Month: August 2021

Black Comedy Snowflakes re-announced for
Islington premiere after Covid cancellation
Old Red Lion Theatre, 418 St John St, Islington, London EC1V 4NJ
Tuesday 28th September – Saturday 16th October 2021

Think of us like the active hand of impotent rage.

How far would you go to right a wrong? Snowflakes takes Cancel Culture quite literally to question ideas of morality, revenge and justice with gleeful, violent abandon. Combining the technological nihilism of Black Mirror with the dark comedy and horror of Inside No. 9, it lacerates modern outrage and trial by social media.

Marcus and Sarah work for a very special start-up. They don’t work in a shared office. They don’t sell locally sourced, gluten-free coconut water. They do the job that so many people call out for in the comments section. So, outsource your rage, disgust and vitriol and let’s get to the truth before the media storm blows over. They may not based in a co-working space but they do have an app: Justice isn’t blind, it’s streamed to millions. Don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe!

This sci-fi black comedy resonates in various directions, implicating questions about the potency of social media, female empowerment and how characters earnestly confront trauma. Comedy, drama and satire; Snowflakes is brought by Dissident Theatre – a company with the goal of making theatre to confront the base, the repressed and ambiguous corners of the world we live in.

Making his writing debut, Robert Boulton (False Choices, King’s Head Theatre; Baked Beans) will also star in Snowflakes as Marcus alongside Niamh Finlay (Gutted, The Marlowe Theatre and UK Tour; Everything that Rises Must Dance, Complicité) as Sarah and Henry Davis (Hanna, Amazon Prime, The Essex Serpent, Apple TV) as Tony.

Robert Boulton comments, My favourite stories have always been dark, twisted and morally dubious – what that says about me as a person, God only knows. I want to make people laugh through the darkness; I don’t respond well to moral preaching or superiority and don’t expect an audience to. I’m flitting somewhere in between terror and excitement to see how the audience responds. I hope Snowflakes is a relevant, if irreverent, riff on contemporary society, not just examining the problems we’re encountering now and where we might be going; but also asking where we want to be when and if we solve these problems. Then again, maybe not.

Snowflakes is brought to life by an angular, minimalist set by Offie-nominated Alys Whitehead (Aisha, The Old Red Lion & Tristan Bates Theatre) designed to reflect the nature of internet streaming, courtrooms and the dystopian future-present in which the play is set. Lighting design from Jonathan Chan (Sticks and Stones, Tristan Bates Theatre) interplays with the set design to create compelling changes in mood through the production.

PRESS RELEASE – 13 August 2021

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MICHAEL MORPURGO TO MAKE SPECIAL APPEARANCE AT THE BARN THEATRE FOR AN ELEPHANT IN THE GARDEN EVENT

• MICHAEL MORPURGO WILL TAKE PART IN A SPECIAL Q&A SESSION WITH DIRECTOR & ADAPTOR SIMON READE AND STAR ALISON REID, FOLLOWING THE OPENING NIGHT PERFORMANCE OF AN ELEPHANT IN THE GARDEN ON 31 AUGUST
• THE PRODUCTION RETURNS TO THE BARN THEATRE FOLLOWING ITS CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED AND AWARD-NOMINATED DIGITAL RUN IN APRIL 2021

The Barn Theatre in Cirencester have today announced that internationally best-selling author Michael Morpurgo will make a special appearance for a post-show Q&A session following the opening night performance of Simon Reade’s critically acclaimed play adaptation of his children’s novel An Elephant in the Garden on 31 August.

The question-and-answer session will see Morpurgo discuss with director and adaptor Simon Reade and star Alison Reid their ongoing relationship as collaborators, the process of bringing Morpurgo’s work to the stage and the trio’s ongoing relationship with the Barn Theatre.

An Elephant in the Garden returns to the Barn Theatre from 31 August – 11 September, following its critically acclaimed andOnComm Award-nominated digital run earlier in the year. Simon Reade’s adaptation of the beloved Michael Morpurgo children’s novel follows Lizzie, her mother – and an elephant from the zoo in 1945 Dresden, Germany, as they flee the Allied fire-bombing in the endgame of the Second World War.

The question-and-answer session will take place following the 7:30pm opening night performance on 31 August with access to the Q&A event only for ticket holders to the performance. Tickets to the production range from £11.50.

Michael Morpurgo said of his return to the theatre, “Back in The Barn!  A new beginning beckons for everyone involved with theatre. The Barn has led the way, doing everything that was possible to keep live theatre going during these dire times.  Well, dire is over, we hope, over and done with. Plays can play again. Audiences need wait no longer for the show to begin. How they will love it, how we will all love it, to be together again! 

I am looking forward so, so much to being back at The Barn with you for Alison Reade’s bravura solo performance of Simon Reid’s wonderful adaptation of my story An Elephant in the Garden.” 

The Poonamallee Productions and Barn Theatre production is adapted and directed by Simon Reade and performed by Alison Reid with design by Max Johns, lighting design by Matthew Graham, costumes by Elizabeth De-Tisi, sound design by Jason Barnes, radio voices by Chris Bianchi and juggling choreography by Rod Laver.

This will continue the theatre’s ongoing relationship with Morpurgo, who has been a long-time supporter of the charity. This production will mark the third of his works to be staged at the theatre, following 2019’s The Butterfly Lion and 2020’s Private Peaceful, with Vicki Berwick’s previously announced adaptation of The Mozart Question also in active development.

Morpurgo made appearances for a special digital event “An Evening with Michael Morpurgo” during the height of the pandemic to raise funds for the theatre and his charity Farms For City Childrenas part of the Barn Theatre’s free digital service Behind The Barn Door, which was set up during the first national lockdown to provide free entertainment and information to connect both local, national and international communities.

2020 also saw the critically acclaimed runs of the Barn Theatre, Take Two Theatricals and BoxLess Theatre production of Michael Morporgo’s Private Peaceful, which was also a Simon Reade adaptation. The run started at the theatre’s summer theatre festival BarnFest (which has returned this week) before successful transfers to the theatre’s main auditorium and to Bristol Old Vic. The production was originally scheduled to debut in the West End, however due to the second National lockdown the production was cancelled and returned as a digital production alongside An Elephant in the Garden in Spring 2021.

The production will mark the first of two Simon Reade productions for the Barn’s 2021 reopening season with Reade’s actor-musician reimagining of David Copperfield set to make its world debut from 28 September – 6 November.

Tickets for the special event, An Elephant in the Garden and David Copperfield are now on sale with tickets ranging from £11.50. Tickets can be purchased at barntheatre.org.uk or by calling the box office at 01285 648 255 (M-Sa 10am-1pm & 5:30pm–7pm, Sa 5:30pm-7pm).

CRUCIBLE

A Sheffield Theatres and Clean Break Production

World Première

SHEFFIELD THEATRES AND CLEAN BREAK ANNOUNCE CASTING FOR TYPICAL GIRLS

Writer Morgan Lloyd Malcolm

DirectorRóisín McBrinn

Musical Director Rosie Bergonzi
Assistant Director Aaliyah Mckay

Designer Kat Heath
Lighting Designer Katy Morrison

Associate Lighting Designer Rachel Cleary

Sound Designer Beth Duke

Movement Director Chi San Howard

Music Director Mentor Yshani Perinpanayagam

Line Producer 45 North

Featuring the music of The Slits

Friday 24 September – Saturday 16 October 2021

Sheffield Theatres and Clean Break todayannounce the cast for Typical Girls by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, at the Crucible Theatre from Friday 24 September to Saturday 16 October.

Directed by Clean Break’s Joint Artistic Director Róisín McBrinn (Afterplay, Sheffield Theatres)full casting includes Helen Cripps (Women Beware Women, Shakespeare’s Globe), Lucy Edkins ([BLANK], Donmar Warehouse), Lucy Ellinson (Run Sister Run, Sheffield Theatres), Eddy Queens (Through This Mist, Clean Break), Alison Fitzjohn (Take That’s – The Band Musical, UK Tour), Lara Grace Ilori (Living Newspaper Edition 6, Royal Court) and Carrie Rock (Julius Caesar, Donmar Warehouse/St Ann’s Warehouse, New York).

“This is punk. This is rebellion. This is how we make change. This is what we need to do.”

From writer Morgan Lloyd Malcolm (Emilia) and featuring the music of influential all-female punk band, The Slits, Typical Girls is part gig, part play and is funny, fierce and furious.

In a mental health unit inside a prison, a group of women discover the music of punk rock band The Slits and form their own group. An outlet for their frustration, they find remedy in revolution. But in a system that suffocates, can rebellion ever be allowed?

Robert Hastie, Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres: “We couldn’t be more excited to be producing such a bold, riotous new play with a company as inspiring as Clean Break, and can’t wait to welcome this brilliant cast and creative team into the rehearsal room.” 

Róisín McBrinn, Joint Artistic Director of Clean Break: “We’re over the moon to be co-producing this raucous, explosive show! Morgan’s script is electric, and we have a stellar creative team and hugely exciting cast. Clean Break is so proud to be returning with this joyous, important play and to be exploding it onto the beautiful Crucible stage!” 

Returning to the Crucible are Lucy Ellinson, following her starring role in Run Sister Run in 2020; and Róisín McBrinn, after directing the 2014 production Afterplay by Brian Friel.

Typical Girls will be at the Crucible Theatre from 24 September to 16 October with the performance on 6 October live-streamed and available to watch online. Tickets will be available from sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.

THE CELEBRATED LONDON REVIVAL OF  

MY NIGHT WITH REG 

THE AWARD-WINNING BITTERSWEET COMEDY BY KEVIN ELYOT 

EXTENDS ITS RUN AT THE TURBINE THEATRE  

UNTIL 11 SEPTEMBER 2021 

AND HOSTS A SPECIAL GALA NIGHT PERFORMANCE ON  

18 AUGUST IN AID OF THE TERRENCE HIGGINS TRUST 

★★★★★ 

Shenton Stage, Boyz, A Younger Theatre, Out News Global 

‘A riveting revival and a superb ensemble cast’ – Boyz  

★★★★ 

What’s On Stage, Chortle, Broadway World, Time & Leisure,  

Sardines, London Theatre 1, The Spy In The Stalls 

The celebrated London revival of Kevin Elyot’s award-winning play, My Night With Reg, extends its run for a further three weeks at Paul Taylor-Mills’ Turbine Theatre, now running until 11 September 2021.  

The production also announces a special charity night gala on Wednesday 18 August. The evening is in aid of the Terrence Higgins Trust, the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity. The charity help support people living with HIV and amplify their voices, continue to fight against HIV and provide services and support to help improve the nation’s sexual health.  

This dazzling new revival of the iconic bittersweet comedy is directed by Matt Ryan and stars Stephen K Amos (Benny), James Bradwell (Eric), Edward M Corrie (John), Paul Keating (Guy), Gerard McCarthy (Daniel) and Alan Turkington (Bernie).  

Kevin Elyot’s much-loved modern classic, which captures the fragility of friendship, happiness and life itself, won both the 1995 Olivier and Evening Standard Award for Best Comedy, after its premiere at the Royal Court and subsequent transfer to the West End. 

Set in Guy’s London flat, old friends and new gather to party through the night. This is the summer of 1985 and, for Guy and his circle, the world is about to change forever, thanks to the mounting AIDS crisis. 

My Night With Reg at The Turbine Theatre has designs by Lee Newby and casting by Will Burton CDG.  

THE TURBINE THEATRE

GENERATING NEW WORK.      POWERING PREMIERES.      RE-ENERGISING CLASSICS. 

The Turbine Theatre is a brand-new theatre on the banks of the Thames next to the iconic Battersea Power Station, presented by Bill Kenwright and founded and led by Artistic Director Paul Taylor-Mills. The theatre is located under the Grosvenor Bridge railway arches at Circus West Village, the first chapter of the iconic Battersea Power Station’s regeneration, which is already a thriving riverside destination with exciting restaurants, bars and cafés already open, located at the foot of the iconic Grade II* listed landmark.  

The Turbine Theatre is an intimate theatre with big ambitions. Everything we do revolves around one simple idea: powering the imagination. 

New energy drives everything we do, from festivals of brand-new works, world premieres of new productions and classic stories reimagined for contemporary audiences. 

Every story is a journey and The Turbine Theatre aims to be just the first stage for every idea, risk and labour of love that is brought to life in this electric new environment. We want to be the spark for the most talented and diverse voices that theatre has to offer. 

We’re also passionate about playing a vital role at the heart of the emerging local Battersea community, offering a dynamic public space by day, and a ground-breaking theatre by night. 

LISTINGS

MY NIGHT WITH REG  

Running until 11 September 2021  

The Turbine Theatre  

Written by Kevin Elyot 

Directed by Matt Ryan  

Designs by Lee Newby 

Casting by Will Burton CDG 

Performances: 

Tuesday – Fridays at 7.30pm  

Saturdays at 3pm & 7.30pm  

Sundays at 6pm 

Ticket Price: £32.00 

Address: Arches Lane, Circus West Village, London, SW11 8AB 

Website: TheTurbineTheatre.com 

Twitter: @TurbineTheatre   

#PoweringTheImagination 

TERRENCE HIGGINS TRUST – GALA NIGHT

Wednesday 18 August  

www.tht.org.uk | @THTorguk | @THTchampions  

Adam Blanshay Productions, Park Theatre, Playbill and The Theatre Café
The Theatre Channel announce a
Stephen Schwartz spectacular for Episode 8
New episode streaming from Friday 17th September 2021

Adam Blanshay Productions’ acclaimed web series The Theatre Channel returns with a show stopping musical spectacular to honour the legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz (Wicked; Pippin; Godspell). Under the new direction of Olivier Award-nominated choreographer Fabian Aloise (Evita, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre; Wicked, Germany) Schwartz’s modern masterpieces will come alive led by a sensational cast, including leading West End women Alice Fearn (Wicked; Come From Away), Louise Dearman (the only woman to play both Elphaba and Glinda – Wicked; Evita), and Christine Allado (The Prince of Egypt; Hamilton)

Further casting includes the incredible Stewart Clarke (Be More Chill; Fiddler on the Roof), Melanie La Barrie (Wicked; & Juliet), Cedric Neal (Back to the Future; Motown: The Musical) and the cast of the critically acclaimed revival of Pippin at the Charing Cross Theatre, with their fantastic rendition of ‘Magic To Do’. This marks the first time The Theatre Channel is doing a music video in collaboration with a production currently running in the West End, as they continue to evolve their concept.

The episode will be narrated by Stephen Schwartz himself, offering exclusive insights as he looks back over his career and the continual renovation of his work. With his numerous productions playing across London (Pippin, Charing Cross Theatre; The Prince of Egypt, Dominion Theatre; Wicked, Apollo Victoria), it is a testament to the craftsmanship of one of musical theatres muchloved talents. Schwartz will be joining The Café Five to perform an unforgettable finale.

Following their successful collaboration with Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, The Theatre Channel will continue to partner with theatrical venues to celebrate the return of live entertainment. The new episode is an exciting co-production with Park Theatre, where Schwartz’s powerful musical Rags was a critical smash in early 2020.

Stephen Schwartz comments, I’m honoured to be collaborating with The Theatre Channel on Episode 8, featuring my theatre songs. I’ve very much enjoyed and admired the previous episodes, so I know I and my work are in very good hands. An MTV/VH1-meets-Musical Theatre hybrid, The Theatre Channel uses the skilful and imaginative videos they produce to offer new perspectives on musical theatre songs, rediscovering them through a new lens. With “my episode” –Episode 8 — we plan to give fresh and modern twists to some popular favourites and offer some “hidden gems” as well. As a certain Glinda once said: “I couldn’t be happier”.

The cast will once again be joined by resident ensemble ‘The Café Five,’ comprised of Anthony Starr (Guys & Dolls, Sheffield Crucible), Danny Becker (The Prince Of Egypt, Dominion Theatre), Kayleigh Thadani (Disney’s Aladdin, Prince Edward Theatre), M-Jae Cleopatra Isaac (Book of Mormon, Prince of Wales Theatre) and Vicki Lee Taylor (A Chorus Line, London Palladium).

The previous episode, a Rodgers and Hammerstein special, featured the incredible talents of Michael D. Xavier (Sunset Boulevard (West End & Broadway); Into The Woods), Josefina
Gabrielle (Oklahoma! (West End & Broadway); Merrily We Roll Along) and Caroline Sheen (Mary Poppins; 9 to 5). It also included an exclusive sneak peek into Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s production of Carousel, as part of an exciting collaboration with the venue

Producer Adam Blanshay comments, The Theatre Channel are delighted to continue our in-focus exploration of the anthology of a composer’s work with the incredible Stephen Schwartz. Spanning over six decades, Stephen’s work includes some of the most cherished musicals of all time. We are also incredibly grateful to Park Theatre for their collaboration with us on this episode. Their production of Rags was an immense success, and it’s an honor to bring the work of Stephen Schwartz back home to Finsbury Park.

Combining the thrill of stage and screen for an episodic musical revue of beloved classics, The Theatre Channel is an up close and intimate experience from the comfort of your home.

Previous episodes (1 – 7) of The Theatre Channel are available to purchase at Stream.Theatre to watch at your leisure.

Copmanthorpe Primary School, York – 11 August 2021

Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

5*****

Around the World in 80 Days is a York Theatre Royal production, that is being performed in an outdoor setting at several schools around York, culminating with a stint in the theatre itself towards the end of August.

Armed with our camping chairs we set off to this unique setting, for a theatre show anyway. We found the school relatively easy with the help of Google Maps, with flags and balloons showing the way once we had parked the car. What greeted us was the setting of a circus ring, with flags adorning the perimeter. We were instructed to go between the two striped tents and set up where we wanted. Luckily there was plenty of room, as we set up relatively close to the main stage area, waiting for the adventure to start.

Based on the Jules Verne book, which I haven’t read, but have seen several film adaptions, which we found out, that were not quite true to the written word. Phileas Fogg (Emillio Iannucci), a very particular man, agrees on a wager and decides to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days, a feat truly unheard of in Victorian times. Along with his newly appointed servant Passepartout (Ali Azhar), they set on their travels. What follows is a wild race through countries, encountering different characters, including Mr Fix (Eddie Man) and Aouda (Ulrika Krishnamurti). As the story unfolds, we are frequently interrupted by the real-life tales from Nellie Bly (Dora Rubinstein), an American journalist who was widely known for her record-breaking solo trip in just 72 days, completing her trip in 1890. This was someone who I had never heard of and a true inspiration to others, anything is possible.

The costumes were quite stunning, from Fogg’s ringmaster attire to Aouda’s tradition Indian wear, and Bly’s magnificent, chequered coat, which tied in nicely with Fogg’s waistcoat. There was even an elephant costume, though simple in nature, it was truly imaginative and elegant.

The staging was set as a traditional circus, adorned with a canon. With simple alterations it was then transformed into a ship, a steamboat, a carriage, and a train, changing as we travelled from country to country. It was a sight to behold, so very innovative and quite spectacular. Occasionally there was a bit of a problem with microphones cutting out, but you could still hear what the actors were saying, and it wasn’t an issue.

All five actors did a tremendous job of taking us on a journey through the unique countries of the world from India to America. Their high energy performance really drew the audience in, with their comedic timing and ability to jump from circus performers, full of tricks, juggling knives, fire throwing and body contortion, we were just waiting for the unicycle, but that never materialised, to their 80 Day characters.

We were quite lucky with the weather, the rain just about held off, but it did get quite blustery and was very apt as the story unfolded, with Fogg’s journey across the ocean. I would recommend taking chairs, as opposed to a blanket to sit on, and an extra layer of clothing, it is also a great opportunity to indulge in a picnic.

This was a fabulous performance, a must-see show, I loved every minute of it, my kind of theatre. It is now touring Archbishop Holgate’s School, Joseph Rowntree School and then York Theatre Royal, until 28th August. Get your tickets booked, you will not be disappointed.

BILL KENWRIGHT PRESENTS  

THE LONG AWAITED RETURN OF THE MULTI-AWARD WINNING MUSICAL 

BLOOD BROTHERS 

STARRING LYN PAUL WHO RETURNS TO THE SHOW  

AS THE ICONIC MRS JOHNSTONE 

OPENING AT THE THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH 

AHEAD OF A 16 WEEK UK TOUR 

RUNNING FROM 13 AUGUST – 27 NOVEMBER 2021 

Bill Kenwright‘s legendary production of the international smash hit musical Blood Brothers returns to the stage. The much-loved musical, which performed to sell-out houses and standing ovations on its most recent UK tour in 2019-2020, returns with gusto, re-opening at the Theatre Royal Plymouth on 13 August 2021.  

In celebration of the musicals’ relaunch, 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. 

Completing the cast is: Hannah Barr (Brenda), Joel Benedict (Eddie), Josh Capper (Neighbour), Tim Churchill (Mr Lyons), Danielle Corlass (Linda), Grace Galloway (Donna Marie/Miss Jones), Andy Owens(Perkins), Alex Patmore (Mickey), Robbie Scotcher (Narrator), Paula Tappenden (Mrs Lyons) and Danny Taylor (Sammy). 

Written by award-winning playwright Willy Russell, few musicals have been received with such acclaim as the multi-award-winning Blood Brothers. Considered ‘one of the best musicals ever written’ (Sunday Times), Bill Kenwright’s production surpassed 10,000 performances in London’s West End, one of only three musicals ever to achieve that milestone.  It has been affectionately christened the ‘Standing Ovation Musical’, as inevitably it “brings the audience cheering to its feet and roaring its approval” (Daily Mail). 

This epic tale of Liverpool life started as a play, performed at a Liverpool comprehensive school in 1981, before opening at the Liverpool Playhouse in 1983. The musical has since triumphed across the globe, completing sell out seasons in the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan, and scooping up four awards for Best Musical in London and seven Tony Award nominations on Broadway.  

The superb score includes A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True. 

Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving tale of twins separated at birth, who grow up on the opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with tragic consequences.  

When Mrs Johnstone, a young mother, is deserted by her husband and left to her own devices to provide for seven hungry children she takes a job as a housekeeper in order to make ends meet. It is not long before her brittle world crashes around her when she discovers herself to be pregnant yet again – this time with twins! In a moment of weakness and desperation, she enters a secret pact with her employer which leads inexorably to the show’s shattering climax. 

Lyn Paul first rose to fame in the early 1970s as a member of the New Seekers, whose hit ‘I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing’ sold over 20 million copies and remains one of the 100 best-selling UK singles of all time.  Lyn also featured as the lead vocalist on the 1974 number-one hit ‘You Won’t Find Another Fool Like Me’.   

Willy Russell is undeniably one of this country’s leading contemporary dramatists. His countless credits include Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine. Educating Rita, originally commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, enjoyed a two-year run in the West End and was made into a movie starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters. Shirley Valentine also made the move from stage to screen in an enormously popular film starring Pauline Collins and Tom Conti. 

LISTINGS

Bill Kenwright presents 

BLOOD BROTHERS 

2021 UK Tour 

Written by Willy Russell 

Directed by Bob Tomson & Bill Kenwright  

Musical Direction by Matt Malone 

Sound by Dan Samson 

Set & Costumes by Andy Walmsley 

Lighting by Nick Richings 

Associate Lighting Designer – Darran Curtis 

Tour Dates: Friday 13 August – Saturday 27 November 2021  

Theatre Royal Plymouth – theatreroyal.com 

13 August – 21 August 2021 – 01752 267222 

Oxford New Theatre – atgtickets.com/oxford 

31 August –  04 September 2021 – 0844 871 7615 

Southampton Mayflower Theatre – mayflower.org.uk 

07 September – 11 September 2021 – 02380 711811 

Nottingham Theatre Royal – trch.co.uk 

14 September – 18 September 2021- 0115 989 5555 

Newcastle Theatre Royal – theatreroyal.co.uk 

21 September – 25 September 2021- 08448 11 21 21 

Chester Storyhouse – storyhouse.com 

28 September – 02 October 2021 – 01244 409113 

King’s Theatre Glasgow – atgtickets.com/glasgow 

05 October – 09 October 2021 – 0844 871 7615 

Edinburgh Playhouse – atgtickets.com/edinburgh 

12 October – 16 October 2021- 0844 871 7615 

Bradford Alhambra Theatre – bradford-theatres.co.uk 

19 October – 23 October 2021 – 01274 432000 

Shrewsbury Severn Theatre – theatresevern.co.uk 

26 October – 30 October 2021 – 01743 281281 

Birmingham Hippodrome – birminghamhippodrome.com 

02 November – 13 November 2021 – 0844 338 5000 

Cheltenham Everyman Theatre – everymantheatre.org.uk 

16 November – 20 November 2021 – 01242 572573 

Woking New Victoria Theatre – atgtickets.com/woking 

23 November – 27 November 2021 – 0844 871 7615 

Running Time: 2 hours 45 minutes (including interval)  

Website: kenwright.com 

Social Media: @BKL_Productions 

The Lowry Theatre, Salford Quays  – until 14 August 2021

5*****

Reviewed by Sal E Marino

A very warm and covid-friendly welcome greeted us at the Lowry for the performance of Anna X.  Brilliantly written by Joseph Charlton and fantastically directed by Daniel Raggett, this modern and new innovative drama makes one question: is the measure of who we are what we do with what we have or does what we create come from who we are – our roots?  In the case of Anna and after eighty-five minutes of a highly thought-provoking sensory experience,  I really can’t answer those questions because she still remains an enigma and this is why I can’t stop thinking about her a day on!  

Anna X could be classed as the ‘quieter’ sibling of the popular TV character Villanelle because although she doesn’t commit any murders she is: devious, cunning, attractive in a kooky and quirky manner but also a master at reinventing herself into a fictitious character. Based around the story of Anna Sorokin (an-up-and- coming Netflix / HBO series about a Russian-born German con artist who made millions out of tricking wealthy socialites), Anna X lets the audience into her mind and shows one how easy it is change your status and income potential by networking and using social media as your platform and ‘playground’.  

Emma Corrin brings Anna’s raw hunger for ‘wanting it all’ to life, as she talks us through her first visit to New York City and lays out all the possibilities and dreams- come-true one can have there (that’s if you’re clever and brave enough to spot opportunities and grab them!).  One of those ‘opportunities’ comes in the form of Ariel (Nabhaan Rizwan), who although is an extremely rich and successful dating app entrepreneur, appears bored with life and wants something or someone different and unique to give him an authentic buzz that money or a drug fuelled nightlife seemingly can’t – but Anna can!  

This play is edgy, fast-paced and inventive and takes you into the underbelly of New York and into the pseudo worlds of fashion, art and quick, hard cash through a mesmerising set of screens.  So cleverly created by Mikaela Liakata and Tal Yarden, the aforementioned set was a myriad of images – some moving and some interactive that really immersed you into the narrative on a deeper level, instantly giving you the vibe and essence of a place or mood without further explanation. I’m sure this will be how many sets are translated onto the  stage in the future!  Complementing the highly-stimulating  multimedia arrangement and Corrin and Rizwan’s characters was Mike Winship’s continuous electro-techno and downtempo beats that just gave the right energy at the right time – so creating the perfect ambience for that moment.  

Fresh, captivating and very cool – Anna X, like Anna herself, is fascinating and leaves you wanting to know more! 

A Wales Millennium Centre Production
The Boy With Two Hearts
 

Written by Hamed Amiri
Adapted for the stage by Phil Porter
In collaboration with Hamed and Hessam Amiri

Directed by Amit Sharma

Wales Millennium Centre, Weston Studio
1 – 23 October 2021

Website – The Boy With Two Hearts

• THE WORLD PREMIERE OF THE STAGE ADAPTATION OF THE EXTRAORDINARY TRUE STORY THE BOY WITH TWO HEARTS
   
• A STORY OF HOPE, FROM AFGHANISTAN TO WALES
  
   
• WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE’S FIRST HOMEGROWN PRODUCTION SINCE REOPENING AND THE FIRST WELSH REFUGEE STORY BROUGHT TO THE STAGE
  
   
• THE BOY WITH TWO HEARTS, AS FEATURED ON RADIO 4’S ‘BOOK OF THE WEEK’ IS THE STORY OF A FAMILY IN DANGER AND A LOVE LETTER TO THE NHS
  
   
• TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE FROM WWW.WMC.ORG.UK
  
   
• AN ACCOMPANYING FREE VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCE TITLED AMIRI WILL RUN ALONGSIDE THE PRODUCTION 

Wales Millennium Centre is delighted to announce that it will produce the world premiere of the stage adaptation of The Boy With Two Hearts. Directed by Amit Sharma, this extraordinary true story of a family’s journey from Afghanistan to Wales will be performed in Wales Millennium Centre’s Weston Studio from 1 – 23 October 2021, with a press night on 5 October.

The Boy With Two Hearts, as featured on BBC Radio 4’s Book of the Week, has been adapted by Phil Porter for the stage from the book of the same name by Hamed Amiri. It tells the incredible true story of the Amiri family and Hamed’s elder brother, Hussein, whose heart condition made their journey to the UK all the more critical. The Amiri family are living in Cardiff and are closely involved in the stage production.

Graeme Farrow, Artistic Director of Wales Millennium Centre said: “Hamed first told his story to us over two years ago and wondered how, and if, we could tell it on stage at Wales Millennium Centre. We knew that it needed care and time and to be told as the Amiri family wanted it to be told. It is a story of love, loss, family and connections and of a journey which is difficult, physical, emotional and personal. It is also a journey which brought a family to Wales which is now their home. I don’t think that you can fail to be moved and inspired by it.”

Herat, Afghanistan, 2000. A young mother makes a speech demanding freedom for Afghan women, angering local Taliban leaders who issue a warrant for her execution. With no choice but to run, the Amiri family embark on a long and terrifying journey out of Afghanistan and across Europe.

Thrown into an unfamiliar world of fake passports and untrustworthy handlers, the Amiris must learn how to live with nothing and avoid capture at all costs. With their eldest son Hussein’s life-threatening heart condition growing steadily worse, the UK is their goal.

Will they beat the odds and reach the UK in time for Hussein to receive the surgery he so badly needs?

Hamed Amiri said: “I am very excited and emotional to not only see my family’s journey come to life on stage, but also get to relive those many precious moments we had along the way.”

Wales Millennium Centre has assembled a creative team led by Amit Sharma who will direct a cast made up of Afghan performers Shamail Ali (Hessam), Farshid Rokey (Hamed) and Ahmad Sakhi (Hussein), who play the Amiri brothers, as well as the award-winning Afghan vocalist and composer, Elaha Soroor.  They are joined by Dana Haqjoo and Géhane Strehler.

The full creative team is:
Director – Amit Sharma
Designer – Hayley Grindle
Lighting Designer – Amy Mae
Sound Designer & Co-Composer – Tic Ashfield

Co-Composer – Elaha Soroor
Projection Designer – Hayley Egan
Casting Director – Sarah Hughes CDG
Vocal Coach – Gary Horner
Artistic Associate – Tafsila Khan
Producer – Pádraig Cusack

The stage production of The Boy With Two Hearts has been generously supported by Bob and Lindsay Clark and the Garfield Weston Foundation Culture Fund. 

VR Experience – Amiri a new virtual reality experience

Alongside the play, a new free virtual reality experience will run at Wales Millennium Centre.

A story of family, love and positivity. This communal VR experience, titled ‘Amiri’ is inspired by the stories of Hussein Amiri and his family, created in collaboration with Hamed and Hessam Amiri to honour their brother’s life.

Amiri brings together a small audience to share in the positive impact Hussein had on those around him in life, and following his death in 2018, as well as those that came to the family’s aid when they most needed it. The experience is centred around the sofra – the living/dining space within the family home where the family would meet, talk and exchange stories over food.

Told through a mixture of written, performed and verbatim recordings, the story surrounds the audience in an ever-changing virtual world which combines subtle imagery, light and shadow to evoke the feeling and atmosphere of the family stories being told, from Afghanistan to Wales.

Amiri is a Wales Millennium Centre and All Seeing Eye production in collaboration with Hamed and Hessam Amiri and funded by the Garfield Weston Foundation Culture Fund. 

wmc.org.uk

The award-winning seven methods of killing kylie jenner playwright

Jasmine Lee-Jones

stars in the world premiere of her second play

curious

Soho Theatre, 16 Sept – 16 Oct

Soho Theatre’s world premiere production of curious, written and performed by the award-winning Jasmine Lee-Jones, opens 16 September – 16 October. Press nights on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 September with BSL interpreted, audio-described and captioned performances Saturday 25 September, Monday 4 and Wednesday 6 October respectively.

curious is Lee-Jones’ second play following her critically-acclaimed seven methods of killing kylie jenner (Royal Court), for which she won the Evening Standard Award 2019 and Critics’ Circle Theatre Award for Most Promising Playwright. Set against the sprawling backdrop of urban London across centuries, curious is a frank, funny and moving excavation of the lives of two actresses who are young, Black, queer and trying to find out who they are.

Jasmine Lee-Jones, curious playwright and performer said: ‘To me, curious is a deeply personal story of excavation past and present. Words can’t express how excited I am to be sharing it with Soho audiences in the coming months.

I was still at drama school when I first shared the play with an audience nearly three years ago. I always sensed the show needed a second life and as such it feels like an immense privilege to be putting it out into the world again. After debuting as a writer with my first play seven methods of killing kylie jenner in 2019, it feels super exciting to be coming to this production as a performer too.’

Directed by Anna Himali Howard (Inside, Orange Tree Theatre and I Wanna Be Yours, Paines Plough/Bush Theatre), Soho Theatre’s production brings together a hugely talented creative team including Co-Set and Costume Designers Camilla Clarke (La Traviata, Nevill Holt Opera,  and La bohème, ENO: Drive & Live) and Rosie Elnile (Prayer, Gate Theatre and [Blank], Donmar Warehouse), Sound Designer Xana (…cake, Theatre Peckham and Fairview, Young Vic), Composer Dominique Le Gendre (Richard II, Shakespeare’s Globe, and Waris Hussain’s Sixth Happiness) Assistant Director and Dramaturg Myah Jeffers (Hope Project, Clean Break Theatre and Really Real Teenz, The Yard Theatre), Production Manager Seb Cannings (The Last Five Years, Southwark Playhouse and The Entertainer, UK Tour) and Producer Ameena Hamid (Death Drop, Garrick Theatre and Shedding a Skin, Soho Theatre)

David Luff, Soho Theatre’s Creative Director, said: ‘Jasmine is a phenomenal talent and her writing is extraordinary: sophistication, wit, guile and power.

I’m so delighted that Soho Theatre is producing curious this autumn and we’re so excited to support her stage debut as a performer.

We’re also thrilled to welcome a fresh, new creative team to Dean Street, with multiple creatives making their Soho Theatre debuts.’

curious listings Information:

Produced by:          Soho Theatre

Dates:                      Thursday 16 September – Saturday 16 October, 7.30pm

Matinees, 3pm Thursday and Saturday

Tickets:                    https://sohotheatre.com/shows/curious/   

Price:                                   From £12

BSL Interpreted:    Saturday 25 September

Audio Described:   Monday 4 October

Captioned:              Wednesday 6 October

Jaz is in her second year at drama school.  Jaz is tired of performing. Hence her conundrum. But when she stumbles across a piece of forgotten history – her life is changed forever…

fifty-seven minutes of ecstasy, cum, sweat and tears

all erased in a heartbeat

a click

a breath

all of it gone

untraceable lust

Except if you’re like me and you know how to backlog…

What does it mean to find yourself? Especially when it seems the world you live in is diametrically set against you doing just that?

Set against the sprawling backdrop of urban London across centuries, curious is a frank, funny and moving excavation of the lives of two actresses who are young, Black, queer and trying to find out who they are.

Creative team:

Writer and Performer                                Jasmine Lee-Jones

Director                                                        Anna Himali Howard 

Co-Set and Costume Designers             Camilla Clarke & Rosie Elnile

Lighting Designer                                      Laura Howard          

Sound Designer                                         Xana

Composer                                                   Dominique Le Gendre

Assistant Director & Dramaturg              Myah Jeffers

Production Manager                                 Seb Cannings

Producer                                                     Ameena Hamid