The Theatre Support Fund+ are delighted to announce that, due to phenomenal public demand, the final performance of the sold-out run of THE SHOW MUST GO ON! LIVE AT THE PALACE THEATRE will now be streamed as a LIVE broadcast on Sunday 6 June at 7pm.
Theatre fans will be given further opportunity to enjoy the show in its entirety as it is made available to watch on ‘The Shows Must Go On!’ YouTube channel for the seven days following the LIVE broadcast.
Filmed by National Theatre Live, the world’s most iconic musicals return to the West End stage with a stunning concert performance that audiences can watch from the comfort of their homes for free; exclusively via the hugely popular ‘The Shows Must Go On!’ YouTube channel: youtube.com/theshowsmustgoon.
THE SHOW MUST GO ON LIVE AT THE PALACE THEATRE is set to be the biggest celebration of musical theatre this year with 18 of the biggest musicals in London West End all performing! Including TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL, Dear Evan Hansen, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, SIX, Hamilton, The Book of Mormon, WICKED, Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical, & Juliet, Les Misérables, Disney’s The Lion King, The Prince of Egypt, Come From Away, The Phantom Of The Opera, Mary Poppins,MAMMA MIA!, Back to the Future The Musical and Pretty Woman The Musical along with a thrilling line-up of West End talent, a multi award winning creative team and the finest musicians in London.
The LIVE broadcast is announced after a record breaking on-sale and follows an incredible year for The Theatre Support fund+, raising over £900,000 for theatre charities from their renowned ’The Show Must Go On!’ merchandise. All profits from the concert will go to Acting for Others and Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s charity, Fleabag Support Fund. Audiences watching the broadcast can donate to Theatre Support Fund+ via the website, www.theatresupportfund.co.uk/donate or Text ‘THEATRE’ followed by the amount you want to donate to 70460.
Chris Marcus and Damien Stanton from Theatre Support Fund+ said today, ‘We wanted to give audiences who missed out on tickets and theatre fans worldwide the opportunity to watch and be a part of this celebration of the West End, in this once in a lifetime concert! It’s been 15 months since many of these shows have performed and this is a great way to kick off the re-opening of the West End, with performances from so many fantastic names in our industry. Our ‘The Show Must Go On!’ campaign has been supported by people from 72 countries sowe are delighted to be working with ‘The Shows Must Go On’ YouTube channel and NT Live on bringing this broadcast to people’s homes all over the world and want to thank them for everything they have done to make this all possible’.
The concert will be hosted by musical theatre legends, Bonnie Langford (“9 to 5 the Musical”, “42nd Street”) and Trevor Dion Nicholas (“Hamilton”, “Aladdin”). Performances and casting include:
Aisha Jawando in a performance from TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL, Marcus Harman in a performance from Dear Evan Hansen, Sharan Phull in a performance from Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Collette Guitartand Hana Stewart who will alternate in a performancefrom SIX, Trevor Dion Nicholas in a performance from Hamilton, Dom Simpson and Tom Xander in a performance from The Book of Mormon, Laura Pick in a performance from WICKED, Tilly-Raye Bayer, Imogen Cole, Alyssa D’Souza, Alex Munden and Carly Thoms in a performance from the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical, Jordan Luke Gage in a performance from & Juliet, John Owen Jones in a performance from Les Misérables, Kayi Ushe and Janique Charles in a performance from Disney’s The Lion King, Christine Allado and Alexia Khadime in a performance from The Prince of Egypt, Alice Fearn in a performance from Come From Away, Lucy St Louis and Rhys Whitfield in a performance from The Phantom Of The Opera, Zizi Strallen in a performance from Mary Poppins and Mazz Murray in a performance from MAMMA MIA! In addition, Olly Dobson in a performance from Back to the Future The Musical and Aimie Atkinson in a performance from Pretty Woman The Musical. There will also be a choir of 16 which is made up of Musical Theatre 2020 graduates.
The concert will also include a brand-new opening number, written by West End musical writing duo Stiles & Drewe called ‘The Show Must Go On!’ which celebrates the theatre industry in these current times.
The multi-award winning creative team includes: Luke Sheppard and Anna Fox, who will direct the concert, Stephen Brooker as musical supervisor, set design by Soutra Gilmour, lighting design by Howard Hudson. Sound design by Adam Fisher, video design by Fray Studio and Stuart Morley as musical director.
THE SHOW MUST GO ON! LIVE AT THE PALACE THEATRE is produced by Chris Marcus & Damien Stanton for the Theatre Support Fund+ with Executive Producers, Jack Maple & Brian Zeilinger-Goode for MZG Theatre Productions.
Love is a drag for Velma Celli at York Theatre Royal
LOVE is the drag for cabaret star Velma Celli at York Theatre Royal on May 29 as part of TheLove Season to mark the spring reawakening. York’s drag diva deluxe, the creation of musical actor Ian Stroughair, will be performing one of Velma’s regular shows, re-titled Love Is Love: A Brief Of History Of Drag.
“I last performed at the Theatre Royal in Kes, when I was 14, exactly 24 years ago, and sadly I’ve never been back,” says Ian. “I’ve tried to do shows there but it’s never happened, so it’s great to be back now. I love what Tom [chief executive Tom Bird] is doing there.”
Ian has taken A Brief History Of Drag to New York and Australia and on a British tour, as well as staging performances in London and York. “I’ve been doing it for four years now on and off, and I’m so glad the Theatre Royal wants the show,” he says.
“I wrote it when I was stuck in Africa for a few weeks. I thought, ‘let’s write a show’ and it ended up being about how I got into drag and a celebration of the impact of drag in theatre, music, film and popular culture.”
Ian was last seen on a York stage in December as the villainous Fleshius Creepius in York Stage’s debut pantomime Jack And The Beanstalk at Theatre @41, Monkgate.
Velma Celli’s regular York residency has moved to Impossible in York, Tokyo Industries’ new tea-room, cocktail bar, restaurant and speakeasy enterprise in the old Terry’s café in St Helen’s Café, latterly home to Carluccio’s restaurant. That will not be Velma Celli’s only gig in the first-floor Impossible Wonderbar. He is planning the first Drag Brunch, with Velma, surprise guest drag queens, bottomless cocktails and brunch.
Ian first moved back to York from London for Lockdown 1 when the pandemic sent him home from a Velma Celli Australian tour. He has now settled back in his home city permanently, travelling to London for three days a week when necessary.
Streamed concerts, first from a Bishopthorpe kitchen and latterly from a riverside abode by the Ouse Bridge, have kept Velma Celli’s voice in spectacular working order, sometimes accompanied by soul-singing York hairdresser Jessica Steel.
West End star Ian has appeared in such musicals as Cats, Fame, Chicago and Rent – not forgetting a sassy cameo for Velma Celli on BBC1’s EastEnders – but had to forego a long run in Funny Girls in Blackpool last year because of Covid.
Love Is Love: A Brief History of Drag is at York Theatre Royal on May 29. Box office 01904 623568 or yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
Animal Farm at the Royal & Derngate. A new adaptation by Tatty Hennessy directed by Ed Stambollouian and performed by the 2020 National Youth Theatre Rep Company.
George Orwell’s 1945 story of Animal Farm is one familiar to many, I consumed the story from a battered copy in an English GCSE lesson but this revival felt like witnessing the horror and the magic of the story for the first time all over again.
The animals of the seemingly idyllic Manor Farm have reached the end of their tether, they have reached the limit of the mistreatment they can endure. Joining forces, they rise and conquer – overthrowing their two-legged ruler and vouching for a new future of unity and fairness. This proposed equality soon begins to wear, with some much aware of their demise than others. The future of peace and prosperity soon gives way to a life of tyranny, bloodshed and a hierarchy of power – framed as a better life for all.
Adapted by political playwright Tatty Hennessy this script took on a new life, the core heart of the story intact but approached with the grit, passion and perspective of our current political and societal climate. For this production to emerge after a year of theatre in the dark felt truly magical and scarily relevant but with the scope to interpret the inequality and frustration with your own perspectives of societies structures. The dystopian-esque set and costume by Jasmine Swan aided this sense of time and place ambiguity while still giving us subtle nods to the original historical communism context. I was grateful to not see curly tails and snouts too, the costume design providing playful and visually pleasing indicators of species. The colour palette and design of the performance as a whole was a visual feast.
The 16 strong cast brought such electrifying energy and heart to the motley crew of creatures. Embodying the characters with the perfect combination of animalistic realism while keeping those traits authentic to human experience. Particular mention needs to be made to Connor Crawford’s deliciously terrifying Farmer Jones which will no doubt be keeping me awake at night for some time. The movement and physical sequences (Choreography by Vicki Igbokwe and Fight Direction by Enric Ortuño) carried such contrasting power and playfulness, you could just feel the fire and unity of the cast throughout.
I ,for one, am incredibly grateful that I was introduced back into theatre with this powerhouse of a piece, the future of theatre is in safe hands with this cast of incredible creatives. Gritty, dynamic, hilarious and for a play about animals – a bucket load of humanity.
Animal Farm is on at The Royal and Derngate until the 22nd of May followed by the company’s performance of Othello from the 25th-29th of May. The two productions will continue their run to The Workshop Theatre, Soulton Hall and Bolsover Castle. I also just want to take a moment to thank the team at Royal and Derngate for their warm and safe welcoming back to the theatre.
The hit production of TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL will re-open at the Aldwych Theatre on 28 July 2021 following over a year of shutdown across the West End with a cast led by Aisha Jawando and Jammy Kasongo as Tina and Ike.
TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL which is based on the life of legendary artist Tina Turner and produced in association with Tina Turner herself, has tickets available at all prices and is currently booking to 26 June 2022, including new Sunday performances. The critically acclaimed production received its world premiere in April 2018 in London and subsequently broke all Box Office records at the Aldwych Theatre. Further casting will be announced shortly.
Tina Turner said: “Music has had the power to pull me out of my darkest moments and rejoice during my happiest. To announce the re-opening of our West End show, where my musical had its premiere, means so much to me. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Tina family and our fans from around the world for their continued love and support during these unprecedented times. Let my story be a celebration, a reminder of our resilience and our ability to overcome hardship together.”
Tali Pelman, Producer said: “I am delighted to announce the reopening of TINA at the Aldwych Theatre, a moment we and our TINA company have long waited for. TINA is the essential story of our time, and its messages of perseverance and empowerment are themes we share not only onstage, but in our commitment to our company, audiences, and the theatre industry of the UK.”
Having originally played Tina’s sister Alline Bullock, Aisha Jawando who has been with the company since its world premiere in Spring 2018, will continue in the title role. JammyKasongo, who also was a member of original company and then played the roles of Richard and Raymond, steps up to play the role of Ike. Joining them and making her West End debut is Chanel Haynes as the alternate Tina who will perform the iconic role of Tina at certain performances.
This new musical reveals a comeback story like no other, of a woman who dared to defy the bounds of racism, sexism and ageism to become the global Queen of Rock n’ Roll. TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is a celebration of resilience and an inspiration of triumph over adversity.
Aisha Jawando’s London theatre credits include the title role in Cinderella at the Hackney Empire, The Life at Southwark Playhouse, Martha Reeves in the original London cast of Motown The Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical at the Aldwych Theatre, The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Fela at the National Theatre, The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre and Soul Sister at the Savoy Theatre.
Jammy Kasongo’sother theatre credits include Grand Hotel at the Southwark Playhouse, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical at the Aldwych Theatre and Hair at The Vaults.
Chanel Haynes, who will make her London stage debut as the alternate Tina,was discovered by Quincy Jones while she was still a teenager and went on to become an original member and lead singer of the New Orleans-based group Trin-i-tee 5:7 selling over 2.5million albums worldwide and earning two Grammy nominations. At the 2008 Grammy Awards, she was part of the line-up with her band Trin-i-tee 5:7, which also included performances from Tina Turner, Beyoncé and Aretha Franklin. She made her musical theatre debut in 2014 at the Zach Theatre in Austin, Texas, where, in 2018, she won the B. Iden Payne Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her role as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill.
Directed by Phyllida Lloyd and written by Katori Hall with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is choreographed by Anthony van Laast, with set and costume designs by Mark Thompson, musical supervision by Nicholas Skilbeck, lighting by Bruno Poet,sound by Nevin Steinberg, projection design by Jeff Sugg and orchestrations by Ethan Popp.
TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is produced in the West End by Stage Entertainment, Joop van den Ende and Tali Pelman, in association with Tina Turner.
In November 2019 the Broadway production opened at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre where is recommences performances on 8 October 2021. In March 2019, the German production opened at Stage Operettenhaus in Hamburg, and the Dutch production opened at the Beatrix Theater, Utrecht, in February 2020. A third European production is due to open at the Teatro Coliseum in Madrid, Spain in Autumn 2021.
Earlier this month Tina Turner was inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Previously in 1991 she was inducted as a duo alongside Ike Turner.
The feature documentary TINA is now available to stream on Sky and Now TV. A revealing and intimate look at the life and career of musical icon Tina Turner, TINA charts her improbable rise to early fame, her personal and professional struggles throughout her life and her even more improbable resurgence as a global phenomenon in the 1980s. The feature documentary is from Academy Award-winning directors Dan Lindsay, T.J. Martin and Lightbox, the production company founded by Academy Award-winning producer Simon Chinn and Emmy-winning producer Jonathan Chinn, together with Emmy-nominated producer Diane Becker.
Obtaining Government backed contingency insurance to protect against further unscheduled closures remains a priority. All plans for the re-opening are in accordance with the Government’s latest directives and therefore subject to change.
Freckle Productions and Rose Theatre, Kingston present
ZOG
Based on the book by Julia Donaldson
with illustrations by Axel Scheffler
Flying into theatres across the UK this Summer
for a 10-week tour
Opening at The Lowry, Salford on Saturday 3 July
Zog is roaring back to the stage this Summer! Based on the bestselling book by Julia Donaldson with illustrations by Axel Scheffler, the smash-hit stage adaptation from Freckle Productions is flying across the UK on a 10-week tour, opening at The Lowry, Salford on Saturday 3 July.
Large in size, and keen in nature, Zog is so eager to win a golden star at Madam Dragon’s school, where dragons learn all the things that dragons need to know. Zog tries so very hard, perhaps too hard, and he bumps, burns and roars his way through years one, two and three. Luckily, the plucky Princess Pearl patches him up ready to face his biggest challenge yet…a duel with knight, Sir Gadabout the Great!
Zog is one of the best-loved creations of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, the UK’s number one picture book pair behind many modern classics, including The Gruffalo which has been published in 75 languages. Together their books have sold over 75 million copies.
First published in 2010, Zog won the Galaxy National Children’s Book of the Year Award. It has since sold over 1 million copies and has been published in 19 languages. On Christmas Day 2018, Magic Light Pictures premiered an animated film of Zog on BBC One featuring an all-star cast including Sir Lenny Henry and Rob Brydon.
Zog is adapted for the stage by Freckle Productions, who are pioneers in imaginative storytelling for children. They are best known for their adaptations of classic Julia Donaldson titles including Stick Man, which this year celebrates its 10th season in the West End, and Tiddler and other Terrific Tales.
The 2021 cast features Billy Mahoney as Zog, Lois Glenister as Princess Pearl, Benedict Hastings as Sir Gadabout, Asha Cornelia Cluer as Madam Dragon and Danielle Whittaker in various roles. The cast of actor-puppeteers bring the world of Zog to life with handcrafted puppets designed and created by Little Angel Theatre co-founder Lyndie Wright.
Zog is directed by Emma Kilbey with songs by Joe Stilgoe. It is designed by Katie Sykes with lighting design by Ric Mountjoy, puppetry design by Lyndie Wright and orchestrations and musical direction by Paul Herbert.
The 2021 festival runs from 17-29 May at The Turbine Theatre, London, before embarking on a ‘digital’ UK Tour from the 31 May – 4 July. The full list of venues and touring dates are as follows:
The Turbine Theatre, Battersea
(Monday 17 May – Saturday 29 May)
Norwich Theatre Royal, The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry &Birmingham Hippodrome (Monday 31 May – Sunday 6 June)
Mayflower Theatre, Southampton & the Mercury Theatre, Colchester
Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Sheffield Theatres & The Lowry, Salford
(Monday 28 June – Sunday 4 July)
The Festivalsets out to promote quality artistry, showcasing new musicals to UK audiences with a view to elevating them to full production, and giving audiences an insight into the process of creating new work and the art of collaboration. Paul Taylor-Mills launched the inaugural MTFestUK season at The Other Palace in 2019, followed by a 2020 season in February last year, at The Turbine Theatre.
The 2021 festival line-up includes an exciting and diverse selection of eight new musicals: Far From Heaven, #50days, The Man In the Ceiling, Millennials, HouseFire, Cake, Proudand Tony! (A Tony Blair Rock Opera).
Featuring a truly spectacular company of international stars, with a number of Tony and Olivier Awards to their names,the full line up of world class performers includes:
Tori Allen-Martin, Stephen Ashfield, Alex Austin, Charlie Baker, Luke Bayer, Jenna Boyd, Alex Cardall, Matthew Croke, Allie Daniel, Trevor Dion Nicholas, Chris Draper, Cory English, Aminita Francis, Jordan Luke Gage, Scott Garnham, Tiffany Graves, Beth Hinton-Lever, Aimee Hodnett, Jazz Jenkins, Nadine-Rose Johnson, Reuben Joseph, Eleanor Kane, Idriss Kargbo, Freddie King, Emma Kingston, Gemma Knight Jones, Melanie La Barrie, Marie Lawrence, Simon Lipkin, Andrew Lippa, Rebecca Locke, Nathan Lorainey-Dineen, Tim Mahendran, Carl Man, Nick McLean, Ako Mitchell, Kyran Mitchell-Nanton, Grace Mouat, Phoebe Panaretos, Bryce Pinkham, Sharon Rose, Robert Saunders, Cleve September, Robin Simões da Silva, Nicola Sloane, Jodie Steele, Scarlett Strallen, Sebastien Torkia, Rebecca Thornhill ,Paul Thornley and Obioma Ugola.*
In addition to the highly talented performers, the festival also includes a huge mix of exciting creative talent including: Tasha Taylor-Johnson, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, Jack McManus, Drew McOnie, Matt White,Thabo Stuck, Scott Frankel and Poppy Burton Morgan.
***
MTFestUK 2021
FAR FROM HEAVEN
17-19 May 2021
Book by Richard Greenberg
Music by Scott Frankel
Lyrics by Michael Korie
Directed by Matthew White
Musical Direction by Alex Parker
CAST:
Elliot Burges – David
Cory English (Guys & Dolls/Young Frankenstein) – Stan/Maurice
Tiffany Graves (Chicago/We Will Rock You) – Mrs Leacock/Mona Lauder/Doreen
Ako Mitchell (Caroline, Or Change/Guys & Dolls) – Raymond
Bryce Pinkham (A Gentleman’s Guide To Love & Murder/The Heidi Chronicles) – Frank
Scarlett Strallen (Singin’ In The Rain/Mary Poppins) – Cathy
Rebecca Thornhill (Matilda/From Here To Eternity)– Eleanor
Based on the Focus Features/Vulcan Productions motion picture written & directed by Todd Haynes.
Cathy Whitaker seems to be the picture-perfect wife and mother in 1957 suburban Connecticut. But roiling beneath the surface, secret longings and forbidden desires cause her world to unravel, with incendiary consequences.
With a score that is both jazz-inflected and hauntingly lyrical, Far From Heaven is a powerful story of romance, betrayal, and intolerance, as a woman grapples with her identity in a society on the verge of upheaval.
#50DAYS
17 – 19 May 2021
Created and Written by Thabo Stuck
Directed by Ajjaz Awad-Ibrahim
Musical Direction by Amiir Saleem
CAST:
Aminita Francis (Frankenstein – How To Make A Monster) – Digby/Prince of Wales
Nadine-Rose Johnson (Frankenstein) – Queen Henrietta
Reuben Joseph (Rapunzel/Midsummer) – King Charles
Kyran Mitchell-Nanton (Karma) – Pym
Robert Saunders (Grandpa’s Great Escape Live) – Lillburn/Lucy Haye
Cleve September (Hamilton/Jesus Chris Superstar) – Manchester
#50days is a Grime Musical which tells the story of the period when the very foundations of England were shattered. It is December 1641 and King Charles is about to be formally challenged by a handful of MPs and radical commoners, who share the belief that ALL men are born equal. Many in England, now a Protestant country, are enraged by the notion that the French-born Catholic Queen Henrietta and King Charles are ruling over them. One of these critics is John Pym, a Member of Parliament and prominent opponent of Kingship, who issues a challenge to the King’s power. In a world ruled by men, who are the women in this story? What are they fighting for? Through propaganda and shrewd political manoeuvring, the nation is about to be plunged head first into a conflict that pitted neighbour against neighbour and shattered the very core of our constitution.
#50days creator Thabo Stuck, challenges the notion of how history is discoursed.
“This is an interpretation of British history told through the eyes of underrepresented Brits today.”
THE MAN IN THE CEILING
20 – 22 May 2021
Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
Book by Jules Feiffer
Directed by Annabel Mutale Reed
Musical Direction by Richard Beadle
CAST:
Alex Austin – Jimmy Jibbett
Matthew Croke (Aladdin/Hair) – Father
Trevor Dion Nicholas (Aladdin) – Uncle Lester
Jazz Jenkins (Live – A Viral Short Film) – Lisi
Obioma Ugola (Hamilton/Motown The Musical) – Older Jimmy
Sharon Rose (Hamilton/Motown The Musical) – Mother
12-year old Jimmy Jibbett would rather be a successful cartoonist than be in 7th grade. His father disapproves. His mother is busy. His uncle tries to understand but is too wrapped up trying to write a love song for his next flop musical. Where can Jimmy turn for inspiration and hope? Maybe THE MAN IN THE CEILING can lead him to his true destiny…If only Jimmy would look up!
A collaboration between Jules Feiffer, the Pulitzer-Prize-winning cartoonist and celebrated author, and Tony-nominated composer-lyricist Andrew Lippa, The Main In The Ceiling is an uplifting tale about following your creative passion against all odds.
CAKE
20 – 22 May 2021
Music and Lyrics byJack McManus&Tasha Taylor-Johnson
Book and Lyrics byMorgan Lloyd Malcolm
Directed byDrew McOnie
CAST:
Tori Allen-Martin(Rock Of Ages) – Judge/Nicole
Emma Kingston(Fiddler On The Roof/In The Heights)– Jeanne
Phoebe Panaretos(Strictly Ballroom/Lazarus) – Marie Antoinette
Sebastien Torkia(Matilda The Musical/The Wild Party) – The Cardinal
Cake* combines rap and RnB with 18th century France to retell a story that sparked a revolution. When Marie Antoinette married King Louis, her reputation was already tarnished by gossip. But when she is implicated in a crime to defraud the crown jewellers of a diamond necklace, it is not just her reputation at stake, but the monarchy and France itself.
*Cake was commissioned by Paul Taylor-Mills whilst he was Artistic Director of The Other Palace where it appeared under its former title; Killer Queen.
MILLENNIALS
24 – 26 May 2021
Written & Composed by Elliot Clay
Directed by Luke Sheppard
Musical Direction by Katy Richardson
CAST:
Luke Bayer (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie/Les Misérables)
Allie Daniel (RENT)
Beth Hinton-Lever (West Side Story/Hadestown)
Nathan Lorainey-Dineen (& Juliet/Motown The Musical)
Tim Mahendran (& Juliet/The Midnight Gang)
Grace Mouat (& Juliet/Six)
Jodie Steele (Six/Heathers)
MILLENNIALS turns up the microphone on the lives, the losses and the frustrations of young people in the modern world. A generation that is so often defined by tabloid headlines, tweets and of course, avocados, pick up the mic and transport us inside their extraordinarily ordinary lives. Written and composed by Elliot Clay, this powerful and uplifting collection of songs runs the gamut of modern pop-music and sends musical theatre hurtling into the 21st Century.
HOUSEFIRE
24 – 26 May 2021
Book & Lyrics/Directed by P Burton-Morgan
Music by Felix Hagan
Musical Direction by Chris Poon
Musical Supervision by Mark Collins
An Eco Rock Musical
CAST:
Alex Cardall (Evita) – Alan
Eleanor Kane (High Fidelity/Fun Home) – Ginger
Robin Simões da Silva (Spring Awakening) – Leo
“I want you to act as you would in a crisis. I want you to act as if our house is on fire. Because it is.” – Greta Thunberg 2019
A trio of endangered animals form a rock band to protest against the climate crisis. Leo, the snow leopard lead singer, rages against the annihilation of their world, Ginger the Orangutan, on keys, has her own tale to tell about the traumas of deforestation, while Alan the elephant is keeping time on the drums. But their newly rebranded group ‘HouseFire’ is under threat from their corporate manager getting them to pander to the very capitalist system they want to destabilize. Entering Britain’s Got Talent is a great way to reach more people with their message, but it puts a strain on their already fractious relationships, and is it all just too little too late… Fierce, frenetic and fun – this gig-theatre musical will set your world on fire.
PROUD
27 – 29 May 2021
Music by Lee Freeman
Lyrics by Mark Anderson
Book by Graham Lappin & Mark Anderson
Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle
Musical Direction by Ellie Verkerk
CAST:
Stephen Ashfield (The Book Of Mormon) – Clarke/Donald
Chris Draper (School Of Rock) – Father Frederick/Thomas
Jordan Luke Gage (& Juliet/Bat Out Of Hell) – David
Idriss Kargbo (Five Guys Named Moe) – Cooper/Gabriel
Freddie King (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) – Brett/Mrs Bailey/Swim Team
Rebecca Locke (Heathers) – Diana/Bernice
Carl Man (Wicked) – Mr Maplewood/Swim Team/Rory
Nick McLean (Wicked) – Swim Team/Mason
David has always been different. He really wishes he wasn’t. Despite the acceptance and unconditional love of his parents, his prayers are answered when he discovers the existence of ‘Reality Trek’, a conversion camp for gay men run by ex-gay Donald and his lord-abiding wife, Bernice. With faith on their side, they guide David and his camp campmates through the programme, but when the illegally-handsome Rory arrives late, David faces the ultimate test on the path to the straight and narrow.
TONY! (A TONY BLAIR ROCK OPERA)
27 – 29 May 2021
Book and Lyrics by Harry Hill & Steve Brown
Music by Steve Brown
Directed by Peter Rowe
Musical Direction by Sarah Travis
CAST:
Charlie Baker (The Hit Polisher/I Can’t Sing) – Tony Blair
Jenna Boyd (Come From Away/Wind In The Willows) – Prescott
Scott Garnham (Nativity The Musical/Billy Elliot) – Tony
Gemma Knight Jones (Falsettos/The Lion King) – Princess Di
Marie Lawrence (Toast/The Understudy) – Cherie
Simon Lipkin (Nativity The Musical/Guys & Dolls) – Mandy
Nicola Sloane (Our Town/Love In Idleness) – Mrs Blair
Paul Thornley (Harry Potter & The Cursed Child) – Kinnock
A reckless reappraisal of the life of former Bad Rumours front man and Britain’s first pop Prime MinisterTony Blair.
The story of how one man went from peace loving, long haired hippy and would-be pop star to warmongering multimillionaire in just a couple of decades.
An hilarious tragedy of political intrigue, religion, power and romance that plays fast and loose with the facts, owing as much to Citizen Kane as it does to The Marx Brothers – Karl and Groucho.
Throw in a cast of larger-than-life characters – Cherie Blair, Princess Diana, John Prescott, Peter Mandelson, Alistair Campbell, Osama Bin Laden, George W Bush, Saddam Hussein, Gordon Brown and of course that dodgy dossier.
Queens of Cups announce May’s New Moon Monologues line-up
The Queens of Cups are incredibly excited to present May’s edition of the New Moon Monologues on the theme of ‘Growing Together’, featuring a lineup of nine emerging and award-winning playwrights, and nine talented actors on May 25th at The Space Theatre at 8pm with a socially distanced audience. Tickets for the live event are now sold out, but tickets to the live-stream of the event are still available here!
New Moon Monologues are a monthly platform established for emerging and underrepresented writers based around the lunar cycle. This month, we featured a variety of writers and actors from the US, Ireland, and the UK, including NY Drama League Nominated Playwright Arlene Hutton, Derek Jacobi Playwriting Award Winner Jamie Lakritz, and member of the Lyric’s New Playwrights Programme Caitlin Magnall-Kearns, among many other incredibly talented writers.
At the beginning of the year, The Queens of Cups ran a crowdfunder on Greenlit.com in order to ensure all participants were compensated for their work. We’re delighted that since our start in September 2020, we’ve grown to the point where we can bring this very special selection of new writing to a London stage. Grace O’Keefe, the director states, ‘Bringing this show to The Space the week after theatres reopen is a dream come true because it provides theatremakers with so many opportunities to shine. The diversity of this event allows nine actors to return to the stage to present nine writers’ poignant, funny, and powerful monologues, it’s truly one of a kind.”
FringeReview has compared the event to the Royal Court Living Newspapers: ‘After you’ve finished, you’ll hardly believe this brevity contains the extraordinary riches within. I’ve seen many showcases: none are quite as brilliantly compacted as this.’
May’s New Moon Monologues: Growing Together
Dating Apparition
Written and performed by Erin Holland
Thirsty
Written by Elspeth McColl and performed by Imelda D’souza
Fabulous Family
Written by Nick Maynard and performed by Kyran Thrax
Today
Written by Lorna Meehan and performed by Anshula Bain
On the Varied Implications of Colliding
Written by Jamie Lakritz and performed by Emma Howarth
A Note to Myself
Written by Lorna O’Dea and performed by Daniel N’Guessan-Lopez
Let Him Eat Cake
Written by Caitlin Magnall-Kearns and performed by Ella Hunter-Clark
my honeypots
Written by T.J. Lewis and performed by Isaiah James-Mitchell
Mourning Star
Written by Arlene Hutton and performed by Roli Okorodudu
Today Michael Harrison and Jonathan Church announce that Kevin Clifton, Faye Tozer, Charlotte Gooch and Cavin Cornwall are to join Adam Cooper to lead the Chichester Festival Theatre and Stage Entertainment production of the Olivier Award-nominated musical Singin’ in the Rain.
The production will play a strictly limited run at Sadler’s Wells from Friday 30 July – Sunday 5 September 2021 (Press Night: Thursday 5 August), ahead of a 2022 UK tour (tour casting to be announced).
Former professional Strictly Come Dancing favourite Kevin Clifton (theatre credits include Rock of Ages, UK Tour; Burn the Floor, West End, UK and International tours; Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage, West End) will play Cosmo Brown.
Steps and stage star Faye Tozer (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, West End; Me and My Girl and Tell me on a Sunday, UK tours) plays leading lady Lina Lamont.
Principal casting is completed by Charlotte Gooch (Strictly Ballroom and Top Hat in the West End, Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage, first UK Tour and West End) as aspiring actress Kathy Seldon and Cavin Cornwall (Disney’s Aladdin, Prince Edward Theatre; Jesus Christ Superstar, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatreand world arena tour; Star Wars: The Last Jedi)as film producer, RF Simpson.
They will join the acclaimed star Adam Cooper, who returns to the show with his legendary performance as Don Lockwood, having earned critical acclaim in the role at Chichester Festival Theatre and again when the show transferred to London’s Palace Theatre. Adam is one of the most celebrated stars to perform at Sadler’s Wells, where he has headlined Matthew Bourne’s iconic production of Swan Lake, as well as many other productions.
Further casting includes Sandra Dickinson, who will appear as Dora Bailey, Michael Matus as Roscoe Dexter and Imogen Brook as Zelda Zanders. The ensemble features Briana Craig, Alistair Crosswell, Lavinia Fitzpatrick, Alex Given, Ryan Gover, Ashleigh Graham, Harriet Samuel-Gray, Molly Rees Howe, Thomas Inge, Robin Kent, Sam Lips, Joshua Lovell, George Lyons, Heather Scott Martin, Amonik Melaco, Ashleigh Morris, Peter Nash, Megan Spiers, and Ellie May Wilson.
Singin’ in the Rain will also reunite the original director Jonathan Church with choreographer Andrew Wright.
Don Lockwood is a silent movie star with everything he could want – fame, adulation and a well-publicised ‘romance’ with his co-star Lina Lamont. But Hollywood is about to change forever. There is rumour in the studio of a new kind of film, where the actors actually talk … and sing … and dance. Can Don and the uniquely voiced Lina make the transition, and will chorus girl Kathy Seldon fulfil her dream of stardom and capture Don’s heart along the way?
This production of Singin’ in the Rain opened at Chichester Festival Theatre and extended due to unprecedented public demand, before a transfer to London which received huge critical acclaim and four Olivier Award nominations.
It played to more than 750,000 people…. some leaving the theatre a little wetter than when they arrived! In fact the iconic rain scenes:
Use 6k litres of water, equivalent to 5 tonnes (here’s a list of things which also weigh 5 tonnes: 2 Rhinos, 11 Grand Pianos or 30 Panda Bears!)
Uses over 100 metres of heavy duty rubber hose
Takes 15 minutes to drain. Afterwards it is recovered, it is then re-cycled, cleaned and used again
Heats the water to 37 degrees for performer comfort!
Singin’ in the Rain features songs by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed, including Make ‘em Laugh, Good Morning, Moses Supposes and Singin’ in the Rain. Original screenplay and adaptations are by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Reuniting the original Chichester production team, Singin’ in the Rain will be directed by Jonathan Church, with Olivier Award-nominated choreography by Andrew Wright. The production is designed by Simon Higlett, with lighting by Tim Mitchell. Stuart Burt is Casting Director.
The stage production of Singin’ in the Rain is based on the classic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film, regularly voted the most popular film musical of all time.
After Sadler’s Wells, Singin’ in the Rain will return to Japan. This will be the third season the production has played in the country. The production will then embark on a UK tour in 2022.
Michael Harrison Entertainment and Jonathan Church Productions present the Chichester Festival Theatre and Stage Entertainment production of Singin’ in the Rain.
LISTINGS – SADLER’S WELLS SEASON INFORMATION
Singin’ In The Rain
Based on the classic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film, by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Inc.
Music Published by EMI, all rights administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Screenplay by Betty Comden and Adolph Green
Songs by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed
(Original Movie Choreography by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen)
Produced by agreement with Maurice Rosenfield, Lois F. Rosenfield and Cindy Pritzker, Inc.
Performed by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) Limited
Sadler’s Wells Theatre
Rosebery Ave, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 4TN
Performance Dates
Friday 30 July – Sunday 5 September 2021
Performance Times
Evenings: Tuesday – Sunday at 7.30pm Matinees: Wednesday & Saturday at 2:30pm
HIT MUSICAL EXTENDS BOOKING IN THE WEST END UNTIL FEBRUARY 2022
…COMES BACK FROM AWAY. PHOENIX THEATRE, LONDON FROM 22 JULY
As the multi award-winning Come From Away prepares to welcome audiences back to the Phoenix Theatre in London from 22 July, the international hit musical today announces its extension in the West End until February 2022.
Winner of every major Best Musical award when it opened in the West End in March 2019, Come From Away tells the remarkable and inspiring true story of 7,000 stranded air passengers during the wake of 9/11, and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but as uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.
Twenty years ago on 11 September 2001, the world stopped. On 12 September and in the years following, their stories of kindness, generosity and love have moved us all.
The international hit musical has celebrated sold-out, record-breaking engagements on Broadway, in Canada, throughout Australia, and on a 60-city North American Tour.
Come From Away stars Jenna Boyd (Beulah and others), James Doherty (Claude and others), Mary Doherty (Bonnie and others), Mark Dugdale (Kevin T/Garth and others), Alice Fearn (Beverley/Annette and others), Kate Graham (Diane and others), Alasdair Harvey (Nick/Doug and others), Jonathan Andrew Hume (Kevin J/Ali and others), Harry Morrison (Oz and others), Emma Salvo (Janice and others), and Cat Simmons (Hannah and others), with Chiara Baronti,Ricardo Castro, Stuart Hickey, Sorelle Marsh, Alexander McMorran,Micha Richardson, Jennifer Tierney and Matthew Whennell-Clark.
Come From Away features a book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein and is directed by Christopher Ashley, with musical staging by Kelly Devine, music supervision and arrangements by Ian Eisendrath, scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Toni-Leslie James,lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Gareth Owen, hair design by David Brian Brown, orchestrations by August Eriksmoen,and casting by Pippa Ailion CDG and Natalie Gallacher CDG.
In addition to winning 4 Olivier Awards (London) including “Best New Musical”, the Critics’ Circle Theatre Award for “Best Musical” (London) and 4 What’s On Stage Awards (London) including ‘Best New Musical’, Come From Awayhas scooped multiple awards across the globe. In North America they include: the Tony Award for “Best Direction of a Musical”, 5 Outer Critics’ Circle Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding New Broadway Musical”, 3 Drama Desk Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding Musical”, 4 Helen Hayes Awards (Washington DC) including “Outstanding Production of a Musical”, 4 Los Angeles Drama Critics’ Circle Awards, 4 Gypsy Rose Lee Awards (Seattle) including “Excellence in Production of a Musical”, 6 San Diego Critics Circle Awards including “Outstanding New Musical”, 3 Toronto Theatre Critics Awards including “Best New Musical”, 3 Dora Awards (Toronto) including “Outstanding New Musical/Opera” and “Outstanding Production”, and the 2017 Jon Kaplan Audience Choice Award (Toronto).
Come From Away was originally co-produced in 2015 by La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theatre, and presented in 2016 by Ford’s Theatre in Washington DC and Mirvish Productions at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, Canada, all in partnership with Junkyard Dog Productions. Come From Away (NAMT Festival 2013) was originally developed at the Canadian Music Theatre Project, Michael Rubinoff Producer, Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, and was further developed at Goodspeed Musicals’ Festival of New Artists, in East Haddam CT. The Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle WA also provided development support.
Come From Away is produced in the UK by Junkyard Dog Productions and Smith & Brant Theatricals. The European premiere of Come From Away was co-produced with the Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s National Theatre.
Oh, what joy! Live theatre inside, not having to contend with the outside elements, sitting on proper seats, enjoying the ambience and splendour that you can only truly achieve within the four walls of a theatre. It has been 14 months since I set foot inside a theatre, and it was great to be back. I arrived at my designated time, mask at the ready and joined the queue, eager to get inside. Once through the doors and temperature checked I eagerly took the stairs up to my seat to find I was too early. At least it gave me time to chat to one of staff who was busily wiping everything over.
Opening on the very first day they possibly could, York Theatre Royal showcased the many talents and diversity that local York artists have to offer. With over 200 applicants they managed to whittle down to 22 acts, performing their pieces in 5 minute slots. Harry Gration, ex local news reporter and a great YTR ambassador, hosted the show and welcomed us all back with a heartfelt speech. Over the next 2 ½ hours, including interval, we were treated to an eclectic feast through music, dance, comedy, word and poetry.
It is hard to pick out a few acts but the ones that I enjoyed most included The Art Of Losing, a trio of contemporary dancers moving effortlessly together and apart, vibrant with their neon socks. She Can Go Anywhere by Story Craft Theatre, using a sheet as a puppet to tell their story. I was truly fascinated with their ability to create a figure so effortlessly out of a sheet. Where Are We Now, You And I? This was an impassioned piece by Maurice Crichton, an active member of York’s amateur theatre community. I suppose you could call it a love letter to the theatre itself, touching on his feelings of loneliness, a part of his soul missing, not having a stage or theatre to come to. This resonated with me and I would imagine virtually everyone in the theatre, audience and artists alike.
This was a truly diverse show, not afraid of covering racism, gender identity, embracing our own individuality, through personal encounters and experiences, which mould us into what we are. It is important to have such a diverse collection, as many stories that have gone dark are now being given the opportunity to be told.
It was a show where there was something for all tastes, this whole show encapsulated what York has to offer.
