Month: October 2021

DONNY OSMOND, JULIAN CLARY, PAUL ZERDIN, NIGEL HAVERS, GARY WILMOT,

JAC YARROW AND SOPHIE ISAACS IN

P A N T O L A N D   A T   T H E   P A L L A D I U M

www.palladiumpantomime.com

Michael Harrison for Crossroads Pantomimes is delighted to announce the world-famous TILLER GIRLS will join Donny Osmond, Julian Clary, Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers, Gary Wilmot, Jac Yarrow and Sophie Isaacs in Pantoland at The Palladium which will open on 4 December 2021 and run until 9 January 2022 for a strictly limited five week run.  They are also joined by Australian speciality act Flame Oz who will add a new dimension to the pantomime along with the return of spectacular special effects from the Twins FX.

Today’s Tiller Girls are amongst the most highly trained dancers in the country, with a repertoire that ranges from traditional high kicks, to jazz, tap and ballet all performed with split second precision and all are also accomplished singers.  Many will remember the world-famous Tiller Girls from their regular appearances on Sunday Night At The London Palladium in the 1960s and 70s (latterly on 7 April 1974), originally launched by the creator of precision dance John Tiller as far back as 1890.  By 1920, John Tiller had eighty troupes performing all over the world from Broadway to Paris, as well as in Hollywood movies for Busby Berkeley.  The world’s longest running dance troupe, The Tiller Girls deliver precision dance, spectacular costumes and a sprinkling of Hollywood allure wherever they perform.

An essential part of Christmas in the West End, Pantoland at The Palladium is created by Michael Harrison and promises to be a treasure trove of The London Palladium’s panto past and exciting new surprises written especially for the show, guaranteeing an unmissable treat for panto and musical theatre fans alike. 

The Olivier Award-Winning Team of director Michael Harrison, choreographer Karen Bruce, set designer Ian Westbrook, costume designer Hugh Durrant, lighting designer Ben Cracknell, sound designer Gareth Owen and composer and orchestrator Gary Hind will once again work together to bring back this hugely popular show.

This production at The London Palladium is once again delivered in partnership with The National Lottery.  It comes following The National Lottery’s support for pantomimes across the UK in 2020 – when it provided the necessary funds to make possible productions when social distancing meant audience numbers were limited. The money for this initiative came from a National Lottery promotional fund. 

Pantoland at The Palladium is produced by Michael Harrison for Crossroads Pantomimes.  

LISTINGS INFORMATION 

Theatre:                             The London Palladium, Argyll St, London W1F 7TF

Dates:                                4 December 2021 – 9 January 2022

Performances:                     see website for performance schedule

Tickets:                              Tickets from £25 – no booking fees

Website:                            www.palladiumpantomime.com

Twitter:                              @PalladiumPanto                          

Facebook:                           www.facebook.com/PalladiumPanto

Instagram:                         palladiumpanto

RankinLIVE x West End Theatre

Rankin to celebrate talent and resilience of London theatre industry with major photography project

Photographer and filmmaker Rankin has today (Friday 8 October) announced details of one of his biggest projects to date: ‘PERFORMANCE, RankinLIVE x West End Theatre’. 

Produced in partnership with the Mayor of London and the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) as part of the #BackOnStage campaign, this will be an ambitious programme of live shoots, a city-wide exhibition, ground-breaking interviews, a book launch and a charity auction – all in celebration of the capital’s world-leading theatre industry and its pandemic recovery, and in support of Theatre Artists Fund and London youth homelessness charities.

In an historic record of a West End reborn, PERFORMANCE will see Rankin shoot up to 200 subjects drawn from a multitude of productions and theatre venues in central London. With a mission to provide a platform for the full spectrum of the West End’s finest talent both on and offstage, the project will feature everyone from star actors, dancers, writers, directors and producers through to costume, sound, lighting and set designers, puppeteers, technicians, dressers, stage managers, front of house staff and many more.

Rankin said: “Everyone working in theatre has a story to tell of their experience over the past eighteen months, inspiring tales of hardship, perseverance, patience, innovation, despair and joy. With this project and exhibition, we want to celebrate the jewel in the crown of our city’s unparalleled culture sector – epitomised by these countless faces and voices who make up the backbone of London’s theatre community and will spearhead its post-Covid recovery.

“I honestly can’t remember the last time that I’ve seen so many different organisations come together so quickly around an idea – from the Mayor of London and SOLT offering their practical and logistical support; Fujifilm offering their flagship store for an entire season; Westminster Council and the central London landlords offering empty units; the production companies and theatres offering their stars and staff; all the way through to the suppliers like Addison Lee assisting with the nuts and bolts of transportation. These are all reminders of just how important theatre and culture is to us as a society.”

A landmark exhibition of the portraits will run from 3 November to 31 January at the Fujifilm House of Photography in the heart of London’s West End. In addition, edited behind-the-scenes films of the shoots will be shared on digital and social platforms, granting an exclusive look into the project and Rankin at work.

The project is part of the Mayor of London’s Let’s Do London campaign, the largest domestic tourism campaign the capital has ever seen, bringing together London’s leading hospitality, culture and retail organisations to attract Londoners and visitors from across the UK back to central London to enjoy its world-class attractions, theatres and venues.

Visitors to the PERFORMANCE exhibition will have the chance to support young Londoners facing homelessness by making a donation to four London youth homelessness charities – Depaul, akt, Centrepoint and New Horizons Youth Centre – as well as the Theatre Artists Fund, which provides emergency aid to struggling theatre freelancers. Further money will be raised for the chosen charities through the purchase of limited-edition books and merchandise.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “I’m thrilled to support this exciting project by Rankin. From our galleries to our theatres, London’s cultural sector has had an incredibly difficult 18 months. This once-in-a-lifetime portrait of the West End will showcase the incredible talent that comes together to make our theatres the envy of the world, providing another reason to visit central London and supporting the vital work of youth homeless charities.”

LONDON’S ‘SHOW OF THE YEAR’

THE MULTI-TONY AWARD WINNING

ANYTHING GOES

COMING TO UK CINEMAS – FOR TWO NIGHTS ONLY

28 NOVEMBER & 1 DECEMBER 2021

TICKETS ON SALE FROM FRIDAY 15 OCTOBER AT ANYTHINGGOESMUSICALCINEMA.COM

The smash hit musical ANYTHING GOES, ‘the show of the year’ (★★★★★ Daily Telegraph) and a ‘fizzing tonic for our times’ (★★★★★ The Guardian) will sail into over 450 cinema screens nationwide for two nights only on Sunday 28 November and Wednesday 1 December in a live recording filmed at London’s renowned Barbican Theatre.

Tickets will go on-sale from Friday 15 October at anythinggoesmusicalcinema.com

Presented by the Barbican and filmed live in London – during the show’s 15 week residency at the theatre, which continues until 6 November – his major new five star production of the classic musical comedy features an all-star cast led by renowned Broadway royalty Sutton Foster reprising her Tony Award-winning performance as Reno Sweeney, alongside three-time Olivier Award and Tony Award winner Robert Lindsay (My Family) as Moonface Martin, Evening Standard Theatre Award winner Felicity Kendal (The Good Life) as Evangeline Harcourt and beloved West End Legend Gary Wilmot (Chicago) as Elisha Whitney. A heart-warming romance with spectacular dance routines and some of theatre’s most memorable songs, ANYTHING GOES is ‘a joyously shipshape revival’ (★★★★★ The Observer).

Since ANYTHING GOES opened this summer at the Barbican, audiences have been on their feet night after night giving this multi-Tony Award winning show multiple standing ovations at every performance. Featuring a 50 strong cast and ensemble of the finest there is to offer on the London stage, including tap dancing sailors and a full-sized live orchestra, this critically acclaimed production ‘immediately joins the pantheon of great classic musical revivals’ (Daily Telegraph). ANYTHING GOES continues to play to sell out houses, as audiences flood through the Barbican Theatre doors to witness this truly spectacular musical comedy. Plans for an international cinema release will be announced soon.

When the S.S. American heads out to sea, etiquette and convention head out the portholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course to true love… proving that sometimes destiny needs a little help from a crew of singing sailors, a comical disguise and some good old-fashioned blackmail. This hilarious musical romp across the Atlantic, directed by the multi-award-winning Broadway director and choreographer Kathleen Marshall, features Cole Porter’s joyful score, including I Get A Kick Out of You, You’re the Top and the show stopping Anything Goes. The ‘musical equivalent of sipping one glass of champagne after another’ (★★★★★ The Times), ANYTHING GOES will take you back to the Golden Age of high society on the seas from the comfort of your cinema seat.

ANYTHING GOES has music and lyrics by Cole Porter, an original book by P.G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton with Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse and a new book by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman. The musical also stars Samuel Edwards (Les Misérables / Wicked) as Billy Crocker, Nicole-Lily Baisden (The Book of Mormon / Let’s Face The Music) as Hope Harcourt, Haydn Oakley (A Christmas Carol / An American in Paris) as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh and Carly Mercedes Dyer (West Side Story/Chicago) as Erma.

Producer Howard Panter says: “The multi-Tony Award winning glorious production of Anything Goes, directed by Kathleen Marshall, is not to be missed. London audiences already cannot get enough of this energetic and uplifting classic musical which has been sold out night after night. From four outstanding leading actors – Sutton, Robert, Felicity, Gary – to the spectacular supporting company, the glorious set design, the breathtaking choreography and of course the wonderful score. It really is ‘the show of the year’ that everyone should experience and I am delighted that via this two day cinema release the show will get an even wider audience across the UK.”

Trafalgar Releasing’s CEO Marc Allenby says: “We’re delighted to be working with our partners within the Trafalgar Entertainment Group to bring this entertaining and uplifting five star musical to cinemas across the UK. Musical theatre has a proven track record of box office success on the big screen, and with its all-star cast, spectacular dance routines and instantly recognizable songs, Anything Goes is the perfect production to bring laughter and joy to cinema audiences.”

★★★★★

‘Makes you gasp in wonder and laugh till it hurts. Pure class.’

Daily Telegraph

★★★★★

‘The show of the year. I would give it six stars if I could’

Daily Telegraph

★★★★★

’The musical equivalent of sipping one glass of champagne after another’

The Times

★★★★★

‘When a musical packs this much energy and spectacle, nothing else goes!’

Daily Mail

★★★★★

’Bubbly wit and stylish fun. It shimmers and sparkles.’

The Times

★★★★★

‘Anything Goes offers the delirious delight of a musical in full sail’

Financial Times

CREATIVE TEAM

Kathleen Marshall – Director & Choreographer

Stephen Ridley – Music Supervisor & Director

Derek McLane – Set Designer

Jon Morrell – Costume Designer

Hugh Vanstone – Lighting Designer

Jonathan Deans – Sound Designer

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Screening Dates: Sunday 28 November & Wednesday 1 December

Website: AnythingGoesMusicalCinema.com

Twitter: @AnythingGUK

Facebook: @AnythingGoesUK

Instagram: @AnythingGoesUK

THE LOWRY, SALFORD – UNTIL 8 OCTOBER 2021

REVIEWED BY ANGELOS SPANTIDEAS

4****

Rambert’s Draw from Within, directed by the Belgian choreographer Wim Vandekeybus, is an electric combination of dance and spoken word that captured audiences in live streams during lockdown and now is finally in theatres, ready to send audiences on a 70 minute journey in a world of light and darkness.

Set on a plain stage with a piece of spoken word and very few dancers opening the performance in a mellow and tender way. The opening of the performance, within its softness eases the audience in and does not foretell the layers and the intensity of the story that will soon unfold. The stage is dimly lit, which allows for the dancers to slide inside the shadows of fires they make, or is filled with light from spotlights that accentuate the expressions of the dancers.

In a story that from the beginning gives a lot of room for interpretation the barrier between what is true and what is an illusion or a dream is blurry and the stage transforms multiple times to nurture different stories and magnify experiences, desires or fears of an unknown protagonist. The use of fire, smoke, metal screens and ropes, as well as other changes of the setting help transform the stage and facilitate the expression through dance and acting.

For what feels like a glimpse in a woman’s mind we become observant of people coming in a frenzied dance, embraced by the smoke of the torches they extinguish while around them people seem to disregard them. Othertimes, ropes tighten around a woman who elegantly slips through them, an act of defiance perhaps to the expectation of a submissive female as earlier she is passionately claimed by a male figure. The uses of these instruments help grasp the audience’s attention while also encouraging the imagination to unwind and explore what is the underlying meaning.

At the same time, as simple and humble as it begins, the stage fills with people racing in and out of the spotlight, sometimes joining and other times leaving the main stage and leaving no second unfilled with excitement. The choreography most times is not identical for all dancers, although they are perceived as the narrators of the same story each depicts that story in their own unique way leaving the audience craving for more time with each dancer to attend to their interpretation of the incidents. The choreography most times is intense and demanding and the dancers successfully embody every move and coexist on the stage in a state of harmonious chaos.

Near the end of the performance a hyperrealistic turn of events sends the dancers in a delirium that intensifies and builds up until the protagonist is returned back to reality, visited by white wearing people, in an empty corridor, of what seems to be a mental health facility. The notion of being inside a woman’s subconscious in a hazy hallucination of her life events becomes more obvious which allows for explanation on what was really excessive and what was an aftermath of unbounded trauma and harrowin pain.

Overall, with a cast of brilliant dancers performing a soulful piece, the companion of songs and poetry that compliment and intensify the experience, Draw from Within is a homage to being human, fighting with inner demons and surviving in a world that is filled with absurdity and agony. Maybe a nightmare, or maybe a portrait of a reality, raw and genuine, that dominates the audience until the last minute.

STAR CASTING ANNOUNCED

SHERRIE HEWSON, JESSICA ELLIS AND LES DENNIS

JOIN LEE MEAD IN

THE UK AND IRELAND TOUR OF

KAY MELLOR’S SMASH HIT
FAT FRIENDS THE MUSICAL

OPENING AT DARTFORD ORCHARD THEATRE
ON 14 JANUARY 2022

Producer Joshua Andrews is delighted to announce star casting for the UK and Ireland tour of Kay Mellor’s smash hit FAT FRIENDS THE MUSICAL. With original music by Nick Lloyd Webber, the tour willopen at Dartford Orchard Theatre on 14 January 2022. Joining the previously announced Lee Mead as ‘Kevin’ will be Sherrie Hewson as ‘Julia’, Jessica Ellis as ‘Kelly’ and Les Dennis as ‘Fergus’. Marc Akinfolarin also joins the cast as ‘Alan’ with Alex–May Roberts as ‘Val’. Further casting to be announced soon.

Kay Mellor said today ‘I am thrilled with the amazing star cast we have assembled for our second outing of Fat Friends The Musical. Lee Mead and Jessica Ellis are fantastic performers and will be wonderful as Kevin and Kelly, and it’s great to be welcoming two iconic actors, Sherrie Hewson and Les Dennis who first worked together 40 years ago and are now reunited on stage’.

Lee Mead is a much loved actor of stage and screen. Having won the nations hearts when they voted him their Joseph in BBC One’s ‘Any Dream Will Do’, Lee has gone on to star in the West End in ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’, ‘Legally Blonde’ and ‘Wicked’ before establishing himself as a TV favourite on ‘Casualty’ and then ‘Holby City’ in the role of Lofty.

Sherrie Hewson is probably best known as the iconic Maureen Holdsworth in ITV’s ‘Coronation Street’ and Joyce Temple-Savage in six series of ‘Benidorm’. Her other TV credits include ‘Russ Abbot’s Madhouse’ and ten years as the comedy cornerstone of ‘Loose Women’. No stranger to the stage, her many theatre credits include ‘Stepping Out’, ‘Billy Liar’, ‘Run For Your Wife’ and ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’.

Jessica Ellis played Tegan Lomax in Channel 4’s ‘Hollyoaks’ for five years. She most recently filmed the feature film ‘Catherine Called Birdy’, written and directed by Lena Dunham. She has appeared on stage in ‘Bedroom Farce’ at Theatre by the Lake and in three Old Vic New Voices productions in New York.  Fat Friends marks her musical theatre debut.

Les Dennis most recently starred as Wilbur in ‘Hairspray’ opposite Michael Ball at the London Coliseum. His other West End credits include Amos Hart in ‘Chicago’ and Bill in ‘Me and My Girl’. His touring theatre credits include ‘Art’, ‘Legally Blonde’, ‘High School Musical 2’ and Uncle Fester in the musical comedy ‘The Addams Family’.  His many TV credits include Michael Rodwell in ‘Coronation Street’ and a fictional version of himself in ‘Extras’.

This hugely entertaining musical toured the UK to a rapturous response from critics and sell out audiences in 2017 and is based on the hit ITV show Fat Friends, that starred James Corden and Ruth Jones. Fat Friends – The Musical reunites our favourite foodie friends as they are put through their Zumba paces at their local slimming club, whilst Kelly fantasises about fitting into the wedding dress of her dreams. Full of hope, humour, love and weight loss, the show delivers a tasty treat of fun and laughter and encourages us all, as the final song sings, to Love Who You Are!  

FAT FRIENDS THE MUSICAL is created, directed and has a book and lyrics by the multi award winning Kay Mellor, whose latest hit series of The Syndicate recently ran on BBC One. It has Music by Nicholas Lloyd Webber with Set and Costume design by Bretta Gerecke. Choreography is by Karen Bruce, Sound by Ben Harrison, Lighting by Nick Richings with Orchestrations, Arrangements and Musical Supervision by Simon Lee, Casting by Stephen Crockett CDG for David Grindrod Associates, with Additional Casting by David Shaw CDG for David Shaw Casting. It is produced by Joshua Andrews and Rollem Productions.

FAT FRIENDS – 2022 UK AND IRELAND TOUR LISTINGS

FatFriendsMusical.com

Facebook – FatFriendsTheMusical

Twitter – @FatFriendsShow

Instagram – @FatFriendsShow

FRIDAY 14 JANUARY – SATURDAY 15 JANUARY 2022

The Orchard Theatre, Dartford

www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

TUESDAY 18 JANUARY – SATURDAY 22 JANUARY 2022

New Theatre, Cardiff

www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

(Lee Mead will not perform on Saturday 22 January 2022)

MONDAY 24 JANUARY – SATURDAY 29 JANUARY 2022

Theatre Royal, Nottingham

www.trch.co.uk

MONDAY 31 JANUARY – SATURDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2022

The Lyceum, Sheffield

www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

MONDAY 7 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2022

King’s Theatre, Glasgow

www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre-glasgow

MONDAY 14 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2022

Theatre Royal, Newcastle

www.theatreroyal.co.uk

MONDAY 21 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 5 MARCH 2022

Leeds Grand Theatre

www.leedsheritagetheatres.com

MONDAY 7 MARCH – SATURDAY 12 MARCH 2022

Edinburgh Festival Theatre

www.capitaltheatres.com

MONDAY 14 MARCH – SATURDAY 19 MARCH 2022

The Orchard Theatre, Dartford

www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

TUESDAY 29 MARCH – SATURDAY 2 APRIL 2022

The Alexandra, Birmingham

www.atgtickets.com/venues/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham

MONDAY 4 APRIL – SATURDAY 9 APRIL 2022

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton

www.mayflower.org.uk

MONDAY 11 APRIL – SATURDAY 16 APRIL 2022

The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

www.marlowetheatre.com

MONDAY 25 APRIL – SATURDAY 30 APRIL 2022

Norwich Theatre Royal

www.norwichtheatre.org

TUESDAY 3 MAY – SATURDAY 7 MAY 2022

Southend Cliffs Pavilion

www.southendtheatres.org.uk

MONDAY 9 MAY – SATURDAY 14 MAY 2022

Curve, Leicester

www.curveonline.co.uk

MONDAY 16 MAY – SATURDAY 21 MAY 2022

Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin

www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie

ON SALE SOON

MONDAY 23 MAY – SATURDAY 28 MAY 2022

Liverpool Empire

www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire

MONDAY 30 MAY – SATURDAY 4 JUNE 2022

The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford

www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

MONDAY 6 JUNE – SATURDAY 11 JUNE 2022

The Lowry, Salford

www.thelowry.com

MONDAY 13 JUNE – SATURDAY 18 JUNE 2022

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

www.grandtheatre.co.uk

(Jessica Ellis will not perform on Saturday 18 June 2022)

MONDAY 20 JUNE – SATURDAY 25 JUNE 2022

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

www.theatresevern.co.uk

MONDAY 27 JUNE – SATURDAY 2 JULY 2022

Theatre Royal, Plymouth

www.theatreroyal.com

MONDAY 4 JULY – SATURDAY 9 JULY

Bristol Hippodrome

www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome

MONDAY 11 JULY – SATURDAY 16 JULY 2022

Venue Cymru, Llandudno

www.venuecymru.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

MONDAY 18 JULY – SATURDAY 23 JULY

Hull New Theatre

www.hulltheatres.co.uk

Swipe Right Theatre present

Scream Phone

By Natasha Granger and Kerrie Thomason

Directed by Tom Parry; Arrangements and Music: Martin Higgins; Set Design: Casey Jay Andrews Lighting Design: David Doyle

UK tour: 28 October – 26 November 2021

It’s 1989, the girls are having a sleepover and you’re like, totally invited!

Pillow fights in their underwear, singing into hairbrushes, and gossiping about their crushes, what could possibly go wrong? As long as they don’t answer the over-sized pink phone… dun dun DUUUN!

Based on the retro classic game Dream Phone, Scream Phone will take you on a killer journey back to the ‘80s with an infectious soundtrack.

Natasha Granger is co-writer and plays Melody. She is co-founder of Swipe Right Theatre; her credits for the company include 2 Become 1 (Edinburgh Festival Fringe/Brighton Fringe/King’s Head Theatre). She is also co-founder of Anglo-Swiss theatre company, Theatre Fideri Fidera, where her credits include Ugg ‘n’ Ogg and the World’s First Dogg, Pitschi: The Kitten with Dreams (Edinburgh Festival Fringe/UK tour), and Oskar’s Amazing Adventure in the Snow (UK tour). Her other theatre credits include Don Rodolfo, The Wrestling and The Reunion (Edinburgh Festival Fringe).

Kerrie Thomason is co-writer and plays Janice. She is co-founder of Swipe Right Theatre, her credits for the company include 2 Become 1 (Edinburgh Festival Fringe/Brighton Fringe/King’s Head Theatre). Her stage credits include Single White Slut (Edinburgh Festival Fringe/UK tour/Duchess Theatre/The Melbourne Comedy Festival), and Max & Ivan: Prom Night and Hamlet (Edinburgh Festival Fringe). Thomason also volunteers for Scene And Heard, a theatre based children’s charity.

Alexandra Lewis plays Stacey. Her theatre credits include A Night at the Musicals (Welsh Musical Theatre Orchestra), I’m Sorry But… (The Bread and Roses Theatre) and Perfectly Ordinary (Guildford Fringe Festival). Her television credits include Sex Education; and for film, Miss Marx.

Tom Parry directs. His theatre credits include The Reunion by Max and Ivan (Edinburgh Festival Fringe) and Don Rodolfo by Ciaran Dowd (Edinburgh Festival Fringe/Soho Theatre). As one third of the award-winning sketch group Pappys he wrote six Edinburgh shows, twice being nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award; and as a stand-up his credits include Yellow T Shirt (Edinburgh Festival Fringe – Best Newcomer nomination), which was also developed into BBC Radio 4’s Fancy Dressed Life. As a writer, his television credits include Class Dismissed and Badults; and the upcoming film, Your Christmas Or Mine?.

SCREAM PHONE

 LISTINGS

Soho Theatre

28 – 30 October 2021

Box Office: 020 7478 0100 / www.sohotheatre.com

Old Joint Stock, Birmingham

3 – 6 November 2021

Box Office: 0121 200 1892 / www.oldjointstock.co.uk

Yvonne Arnaud Guildford – The Mill Studio

10 November 2021

Box Office: 01483 44 00 00 / www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

The Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol

11 – 12 November 2021

Box Office: 0117 902 0344 / www.thewardrobetheatre.com

The Rondo Theatre, Bath

13 November 2021

Box Office: 0333 666 3366 / www.rondotheatre.co.uk

Leighton Buzzard Library Theatre

17 November 2021

Box Office:www.centralbedfordshire.ticketsolve.com/shows

Town and Gown Theatre, Cambridge

18 – 20 November 2021

Box Office: 01223 309796 / www.townandgown.co.uk

Komedia, Brighton

26 November 2021 

Box Office: 01273 647100 / www.komedia.co.uk/brighton

• EUROPE’S LARGEST CHRISTMAS SHOW IS BACK! THURSFORD CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR RETURNS TO NORFOLK FOR SEVEN WEEKS FROM 9TH NOVEMBER – 23RD DECEMBER 2021.
• FOLLOWING A HIATUS LAST YEAR DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, THIS YEAR’S AWARD-WINNING FESTIVE EXTRAVAGANZA PROMISES TO BE BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER BEFORE WITH THREE HOURS OF NON-STOP MUSIC, VARIETY, DANCE AND COMEDY.
• FEATURING A CAST OF 130 PERFORMERS ALONGSIDE VARIETY ACTS INCLUDING ACROBATIC DUO DELFINA AND BARTEK, BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT STARS BILLY GEORGE AND KEV ORKIAN, AND THEATRE ORGANIST PHIL KELSALL, TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FOR THIS SHOWSTOPPING CELEBRATION.

Preparations are well underway in the tiny Norfolk village of Thursford for Europe’s largest and most lavish Christmas show as it returns for its most ambitious and extravagant show to date, following a hiatus last year due to Covid.  Running for seven weeks only from 9 November – 23 December, tickets can be purchased here: www.thursford.com

Set in the midst of the world’s largest collection of steam engines, mechanical organs and fairground rides, Thursford’s opulent Christmas spectacular is performed by a cast of 130 professional performers, many of whom have come directly from the West End in this three-hour show-stopping bonanza featuring a wide range of music, dance and comedy, with many more surprises along the way.

This glittering, tinsel-packed variety show has been entertaining visitors of all ages from across the globe since opening its doors on Christmas Eve more than 40 years ago in 1977. Seen by nearly 6 million people and regularly attracting up to 50 coaches a day from far and wide, the team have been busy auditioning over 3000 performers this year, as well as installing a brand-new lighting experience to ensure that this year’s beloved and highly anticipated family-run show brings bucket loads of Christmas cheer to audiences who missed out last year.

This family-run annual festive treat is delighted to be re-employing around 360 dancers, singers, musicians, variety acts, technicians, wardrobe teams, ushers, caterers and production staff. It was with great sadness that last year was the first time since opening its doors, that the show was unable to happen.

John Cushing OBE, CEO, Founder, Producer and Director of Thursford Christmas Spectacular, said:

“We are absolutely thrilled to be back this year with our Christmas Spectacular show. It is such an important occasion, not just for the cast and crew but the local community, hotels, B&Bs, rental properties and hospitality venues throughout Norfolk.

We cannot wait to welcome the thousands of you back through our doors and give you the most extravagant Spectacular show yet. It has been a challenging couple of years for so many and we want to provide as much joy, over the festive period, as we possibly can.”

Ready to light up the Norfolk countryside this festive season, this year’s extraordinary selection of acts includes ITVs Britain’s Got Talent finalists, the brilliantly eccentric and energetic British-Armenian comedian Kev Orkian who will introduce the world-class acrobat Billy George on the Cyr Wheel. Returning to the stage is renowned theatre organist Phil Kelsall on Thursford’s Mighty Wurlitzer (one of the largest remaining Wurlitzers in Europe and the centre piece for the show) and the gravity-defying duo Delfina & Bartek will also feature in an acrobatic spectacle.

The creative team includes John Cushing OBE (Producer and Director), Benjamin Ellin (Musical Director and Conductor), Tracey Iliffe (Choreographer), Peter Savidge (Casting Director), Jonathan Smith (Musical Orchestrator) and Stephen Adnitt (Designer).  

Nestled in the beautiful Norfolk countryside, visitors will also have the opportunity to experience the truly unique Thursford Collection which also includes The Enchanted Journey of Light, a magical walk-through experience for all ages running from 19th November 2021 until 23rd December 2021. Replacing the full production in 2019 due to the pandemic, this indoor wonderland trail of steam engines, kinetic fairy-tale characters and an immersive light and sound experience will lead to a 4-acre Lantern Light Extravaganza of beautiful and breath-taking outdoor luminous sculptures, from a fantasy forest of jungle animals to the wilds of the North Pole. Tickets for The Enchanted Journey of Light are available separately through the website www.thursford.com.

Thursford Christmas Spectacular will run from 9th November – 23rd December 2021, with afternoon performances beginning at 2.00pm and evening shows at 7.00pm. Tickets can be booked via the website https://www.thursford.com/

Musical Theatre Icon Ruthie Henshall leads
Re-imagining of Stephen Sondheim’s MultiAward Winning Passion
Thursday 5th May – Sunday 5th June 2022
Hope Mill Theatre, 113 Pollard Street, Manchester M4 7JA

Olivier Award winner and Musical Theatre icon Ruthie Henshall (Les Miserables; Miss Saigon; Oliver; Crazy For You; Chicago; Billy Elliot) will lead a reimagining of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s multi-award-winning Passion at the Hope Mill Theatre for a limited run. Under the direction of Michael Strassen (Pacific Overtures; Company; Assassins), Henshall will breathe life into this anticipated revival, reenergising the tale of love, sex and obsession in a new dynamic staging. In its strictly limited run of 37 performances at The Hope Mill, the producers are embracing Manchester’s “Factory of Creativity” to re-develop the show for a future life. Further casting will be announced in due course.

Arguably Sondheim’s most lyrical and romantic work, Passion is a legendary musical based on Ettore Scola’s Italian film, Passion d’Amore. Situated in 19 th Century Italy, the production tells the tale of a young soldier, Giorgio, who is obsessively pursued by the relation of his superior officer, Fosca – a woman prone to severe melancholy and mania. Strassen’s modern retelling of the tale, with movement direction by Sundeep Saini (As You Like It, Little Shop of Horrors), will put Fosca front and centre, finding the real heart and truth within the piece.

Exploring the consequences of intense passion and obsessive adoration, Passion is a ravishing and thought-provoking look at the lengths people go to for desire. The renowned musical will be revitalised with modern staging and production, and provides an opportunity to see what is regarded as one of Sondheim’s most personal explorations up close, whilst it is being developed and conceived in Manchester.

Henshall comments, I am so honoured to finally have the opportunity to play the role of Fosca, in one of my all time favourite musicals. From even before I was involved in ‘Putting It Together’ on Broadway, I fell in love with Stephen Sondheim’s music and lyrics; and I only continue to do so more and more each day. Passion is a deep exploration of what it is to love, and be loved; If that wasn’t enough, the score is some of the best musical theatre ever written. To be able to develop this show in such an intimate space and alongside one of my dearest friends Michael Strassen (director), only makes this production an even more rare and exciting event.

Passion features the music and lyrics of the legendary Stephen Sondheim, whose prolific portfolio includes West Side Story, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Company, Follies and his new musical Square One, which premieres next year on Broadway. His longtime collaboration with writer James Lapine, which also produced the award-winning Sunday in the Park with George and Into The Woods, brings this rich tale to life.

RICHARD O’BRIEN‘S LEGENDARY ROCK AND ROLL MUSICAL

ANNOUNCES

LIVE CINEMA SCREENING ACROSS THE UK & EUROPE

FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY – THURSDAY 28 OCTOBER

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM

ROCKYHORRORINCINEMAS.COM

★★★★★

“Fresh, subversive, essential”

Daily Telegraph

Ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical, The Rocky Horror Show, is coming to a big screen near you later this month. This special Halloween performance will be broadcast live from the Sadler’s Wells Peacock Theatre in London’s West End on Thursday 28 October to over 500 hundred cinemas across the UK and Europe. Tickets are on sale now from rockyhorrorincinemas.com

Starring Strictly Come Dancing winner Ore Oduba as Brad, the screening live from the Peacock Theatre is part of the UK Tour that continues to break records in theatres across the country which runs until June 2022. The Rocky Horror Show is a guaranteed party featuring timeless classics, including Sweet Transvestite, Dammit Janet, and of course, the pelvic-thrusting, show-stopping Time Warp.

With the announcement of October’s cinema broadcast, even more theatre lovers across the UK will have the opportunity to watch this “colourful, in your face, relentlessly energetic” (The Times) musical that continues to stand the test of time and fill theatres across the country.

Joining Ore to the cast of the Rocky Horror Show as Frank is Stephen Webb (Jersey Boys / Legally Blonde), alongside Philip Franks (The Darling Buds of May) as The Narrator. They will be joined by fan favourite Haley Flaherty (Mamma Mia / Chicago) as Janet.

Kristian Lavercombe (Jersey Boys / Jesus Christ Superstar) once again reprises his role as Riff Raff, following more than 1800 performances around the world, with Lauren Ingram (Beauty and the Beast / My Fair Lady) as Columbia. Ben Westhead (Oliver / The Sound of Music) as Rocky, with Joe Allen (Little Shop of Horrors / Charlie & The Chocolate Factory) as Eddie & Dr Scott.

The cast as Phantoms are Reece Budin (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical / Man of La Mancha), Jordan Fox (Kinky Boots / Hairspray) and Rachel Grundy (Starlight Express / Peter Pan), Darcy Finden who is making her professional debut, Danny Knott (Saturday Night Fever / A Midsummer Nights’ Dream) as Male Swing and Stefania Du Toit (Starlight Express / Singing in the Rain), as Female Swing and Dance Captain.

The Rocky Horror Show is the story of two squeaky clean college kids – Brad and his fiancée Janet. When by a twist of fate, their car breaks down outside a creepy mansion whilst on their way to visit their former college professor, they meet the charismatic Dr Frank’n’Furter. It is an adventure they’ll never forget, filled with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity.

The Rocky Horror Show first began life in 1973 before an audience of just 63 people in the Royal Court’s Theatre Upstairs. It was an immediate success and transferred to the Chelsea Classic Cinema, before going on to run at the Kings Road Theatre, 1973-79 and the Comedy Theatre in the West End, 1979-80. Since then, it has become the world’s favourite Rock ‘N’ Roll musical, having been performed worldwide for over 48 years in more than 30 countries and translated into 20 languages.

Ore Oduba says: “I am thrilled to be part of the Halloween live cinema screening of the Rocky Horror Show. It’s been a wild ride so far on tour, the audiences have been incredible. So we can’t wait to share the fun, frolics and frivolity with cinema audiences all over the UK – for one night only!”

Trafalgar Releasing CEO Marc Allenby says: “We’re excited to bring The Rocky Horror Show back to cinemas for this special Halloween broadcast, working with our partners within the Trafalgar Entertainment Group. As audiences return to cinemas on a major scale, this fan favourite provides an opportunity for a guaranteed fun-filled night out, packed with classic songs and humour”.

The Rocky Horror Show tour is produced by

Howard Panter for Trafalgar Theatre Productions,

Mallory Factor for Hill Street Productions and Rupert Gavin

In association with Christian C. Yegen, Mark Lubkeman, Kathryn Bricken, and Jason Brueschke for APOTA Productions

WHAT THE PRESS HAVE SAID ABOUT THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW

“Still the sexiest and funniest show in town”

Evening Standard

“Hard to think of another musical quite as unique as this. Christopher Luscombe’s

affectionate production feels like a genuine blast from the past”

Mail on Sunday

“As delightfully naughty as ever!”

Daily Telegraph

“So fast, so funny, so sexy”

Daily Mail

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Screening Date: Thursday 28 October

Screening Time: 7.45pm BST

Website: rockyhorrorincinemas.com

Twitter: @rockyhorroruk

Instagram: @rockyhorrorofficial

Facebook: /rockyhorrorshow

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

WORLDWIDE SMASH HIT

THE CHOIR OF MAN

OPENING IN LONDON’S WEST END

AT THE ARTS THEATRE

FROM FRIDAY 29 OCTOBER 2021

The producers of THE CHOIR OF MAN, the runaway international hit, are delighted to announce the cast for the West End premiere. Tom Brandon (original cast member of The Choir of Man and appeared in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Beautiful Game) will play the Hard Man, Miles Anthony Daley (made West End debut with Thriller Live) the Romantic, Daniel Harnett (worldwide tour and Sydney Opera House production of The Choir of Man and appeared in Witches of Eastwick at Contact Theatre, Manchester) the Joker, Alistair Higgins (US Tour, Cleveland residency and performed three times at Sydney Opera House in The Choir of Man) the Maestro, Freddie Huddleston (original cast member of The Choir of Man, including US Tour, Edinburgh and Sydney Opera House, and the show’s choreographer, making his West End debut) the Handyman, Richard Lock (Edinburgh, Sydney Opera House and US Tour of The Choir of Man) the Beast, Mark Loveday (original cast member of The Choir of Man, including US Tour, Edinburgh and Sydney Opera House, making his West End debut) as the Barman, Ben Norris (the voice of Ben Archer in The Archers on BBC Radio 4, making his West End debut) the Poet and Tyler Orphé-Baker (The Railway Children, King’s Cross Theatre) the Pub Bore. Also joining the West End cast will be Matt Beveridge (US Tour and Sydney Opera House production of The Choir of Man) and George Bray (Sydney Opera House, European Tour, Cleveland residency of The Choir of Man).

The band features Jack Hartigan as guitarist, Zami Jamil will play the violin, Emanuel Bonsu as drummer and Caleb Wilson as bassist. 

Following three sell-out seasons at the Sydney Opera House and multiple sold-out US and European tours, THE CHOIR OF MAN will open at The Arts Theatre on Tuesday 9 November, following previews from 29 October 2021. The show is currently booking to 13 February 2022.  Tickets are now on sale. 

THE CHOIR OF MAN is the best trip to your local you’ll ever have, featuring amazing reinventions of folk, pop, Broadway and rock chart-toppers from artists including Guns ‘N’ Roses, Fun!, Adele, Avicii, Paul Simon, Sia and many more. It’s a party, it’s a concert and it’s a lock-in like no other.

The cast of nine multi-talented guys combine beautiful harmonies and foot-stomping singalongs with world-class tap dance and poetic meditations on the power of community. This is a riotously feel-good homage to that gathering place we’ve all missed so much over the past year: the pub, complete with a real working bar on stage.

THE CHOIR OF MAN is created by Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay, directed by Nic Doodson, with musical supervision, vocal arrangements and orchestrations by Jack Blume, movement direction and choreography by Freddie Huddleston, monologues written by Ben Norris, scenic design by Oli Townsend, lighting design by Richard Dinnen, costume design and associate scenic design by Verity Sadler, sound design by Sten Severson, casting by Debbie O’Brien.

Associate Choreographer is Rachel Chapman and Associate Musical Director is Hollie Cassar.

The show is produced by Immersive Everywhere, Nic Doodson, Andrew Kay, Wendy & Andy Barnes and AK Theatricals.

Website: choirofmanwestend.com

Facebook: @thechoirofman

Twitter & Instagram: @choirofman

LISTINGS INFORMATION

THE CHOIR OF MAN

The Arts Theatre

Great Newport Street

London WC2H 7JB

Box Office:  020 7836 8463

Tickets: from £15.00 (reduced price previews from 29 October to 8 November – check website for details)

Performances:  Tuesdays to Saturdays at 7.30pm*, Saturday matinees at 3.30pm, Sundays at 2.30pm & 6.00pm (*Tuesday 9 November at 7.00pm)

Christmas 2021/New Year 2022 Schedule

Monday 20 December               NO SHOW

Tuesday 21 December               3.30pm & 7.30pm

Wednesday 22 December          7.30pm

Thursday 23 December              7.30pm

Friday 24 December                  2.30pm

Saturday 25 December              NO SHOW

Sunday 26December                 2.30pm & 6.00pm

Monday 27 December               3.30pm & 7.30pm

Tuesday 28 December               7.30pm

Wednesday 29 December          7.30pm

Thursday 30 December              7.30pm

Friday 31 December                  2.30pm & 6.00pm

Saturday 1 January                    NO SHOW

Sunday 2 January                      2.30pm & 6.00pm

Currently booking to 13 February 2022

Approximate Running Time: 80 minutes (no interval)

Suitable for 12+