will be staged in a Covid-safe space which includes reduced seating capacity to allow social distancing, a one-way system around the venue, hand sanitiser stations and deep cleaning between each performance. The venue also has a ‘Book With Confidence’ policy in place, in the event of any changes to government guidance or local measures, full refunds will be given.

LISTING INFORMATION

SLEEPING BEAUTY

Saturday 29 May: 3pm and 7pm

Sunday 30 May: 1pm and 5pm

Monday 31 May: 3pm and 7pm

Tuesday 1 June: 3pm and 7pm

Wednesday 2 June: 3pm and 7pm

Thursday 3 June: 3pm and 7pm

Friday 4 June: 3pm and 7pm

Saturday 5 June: 11am

Tickets

Silver Performances: £18-£19

Gold Performances: £25-£26

VENUE DETAILS

The Auditorium

M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool, L3 4FP

Booking website: www.mandsbankarena.com/

• DAVID BRADLEY AND JOHN BARROWMAN WILL FEATURE IN PRE-RECORDED CAMEOS FOR DOCTOR WHO TIME FRACTURE
• FIRST GLIMPSE OF THE SET REVEALED TODAY
• LOTTERY FOR SPECIAL PREVIEW FOR CARE WORKERS IS NOW LIVE

Following last week’s cast announcement, more details are today revealed about the immersive theatrical adventure Doctor Who Time Fracture.

David Bradley and John Barrowman, both well loved by fans of the Doctor Who TV series, are reprising their roles as William Hartnell’s First Doctor and Captain Jack Harkness respectively in pre-recorded cameo appearances for the immersive show and both have expressed their delight at having been approached to be involved.

David Bradley said: ‘This is going to be something really special. Anyone who sees the show who is not a Doctor Who fan when they go in, surely will be when they come out! It’s going to be an amazing experience.’

John Barrowman said ‘I wanted to get involved not only because I love storytelling and I love Captain Jack the character, but also because this introduces Jack to the next generation of Doctor Who fans. If you’re coming to this – why not dress up as your favourite character? it’s going to be like Comic Con but with a storyline! Create your character, get in there and enjoy the journey.’

The production, featuring a cast of over 40 live performers, began rehearsals on site last week, and the set is undergoing finishing touches ahead of ‘UNIT HQ’ opening its doors to audiences on 26 May.

Brian Hook, Producer said: ’We have made the most of every month that the last year’s delays have brought to the show, and in doing so we believe we have forged a one-of-a-kind diamond of a production. Throughout this year there have been many difficult decisions, many leaps of faith and times when cool heads and kindness became the most incredible creative currency. To be in rehearsals is a genuine joy.

We hope that what we have created here is not just a great theatrical spectacle but a beacon of hope for the creative industries – and a physical manifestation of everything that makes Doctor Who special to generations of fans.’ 

It has been so satisfying, after such a prolonged gestation period, to get rehearsals underway with our fantastic company and we can’t wait to share the experience with live audiences very soon.’

Much of the show is being kept under wraps so as not to spoil surprises that await audiences, but today sees the reveal of a glimpse into the world of Doctor Who Time Fracture with an image of one of the 17 environments that have been created for the show.

Rebecca Brower, Designer said ‘It is incredible to see my designs come to life in such an impressive and detailed way. We’ve been working whenever possible over the past 12 months off site to get everything right, and the build on site has been completely invigorating to be involved in first hand.’

Also live from this week is the lottery for a special performance for key workers. In recognition of their work throughout the pandemic, the Producers of Doctor Who Time Fracture are making free tickets available to frontline healthcare, services and NHS staff for a performance on 23 May 2021. Lottery winners will be drawn on 17 May.

From the team behind The Great Gatsby, the UK’s longest running immersive show, Doctor Who: Time Fracture will preview from 26 May with tickets still available to buy now.