Tour dates announced for acclaimed children’s author Simon Mole’s
I Love My Bike family events
There’s a flame on the frame and I love how it feels from my head to my heels when my feet push the pedals and the pedals turn the wheels. I love my bike.
Nobody forgets the thrill of riding a bike for the first time, even if it can feel like an uphill battle to begin with. Join acclaimed children’s author Simon Mole to celebrate that excitement, or start the quest towards it, at this series of family events marking the publication of his picture book, I Love My Bike, which is illustrated by award winning artistSam Usher.
I Love My Bike is about a daughter learning to ride a bike with the help of her father. It’s also about that exhilarating feeling you get when you succeed at something for the first time as a child. And, most importantly, it’s about learning that when you fall off, the best thing to do is get back on again!
Perfect for 4-7 year olds, these 45-minute family events begin with Simon performing I Love My Bike, followed by some fun (and quite silly) games during which children are supported to ‘build’ their own bike poem with him. They can spin the word wheel and take part in the pedal power challenge to unlock their creative powers! For little word wizards who don’t need stabilisers, Simon can shift gears quickly to introduce some mega metaphors and super similes. All participants will also have the opportunity to attend a FREE follow-up poetry workshop online.
Simon Mole, who is excited to be bringing these fun creative events into the heart of communities, said: “I love reading with my kids, so hearing about other families enjoying a book that I’ve written is absolutely amazing. These events are a great way to bring books to life and to have fun playing with words. I can’t wait to take this tour out on the road!”
The I Love My Bike tour will visit Norden Farm, Maidenhead (24 July 11.30am, 14 August 11.30am), Discover Story Centre, Stratford, London (27 July 1pm), Deptford Lounge, London followed by a bike lesson with a Cycle Instructor (28 July 10am) and Herts Libraries (2 August 10am Oakmere Library followed by a session with Bikeability and 2pm Hoddesdon Library).
Simon Mole is an acclaimed children’s poet (and sleep deprived dad) who has shared stages with Michael Rosen, Kae Tempest and John Hegley. His first picture book Kites was published in 2019, and his second book I Love My Bike was published in June 2021. Simon is a National Poetry Day Ambassador with over ten years’ experience using rap and poetry in community and education settings including projects with Great Ormond Street Hospital and Arsenal Football Club. The tutorial videos at his YouTube channel are used by hundreds of thousands of children and teachers across the world each year, and have been featured on BBC Bitesize. Simon is also one half of kids comedy rap duo Mole & Gecko (you can probably guess which half).
I Love My Bike is written by Simon Mole, illustrated by Sam Usher and published by Frances Lincoln (Quarto) 2021. It is available from book shops and online retailers – find out more.
LISTINGS
Event: I Love My Bike
Running Time: 45 minutes
Category: Poetry, Children’s, Family, Books
For ages: 4-7 years
24 July | 11.30AM | Norden Farm, Maidenhead SL6 4PF | Book HERE
27 July | 1PM | Discover Story Centre, Stratford, London E15 4QZ | Book HERE
28 July | 10AM | Deptford Lounge, London SE8 4AG followed by a bike lesson with Cycling Instructor (https://www.cyclinginstructor.com/) | Free to attend, Book HERE
2 Aug | 10.30AM Oakmere Library | 2PM Hoddesdon Library | Herts Libraries | Tickets £5 Book HERE
14 Aug | 11.30AM | Norden Farm, Maidenhead SL6 4PF | Book HERE
Tilted Wig, Malvern Theatres and Churchill Theatre Bromley UK tour announced for thrilling new adaptation of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Thursday 30th September – Saturday 4th December 2021
Stars of the stage and screen, Wendi Peters (Big! The Musical; Coronation Street) and Bill Ward (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie; Emmerdale), will lead a thrilling new production of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Washington Irving’s classic tale has been adapted by acclaimed playwright Philip Meeks (Murder, Margaret and Me; Harpy), unleashing one of the most terrifying monsters from the horror canon on stage – the Headless Horseman. The ghoulish and edge-of-the-seat experience will tour theatres across the UK later this year.
With Hallowmas fast approaching, Sleepy Hollow simmers with anticipation. Arriving as the new teacher, Ichabod Crane finds himself embroiled in the secrets and unsettling traditions of the locals. However, all is not as it seems. When disturbing events overwhelm the small town, he finds himself swept up in a dangerous mystery which leaves him doubting his own sanity.
Transforming the American Dream into the American Gothic, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow unleashes terror on the stage, in a heart-pounding visual masterpiece directed by Jake Smith (The Hound of the Baskervilles; A Christmas Carol; I’m Gonna Pray For You So Hard), with jawdropping illusions by Filipe J. Carvalho (Back To The Future The Musical; Secret Cinema presents Stranger Things). Tilted Wig is excited to return to stages across the UK with their incredible new touring production. This haunting premiere revitalises a classic text for a new audience.
Director Jake Smith comments, Sleepy Hollow is undoubtedly one of the greatest horror stories ever written and a tour de force to stage. This production has at its heart the power of nomadic storytelling and gathering around the campfire for a good ghost story. It is an important story for now as we look at conversations around the identity of nations, communities and humankind throughout the world.
This production has allowed an incredible ensemble of actors to viscerally and inventively bring the Hollow to life. It is a piece that shines on our actors’ athleticism, which is really exciting as we look to theatre returning. We look forward to transporting the audience through a quest of logic and illusion, creating fear and defying expectation.
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA begins performances at the newly refurbished Her Majesty’s Theatre in the West End on 27 July.
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA stars double Olivier Award nominee Killian Donnelly as ‘The Phantom’, Lucy St Louis as ‘Christine Daaé’ and Rhys Whitfield as ‘Raoul’.
The cast also includes Saori Oda as ‘Carlotta Giudicelli’, Matt Harrop as ‘Monsieur Firmin’, Adam Linstead as ‘Monsieur André’, Greg Castiglioni as ‘Ubaldo Piangi’, Francesca Ellis as ‘Madame Giry’ and Ellie Young as Meg Giry. At certain performances the role of ‘Christine Daaé’ will be played by Holly-Anne Hull.
They are joined by Leeroy Boone, Corina Clark, Edward Court, Lily De-La-Haye, Hywel Dowsell, Jemal Felix, Erin Flaherty, James Gant, Eilish Harmon-Beglan, Emma Harris, Yukina Hasebe, Olivia Holland-Rose, Grace Hume, James Hume, Donald Craig Manuel, Jonathan Milton, Janet Mooney, Tim Morgan, Beatrice Penny-Toure, Michael Robert-Lowe, Nikki Skinner, Tim Southgate, Ashley Stillburn, Manon Taris, Anouk Van Laake, Skye Weiss, Simon Whitaker and Karen Wilkinson
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Her Majesty’s Theatre, Haymarket, SW1Y 4QL
Dates: Now booking to 13 February 2022
Prices: Tickets from £22.50 – No booking fee applies
“COMEDIAN AND ACTOR RUFUS HOUND MAKES HIS PANTOMIME DEBUT THIS CHRISTMAS!”
Producers at RED Entertainment in association with Prime Pantomimes & the New Theatre, Peterborough have announced the first two stars in who form an outstanding line-up for this year’s high flying pantomime adventure, Aladdin.
Making his pantomime debut this Christmas Aladdin stars comedian and actor Rufus Hound and direct from London’s West End Joaquin Pedro Valdes.
In his first panto role, Rufus Hound will headline as the evil Abanazar and will be joined by Joaquin Pedro Valdes currently appearing in Heathers as our hero Aladdin, with further star casting to be announced this Christmas treat is not to be missed.
“I believe pantomime to be the cornerstone of British theatre and the highlight of many families Christmas celebrations. So, as theatre emerges from it’s COVID cocoon, I’m thrilled to be terrorising the people of Peterborough this Christmas as the evil Abanazar. Finally a chance to show people that Abanazar is the real hero of this story, and not that simpering wimp Aladdin. Now, where’s MY lamp?” Rufus Hound
Join Aladdin on a magic carpet ride to Old Peking as Red Entertainment in association with Prime Pantomimes welcomes you to their most lavish and hilarious pantomime ever!
With sparkling scenery, spectacular special effects, dazzling dance routines, cracking costumes and a laugh-out-loud script, Aladdin has something for everyone. So be whisked away on a magic carpet to the of make-believe!
Aladdin is sure to be an unforgettable pantomime experience for the whole family.
Producers at RED Entertainment in association with Prime Pantomimes have designed a show for the young and the young at heart!
Featuring sparkling costumes, glitzy scenery, spectacular special effects, live music, dazzling dance routines and not forgetting a laugh-out-loud script, that ends as all great fairy tales do…. happily, ever after! All the ingredients you need for an enchanting pantomime adventure.
New Theatre, Peterborough is set to expect a captivating journey on a magic carpet with a new production of Aladdin, from 15th December to 30th December.
Richie Ross at New Theatre Peterborough said “The New Theatre, Peterborough, is very excited to be working with Red Entertainment to bring back Pantomime for 2021. We cannot wait to deliver the locally focused and fun panto that we all missed and longed for last year. and this year’s Aladdin promises to be a blockbusting spectacle.”
This December creatives at RED Entertainment, who share decades of experience in the pantomime industry, are working together to create a fun-filled traditional and enchanting pantomime adventure.
Matt Brinkler, the Executive Producer for RED Entertainment, said:“This year in Peterborough we wanted to provide something that everybody in the city and beyond can relate to. A pantomime that will make everyone laugh, songs that leave you humming them and an all-star cast that have never been seen in panto before. We can’t wait to share this with Peterborough. It is for everyone that wants a great Christmas night out”
The classic tale of good versus evil and at New Theatre, Peterborough, wishes do come true!
Hull New Theatre is sorry to announce that this week’s performances of SIX -The Musical, scheduled to take place from Tuesday 20 – Sunday 25, July, 2021 have been cancelled due to a member of the company testing positive for Covid-19.
The promoters of the show said: “We are disappointed to have to announce that members of the Touring Company of SIX have tested positive for Covid. Consequently the rest of the Company are having to self-isolate as a result of close contact.
“We are left with no option, in order to follow government guidelines, other than to have to cancel all performances of SIX at the Hull New Theatre this week. We are working closely with the theatre to arrange a new date for the show in the future.
“All ticketholders will be contacted directly by the venue as soon as possible, so please bear with us. Do not try to contact the venue at this time, your tickets will remain valid for the rescheduled dates.”
the Tubular Bells 50th anniversary concert at the Royal Festival Hall this August
The internationally acclaimed pianist Dominic Ferris is thrilled to be performing in Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells at the Royal Festival Hall from 7 – 15 August 2021.
The spectacle marks the 50th anniversary of Tubular Bells, the debut studio album by English multi-instrumentalist, composer and songwriter Mike Oldfield. Oldfield, who was just 17 years old when he started composing the music, recorded and played almost all of the instruments on the album. Conceived in 1971 and finally released in 1973, it gained worldwide acclaim when the opening theme was used for the soundtrack of the horror film The Exorcist. Tubular Bells is a progressive journey through classical, jazz, folk, prog rock and electronica.
Ten performers from Circa Contemporary Circus will also present Oldfield’s work in its physical form, their heart-stopping acrobatics intricately woven together to reflect the music. The performance is directed by Yaron Lifschitz. The musical director, Robin Smith, has collaborated with Mike Oldfield over three decades including memorable performances of Tubular Bellsat Edinburgh Castle in 1992 and at the London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony. Mike Oldfield is not performing at this event.
Dominic Ferris said: “I am delighted to have been asked to take part in this anniversary production of Tubular Bells; many people will be familiar with the famous opening piano sequence, but having explored the work further in preparation for the event next month, I’ve discovered parts of the score I never knew existed. These performances will be made extra special by the visual interpretation of Circa Contemporary Circus. I’m also looking forward to being on stage again with the very talented Robin Smith, who will be conducting the performance. Robin and I have worked together on the Elvis Presley: Live On Screen tours since 2015 and so this is a lovely opportunity to reunite on a new production, giving audiences the chance to experience live music after what has been a very testing time for our industry.”
Dominic Ferris studied at the Royal College of Music. Now an internationally acclaimed pianist and Steinway Artist, Dominic is one half of the critically acclaimed piano duo The Piano Brothers. Endorsed by Steinway & Sons, this cutting-edge live act has created their own arrangements for two pianos, leading to an album collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra and a performance on Friday Night Is Music Nightfor BBC Radio 2 with the BBC Concert Orchestra. Dominic is also one half of West End musical theatre duo Ferris & Milnes (with Martin Milnes) who have become renowned for their quickfire mashup medleys including 33 Sondheim Numbers In 5 Minutes, which they premiered in Stephen Sondheim’s 85th Birthday Gala at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Last year, Dominic collaborated with Martin Milnes and BBC Radio 2 producer Anthony Cherry to produce We’ll Meet Again 2020 – featuring the late Dame Vera Lynn and stars of the West End including Alfie Boe, Maria Friedman and Sharon D Clarke – as a morale-boosting music video in honour of the theatre industry.
PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE KENNETH BRANAGH THEATRE COMPANY AND FIERY ANGEL
Due to an increasing number of Covid-enforced absences, the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company / Fiery Angel Production of The Browning Version at Riverside Studios has had to be cancelled.
Despite all company members observing strict Covid protocols, multiple company members have been robbed of more than two thirds of the limited rehearsal time. Some isolating, some actually unwell.
The first run through was conducted with only four of the seven cast members able or allowed to perform. With a short run impossible to extend due to limited cast availability, delay is impractical. Therefore the very difficult decision to cancel has been made.
We have been so grateful for the public support for this production, and we are very sorry to have to make this decision. If you booked directly with Riverside Studios you will be automatically refunded. The box office team will begin processing refunds first thing in the morning. If you booked via a ticket agent or third party they will contact you to arrange a refund.
RADA, for whom the production was dedicated to raising funds, will receive instead a donation from the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company.
We are deeply disappointed by this outcome, and hope very much to return to the magnificent Riverside Studios, and its loyal audiences, when circumstances allow.
These Hills Are Ours is tells the story of two men wanting to run away from it all. Daniel Bye and Boff Whalley (Known as a founding member of Chumbawamba) decided to escape the city where-ever they were and run to the peak of whichever city they found themselves in. They even invite the audience to join them on one of these runs the morning after the show which is a nice touch and is benefited by the intimate audience which is a result of Covid-19. The audience can participate and answer questions if they wish but this is kept to a minimum and should you prefer to sit back and enjoy the show you can do so with ease.
We learn about the history of our rights to roam the countryside, beginning with the Kinder Scout Mass Trespass in 1932, which lead the way for the public being able to run and walk freely across the countryside. The inclusion of these important parts of history helps us see how privileged we now are to have access to some of these beautiful places and helps us understand the passion they both have for running and why it is important for people to take advantage of the rights which were fought for so many years ago to get out and see the country we live in.
Boff breaks up the stories with meaningful and relevant lyrics which also helps you understand and see what running means to them. Dan was excellent at painting a picture with words. Describing his attempt at an almost 90 mile run in detail including both the triumphs and turmoil of that experience.
FIRST LOOK: Footage of the Cast of JERSEY BOYS in Rehearsals
Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning smash hit musical JERSEY BOYS. The musical will open at the new multi-million pound reinstated Trafalgar Theatre on 10 August 2021, following previews from 28 July.
The cast is led by Ben Joyce as Frankie Valli, Adam Bailey as Bob Gaudio, Benjamin Yates as Tommy De Vito and Karl James Wilson as Nick Massi. JERSEY BOYS is the remarkable true story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and their rise to stardom from the wrong side of the tracks. The show is packed with hits, including Beggin’, Sherry, Walk Like A Man, December, 1963 (Oh What a Night), Big Girls Don’t Cry, My Eyes Adored You, Let’s Hang On (To What We’ve Got), Bye Bye Baby, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Working My Way Back to You, Fallen Angel, Rag Doll and Who Loves You.
JERSEY BOYS is written by Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe.
The production will be staged by the original Broadway creative team, led by the Tony Award-winning team of director Des McAnuff and choreographer Sergio Trujillo. It is produced in London by the Dodgers and Trafalgar Theatre Productions, with BB Investments, Kevin Kinsella, Pelican Group in association with Latitude Link and Eilene Davidson Productions.
Based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the original Walt Disney film, Cameron Mackintosh and Disney are delighted to announce casting for their Olivier award-winning production of Mary Poppins which resumes performances at the Prince Edward Theatre from 7 August 2021.
Joining the previously announced Zizi Strallen as Mary Poppins and Charlie Stemp as Bert are Charlie Anson as George Banks, Amy Griffiths as Winifred Banks, Petula Clark as Bird Woman, Liz Robertson as Miss Andrew, Claire Machin as Mrs Brill, Jack North as Robertson Ay and Paul F. Monaghan as Admiral Boom and Bank Chairman.
Katie Cox, Rose Dawson, Megan Donovan, Megan Judge,Ellie Kit Jones and Maddison Thew will alternate the role of Jane Banks with Logan Clark, George Hamblin, Charlie Irwin, Charlie Murphy, Frankie Treadaway and Fred Wilcox alternating the role ofMichael Banks.
The ensemble comprises Yves Adang,Angeline Bell, Lydia Boulton, Alison Connell, Adam Davidson, Danielle Delys, Joseph Dockree, Charlie Donnelly, Stan Doughty, Glen Facey, Davide Fienauri, Harry Francis, Lyndsey Gardiner, Ian Gareth-Jones, Maria Garrett, Mark Goldthorp, Jacqueline Hughes, Emma Hunter, Jason Kajdi, Sam Lathwood, Jordan Livesey,Tania Mathurin, Laura Medforth, Alex Pinder, Ben Redfern, Clare Rickard, Lucie-Mae Sumner, Scott Waugh and Monique Young.
The magical story of the world’s favourite Nanny arriving on Cherry Tree Lane has been triumphantly and spectacularly brought to the stage with dazzling choreography, incredible effects and unforgettable songs. The stage version of Mary Poppins, brilliantly adapted from the wonderful stories by PL Travers and the original beloved Walt Disney film, continues to be a smash hit around the world since its opening in London 17 years ago.
Zizi Strallen’s previous theatre credits include Strictly Ballroom The Musical at the Piccadilly Theatre, Follies at the National Theatre, Mary Poppins on tour in the UK, Ireland and in Dubai, Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man and Cinderella at Sadler’s Wells and on tour, Cats and Scrooge at the London Palladium, Hairspray and Chicago at Leicester Curve, Merrily We Roll Along at the Harold Pinter Theatre, Rock of Ages at the Shaftesbury Theatre and The Music Man for Chichester Festival Theatre. Her film credits include Cats and Cinderella.
Award-winning Charlie Stemp was previously seen in his critically-acclaimed performance as Arthur Kipps in Half a Sixpence at the Nöel Coward Theatre, a role he first performed at Chichester; and in his Broadway debut as Barnaby Tucker opposite Bette Midler and Bernadette Peters in Hello, Dolly!. At the London Palladium, he has starred in Dick Whittington, Snow White, and Pantoland at the Palladium; as well as in Lloyd George Knew My Father in Windsor, the UK tour of Rough Crossing, the international tour of Mamma Mia! and Wicked at the Apollo Victoria.
Petula Clark by Pip
Petula Clark became a star in the UK at nine years old singingfor the troops stationed in England during World War II. Many years later she moved to France and soon became a European star recording in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish. While still living in Paris, English songwriter Tony Hatch presented her with his new composition, Downtown, which became a worldwide hit and led to a string of top ten records, winning her two Grammy awards and making her an international star. She later met with Charlie Chaplin who penned one of her further major hits This Is My Song. She has performed in her own TV shows in the UK, the US and France and has starred in the iconic films Finian’s Rainbow with Fred Astaire and Goodbye Mr. Chips with Peter O’Toole. Her recent releases are A Valentine’s Day Concert at the Royal Albert Hall, Starting All Over Again and New Flag as well as the Mary Poppins Cast Album. She has been seen on stage in West End and on Broadway, as well as in a triumphant US tour. During her extensive career spanning eight decades she sold over 70 million records. Clark was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1998 and was installed as a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres on France in 2012.
Charlie Anson’s theatre credits include A Room with a View and Portrait of a Lady both at the Theatre Royal Bath, American Psycho at the Almeida, Arcadia at the Manchester Library Theatre and the Lowry, Pains of Youth at the Belgrade Theatre, The Triumph of Love at the Manchester Royal Exchange and Richard II at the Old Vic. His television credits include The Long Call, Goldie’s Oldies, Get Even, The Mallorca Files, The Rook, London Kills, Riviera, Collateral, Reg, X Company, Downton Abbey, Peaky Blinders, Doctor Who, Any Human Heart and The Borgias. His film credits include Death on the Nile, Misbehaviour, The Little Stranger, Pride & Prejudice & Zombies and Tarzan.
Amy Griffiths’ theatre credits include The Twilight Zone at the Almeida, Once in a Lifetime at the Young Vic, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for West Yorkshire Playhouse, Everyman, An Oak Tree, Medea and The Magistrate for the National Theatre, Stephen Ward at the Aldwych Theatre, The Pajama Game for Chichester Festival Theatre, Crazy for You at the Novello and Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Into the Woods also for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and Singin’ in the Rain and The Producers both on UK tour. Her film credits include Nocturnal, The Princess Switch, London Road and Les Misérables.Her television credits include The Accident, Spotless and The Trials of Jimmy Rose.
Liz Robertson is an Olivier Award nominated West End and Broadway star. She made her West End debut in A Little Night Music, directed by Hal Prince, followed by Cameron Mackintosh’s first international hit Side By Side By Sondheim which she subsequently took to Toronto. Robertson was then chosen by Mackintosh to star as Eliza Doolittle in his revival of the iconic musical My Fair Lady, for which she received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical, and a Variety Club of Great Britain Award. Her other London credits include I Love My Wife, Song and Dance, The Music Man, The Sound of Music and Phantom of the Opera. She created the role of Madame Giry in the world premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies, played Velma Von Tussle in the hit musical Hairspray at the Shaftesbury Theatre, and was most recently seen as Cheryl Gillan in Committee at the Donmar Warehouse. In America, Robertson could be seen on Broadway in Dance a Little Closer and Jerome Kern Goes to Hollywood (which she originated at the Donmar Warehouse), and the US Tour of The King and I alongside Rudolph Nureyev. She has also performed at the Kennedy Centre Honors before President and Mrs Reagan. She has made many concert and cabaret appearances on both sides of the Atlantic and could recently be seen guest starring as Frances in two episodes of the ABC/20th Century Fox US TV series Speechless.
Claire Machin’s theatre credits include Amour at the Charing Cross Theatre, Flowers for Mrs Harris for Chichester Festival Theatre, Titanic for Charing Cross Theatre and on UK tour, Mamma Mia! at the Limassol Pattihio Municipal Theatre, The Girls at the Phoenix Theatre, Made in Dagenham at the Queen’s Theatre, Memphis at the Shaftesbury Theatre, The Pajama Game for Chichester Festival Theatre and the Shaftesbury Theatre, Betty Blue Eyes at the Novello Theatre, Oliver! at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Salad Days at the Riverside Studio, First Lady Suite at the Union Theatre, High School Musical at the Churchill Theatre and on UK tour and Les Misérablesat the Palace Theatre. Her television credits include Vanity Fair and film credits include Les Misérables.
Jack North’s previous theatre credits include Guys and Dolls at Theatre Marigny, West Side Story for the BBC Proms, The Country Wife, Gypsy and Barnum for Chichester Festival Theatre, Pinocchio for the National Theatre, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre, Sweeney Todd for English National Opera, Peter Pan in Concert at the Adelphi Theatre, Bernstein Prom for the BBC, Kings of Broadway at the Palace Theatre, Kiss Me Kate at the Royal Albert Hall, 42nd Street at the London Palladium and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at Kensington Gardens. His television credits include Chasing Shadows and the BBC Proms and on film, Breathe.
Paul F Monaghan’s previous theatre credits include The Bridges of Madison County for the Menier Chocolate Factory, Man of La Mancha at the London Coliseum, La Cage Aux Folles on UK tour, Cats at the London Palladium and on international tour, A Man of No Importance at the Union/Arts Theatre, Fame on tour in Ireland, Les Misérables at the Palace Theatre, on UK tour and 10th Anniversary Concert, Sweeney Todd at NCH Dublin, The Phantom of the Opera at the Opera House Manchester, Playhouse Theatre Edinburgh and 25th Anniversary Concert, Jesus Christ Superstar at the Olympia Theatre Dublin, Cameron Mackintosh: A Tribute for the Summer Proms RTE and Les Misérables in Concert on tour. His television credits include The Late Late Show and Make Mine Music and on film, Les Misérables and Mary Queen of Scots.
Mary Poppins was the winner of Best Musical Revival at the 2020 Whatsonstage Awards and Best Set Design and Best Theatre Choreographer awards at the 2020 Olivier Awards.
The original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman include the classic songs Jolly Holiday, Step in Time, Feed the Birds and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. New songs and additional music are by the Olivier award-winning British team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.
Book is by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter and Downton Abbey creator, Julian Fellowes and this production is co-created by Cameron Mackintosh. The producer for Disney Theatrical Productions is Thomas Schumacher.
This production of Mary Poppins has orchestrations by William David Brohn with dance and vocal arrangements by George Stiles. Sound design is by Paul Gatehouse and lighting is by Hugh Vanstone and Natasha Katz. Co-choreography is by Stephen Mear. The reimagined set and costume designs are by Bob Crowley. Co-direction and choreography is by Matthew Bourne and direction by Richard Eyre.
The stage production of Mary Poppins originally opened in the West End in December 2004, running for over 1,250 performances. During this time, the production won two Olivier Awards and an Evening Standard Award. Subsequently the Tony Award®-winning Broadway production ran for over six years.
Obtaining Government backed contingency insurance to protect against further unscheduled closures remains a priority. All plans for the re-opening of Mary Poppins are in accordance with the Government’s latest directives and therefore subject to change.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Theatre: Prince Edward Theatre, Old Compton St, Soho, London W1D 4HS
Dates: Now booking to 13 February 2022
Prices: Tickets from £20, no booking fee applies
Reduced ticket prices for family performances, check website for details
