Month: July 2021

Theatre Royal Haymarket – until 12 September 2021

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Instead of the razor-sharp darkness of the film, Heathers the Musical is an extravaganza of camp and frothy bitchiness. The characters and plot of the film are distilled in this cartoonish creation that doesn’t have much to say but is a fun and frenetic show full of laughs.

The food chain at Westerberg High School has the Heathers as Alpha predators, with Heather Chandler (Jodie Steele) running the show. When Veronica (Christina Bennington) comes on their radar, the Heathers give her a makeover and she joins the powerful clique to survive high school. The arrival of JD (Jordan Luke Gage) and his refusal to conform to the unwritten rules of high school hierarchy sets Veronica on a deadly and explosive path.

Kevin Murphy and Larence O’Keefe’s music and lyrics are energetic and mostly memorable, and the cast are incredible, but if you’re looking for any meaningful insight into teenage suicide and mental health, you won’t find it here. Instead enjoy the ride as Veronica and JD kill off their enemies in murders that will make you laugh rather than squirm.

Director Andy Fickman uses Ben Cracknell’s fantastic lighting design to enhance the stereotyped characters and their world to ridiculously overblown levels that suit the atmosphere of the show brilliantly alongside Gary Lloyd’s dynamic choreography. The performances are all amazing, with Jodie Steele stealing every scene with just a raised eyebrow as she struts around the stage, alive and dead. Christina Bennington and Jordan Luke Gage reignite their amazing chemistry from Bat Out of Hell and are vocally stunning. Bennington gets to showcase her comedy talent and is phenomenal, while Gage impresses in the role of JD, who the writers can’t seem to decide what to do with and end up making JD a much less menacing character than he could be.

Heathers is definitely a marmite show, which some people who love the film will probably want to avoid. But the unashamedly loud and brash production is wonderfully entertaining and a fun-filled night out.

Iris Summer Festival, Covent Garden – until 10 July 2021

4****

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

Tanya Bridgeman’s debut play is an emotional and witty exploration and celebration of the women whose stories shape us. Granddaughter has made a brave leap of faith to begin a new life, but is unable to follow through, struggling with self-doubt, uncertainty about her Irish-Bajan identity, depression and using a coping mechanism that evolved from a childhood story. A phone call from Granny opens the flood gates as memories of her grandmothers and their stories and advice help Granddaughter find her strength and her place in the world.

Granny’s stories of leaving Ireland and coming to London with her sisters are full of whimsy, and hope, and Gran Gran’s Bajan history paints a picture of a fiercely independent woman determined to follow her dreams.

Tanya Bridgeman performs her play with such passion that you can’t help but love these characters. The lyrical language flows enchantingly, whether it is homespun advice from the older women or gleeful asides about shoes from Granddaughter. The emotional rollercoaster Bridgeman takes you on is exhilarating – with laugh out loud moments and quiet anguish all delivered in an unshowy, natural performance that is remarkable.

The London weather has made the garden of St Paul’s church particularly green and lush this year, enhancing the staging of this play, with the lighting change for the Barbados scenes wonderfully effective and evocative. Director Alex Miller and designer Charlotte Dennis have done wonders in a space that could be tricky, with Bridgeman’s use of the stage area drawing the audience into the story brilliantly.

The stories of the strife and triumphs of the two women as they arrive in London in the 1950s and face prejudice that they overcome with creativity and determination are inspiring and uplifting – Gran Gran’s description of the changes in her street after they, the first black family, moved in are glorious. These are the histories that we need to hear, and Bridgeman’s heartfelt tribute is a joy.

Iris Summer Festival continues until 22 August. Further show details at https://iristheatre.com

Leicester Square Theatre, London – until 11 September 2021

Reviewed by Emily Cliff

5*****

If you are looking for an entirely serious dramatic performance of one of the greatest tragedies of all time, you may be in the wrong place. Some of the best memories you can ever make are usually surrounded with friends and loved ones and nine times out of ten washed down with a whole load of alcohol. Remember that. Now flip it on its head, when you go to the theatre it’s a lovely experience, right? You go out with friends or family, you have a few drinks and you enjoy the show. But what if one member of the cast in the show you were seeing was absolutely, singing, dancing on the tables and laughing with strangers kind of drunk? It’s hard to picture but here at Sh!t Faced Shakespeare it’s the norm. Four hours before every production one member of the cast is chosen, by random, to get absolutely black out drunk.

The great tragedy of Macbeth is a classic piece of theatre that is enjoyed world wide, now add Jamaica’s first bobsled team, a sprinkle of Forrest Gump and a whole load of dominos and that is the production of Macbeth we saw tonight. The ability to improvise and go off script is a talent few actors can master, however tonight we discovered that improvisation can be achieved and executed just as well when you have three quarters of a bottle of bombay sapphire in your system. An (almost) entirely sober cast of Macbeth makes for a brilliant night of theatre.

From the offset this play is extremely interactive and involves the audience when and where it can. Before the play has even started roles are dished out to those among the crowd. The first: drunk monitors. Two people in the audience are chosen to ring a bell anytime the drunkard (in this case James Muffit playing Malcolm) appears to be sobering up, or appears too sober. The play stops at the sound of this bell and the drunkard has to have another drink. James gave colourful rendition of the witches’ prophecies and Malcolms all too serious soliloquies and supplied the audience with an abundance of laughs and giggles.

One of the main attributes that stood out about this brilliant production, was the ability for the cast to pick up on things and carry them on as inside jokes between them and the audience. This gave the whole show a more intimate feel and made us, the audience, feel as though we were in on the joke. The beauty about a show as wild and outrageous as this is that each show will be different every time. This time we had Malcolm, son of King Duncan, a black belt in judo with a love for the mighty meaty pizza from dominos and flags.

No words can describe how enjoyable this show is. Interactive, immersive and just a downright laugh and great night out. This non-traditional approach of theatre is something that should be applauded and seen everywhere. For viewers over the age of 18 this is something everyone can enjoy. An (almost) entirely sober cast of Macbeth makes for a brilliant night of theatre. Hopefully one day we will get to see a performance of Sh!t Faced Shakespeare at the Shakespeare’s own Globe Theatre, but for now head down to the Leicester Square Theatre for a night full of laughter, Shakespeare and a lot of alcohol

Playful Productions, Stage Play and Cedella Marley present 

GET UP, STAND UP!

THE BOB MARLEY MUSICAL 

• FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR GET UP, STAND UP! THE BOB MARLEY MUSICAL
   
• GABRIELLE BROOKS WILL PLAY RITA ALONGSIDE ARINZÉ KENE AS BOB MARLEY IN THE WORLD PREMIERE, DIRECTED BY CLINT DYER
   
• TO PREPARE FOR REHEARSALS STARTING NEXT MONTH, THE CAST VISITED LANDMARKS OF BOB MARLEY’S LIFE IN LONDON
   
• TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE UNTIL 3 APRIL 2022 FROM WWW.GETUPSTANDUPTHEMUSICAL.COM 

Producers have today announced the full cast for Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical, they join Arinzé Kene who has already been announced in the title role. With unlimited access to Marley’s magical, revolutionary songs and a book by award-winning Lee Hall, acclaimed director Clint Dyer channels the creative quest and spiritual power of a universally embraced icon. The production brings a dynamic company of performers that fuse with the finest reggae musicians to bring this exhilarating story of struggle, freedom and transformation from Trenchtown to the West End.

The explosive new production celebrates the immense life and timely message of Jamaican soul rebel Bob Marley – from a life of poverty to visionary international superstar. Crucial fellow soul rebels in the cast include the sensational Rita Marley and the I Three and his inspiring brothers in arms, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer and Lee ‘Scratch Perry’.The World Premiere musical begins performances at the Lyric Theatre on 1 October 2021 with an opening night on 20 October.

Arinzé Kene (Bob Marley), Gabrielle Brooks (Rita Marley), Shanay Holmes (Cindy Breakspeare), Sophia Mackay (Judy Mowatt), Melissa Brown-Taylor (Marcia Griffiths), Jacade Simpson (Bunny Wailer), Natey Jones (Peter Tosh), Daniel Bailey, Craig Blake, Charles Blyth, Maxwell Cole, Athena Collins, Michael Duke, Kimmy Edwards, Raphael Estavia, Henry Faber, Cannon Hay, Savanna Jeffrey, Rohan Pinnock-Hamilton, Cleopatra Rey, Julene Robinson, Nate Simpson, Archie Smith, Declan Spaine, Jaime Tait, Teddy Wills. 

‘It’s not all that glitters is gold, half the story has never been told’ 

From the hills of rural Jamaica, armed only with his overwhelming talent and righteous beliefs, Bob Marley applied himself with resolute determination to achieve international acclaim for his prophetic musical message – a gospel of love and unity.

Lose yourself to the rhythm of ‘Exodus’, ‘No Woman No Cry’, ‘Waiting in Vain’, ‘Three Little Birds’, ‘I Shot the Sheriff’, ‘Could You Be Loved’, ‘Redemption Song’ and many more.

Arinzé  Kene
Theatre credits include: One Night in Miami (Donmar Warehouse), Girl from the North Country (Old Vic), Death of a Salesman (Young Vic). TV credits include: Informer (BBC), Flack (UKTV), I Am… (Channel 4), Crazyhead (E4/Netflix Original) and The Long Song (BBC One). Arinzé Kene is a writer and performer whose Olivier award-nominated one man play Misty, ran at the Bush Theatre to widespread critical acclaim and transferred to the West End. Film credits include: Michaela Coel’s Been So Long (BBC/Netflix), The Pass (Toledo Productions), How to Build a Girl (Film 4) and I’m Your Woman (Amazon). Awards include: Black British Theatre Awards – Book and Lyrics recognition award (2020), Evening Standard Film Award – Best Supporting Actor (2016).​

Gabrielle Brooks
Theatre credits include: J’Ouvert (Harold Pinter Theatre); Anna Bella Eema (Arcola Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Twelfth Night (Young Vic), The Way of the World (Donmar Warehouse), The Wizard of Oz (Sheffield Theatres), Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Sheffield Crucible), Lazarus (King’s Cross Theatre), The Strangers Case (Liverpool Everyman Theatre), The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales), I Can’t Sing (London Palladium) and Our House (The Savoy). TV credits include: Shadow and Bone and Coming Down The Mountain. Film credits include: Notes on A Scandal. Gabrielle has recently created and produced BlackStage UK – an emotional and educational exposé on what it means to be Black in the UK Arts industry, featuring 30 Black and Black mixed-raced workers from across the sector and from all over the UK.

Shanay Holmes
Theatre credits include: Thriller Live (The Lyric), The Bodyguard Musical (Adelphi), Close To You – Burt Bacharach reimagined (Criterion), Jesus Christ Superstar (Regents Park Open Air Theatre), Rent (The Other Palace), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat (Kilworth House Theatre), The Wizard Of Oz (Birmingham Rep) and Bridges Of Maddison County (Menier Chocolate Factory), High Fidelity (Turbine Theatre).

Sophia Mackay
Theatre credits include: Thriller Live (Lyric), The Grinning Man (Trafalgar), Bubbly Black Girl who Sheds her Chameleon Skin (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Playboy of the West Indies (National Theatre Studio) Dirty Dancing (International Tour), Muscovado (UK Tour), Leader of the Pack (Waterloo East), Earth Makes No Sound (Filament Theatre Company), Journey’s Beyond (Arcola Theatre) and A Concrete Jungle Full of Wild Cars (Unicorn Theatre).  In film, she can be seen in Chrissy and the Hush trilogy.

Melissa Brown-Taylor
Theatre credits include: The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales), Princess in Sleeping Beauty (Belgrade Theatre), This is Elvis (UK Tour), Aladdin (The Broadway Theatre), All or Nothing – The Mod Musical (UK Tour), Aladdin (Salisbury Playhouse), Roundelay (UK Tour) and A Voice In The Crowd, (Almeida Theatre).

Jacade Simpson
Theatre credits include: As You Like It (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), One Love (Birmingham Rep), The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales), We Raise Our Hands in the Sanctuary (Albany Theatre), Kiss Me, Kate (Opera North) and The Scottsboro Boys (Garrick). Television credits include: Casualty (BBC), Humans (Channel 4), Doctors (BBC) and My Almost Famous Family (CBBC). Short film credits include: Sugababies, Civilised, White Liar and When the Earth Fell Down.

Natey Jones
Theatre credits include: Rockets and Blue Lights (Royal Exchange Theatre), Death of a Salesman (Piccadilly), Small Island (National Theatre), Tina – The Tina Turner Musical (Aldwych) and Doctor Faustus, Don Quixote and The Alchemist (Barbican). TV credits include: BBC’s Father Brown, Waffle the Wonder Dog and Casualty

Daniel Bailey
Theatre credits include: Oedipus (Pecho Mama), Girl From The North Country (Gielgud/Toronto, Canada), Jesus Christ Superstar (Barbican, Regents Park Open Air Theatre), Wizard of Oz (Pitlochry Festival Theatre), King (Hackney Empire), Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Queens Theatre, Hornchurch), Hair (The Vaults), Motown the Musical (Shaftesbury Theatre), Wheel of Misfortune (The Old Red Lion Theatre), Disney’s The Lion King (Lyceum), South Pacific (UK Tour), Blues Brothers (Erasmus Theatre) and Hair (Bronowski Productions). He is an Artist Associate at Brixton House.

Craig Blake
Theatre credits include: Le Silence et la Peur /Silence and Fear  (Compagnie Lieux Dits, French National Tour), Shakespeare in the Abbey, Shakespeare’s Walk (Shakespeare’s Globe) , Romeo and Juliet,  Bussin’ It  (Oval House Theatre), Blacking Lag (London Shakespeare Workout), Afterbirth  (Arcola Theatre), It’s Just a Name, No Sweat  (Birmingham Rep) and Scrape Off The Black (Theatre Royal Stratford East). TV credits include: The Chelsea Detective, Landscapers, Safe Space, Hollyoaks, Eastenders, Casualty, Doctors, Someone You Thought You Knew and Guilt.  Film credits include: The Tape, Dragonfly, Below and How Stella Got Her Groove Back.

Charles Blyth
Theatre credits include: The Simon and Garfunkel Story (UK and International Tour), Teechers (White Horse Theatre), The Dark Lord and The White Witch (UK and International Tour), Tess of the D’Urbervilles (International Tour), Romeo and Juliet (The Complete Works) Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Cinderella (Gorleston Pavilion) and H.M.S Pinafore (King’s Head).

Maxwell Cole
Theatre credits include: Various DanceMania shows.

Athena Collins
Theatre credits include: Bare: A Pop Opera (Vaults Theatre) and Six The Musical (UK Tour).

Micheal Duke
Theatre credits include: The Inheritance (Noel Coward), West Side Story (Manchester Royal Exchange), William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (Secret Cinema), Into the Woods (The Cockpit Theatre), Outlaws to In-laws (King’s Head Theatre), Travels With My Aunt (Chichester Festival Theatre), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Aldwych), The Rat Pack LIVE! (Arts Theatre), Thriller Live (The Lyric), The Lion King (Lyceum) and Bizet’s Carmen (Opera Holland Park).

Kimmy Edwards
Theatre credits include: Legally Blonde, Dreamgirls (The Savoy) where she won an International Artists Recognition Award for Best Female Stage Performer, The Who’s Tommy, Hairspray (German Tour), Ghost The Musical (UK Tour), Memphis (Shaftesbury Theatre) Peter Pan, In The Heights (King’s Cross Theatre), Kiss me Kate (The Watermill Theatre) and One Night of Tina (European Tour). 

Raphael Estavia
Theatre credits include: Disney’s The Lion King (UK Tour).

Henry Faber
Television credits include: Glow & Darkness, Victoria (Mammoth), Henry IV I & II (BBC). His film credits include: King Authur (Warner Bros), Johnny English Reborn (Working Title).

Cannon Hay 

Theatre credits include: Thriller Live! (Lyric).

Savanna Jeffrey
Theatre Credits include: The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales).

Rohan Pinnock-Hamilton
Theatre credits include: Dreamgirls (The Savoy), The Scottsboro Boys (Garrick), Some Like it Hip Hop (West End and Tour), Riverdance (European and US Tour), Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK Tour), Hairspray (West End) and Mary Poppins (UK Tour). TV credits include: Children’s Ward and My Parents Are Aliens. He also starred inITV’s celebrity dance show Dance-Dance-Dance, where he reached the final.

Cleopatra Rey

Theatre credits include: Motown: The Musical (Shaftesbury), The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales), Sister Act (Grand Opera House), Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show (UK Tour), Dirty Dancing (Aldwych), Arabian Nights (Cockpit Theatre) and The Wiz Ensemble (Cockpit Theatre). Cleopatra Was a live finalist on the BBC1 Show I’d Do Anything.

Julene Robinson
UK credits include: My Cape is Invisible (Pleasance). Screen credits include The Witcher (Netflix), I am MIA, (Salzburger Films) Cleaning House (10A Production, Jamaica) Origins (Kurt Wright Film, Jamaica). She has extensive theatre credits in Jamaica.

Nate Simpson
Theatre credits include: Mowtown (Shaftesbury Theatre), The Lion King (Lyceum) and The Crooners (UK Tour).  He has worked extensively in the music industry, performing on television, radio, at Festivals and in arenas, both in his own right as an artist, and as a background vocalist.

Archie Smith  
Theatre credits include: Fun Home (Young Vic), The Bodyguard (UK & International Tour). 

Declan Spaine
Theatre credits include: Red Dust Road (National Theatre Scotland) and Four Play (Above the Stag Theatre). Short Film credits include: The Gossip (Tanktop Films).

Jaime Tait
Theatre credits include: Motown the Musical (Shaftesbury Theatre), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Aldwych), Guys and Dolls (Royal Exchange Theatre), The Producers (The Gordon Craig Theatre), West Side Story (Stratford Upon Avon) and Babes in Arms (Ye Olde Rose and Crown).

Teddy Wills
Theatre credits include: Man of La Mancha (English National Opera) and Caroline, or Change (Playhouse Theatre).

Choreographer – Shelley Maxwell
Musical Supervisor & Arranger – Phil Bateman
Set Designer – Chloe Lamford
Costume Designer – Lisa Duncan
Lighting Designer – Charles Balfour
Sound Designer – Tony Gayle
Sound Effect Designer – Ben Grant
Video Designer – Tal Yarden
Wigs, Hair & Make-Up – Campbell Young
Orchestrator – Simon Hale
Musical Director – Sean Green
Casting Director – Pippa Ailion CDG

INITIAL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE MAGICIAN’S ELEPHANT

• A new musical from the Royal Shakespeare Company with Book/Lyrics by Nancy Harris and Music/Lyrics by Marc Teitler based on the international, best-selling novel by Kate DiCamillo, directed by Sarah Tipple.

• Introducing Jack Wolfe as Peter Duchene, who appeared in The Witcher and Inside No. 9 and stars in The Magic Flute for release in 2022.

• Principal cast also includes; Keisha Amponsa Banson, Marc Antolin, Sam Harrison, Forbes Masson, Mark Meadows, Alastair Parker and Summer Strallen.

The Royal Shakespeare Company has today announced initial casting for The Magician’s Elephant, a new musical by Nancy Harris (book/lyrics) and Marc Teitler (music/lyrics) based on the novel by prize-winning children’s author Kate DiCamillo.

The principal cast includes; Keisha Amponsa Banson (Gloria Matienne), Marc Antolin (Leo Matienne), Sam Harrison (Count Quintet), Forbes Masson (Police Chief), Mark Meadows (Vilna Lutz), Alastair Parker (Magician), Summer Strallen (Countess Quintet) and Jack Wolfe (Peter Duchene).

Further cast comprises; Sharif Afifi (Milliner), Alison Arnopp (Baker), Hannah Brown (Swing), Michael Carolan (Swing), Lucca Chadwick-Patel (Fishmonger), Stephen John Davis (Doctor), Zoe Halliday (The Elephant), Wela Mbusi (The Elephant), Suzanne Nixon (The Elephant), Wendy Somerville (Mrs Griswald) and Mandi Symonds (Sister Marie).

The world stage premiere of The Magician’s Elephant will run in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from Thursday 14 October 2021 to Saturday 1 January 2022 with press night on Tuesday 26 October 2021.

The production, which was originally due to run from October 2020 – January 2021, was postponed due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, which included the temporary cancellation of all RSC performances, events and other activities. The production will mark the re-opening of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre following the pandemic and the return of audiences to indoor performances at the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The Magician’s Elephant tells the story of orphan Peter Augustus Duchene, who lives a frugal life in the lonely town of Baltese. Then one day, a magician conjures an elephant from the sky. The animal’s appearance sets off a chain of events so remarkable, so impossible, that it changes Baltese forever. Peter is catapulted into the quest of his life, overturning everything he ever thought he knew, and discovering that happiness can come from the most unexpected places.

This new adaptation of Kate DiCamillo’s heart-breaking and darkly magical children’s book by Nancy Harris (book/lyrics) and Marc Teitler (music/lyrics) will be directed by Sarah Tipple, Associate Director to Gregory Doran on The Boy in the Dress. The production will feature design by Colin Richmond whose previous RSC credits include Wendy and Peter Pan and Vice Versa. Lighting is by Oliver Fenwick, Music Supervision and Musical Direction by Tom Brady, Orchestrations by Sarah Travis and Marc Teitler, vocal arrangements by Tom Brady and Marc Teitler, sound by Paul Groothuis andmovement by Francesca Jaynes. Dramaturgy is by Réjane Collard-Walker. Puppetry direction is by Mervyn Millar with puppetry design by Mervyn Millar and Tracy Waller. The Magic Consultant is John Bulleid whose previous RSC credits include #WeAreArrested, and video is by Douglas O’Connell.

The role of Peter Duchene will be played by Jack Wolfe, who makes his RSC debut this Christmas. Jack’s previous theatre credits include Sweeney Todd (Lyric Belfast), Pinocchio (National Theatre) The Snow Queen (Rose Theatre Kingston) and The Musician (The Belfast Ensemble). Television credits include Inside No. 9; The Witcher; Father Brown and Hetty Feather.

Jack plays the lead role of Tim Walker/Prince Tamino in the upcoming film adaptation of The Magic Flute (Flute Film/Centropolis Entertainment) opposite Iwan Rheon and F. Murray Abraham, which is due for release in 2022. 

He will be joined by Marc Antolin and Keisha Amponsa Banson in the roles of Leo and Gloria Matienne respectively.

Marc is no stranger to the RSC at Christmas. In 2010, he appeared as a member of the original ensemble cast of Matilda the Musical, which this year celebrates its 10^th anniversary in the West End. Marc continued with the production when it transferred to the West End and later went on to play the role of Rudolpho.

Marc’s other musical theatre credits include playing the role of Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors at Regents Park Open Air Theatre and Marc Chagall in Kneehigh/Bristol Old Vic’s production The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk. Other notable stage credits include The Trial (Young Vic) and Taken at Midnight (Theatre Royal Haymarket/Chichester Festival Theatre).

Keisha Amponsa Banson is perhaps best known to musical theatre audiences for playing Ms Sheinkopf in School of Rock – The Musical. Keisha’s previous credits for the RSC include Matilda the Musical (Cambridge Theatre) in which she played the role of Mrs Phelps.

Keisha’s other theatre credits include Caroline, or Change (Chichester Festival Theatre/West End); Beano The Musical (Old Vic); King (Hackney Empire); Dr. FeelGood (The Other Palace); Motown the Musical (Shaftesbury Theatre); I Know All The Secrets In My World (Tiata Fahodzi); Yarico (London Theatre Workshop); City of Angels (Donmar Warehouse); The Pajama Game (Shaftesbury Theatre); From Here to Eternity (Shaftesbury Theatre); The Lion King (UK/Ireland Tour); Believers Anonymous (Rosemary Branch Theatre); Footloose (UK Tour); Woosah (Old Vic); Knight Crew (Glyndebourne Opera); Little Shop of Horrors (Menier Chocolate Factory, UK Tour). Her television credits include Children in Need; Live At The London Palladium; The Sound of Music Live!; Gareth Malone Goes to Glyndebourne; West End Story: What Nancy, Joseph & Maria Did Next and I’d Do Anything.

Four times Olivier award-nominated actress Summer Strallen will make her RSC debut this Autumn playing the role of Countess Quintet alongside Sam Harrison as Count Quintet.

Throughout her career, Summer has performed various leading roles on stage and screen.

Her most notable stage credits include playing Meg Giry in the West End production of Love Never Dies and Maria von Trapp in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s revival of The Sound of Music at the London Palladium. Other theatre credits include What’s In A Name (UK Tour); Young Frankenstein (Garrick Theatre); Hysteria (London Classic Theatre Tour); A Damsel In Distress (Chichester Festival Theatre); Ultimate Broadway (Shanghai Culture Square Theatre); Life Of The Party (Menier Chocolate Factory); Top Hat (Aldwych Theatre and National Tour), Company (Queens Theatre); The Drowsy Chaperone (Novello Theatre); Guys and Dolls (Piccadilly Theatre); Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (London Palladium); Cats (New London Theatre and National Tour); Fosse (European Tour) and The Sound of Music (Sadler’s Wells). 

Summer played the role of Nancy Morrell in BBC One’s World War Two drama, Land Girls. She also voiced the part of “Princess Lucy” in The Big Knights, a British animated children’s television series, and played the role of Summer Shaw in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks.

Sam Harrison’s musical theatre credits include playing Bamatabois/Claquesous in Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre), Boris in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (West Yorkshire Playhouse & UK Tour), the Hairdresser in The Phantom of the Opera (25th Anniversary Tour)

and Bobby in Crazy for You (London Palladium). Other stage credits include A Damsel in Distress (Chichester Festival Theatre), By Jeeves (Trinity Theatre) Eastward, Ho! (Shakespeare’s Globe), Salad Days (Riverside Studios) and Avenue Q (Gielgud Theatre).

Returning to the RSC this Christmas following his role as Mr Hawtrey, the Headmaster in The Boy in the Dress in 2019/20 is RSC Associate Artist Forbes Masson, who will play the Police Chief.

Forbes’ previous credits for the RSC include The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As You Like It, Romeo and Juliet, Ahasverus, Morte D’Arthur, Henry VI Part 2, Henry V, The Grain Store, A Tender Thing, Henry VI Parts 1,2 & 3, Richard II, Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors, Macbeth and Hamlet. Other theatre credits include Summer and Smoke (West End and The Almeida), Little Shop of Horrors (Regents Park), Big Fish (The Other Palace), Bartholomew Fair, Merry Wives of Windsor, Boudica (all at Shakespeare’s Globe) and Travesties (West End and Menier). Forbes is known for his comedy partnership with Alan Cumming. Together they wrote and starred in The High Life, and created the famous Scottish comedy duo, Victor and Barry. Recent TV credits include Crime, Father Brown, Catastrophe, Shetland and EastEnders

Making his RSC debut this Autumn is Mark Meadows as Vilna Lutz. Mark’s previous musical theatre credits include The Thrill of Love (New Vic, Stoke); Flowers for Mrs Harris (Sheffield Crucible; Chichester Festival Theatre), Betty Blue Eyes (Novello Theatre); Mary Poppins (Prince Edward Theatre); Urinetown (St James); High Society (Sheffield Crucible). Other theatre credits include Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Tobacco Factory);A Woman of No Importance (UK Tour);Orpheus Descending (Menier Chocolate Factory); Quiz (Chichester Festival Theatre; Noel Coward Theatre); Tartuffe (Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory) and The Magna Carta Plays (Salisbury Playhouse).

Mark’s TV and radio credits include McDonald & Dodds (Mammoth Screen);Kiri (Channel 4), EastEnders, Casualty, Doctors (all for BBC); Letters From Baghdad; Nicholas Nickleby (United Artists); High Heels & Lowlifes (Fragile Films), Poetry Please; Costing The Earth; The Good Companions; Company; Pal Joey (BBC Radio 3); The Worst Journey in the World; Torchwood-Lost Souls; If Not Now, When?; Abel’s Law; The Von Trapps & Me; Tommy the Voice; I Believe I Have Genius; The Quest and Making Hay (all for BBC Radio 4). 

Also returning to the Royal Shakespeare Company this Christmas is Alastair Parker who plays the Magician. Alastair last appeared at the RSC as Sergei in the original cast of Matilda the Musical in 2010. Alastair later went on to understudy the role of Miss Trunchbull during the production’s run at the Cambridge Theatre.

Alastair’s other theatre credits include A Christmas Carol (Old Vic Theatre), Jerry Springer – The Opera (National Theatre, Cambridge Theatre, Battersea Arts Centre); Bed & Sofa (Finborough Theatre); BBC Proms – Sondheim at 80 (Royal Albert Hall); The Secret Garden, Alice in Wonderland (West Yorkshire Playhouse); Silk (Orange Tree Theatre); Wizard of Oz, The Glee Club (New Vic Theatre); Two Women for One Ghost, Cymbeline, Twelfth Night, HMS Pinafore (Regents Park Open Air Theatre); Spittin’ Distance, Jonah Boy, Beginners Guide to Cybershopping (Stephen Joseph Theatre); Is There Life After High School (The Bridewell Theatre); Oklahoma (Perth Theatre) and Oliver (London Palladium).

AWARD WINNING 

LAZARUS THEATRE COMPANY 

Oscar Wilde’s scandalous Salomé to play Southwark Playhouse this summer. 

“Salomé, dance for me.  

I pray thee dance for me.” 

King Herod asks Salomé, son of the Queen to dance for him… this request leads to the Dance of the Seven Veils and one of the most shocking, thrilling, and scandalous climaxes ever seen on stage. 

Originally banned in Britain, Wilde’s outrageously provocative Salomé comes to Southwark Playhouse after a ★★★★★ run at Greenwich Theatre in 2019.  

This new immersive version is Adapted and Directed by Ricky Dukes, Designed by Sorcha Corcoran, Lighting by Ben Jacobs (inspired by original design by Hector Murray) with Sound design by Will Thompson and produced by Rachael Nolan and Gavin Harrington-Odedra for Lazarus Theatre Company.  

The role of Salomé is regendered and played by Fred Thomas, the role of King Herod is played by Jamie O’Neill and Jokanaan by Prince Plockey. Further casting to be announced. 

Salomé is suitable for ages 16 plus, contains full male nudity, gun shots and scenes of a sexual nature. 

Salomé plays from Aug 25^th – Sept 11^th at Southwark Playhouse. 

THE WINDSORS: ENDGAME 

FIRST LOOK AT ROYAL FAMILY PORTRAITS 

• THE WINDSORS: ENDGAME FINAL CAST MEMBERS: ELIZA BUTTERWORTH AS EUGENIE AND SOPHIE-LOUISE DANN AS FERGIE

As final cast members Eliza Butterworth (Eugenie) and Sophie-Louise Dann (Fergie) are announced, a series of (un)suitably hilarious Royal portraits of The Windsors: Endgame characters are revealed today.

Sophie-Louise Dann (Fergie) said ‘I’m looking forward to a right Royal rollicking time – I  haven’t been so excited since I had my big toe sucked!’

With rehearsals underway, the company posed for character portraits, in full costume, and the results offer a glimpse into how hilarious the show is going to be. A soap opera style parody of the lives of the monarchy, there’s just four weeks to go until the first preview at the most appropriate of venues, The Prince of Wales Theatre.

Eliza Butterworth and Sophie-Louise Dann join the rest of the monarch-compan-y: Harry Enfield (Charles); Crystal Condie (Meghan); Matthew Cottle (Edward); Tom Durant-Pritchard (Harry); Tracy-Ann Oberman (Camilla); Ciarán Owens (Wills); Jenny Rainsford (Beatrice); Kara Tointon (Kate) and Tim Wallers (Andrew).

The World Premiere of The Windsors: Endgame will open on 2 August with a press night on 10 August.

 Written by the creators of the TV series, George Jeffrie and Bert Tyler-Moore, directed by Michael Fentiman (Amelie), and featuring songs, sword fights and snogging competitions, this show has everything you need.

The Windsors: Endgame is produced by Tristan Baker and Charlie Parsons for Runaway Entertainment, Isobel David, Gavin Kalin, Hunter Arnold, and Kater Gordon. The Windsors television series was produced by Noho Film & Television for Channel 4. 

York Theatre Royal – until Saturday 10 July 2021

Reviewed by Marcus Richardson

3***

A petrol scare, a rushed covid jab and a sprint to the theatre. This was my chaotic return to the theatre, after a year and a half break, courtesy of Covid. What can I say; It’s good to be back! My return to the York Theatre Royal was to watch A Splinter of Ice by Ben Brown, a Cold War play and discussion between two seasoned friends and spies both on different sides. For the most part, the play is between Graham Greene (Oliver Ford Davies), a British Novelist and Spy, and Kim Philby (Steven Boxer, a British communist, who worked for MI6 but traded secrets with the KGB. After fleeing Britain before his treachery was fully realised, he now lives in Russia. This show is an enactment of their last meeting, as old friends, with plenty of vodka thrown in, in the last stages of their lives.

This naturalistic play is definitely tailored to an older audience, a style of play the doesn’t always interest me. The play didn’t seem to drag at a slow pace, even though it was like watching two old friends catch up. The strength of the show definitely comes from the script and the natural feel of everything. The only other actor on stage was Karen Ascoe who plays Rufa Philby, Kim’s Russian wife. All three of the cast did a good job at handling the dialogue heavy play. The set was fairly sparse and simple, a few chairs, sofa and bookcases to set the scene and metal frames resembling walls, you could just imagine this being the starkness of the former USSR.

While I personally am not a fan of this kind of theatre and this show doesn’t really appeal to me, I can see that a lot of people would enjoy it, especially the older generation. It makes for a calm evening with enough entertainment to enjoy the theatre. It will be at the York Theatre Royal until the 10th of July. So, if you’re looking for a calm evening and a return to the theatre, come and watch A Splinter of Ice.

SHEFFIELD THEATRES ANNOUNCE NEW SHOWS

Autumn 2021 – Spring 2022

• The Crucible autumn season opens with Typical Girls by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, in co-production with Clean Break, directed by joint Artistic Director Róisín McBrinn.

• At Christmas, Artistic Director Robert Hastie directs the glorious romantic musical comedy She Loves Me.

• In spring 2022 is Leo Tolstoy’s epic Anna Karenina, directed by RTYDS Associate Artistic Director Anthony Lau.

• In October is The Lemon Table directed by Sheffield Theatres’ former Artistic Director Michael Grandage, in a co-production with Sheffield Theatres, Malvern Theatres, Wiltshire Creative and HOME in association with MGC.

Sheffield Theatres today announces its latest programme of work, featuring new productions in the Crucible in the autumn, Christmas 2021 and into the spring of 2022, alongside a bumper season of visiting productions in the Lyceum and Studio.

Beginning the new season in the Crucible is Typical Girls by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm from Friday 24 September – Saturday 16 October 2021. A new punk musical play co-produced with Clean Break and directed by the company’s Joint Artistic Director Róisín McBrinn. In a mental health unit inside a prison, a group of women form a punk rock band to allow an outlet for their frustration. They find remedy in revolution, but in a system that suffocates, can rebellion ever be allowed?

Directed by Michael Grandage, Sheffield Theatres’ former Artistic Director, The Lemon Table is co-produced with Malvern Theatres, Wiltshire Creative and HOME in association with MGC, and plays in the Crucible from Tuesday 26 – Saturday 30 October. In The Lemon Table, Julian Barnes brings his unsentimental, wryly comic, perspective to the complicated business of ageing, with its attendant, and often bizarrely, fluctuating emotions.

For Christmas, Artistic Director Robert Hastie directs the romantic comedy She Loves Me, from Saturday 11 December 2021 – Saturday 15 January 2022. From the writers of Fiddler on the Roof and based on the story that inspired the movie You’ve Got Mail, the musical focuses on two parfumerie clerks who clash at work but, unbeknownst to them, both live for the anonymous love letters they exchange.

After Christmas, Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme Associate Artistic Director Anthony Lau directs Anna Karenina, adapted by Helen Edmundson. This bold new production of Tolstoy’s epic masterpiece about desire, duty and defiance runs from Saturday 5 – Saturday 26 February 2022.

Robert Hastie, Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres said:

‘’We’re so excited to announce new productions. Making theatre again for our audiences and with our communities, working with talented artists and brilliant partners, is what we’re here for, and what everyone who loves theatre in Sheffield has striven so hard to protect.

We kick off with the world premiere of a new play by one of the UK’s most remarkable writers. For Typical Girls, by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, we’re thrilled to be working with the fantastic company Clean Break. Part gig, part-play this riotous new show sees a group of women light up through their journey into punk rock.

Then at Christmas we bring old school elegance and a whole heap of romance to the Crucible with She Loves Me. A show full of charm, a soaring score, and all the magic of the festive season.

Then, to begin 2022, Anthony Lau directs Leo Tolstoy’s epic masterpiece Anna Karenina, a play that asks us how we lead this one life we have.

All of our stages come alive with the work of brilliant creatives, casts and companies over the coming months. In welcoming friends old and new, it is wonderful to have previous Artistic Director Michael Grandage back to the Crucible with The Lemon Table ahead of our 50th anniversary year. And outside our walls, our work across the city continues to engage with Sheffielders of all ages, most excitingly as we prepare for October’s visit from Little Amal, the giant puppet girl at the centre of Good Chance’s ground-breaking project, The Walk.

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us over the last 16 months. As we prepare to reopen all three of our theatres once more we can’t wait to share this bumper-crop of work with all our audiences who we have missed so much.”

At Christmas – together with She Loves Me in the Crucible – this year’s pantomime Sleeping Beauty will be back in the Lyceum with Sheffield legend Damian Williams at the helm for more laughs, adventure and family fun, from Friday 3 December 2021 through to Monday 3 January 2022. Completing the festive programme, Little Angel Theatre Company’s The Pixie and the Pudding takes centre stage in the Studio – a magical delight for children and adults alike to enjoy from Saturday 11 December – Sunday 2 January.

The Lyceum will open on Monday 16 August with Hairspray, which is then followed by a host of new touring productions.

From Monday 20 – Saturday 25 September, Matthew Bourne’s The Midnight Bell delves into the under-belly of 1930s London life, where ordinary people emerge from cheap boarding houses nightly to pour out their passions, hopes and dreams in the pubs and bars of fog-bound Soho and Fitzrovia. Inspired by the English novelist Patrick Hamilton (Twenty Thousand Streets Under The Sky, Hangover Square).

Mischief Theatre return once again in October with Magic Goes Wrong to conjure up an evening of grand illusion. Created with Magic legends Penn & Teller, the Mischief company play a hapless gang of magicians presenting a charity event – but as the accidents spiral out of control, so does their fundraising target! Running from Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 October.

Inspired by the story of the mythical wizard who mastered his magic to unite a warring kingdom, Northern Ballet’s Merlin (Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 November) will take you on a sweeping, epic adventure of heartbreak, hope and more than a little magic.

STOS Theatre Company return to the Lyceum with Elf the Musical from Tuesday 16 – Saturday 20 November. Based on the popular festive film, this hilarious musical follows Buddy the elf on his quest to find his father – and himself. STOS draw on the very best local talent, creating theatre for and by the people of South Yorkshire.

There’s more dance in the new year, with Swan Lake and The Nutcracker performed by the one of Russia’s leading ballet companies: Russian State Ballet of Siberia. Dazzling audiences with two performances split across Monday 10 – Saturday 15 January, these magical ballets swirl with wintry charm and delight.

There’s mischief afoot in January with Gangsta Granny, running from Wednesday 19 – Saturday 22 January. Based on the book by David Walliams, meet Ben as he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime with his very own Gangsta Granny!

Fat Friends The Musical makes its return to Sheffield after its triumphant first tour. Created by award-winning writer Kay Mellor and starring West End and TV favourite Lee Mead, the show reunites our favourite foodie friends as they are put through their Zumba paces at the local slimming club (Monday 31 January – Saturday 5 February).

In March, enter the glittering world of Dreamgirls from Tuesday 8 – Saturday 19 March. Effie, Lorrell and Deena are three talented young singers in the turbulent 1960s, a revolutionary time in American music history. Join them as they embark upon a musical rollercoaster ride through a world of fame, fortune and the ruthless realities of show business, testing their friendships to the very limit.

A number of rescheduled shows will also take place at the Lyceum: Dial M for Murder will play in October 2021 from Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 – the definitive seat-gripping drama which follows the vengeful scheme of a jaded ex-tennis pro who discovers his wife has been unfaithful.

November 2021 sees the return of the creepy, spooky, mysterious and kooky Addams Family, from Tuesday 23 – Saturday 27. Wednesday Addams is all grown up and has a shocking secret that only Gomez knows: she’s fallen in love. With his cherished Morticia in the dark, Gomez attempts to keep his daughter’s secret.

In to 2022, pour yourself a cup of ambition as 9 to 5 the Musical plays in the Lyceum from Tuesday 8 – Saturday 12 February. Follow the story of three workmates pushed to boiling point by their sexist and egotistical boss. With an award-nominated score by Dolly Parton.

Then, out of the darkness and into the spotlight, we welcome back Sheffield’s much-loved production Everybody’s Talking About Jamie from Monday 11 – Saturday 16 April 2022. Jamie New is sixteen and lives on a council estate in Sheffield, but he is going to be a sensation at the school prom. From Sheffield Theatres’ original production in 2017, this fabulous musical returns to the Lyceum for its second run.

Enter the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s with Chicago from Tuesday 5 – Saturday 9 July 2022. After murdering her on-the-side lover, housewife and dancer Roxie Hart hires Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines.

In the Studio, Operation Crucible returns from Thursday 2 – Saturday 25 September, rescheduled from 2020. Created by Kieran Knowles, this is the moving story of four steelworkers trapped in the cellar of Sheffield’s Marples Hotel during the bombing of 1940.

From Friday 8 – Saturday 9 October, Sheffield People’s Theatre Young Company will present a devised project in collaboration with multi award-winning, Yorkshire-based gig-theatre company Silent Uproar.

These Hills Are Ours follows on Tuesday 12 October. Join Daniel Bye and Boff Whalley on the journey of two men as they run from the centre of the city in which they find themselves, to the top of the peak overlooking that city. But what are they really running from?

Love N Stuff plays from Wednesday 13 – Saturday 16 October. Tanika Gupta tells a hilarious and touching story of love, attachment and what we mean by home. Bindi and Mansoor might just be the most popular couple on their street, but after 45 years of a loving marriage, Mansoor has vowed to swap the cold streets of Stratford for a sun soaked Delhi. But Bindi’s not convinced and has concocted a last minute plan to lure him back.

Mark Farrelly’s hugely-acclaimed solo play Quentin Crisp: A Naked Hope plays on Tuesday 2 November. Quentin Crisp – openly gay as early as the 1930s and one of the most memorable figures of the twentieth century – suffered incredibly for refusing to be anything less than himself. This is the story of his extraordinary courage and inspiring wit in the face of adversity.

First Time plays from Friday 19 – Saturday 20 November. Can you remember your first time? Nathaniel can’t seem to forget his. To be fair, he has had it playing on repeat for the last 15 years. Award-winning HIV+ theatre-maker Nathaniel Hall (It’s a Sin) and Dibby Theatre present their critically acclaimed ‘hilarious’ and ‘heart breaking’ hit autobiographical show about growing up positive in a negative world.

Family Vogue Ball bursts onto the stage on Saturday 27 November. Four houses go head to head in an epic vogue ball for all the family. A performer from each house will catwalk, dance and lip sync to be crowned the ultimate house with this interactive event where the audience decides the winner. Whether you just want to join in the fun or have a passion to pose, come along and show off your own magnificence by dressing up and help crown the winning house. A celebration of LGBTQIA+ culture from the creators of Rent Party, Family Vogue Ball is a perfect treat for families and children.

My Voice Was Heard But I Was Ignored plays from Monday 29 – Tuesday 30 November. 15 year-old Reece is roughly accosted by the police whilst his young, Black teacher Gillian witnesses it all – but she doesn’t question or intervene. The consequences of her lack of action erupt as Gillian finds herself locked in a gripping tussle of power and an urgent interrogation of racial identity.

In addition to the season of shows, Sheffield Theatres is also proud to host The Walk from Friday 29 October. The Walk is an international project with Good Chance and Handspring Puppet Company. Sheffield Theatres will be the lead partner to welcome Little Amal, a 3.5m puppet of a 10-year-old refugee girl, to Sheffield on her 8000km journey from the Syria-Turkey border through Europe to Manchester.

Tickets for all new and rescheduled shows will be going on sale to Centre Stage Members at 10am on Saturday 10 July and on general sale at 10am on Saturday 17 July. Accessible performances are available on the majority of productions. Sheffield Theatres will continue to offer at least one socially distanced performance for each production taking place in the Crucible. Tickets can be booked through the Box Office in person, over the phone on 0114 249 6000 or at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.

BRAND-NEW LIFE-AFFIRMING BRITISH MUSICAL

THE RHYTHMICS

TO PREMIERE AT THE SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE

2 DECEMBER 2021 – 8 JANUARY 2022

www.therhythmics.co.uk
Twitter – @TheRhythmics_

Aria Entertainment and Metta Theatre– two of the UK’s leading production companies devoted to British musical theatre – are pleased to announce the premiere of brand-new life affirming musical THE RHYTHMICS this winter, playing at the Southwark Playhouse from 2 December to 8 January, with a press night on Tuesday 7 December.

With book and lyrics by Metta’s Artistic Director P Burton-Morgan, and music and lyrics from Stiles + Drewe award winner Ben Glasstone (Reanimator), THE RHYTHMICS explores the crisis of masculinity via a collection of oddballs belting their way through a thrillingly catchy guitar-led score.

Hapless single-dad Grey is in a rut. Teenage daughter Silva packs him off to revive his rockstar dreams, successfully auditioning for ‘Nick & the Rhythmics’ only to realise… he’s actually signed up for an All-male Rhythmic Gymnastics troupe. Against the odds these burly blokes make it as far as the World Championships – twirling their ‘ribbons of fire’ – and along the way Grey finally learns to commit to life. Calendar Girls meets The Full Monty in this joyous new British musical.

P Burton-Morgan says, “So thrilled to finally share the world premiere of this original new British musical with live audiences. I can’t think of anything more uplifting to welcome people back into theatres than this heart warming and hilarious tale of community and connection. A tonic for our times; Ben’s joyous score is an absolute bop.”

THE RHYTHMICS is directed by P Burton-Morgan, with choreography by Mark Smith, with Erika Gundesen as Musical Director, Ellie Vekerk as Musical Supervisor, James Nicholson as sound designer, Francine Huin-Wah as costume designer, Jane Deitch as casting director, and Will Reynolds as set and lighting designer.

A cast album for the show was created last year during lockdown under socially distanced rules in studios across London, Brighton and Glasgow, and released in July 2020. The album is available via Spotify, iTunes, Amazon Music, Apple Music and other digital platforms.

Like the music video Got Your Back, created to accompany the release of the album, the full production will also feature BSL integrated choreography from Deaf men Dancing’s Mark Smith, as well as captions throughout all performances, to make the show accessible for D/deaf and hard of hearing audiences.

Award-winning Metta Theatre is one of the UK’s leading mid-scale touring companies – making exceptional theatre and opera that represents and celebrates the diversity of our world. They are known for combining emotionally powerful performances with imaginative theatricality and striking visual style. After their smash hit street-dance Jungle Book (Theatre Royal Windsor, UK & Int. tours), circus-musical Little Mermaid (Theatre By The Lake & UK tour) and BSL integrated hip hop musical In The Willows (Exeter Northcott & UK tour) Metta Theatre have spent the last year recording and releasing 5 cast albums of their new original British musicals including The Rhythmics, HouseFire, In The Willows, Little Prince & Cells. Other previous productions include Mouthful (Trafalgar Studios) and Arab Nights (Soho Theatre & UK tour).

Aria Entertainment was founded in 2012 by Katy Lipson. In 2017, Katy was awarded the Best Producer award by the Off-West End Awards and is a recipient of a Stage One Bursary and Start Up Award. She took part in the first ever UK/US Producer Exchange in 2019 and was nominated for International Producer Of The Year in 2020 by the League Of Professional Women in New York. She made “The Stage 100” a list of the most influential people working in British Theatre in 2018, 2019 and 2020 and also 2021. Katy recently produced CRUISE at The Duchess Theatre and is producing The Addams Family Tour as well as THE LAST 5 YEARS at the Garrick Theatre. She was Producing Artistic Director at the Hope Mill Theatre from 2016-2019 where she produced and general managed 13 in house musicals.