Month: August 2021

WELCOME BACK TO BRADFORD
THEATRES!
A DAZZLING AUTUMN SEASON OF LIVE
ENTERTAINMENT!

Bradford Theatres are delighted to announce the Autumn 2021 season which is jam packed with new musicals, returning favourites, quality drama, family shows and top names in comedy and entertainment.

Adam Renton, General Manager Bradford Theatres says:
“It always gives me great pleasure to introduce our new season, but on this occasion, it is
more gratifying than ever before. After such a long time, our four venues are open again
and we are delighted to come back stronger and more entertaining than ever, with our usual warmest of welcomes.

We have so many great shows, there really is something for everybody, from big feel-good
musicals to poignant classics, top comedy, exceptional drag, intimate evening talks and
wonderful shows made for our younger audiences.”

September
80s Mania – Friday 3 September 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
9 To 5 The Musical – Tuesday 7 – Saturday 11 September, Alhambra Theatre
Captioned: Fri 10 Sep 7.30pm, Audio Described: Sat 11 Sep 2.30pm
Fresh from 5-star reviews and sold-out houses in London’s West End, 9 to 5 The Musical tells the story of three workmates pushed to boiling point by their sexist and egotistical boss. With Louise Redknapp playing ‘Violet Newstead’! Age recommendation: 12+

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac – Wednesday 8 September 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Some Kinda Wonderful: The Music of Stevie Wonder – Friday 10 September 7.30pm, King’s Hall Ilkley
What’s Love Got To Do With It? Friday 10 September 7.30pm, St George’s Hall

Hairspray – Monday 13 – Saturday 18 September, Alhambra Theatre
Signed: Thu 16 Sep 7.30pm, Audio Described: Sat 18 Sep 2.30pm
Hairspray returns to the Alhambra Theatre. Starring Brenda Edwards as Motormouth Maybelle, this fun filled, feel good show is bursting with show-stopping numbers, dazzling costumes, and dizzying dance routines that you can’t help but shimmy too!

Sindhu Vee: Alphabet – Tuesday 14 September 8pm, King’s Hall Ilkley. Age recommendation: 14+
Nick Cave and Warren Ellis – Wednesday 15 September 7.30pm, St George’s Hall. SELLING FAST!
Joe Black: Deco Punk – Thursday 16 September 7.30pm, King’s Hall Ilkley
John Bishop: Warm Up – Thursday 16 September 8pm, St George’s Hall. Age recommendation: 16+.
SELLING FAST!
The Cavern Beatles – Monday 20 September 7.30pm, King’s Hall Ilkley
Al Murray: Landlord of Hope and Glory – Wednesday 22 September 7.30pm, St George’s Hall (Please note this performance contains strong language and adult themes)
John Lydon: I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right – Friday 24 September 7.30pm, St George’s Hall

Marisha Wallace: Tomorrow Tour – Friday 24 September 7.30pm, King’s Hall Ilkley
One of the West End and Broadway’s leading ladies, Marisha will effortlessly infuse jazz, gospel and R&B with a healthy dose of soul that will leave you feeling inspired and uplifted.

Dirty Dusting – Tuesday 28 September 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Jonathan Pie: Fake News (Corona Remix) – Wednesday 29 September 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Eric and Ern – Thursday 30 September 7.30pm, St George’s Hall

Gangsta Granny – Thursday 30 September – Saturday 2 October, Alhambra Theatre
Signed: Fri 1 Oct 7pm
What Ben doesn’t know is that Granny has a secret – and Friday nights are about to get more exciting than he could ever imagine, as he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime with his very own Gangsta Granny! From the acclaimed producers of Horrible Histories comes the award-winning West End production of this amazing story by David Walliams, the UK’s best-selling author for children.

October
Steve Hackett: Genesis Revisited – Friday 1 October 7.45pm, St George’s Hall. SELLING FAST!
Paul Foot: Swan Power – Friday 1 October 8pm, The Studio
Derren Brown: Showman – Tuesday 5 – Saturday 9 October, Alhambra Theatre
The multi-award-winning master of mind control and psychological illusion, Derren Brown, is at his very best on stage.

His one-man shows have received wide critical acclaim and more Olivier wins and nominations than any other in history. The content of the show remains a closely guarded secret, but if you’ve seen him before, you know you’re in for a powerhouse treat! Not suitable for under 12s

Undr The Cosh Live – Friday 8 October 7.30pm, The Studio. SOLD OUT!
John Bishop – Right Here Right Now – Friday 8 October & Wednesday 8 December 8pm, St George’s Hall. Age recommendation: 16+
Judge Jules Live! Saturday 9 October 8pm, St George’s Hall
Global superstar in the world of dance music, Judge Jules present a mashup of dance classics with a 10- piece live band

Chicago – Monday 11 – Saturday 16 October, Alhambra Theatre
Signed: Thu 14 Oct 7.30pm, Captioned: Fri 15 Oct 7.30pm, Audio Described: Sat 16 Oct 2.30pm
Chicago, the ‘sexiest musical ever’ (Metro) is back! Starring Coronation Street’s Faye Brookes (Dancing On Ice, Grease, Legally Blonde) as Roxie Hart, international recording artist and pop star Sinitta as Matron ‘Mama’ Morton, West End and TV star Darren Day (Joseph, We Will Rock You, Doctors, Celebrity Big Brother) as Billy Flynn, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Divina De Campo as Mary Sunshine, and West End stars Djalenga Scott (Annie, Chicago, West Side Story) as Velma Kelly and Joel Montague (Waitress, Fat Friends, School of Rock) as Amos Hart.

Bad Boy Chiller Crew – Tuesday 12 October 8pm, St George’s Hall. SOLD OUT! Age recommendation: 14+ (under 18s to be accompanied by an adult). Bradford’s own BBCC make their St George’s Hall debut.
Total 90s – Thursday 14 October 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Anything For Love The Meat Loaf Story – Friday 15 October 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
An Evening with Andrew Cotter, Olive and Mabel – Monday 18 October 7.30pm, King’s Hall. SOLD OUT!

Blood Brothers – Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 October, Alhambra Theatre
Signed: Thu 21 Oct 7.30pm, Captioned: Fri 22 Oct 7.30pm, Audio Described: Sat 23 Oct 2.30pm
Lyn Paul returns for her farewell tour in the iconic role of Mrs Johnstone, which she first made her own in London’s West End. The superb score includes Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True.

Dr John Cooper Clarke – Wed 20 October 8pm, King’s Hall. SOLD OUT!
The Elvis Years – The Story of the King – Thu 21 October 7.30pm, St George’s Hall

Laugh Me A Laugh – Thursday 21 October 7.30pm, King’s Hall
Tommy Cannon will be joined on stage by his good pals, Johnnie Casson and Stu Francis. Enjoy a magical nostalgic evening of laughter and song.

Paul Zerdin Hands Free – Friday 22 October 7.30pm, King’s Hall
An Evening with Sir Michael Parkinson – Monday 25 October 7.30pm, King’s Hall Ilkley

School of Rock – Monday 25 – Saturday 30 October, Alhambra Theatre
Signed: Thu 28 Oct 7.30pm, Captioned: Fri 29 Oct 7.30pm, Audio Described: Sat 30 Oct 2.30pm
Get ready to stick it to the man Bradford, because Andrew Lloyd Webber’s West End and Broadway hit musical School of Rock is coming to rock out at the Alhambra Theatre!

Rich Hall’s Hoedown Deluxe – Wednesday 27 October 8pm, King’s Hall. Age recommendation: 14+.
SELLING FAST!
Dr Richard Shepherd Unnatural Causes – Wednesday 27 October 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Hear real-life tales from a forensic pathologist. Not for the faint hearted! Age recommendation: 16+

Tony Christie – Thursday 28 October 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Rapunzel The Adult Drag Panto – Friday 29 October 8.15pm, St George’s Hall
Fascinating Aida – Saturday 30 October 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Ian Waite & Vincent Simone The Ballroom Boys – Sunday 31 October 2.30pm, St George’s Hall. Age recommendation: 12+

November
The Comedy of Errors – Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 November, Alhambra Theatre
Signed: Fri 5 Nov 7.15pm, Audio Described: Sat 6 Nov 2pm, Captioned: Sat 6 Nov 2pm
Direct from Stratford-upon-Avon, the Royal Shakespeare Company returns to the Alhambra Theatre for a riotous farce of unlikely coincidence and everyday miracles.

Jason Manford Like Me – Wednesday 3 November 7.30pm, St George’s Hall. Age recommendation: 14+
Billy Pearce – Thursday 4 November 7.30pm, St George’s Hall. Age recommendation: 18+
Chris Ramsey – Friday 5 November 7.30pm, St George’s Hall. Age recommendation: 14+. SELLING FAST!

Amy Winehouse A Celebration of her Life and Music – Saturday 6 November 7pm, St George’s Hall
The National Youth Jazz Orchestra performs an amazing concert celebrating Amy Winehouse’s enduring legacy.

Janey Godley’s Soup Pot Tour – Tuesday 9 & Wednesday 10 November 7.30pm, The Studio
Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever – Tuesday 9 & Wednesday 10 November, St George’s Hall
Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain – Thursday 11 November 7.30pm, St George’s Hall

Lost in Music One Night at the Disco – Friday 12 November 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Go Now! The Music of The Moody Blues – Friday 12 November 7.30pm, King’s Hall Ilkley
Paul Smith Changed – Wednesday 17 November 8pm, St George’s Hall
The Roy Orbison Story – Thursday 18 November 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Tez Ilyas The Vicked Tour – Saturday 20 November 6pm & 8pm, The Studio
Showaddywaddy – Friday 19 November 7.30pm, King’s Hall Ilkley

The Rocky Horror Show – Monday 15 – Saturday 20 November, Alhambra Theatre
Captioned: Friday 19 Nov 8.30pm, Audio Described: Saturday 20 Nov 5pm
Ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical The Rocky Horror Show returns to the Alhambra Theatre.

Waterloo The Best of ABBA – Saturday 20 November 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Danny & Luke from Thunder – Monday 22 November 7.30pm, Kings Hall
Henry Normal The Escape Plan – Tuesday 23 November 8pm, King’s Hall
An Evening with Sir Geoff Hurst – Wednesday 24 November 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Gary Delaney Gary in Punderland – Wednesday 24 November 7.30pm, King’s Hall Ilkley. Age recommendation: 16+

Dirty Dancing – Tuesday 23 – Saturday 27 November, Alhambra Theatre
Signed: Thu 25 Nov 7.30pm
The iconic story of Baby and Johnny, featuring the hit songs Hungry Eyes, Hey! Baby, Do You Love Me? and the heart stopping (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life, returns to the stage, following two blockbuster West End runs, four hit UK tours, and multiple sensational international productions.

The Magic of Motown – Thursday 25 November 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Clinton Baptiste Goes Stratospheric! Thursday 25 November 7.30pm, King’s Hall Ilkley. SELLING FAST!
A Beautiful Noise – Friday 26 November 7.30pm, St George’s Hall. Celebrating the music of Neil Diamond
Blake – Friday 26 November 7.30pm, King’s Hall Ilkley
Positively Swing – Sunday 28 November 1pm & 5pm, King’s Hall Ilkley
A charity cabaret in aid of Jacqui’s Million, packed with hugely popular ‘Swing’ hits.
Adam Kay Twas The Nightshift Before Christmas Live – Sunday 28 November 8pm, St George’s Hall

December
Sarah Millican Bobby Dazzler – Thursday 2 December 8pm, St George’s Hall. Age recommendation 16+
SELLING FAST!

Katherine Ryan Missus – Friday 3 December 8pm, St George’s Hall. Age recommendation 14+ SELLING FAST!
The Ultimate 70s Show – Friday 3 December 7.30pm – King’s Hall Ilkley
Maddy Prior & The Carnival Band Carols & Capers – Saturday 4 December 7.30pm, King’s Hall Ilkley
Bootleg Beatles – Tuesday 7 December 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Fastlove A Tribute to George Michael – Thursday 9 December 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Great Yorkshire Chorus Christmas Spectacular – Friday 10 December 7.15pm, St George’s Hall

Sleeping Beauty – Sat 11 December 2021 – Sun 16 January 2022, Alhambra Theatre
Signed: Thu 16 Dec 2pm & Sun 16 Jan 5pm, Audio Described: Thu 6 Jan 2pm & 7.15pm, Captioned: Sun 9 Jan 5pm, Relaxed performance: Tue 11 Jan 6pm.
Billy Pearce, Bradford’s best-loved comic, returns to the Alhambra Theatre in his 22nd pantomime playing King Billy, joined by TV celebrity Dr Ranj playing The Royal Doctor, overseeing medical proceedings in the Royal Household!

The Drifters – Saturday 11 December 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Whitney Queen of the Night – Sunday 12 December 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Sir Ranulph Fiennes – Living Dangerously – Monday 13 December 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Kate Rusby at Christmas – Tuesday 14 December 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Fairytale of New York – Wednesday 15 December 7.30pm, St George’s Hall

Brighouse & Rastrick Band Christmas Concert – Friday 17 December 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
The James Bond Concert Spectacular – Saturday 18 December 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Rick Wakeman The Not Quite As Grumpy As Last Xmas Tour – Monday 20 December 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
G4 Christmas – Tuesday 21 December 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Whole Lotta Shakin – Thursday 23 December 7.30pm, King’s Hall Ilkley

Coming Soon
The Addams Family – Tuesday 1 – Saturday 5 February 2022, Alhambra Theatre
Everyone’s favourite kooky family are back on stage in this spectacular musical comedy starring Samantha Womack as Morticia and Cameron Blakely as Gomez.

The Dresser – Tuesday 8 – Saturday 12 February 2022, Alhambra Theatre
Julian Clary and Matthew Kelly star in this funny and affectionate portrait of backstage life. Inspired by memories of working as Donald Wolfit’s dresser as a young man, Ronald Harwood’s evocative, affectionate and hilarious portrait of backstage life is one of the most acclaimed dramas of modern theatre.

To book for all of these shows please contact the Box Office on 01274 432000
or visit our website: bradford-theatres.co.uk
Booking fees apply

Full company announced for:

THE LONG SONG

A new adaptation by Suhayla El-Bushra

Based on the novel by Andrea Levy

Directed by Charlotte Gwinner

1 – 23 October, Festival Theatre

The world premiere of Suhayla El-Bushra’s adaptation of THE LONG SONG by Andrea Levy will run at Chichester Festival Theatre from 1 – 23 October, directed by Charlotte Gwinner.

Tara Tijani makes her professional debut as July; Llewella Gideon plays Old July, and Olivia Poulet plays Caroline Mortimer. The company also includes Ben Adams (as Tam Dewar/Charles Wyndham), Cecilia Appiah (Miss Clara), Andrew Bridgmont (John Howarth/Baptist Minister), Leonard Buckley (Robert Goodwin), Pérola Congo (Miss Bessie/Molly), Miranda Foster (Elizabeth Wyndham), Trevor Laird (Dublin/Godfrey), Syrus Lowe (Thomas/Nimrod), Chris Machari (Cornet/Musician), Mohammed Mansaray (Boy/Ezra), Rebecca Omogbehin (Kitty) and Carol Walton (Miss Rose).

‘You do not know me yet but I am the heroine of this drama. I am told that here I must give a taste of what is to unfold. I am to convey that this tale is set in Jamaica during the last turbulent days of slavery and the early years of freedom.

‘I was born a slave upon a sugar plantation named Amity. I was there when the Baptist War raged in 1831, and when slavery was declared no more. It tells of my mama Kitty, of the negroes enslaved, of Caroline Mortimer the woman who owned me. I am to say that it is a true and thrilling journey through that unsettled time.

‘Cha, I say, what fuss-fuss. Come, let them just see it for themselves.’

July is born into slavery in Jamaica and is brutally parted from both her mother, and her name. But what she retains is resilience, charisma and a subversive, spirited wit. This ebullient and life-affirming play finds humanity, resistance and hope in the darkest of times.

THE LONG SONG is adapted from Andrea Levy’s award-winning novel by Suhayla El-Bushra, formerly writer in residence at the National Theatre Studio and whose work includes the forthcoming Waking/Walking, part of the NW Trilogy (Kiln Theatre), The Suicide (NT), Arabian Nights (Lyceum, Edinburgh), and Channel 4’s Hollyoaks and Ackley Bridge.

Tara Tijani makes her professional debut as July, having graduated from Guildhall School of Music & Drama this year.

Llewella Gideon plays Old July; her many TV credits include Small Axe – Mangrove, The Real McCoy and Absolutely Fabulous.

Olivia Poulet (Caroline Mortimer) previously appeared at Chichester in Fred’s Diner and Top Girls; her TV credits include The Thick of It.

Director Charlotte Gwinner was Associate Director at the Bush Theatre, Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and Sheffield Theatres 2014-16, where her productions included Waiting for Godot, the Sarah Kane season and The Distance.

The production’s creative team is: Designer – Frankie Bradshaw; Lighting Designer –  Mark Doubleday; Composer, Arranger and Musical Director –  Michael Henry; Sound Designer – Helen Skiera; Video Designer – Dick Straker; Movement Director and Intimacy Co-Ordinator – Angela Gasparetto; Fight Director and Intimacy Co-Ordinator – Kev McCurdy; Wigs, Hair and Make-Up Designer – Susanna Peretz; Casting Director – Charlotte Sutton with Chandra Ruegg.

The Long Song is sponsored by Seaward and by Wiley.

NEW MUSICAL TO OPEN AT MAST MAYFLOWER STUDIOS SOUTHAMPTON PRIOR TO LONDON

CAST RECORDING JUST RELEASED

TOKYO ROSE

An electrifying new musical

Book & lyrics by Maryhee Yoon & Cara Baldwin

Music by William Patrick Harrison

MAST Mayflower Studios Southampton

Thursday 16 – Saturday 18 September

A Burnt Lemon & MAST Mayflower Studios co-production

In association with Birmingham Hippodrome

A new musical that wowed sell-out audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe is opening at MAST Mayflower Studios Southampton in September, immediately prior to its London run.

Tokyo Rose, a co-production between MAST and female-led Burnt Lemon Theatre (“one of the hottest theatre groups in the country” Broadway Baby), is a rock-fuelled, punchy, powerful musical that tells the incredible true story of Iva Toguri, who stood trial accused of being the notorious ‘Tokyo Rose’, a Japanese wartime disc jockey who broadcast propaganda to the Allied forces in the South Pacific. But was Iva the villain she was made out to be? Or was she just a woman torn between two worlds and wanted in neither?

Tokyo Rose played to sell-out audiences at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe and was described as the next big breakout musical, gaining five-star reviews and award nominations. Audiences that love the power of SIX The Musical will love this pulsating new show.

Southampton audiences will have the opportunity to check out Tokyo Rose for just four performances at MAST Mayflower Studios from 16 – 18 September (evenings at 8pm; also Saturday at 4pm), prior to its London opening at Southwark Playhouse.

A cast recording of eight songs from Tokyo Rose has just been released and can be heard on Spotify.

You can also view a track from the show, ‘Hello America’. 

For further information and to book tickets visit www.mayflowerstudios.org.uk

Casting announced for The Offing at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough

A co-production with Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne

Performances at the SJT: 14 to 30 October 2021

Performances at Live Theatre: 3 to 27 November 2021

Adapted by Janice Okoh from the novel by Benjamin Myers, with additional material by Paul Robinson

Director: Paul Robinson

Cast: James Gladdon, Cate Hamer, Ingvild Lakou

Designer: Helen Goddard

Lighting Designer: Sally Ferguson

Composer and Sound Designer: Ana Silvera

Recordings performed by: Ana Silvera (vocals, keyboards), Rob Harbron (concertina), Aidan O’Rourke (fiddle)

Movement: Charlotte Broom

Casting Director: Sarah Hughes CDG

Casting has been announced for a new adaptation of Benjamin Myers’sbest-selling novel, The Offing, at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre this autumn in a co-production with Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne.

This sensitive new adaptation by Janice Okoh, with additional material by Paul Robinson, will bring to the stage all the vibrant colour and warmth of the much-loved coming-of age story, which captured the hearts and minds of so many readers on its publication in 2019, when it was a BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick.

It will feature James Gladdon as Robert, Cate Hamer as Dulcie and Ingvild Lakou as Romy in the story of 16-year-old Robert Appleyard who, in a Britain still reeling from the Second World War, sets out on an adventure – to walk from his home in Durham to Scarborough, where he hopes to find work. 

But he never gets there. Just up the coast at Robin Hood’s Bay, a chance encounter with the bohemian and eccentric Dulcie Piper leads to a lifelong friendship that will come to define them both. 

She introduces him to the joys of good food and wine, of art and literature. He helps her lay to rest a ghost from the past.  

Director Paul Robinson says: “I first came across The Offing when I heard Benjamin Myers talking to Jo Whiley on the BBC Radio 2 Book Club back in 2019. By the end of the interview, I’d contacted Benjamin’s agent: I knew it would be perfect for our stage – wise, lyrically beautiful, and as an added bonus, it’s set just up the road in Robin Hood’s Bay.

“I’m delighted to be able to bring it there this autumn in this sensitive new adaption by Janice Okoh, writer of Egusi Soup, Three Birds and The Gift.”

The Offing is designed by Helen Goddard with lighting design by Sally Ferguson. The composer and sound designer is Ana Silvera, and movement is by Charlotte Broom. The recorded music is performed by renowned folk musicians Ana Silvera (vocals, keyboards), Rob Harbron (concertina) and Aidan O’Rourke (fiddle). Casting is by Sarah Hughes CDG.

The Offing can be seen in the Round at the SJT on from Thursday 14 to Saturday 30 October. It will then be performed at Live Theatre in Newcastle upon Tyne from Wednesday 3 to Saturday 27 November.

Tickets for the show at the SJT, priced from £10, are available from the box office on 01723 370541 and online at www.sjt.uk.com

Tickets for the show at Live Theatre, priced from £6, are available from the box office on  0191 232 1232 and online at  www.live.org.uk

Birmingham Hippodrome announce new musical theatre associate artists

Birmingham Hippodrome are delighted to announce three exciting, female-led musical theatre companies have joined its Associates programme.

Burnt Lemon Theatre, The Good Enough Mums Club and Fat Rascal are the latest theatre makers to join the programme which is designed to support artistic ambitions and develop work to reach new and wider audiences.

 Chris Sudworth, Director of Artistic Programme at Birmingham Hippodrome said: “We are delighted to welcome these fantastic female-led companies into the Hippodrome Associates family. As one of the UK’s best known venues for musical theatre, we felt it was essential to support the development of new voices telling fresh and different stories in this most popular of styles. All three companies make playful and powerful musical theatre with a contemporary twist.”

Chris added:“It’s just the beginning of our plans in this area, supporting each company to develop their work into a larger scale, explore new areas of practice and develop touring networks to reach new, and wider audiences with work that represents the UK today.

“Each relationship is bespoke, created in response to the shared ambitions between the Hippodrome and the Associate. We can’t wait to see the journey each company takes.”

The multi-award winning Burnt Lemon Theatre will be the first of the new associates to perform at Birmingham Hippodrome with their electrifying new musical – Toyko Rose – this October. First performed at Edinburgh Fringe in 2019, Tokyo Rose tells the true story of how one strong, American-born woman battled through a journey of self-acceptance, only to return home to a dangerously divided nation.

Hannah Benson, Co-Artistic Director of Burnt Lemon Theatresaid: “We’re so grateful and excited to be joining the Hippodrome family as Associate Artists. We strive to tell untold stories that leave a long lasting and far reaching impact. The Hippodrome’s support and belief in us has been just incredible, working with the team has been critical to our growth and an amazing opportunity to hone our craft and lift the musical’s potential.”

Hannah added: “We can’t wait to give back to audiences and artists in Birmingham when we bring Tokyo Rose to Patrick Studio stage this October.”

The Good Enough Mums Club was established in 2013 and all their work is produced, directed, arranged, and performed by mothers. The team create with aim to combat perfectionism and spread a message of self-love, acceptance and community, one mum at a time.

Emily Beecher, Jade Samuels and Sarah Shead of The Good Enough Mums Club, said: “We are delighted that The Good Enough Mums Club are a Birmingham Hippodrome Associate Artist. It’s a great honour to be invited to be a part of a venue so steeped in theatrical history and right here in our back yard.”

The Associates will be bringing their concert show, An Evening With The Good Enough Mums Club to the Patrick Studio on Fri 19 Nov ahead of premiering their full musical The Good Enough Mums Club at the Hippodrome in 2022.

The Good Enough Mums Club team added: “We hope to meet lots of local mums, dads, grannies and, of course, babies for an evening of laughter, tears and music when our concert tour plays Birmingham later this year. We want to remind our audiences that you don’t have to be perfect, and sometimes being good enough is best.”

Finally, Fat Rascal join the Associates Programme following their sell out success with Unfortunate at the Patrick Studio in 2019. They will be working with the Hippodrome team to further develop their hit show into a full length musical that will premiere in late 2022.

 Robyn Grant, Artistic Director of Fat Rascal said: “We are absolutely thrilled to officially join the Hippodrome as Associates. We enjoyed working with the incredible team and performing to roof raising audiences back in 2019 with Unfortunate. We can’t wait to return to Birmingham as we all bounce back by making fresh, exciting and absolutely joyous new musical theatre.”

Robyn added: “We are ready and raring to offer some much needed laughter, and we know the wonderful people of Birmingham are more than up for it!”

 Burnt Lemon Theatre, The Good Enough Mums Club and Fat Rascal join existing Hippodrome Associates Aakash Odedra Company, Break Mission, Motionhouse, Open Theatre, Rosie Kay Dance Company, Sonia Sabri Company and ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company.

Tokyo Rose is at the Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio on Thu 28 – Sat 30 Oct and The Good Enough Mums Club on Fri 19 Nov. Tickets for both shows are on sale today and can be booked at www.birminghamhippodrome.com or by calling 0844 338 5000*

*0844 calls will cost 4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.

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• MEET THE FOUR PERFORMERS SHARING THE TITLE ROLE IN THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY’S MATILDA THE MUSICAL IN THIS NEW VIDEO RELEASED TODAY
• MATILDA THE MUSICAL WILL RESUME PERFORMANCES AT THE CAMBRIDGE THEATRE ON THURSDAY 16 SEPTEMBER WITH TICKETS ON SALE FROM WWW.MATILDATHEMUSICAL.COM

Images and a brand-new video have been released today of the four young performers who will share the title role in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Matilda The Musical when it reopens on 16 September at the Cambridge Theatre in the West End. In the video, Imogen Cole, Alyssa D’Souza, Alex Munden and Zoe Simon can be seen getting to grips with their gymnastic ribbon skills under the watchful eye of Elliot Harper (Miss Trunchbull).

Celebrating 10 years since the multi award-winning show opened in London, this iconic British musical has won 99 international awards including 24 for Best Musical and has been seen by more than 10 million people across more than 90 cities worldwide. Matilda The Musical is now booking through to 13 February 2022. For further information visit www.matildathemusical.com.

A tonic for audiences of all ages, this anarchic production about a strong and determined heroine with a vivid imagination has welcomed almost 4 million audience members in London. Matilda The Musical will also visit the Netherlands for the first time, translated into Dutch for a run at the Oude Luxor Theater Rotterdam. The theatre hopes that the musical will bring visitors to the city as it emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic. It has also announced plans to work with partners in Rotterdam to develop an education programme around the show. Tickets are now on sale for Matilda De Musical in Rotterdam visit matilda-demusical.nl

Adapted from Roald Dahl’s much loved 1988 book and commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, the musical premiered at the RSC’s Stratford-upon-Avon home in 2010, before transferring to the West End in October 2011, where it opened to rave reviews.

Matilda The Musical swept the board at the 2012 Olivier Awards, with a record-breaking seven awards, and won four Tony Awards and a Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theater for the four girls sharing the title role on Broadway. It has since toured North America, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Ireland, South Africa and China and played its first non-English language production in Seoul, South Korea in 2018/19.

With the upcoming film adaptation from the same core creative team as the theatre production (direction by Matthew Warchus, adapted for the screen by Dennis Kelly, with the music and lyrics of Tim Minchin), Dahl’s themes of bravery and standing up for what you believe in will continue to inspire young audiences all over the world. Produced by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title, Jon Finn, and Luke Kelly of The Roald Dahl Story Company. Sony Pictures U.K. and Tristar Pictures will release Matilda across the U.K. and Ireland exclusively in cinemas on 2nd December 2022 for Christmas. Netflix will release the film in the rest of the world in December 2022.

Written by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and developed and directed by Matthew Warchus, the theatre production is designed by Rob Howell, with choreography by Peter Darling, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound by Simon Baker and the special effects and illusions are by Paul Kieve.

Matilda The Musical is the story of an extraordinary little girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny.

Matilda The Musical is produced by Executive Producers Denise Wood and Griselda Yorke for the Royal Shakespeare Company.  The production was developed with the support of Jeanie O’Hare and the RSC Literary Department.

André Ptaszynski had worked as one of the Executive Producers of the production from 2011 until his untimely death in 2020.  He is much missed by all of his colleagues.

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

BAT OUT OF HELL – THE MUSICAL

UK & IRELAND TOUR

OPENING SEPTEMBER 2021

The producers of the UK & Ireland Tour of Bat Out of Hell – The Musical, featuring Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf’s greatest hits, are delighted to announce the return of Glenn Adamson (American Idiot) as Strat, Martha Kirby (Grease, Rags the Musical) as Raven and our original leading cast members Rob Fowler (Mamma Mia!, Bat Out of Hell) as Falco and Sharon Sexton (Mamma Mia!, Bat Out of Hell) as Sloane, plus Killian Thomas Lefevre as Tink, Joelle Moses as Zahara, James Chisholm as Jagwire, Kellie Gnauck as Valkyrie, and Danny Whelan as Ledoux.

Also in the cast are Laura Johnson as Kwaiden, Jamie Jukes as Markevitch, Rebecca Lafferty as Scherzzo, James Lowrie as Denym, Rory Maguire as Astroganger, Amy Matthews as Vilmos, Samuel Pope as Hoffman & Alternate Strat, Luke Street as Hollander, Leonardo Vieira as O’Dessasuite, Beth Woodcock as Spinotti, & Jayme-Lee Zanoncelli as Goddesilla.

Bat Out of Hell – The Musical wowed critics and public alike when it played limited seasons at Manchester Opera House, London Coliseum and London’s Dominion Theatre from 2017 to 2019. The musical also ran successfully in Canada, Germany and at New York’s City Centre in 2019.

Bat Out of Hell – The Musical won the Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical at the Evening Standard Awards and was nominated for 8 WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Musical.

Bat Out of Hell became one of the best-selling albums in history, selling over 50 million copies worldwide.  16 years later, Steinman scored again with Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell, which contained the massive hit I Would Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That).

For the stage musical, the legendary and award-winning Jim Steinman incorporated iconic songs from the Bat Out of Hell albums, including You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth, Bat Out of Hell, I Would Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) and Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad, as well as two previously unreleased songs, What Part of My Body Hurts the Most and Not Allowed to Love.

In Bat Out of Hell – The Musical, the electrifying rock songs of Mr Steinman propel an epic story of rebellious youth and passion as Strat, the immortal leader of The Lost, has fallen in love with Raven, the beautiful daughter of the tyrannical ruler Falco.

The UK & Ireland Tour of Bat Out of Hell – The Musical has book, music and lyrics by Jim Steinman, direction by Jay Scheib, choreography adapted by Xena Gusthart, with musical supervision and additional arrangements by Michael Reed, set and costume design by Jon Bausor, original costume designs by Meentje Nielsen, original wig designs by Linda McKnight, video design by Finn Ross, lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe, sound design by Gareth Owen, orchestration by Steve Sidwell, original casting by David Grindrod CDG and UK Tour casting by Anne Vosser.

The UK & Ireland Tour of Bat Out of Hell – The Musical is produced by David Sonenberg, Michael Cohl & Tony Smith, with executive producer Julian Stoneman.

Bat Out of Hell dedicates this tour to the memory of Jim Steinman, who sadly passed away on April 19, 2021.

Website:  www.BatOutOfHellMusical.com

Twitter & Facebook:  @BatTheMusical

2021 – 2022 TOUR LISTINGS INFORMATION

11 September – 2 October 2021                    Manchester Opera House                                                     08448717615*

                                                                        www.atgtickets.com/venues/manchester                      

11 – 16 October                                              New Theatre Oxford                                                             08448717615*                                                                             

                                                                            www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford         

19 – 30 October                                              King’s Theatre Glasgow                                                       0844 871 7615*

                                                                        www.atgtickets.com/glasgow                                          

4 – 15 January 2022                                        The Alexandra, Birmingham                                               0844 871 7615*                                                          

                                                                                          www.atgtickets.com/birmingham                                    

18 – 29 January                                                New Wimbledon Theatre                                                   08448717615*                                                                             

                                                                              www.atgtickets.com/new-wimbledon-theatre

1 – 5 February                                                   Stockton Globe                                                                   0843 904 0071

                                                                           www.stocktonglobe.co.uk                                                

8 – 19 February                                                 Edinburgh Playhouse                                                         08448717615*                                                                             

                                                                               www.atgtickets.com/edinburgh-playhouse

22 – 26 February                                              The Marlowe, Canterbury                                                   01227 787787

                                                                          www.themarlowetheatre.com

12 – 16 April                                                      His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen                                    

                                                                          www.aberdeenperformingarts.com       

26 – 30 April                                                     Stoke Regent Theatre                                                        08448717615*

                                                                              www.atgtickets.com/stoke

3 – 7 May                                                          Sheffield Lyceum Theatre                                                0114 249 6000

                                                                          www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk                                               On sale soon

24 – 28 May                                                       Eastbourne Congress Theatre                                        01323 412 000

                                                                           www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk                                      

14 – 25 June                                                     Milton Keynes Theatre                                                      0844 871 7615*

                                                                          www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre    

28 June – 2 July                                               Mayflower Theatre Southampton                                      02380 711811

                                                                         www.mayflower.org.uk                                                     

12 – 23 July                                                      Theatre Royal Plymouth                                                    01752 267222

                                                                         www.theatreroyal.com                                                      

26 July – 6 August                                           Newcastle Theatre Royal                                                  0844 811 2121

                                                                         www.theatreroyal.co.uk                                                     On sale soon

9 – 20 August                                                  Bristol Hippodrome                                                            08448717615*                                                                             

                                                                             www.atgtickets.com/bristol                                               

23 – 27 August                                                Belfast Grand Opera House                                             028 9024 1919 

                                                                             www.goh.co.uk                                                                  On sale soon

30 August – 10 September                             Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin                                  0818 719 377 (ROI)

                                                                        bordgaisenergytheatre.ie                                              0844 248 5101 (UK NI)                                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                                        On sale soon                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

13 – 24 September                                         Hull New Theatre                                                              01482300306

                                                                       www.hulltheatres.co.uk

27 September – 1 October                             New Theatre, Cardiff                                                         07925 659065

                                                                       www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

4 – 15 October                                               Liverpool Empire                                                                08448717615*                                                                   

                                                                       www.atgtickets.com/liverpool                                          

25 October – 5 November                              New Victoria Theatre, Woking                                           08448717615*

                                                                        www.atgtickets.com/woking                                            

Further dates to be announced

*Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge

FULL LINE-UP ANNOUNCED FOR THE CAMBRIDGE CLUB FESTIVAL 2021 – A JOURNEY OF DISCO AND DISCOVERY

●      ONE MONTH to go until The Cambridge Club Festival (10-12th September)

●      Rag’n’Bone Man, Jack Savoretti, Shalamar, Soul II Soul & much more

●      Discover podcasts and cutting-edge comedy in The Auditorium of Intrigue

●      A world of family and children’s entertainment in The Imagination Station

●      Celebrate local artisan traders in The Explorer’s Emporium market

●      Drink and eat delicious culinary creations in Food For Thought area

●      Day and Weekend tickets selling out fast: www.thecambridgeclub.co

Having quickly established itself as one of the most loved boutique family festivals in the country, The Cambridge Club is gearing up to ensure this year’s festival is one to remember – by scaling the event to a full weekend and expanding the arts and entertainment on offer.

On top of a stellar musical line-up – including Rag ‘N’ Bone Man, Jack Savoretti, Beverley Knight, Shalamar, Soul II Soul, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Heatwave and many more – the festival have announced a further five amazing on-site areas, completing a 3-day feast of music, family fun, comedy, talks, interactive experiences, and sumptuous food at their new venue.

THE AUDITORIUM OF INTRIGUE is a brand-new podcast and comedy area, featuring one of the world’s top food critics Jay Rayner – who will be bringing his podcast Out To Lunch with Jay Rayner, along with a very special guest (expect cracking anecdotes, blistering chat, and killer cooking). Countdown wordsmith Susie Dent will take to the stage inviting audience members to enhance their vocabulary and share their love of words with her language podcast Something Rhymes with Purple. The University of Cambridge’s world-famous student drama and comedy society, The Cambridge Footlights – oncehome to the likes ofEmma Thompson, Stephen Fry, Olivia Coleman and Sue Perkins – will present stand-up sets from some of the UK’s funniest and most talented up-and-coming comics, including rising star Ali Woods who will win over crowds with his vigour and original material.

THE IMAGINATION STATION invites you to explore a world full of fun for families – with top children’s entertainment, music, games and more activities that will have imaginations running wild all weekend. Featuring its own array of CBBC music stars that will appear on the MAGIC STAR CHILDREN’S STAGE, curated specifically for younger members of its festival crowd – including YolanDa Brown’s Band Jam, the critically acclaimed CBeebies show which has been dubbed “Jools Holland for Kids”, and one of the UK’s most popular children’s bands Andy & The Odds Socks to get little ones laughing and singing. Joining them is BAFTA winning children’s presenter Maddie Moate, who will light up minds as she explores the sounds of science and nature in Maddie’s Sound Explorer, andDiddi Dance who will encourage endless enthusiasm in their jam-packed dance classes. With Elissa Gold Events, children can learn circus skills and skateboarding, become the next graffiti artist, and be part of a theatre troupe. There will also be fairground rides and crazy golf for everyone to enjoy.

THE CAMBRIDGE EXHIBITION will please fans of photography, giving festival goers the chance to be part of The Cambridge Club’s retrospective on the world-famous city. The celebratory exhibition will feature twenty local photographers and artists, inspired by their iconic home. 

THE EXPLORER’S EMPORIUM, new for 2021 will feature a selection of the very best artisan traders from across Cambridge and East Anglia – from glass makers to cheesecake creators.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT will whet the appetites of festival goers with a multitude of tasty stalls and street food options, from the likes of Cambridge favourites Fired Up Pizza, to online cooking platform MOB Kitchen – who’ll be bringing their special truck to the site. Drinks will be served by the likes of Cambridge Wine too,who will make sure no mouths run dry. 

William Young, Co-Founder and MD said: “We’re really excited to be expanding what we’re offering at the festival this year. Beyond the bill of amazing musical artists, there is plenty going on across the site – from family entertainment, to cutting-edge comedy, to live podcasts. Working with the likes of children’s label Magic Star, and the iconic Cambridge Footlights, has helped us add in new dimensions to the event. We have so many wonderful creators and innovators on the line-up, and we can’t wait to share it all with everyone soon!”

For 2021’s edition, The Cambridge Club attendees will truly feel part of an immersive adventure for all ages – inspired by the Creators, Innovators and Explorers to have passed through the city, and taking festival goers on a journey of Disco and Discovery.  The stunning new home of Childerley Orchard – only 10 miles outside of the city centre – will provide an idyllic backdrop for a celebration in the heart of the beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside. 

The Lowry Theatre, Manchester – until 22 August 2021

Reviewed by Wendy Albiston

5*****

A Masterpiece of Magical Mishaps and Mayhem

What an absolute joy to be going to an actual theatre to sit in an actual audience to watch an actual play. The Lowry Theatre seemed relaxed in their return to welcoming back audiences. A few signs around the place recommending mask wearing and the now normal bottles of hand sanitizer dotted about helped reassure that our safety was still a concern.

I had heard great things about this show, so my expectations were high, and they weren’t disappointed.

Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are putting on a Murder Mystery entitled “Murder At Haversham Manor”. Born from the inflated ego of Chris Bean, the director/designer/prop maker/box office manager/actor/voice coach etc., this play within a play ramps up the horror of the typical actor’s nightmare of not knowing your lines and not knowing what play you’re in, a hundred-fold. If it can go wrong, it does. Someone must have said the name of The Scottish Play many times backstage for things to go this badly!

Winces, gasps, squeals and laughter are constantly expelled from the audience as the hapless characters do their very best to get though the play, come hell or high water. And they do succeed in that, despite everything literally falling around them.

Hats of to the sterling talent and skill of the actors of Mischief. They are an ensemble of fantastic physical performers with spot on comedic timing and boundless energy. It’s a joy to see them working together to create this world of perfectly choreographed madness and mayhem.

A mention must go to the set designer Nigel Cook, for skillfully crafting the health and safety nightmare into a dreamy piece of theatrical engineering. It’s astounding!

This is a family show, it’s hilarious, silly and the perfect way to ease yourself back into going to the theatre. Oh; if you’re a woman of a certain age, make sure you have a Tena Lady in your bag!

MARTIN SHAW JOINS

SEAN MATHIAS’ ACCLAIMED COMPANY FOR

THE CHERRY ORCHARD ALONG WITH ROBERT DAWS AT THEATRE ROYAL WINDSOR 

Martin Shaw and Robert Daws join the Season’s Company

Cast includes Francesca Annis, Ben Allen, Robert Daws, Llinos Daniel, Alis Wyn Davies, Ashley D Gayle, Alison Halstead, Nick Howard Brown, Kezrena James, Asif Khan, Lee Knight, Ian McKellen, Missy Malek, Jenny Seagrove, Martin Shaw.

Directed by Sean Mathias and adapted by Martin Sherman

Following their outstanding performances in Hamlet, Sean Mathias’ company will be joined by Martin Shaw and Robert Daws, to perform Anton Chekhov’s masterpiece – The Cherry Orchard.

The Cherry Orchard is a magnificent comedy drama about a family on the edge of ruin. Madame Ranevskaya has come home to her family estate after a five-year absence, and the cherry orchard is just as magnificent as ever, but debts are beginning to pile up and a significant change is looming…

Led by Francesca Annis in the role of Ranevskaya, the 15-strong season company will perform Martin Sherman’s adaptation which captures the “contemporary feel of the original”, under the directorship of Sean Mathias.

Martin Shaw will be joining the company in the role of Lopakhin, along with Robert Daws who will play Pishchik.

Tickets start at just £25 with discounts available for NHS workers and students. The staging of the season has been designed to offer the unique experience of being up-close and immersed in the performance via Shakespearean wooden bleacher seats on either side of the stage.

The Cherry Orchard runs from Fri 01 October – Sat 13 November 2021