Every so often you see a show that really speaks to you, almost giving you an epiphany. Waitress is such a show.
Beautifully written by Jessie Nelson with stunning music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles and sensitively directed by Diana Paulus, it was billed as the first Broadway musical with an all-female creative team and this is a show that is a tribute to female solidarity.
Lucie Jones plays Jenna, a waitress in a diner. Trapped in an abusive marriage, like her mother before her. FInding herself stuck with a pregnancy and husband, of which she wants neither. But with no way of escape for her either. Every day she freshly bakes 27 pies for the diner and it’s in this baking that her mind manages to escape when she physically can’t.
Unusually Waitress is a moving musical full of flawed, morally compromised characters. Jenna begins an affair with her married obstetrician Dr Pomatter (Matt Jay-Willis). Her fellow waitresses have hard times too. Becky (Sandra Marvin) has a husband who is very ill meaning she is now more of a carer than a wife and lover, begins an affair with diner chef Cal (Christopher D Hunt) who’s wife he suspects is gay. Dawn (Evie Hoskins) is timid but looking for love, adorably geeky she finds love with uber geek Ogie (George Crawford) and they cement their love in their reenactment clothing. Dawn has playedBetsy Ross in 43 different reenactments after all. Jenna’s husband Earl (Donal Brennan covering the absent Tamlyn Henderson) is menacing, taking all her tips and living off her wages after losing his job. He’s pleased about the baby because it proves his manhood but so insecure he makes Jenna promise not to love the baby more than him.
Bareilles’ lyrics are full of melody and feeling, from poppy to ballad, with the show stopping She Used to be Mine stopping the show for a good five minutes while Jones basked in a much deserved applause. And if this was a show that spoke to me then She Used to be Mine really did sing to me. I still have these lyrics in my head over 12 hours later. For me this wasn’t so much a show but a life lesson
A special mention must go out to the band who were on stage (but not always seen) all night. Ellen Campbell, Denise Crowley, Oliver Copeland, Alex Crawford and Rowland Palmer brought the melodies to life. Scott Pasks’s set and Suttrat Anne Larlarb’s costumes bring authenticity to the diner, typical of one seen on film and TV, or visited on American holidays.
Thankfully there is a happy ending, a beautiful baby is born, the affair ends and a way out is produced for Jenna to escape. Sugar, butter and flour might make the perfect pie, but Waitress makes the perfect musical
ETT (English Touring Theatre)today announces the second year of its flagship playwriting programme Nationwide Voices in collaboration with five new partner theatres and companies. The year-long development programme aims to nurture and amplify a cadre of five exciting new voices, helping to bring their work onto mid-scale stages across Britain.
Year two of Nationwide Voices is led by ETT in collaboration with Bristol Old Vic, Graeae, Nottingham Playhouse, Octagon Theatre Bolton and Theatre Royal Plymouth,with venues and companies offering an attachment for their chosen playwright, who each have a meaningful connection to the local area. This year the playwrights are Amy Bethan Evans (Bristol Old Vic), Lettie Precious (Graeae), Naomi Obeng (Nottingham Playhouse), Hannah Wilkin (Octagon Theatre Bolton) and Mich Sanderson (Theatre Royal Plymouth).
Nationwide Voices exists to connect writers with mid-scale theatres and companies to help them break through onto main stages, while also facilitating theatres and companies nationwide in platforming fresh and imaginative voices. These five talented writers will develop their craft and expand their practice to the mid-scale through regular workshop sessions led by award-winning playwright and Artistic Director of tiata fahodzi, Chinonyerem Odimba. Throughout the course of the programme, each writer will develop a play of imaginative ambition and scale, with opportunities to develop their pieces with and for local communities. These plays will then be shared spring 2022 in a festival of rehearsed readings, with ETT and partners working towards further commissioning, co-producing, and touring the plays in the future.
Nationwide Voices is made possible by funding from the John Ellerman Foundation with additional support from the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust.
Artistic Director and Executive Producer of ETT, Richard Twyman and Sophie Scull today said: “Nationwide Voices sits at the heart of ETT’s mission and our efforts to foster exciting new talent nationwide; to reflect the diversity of our nation in the work we develop and the artists we collaborate with; to make work that resonates with a wide range of audiences, that is both creatively empowering and financially accessible; and to work with playwrights who are pushing the boundaries of form and content to platform their voices on mid-scale stages.
We are excited to be working with five excellent partners who are cultural leaders making fantastic work across England – Bristol Old Vic, Graeae, Nottingham Playhouse, Octagon Theatre Bolton, and Theatre Royal Plymouth. The five playwrights, Amy, Lettie, Naomi, Hannah and Mich are all outstanding, deeply imaginative talents, and we are lucky to work with them – and with the brilliant Chinonyerem Odimba, whose guidance and insight will be a vital part of the programme. We look forward to supporting them to make work that resonates nationwide. We are grateful to the John Ellerman Foundation for making this programme possible, and for the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust for their additional support.”
Lead facilitator and Artistic Director of tiata fahodzi Chinonyerem Odimba added, “I’m truly thrilled to be working with ETT and partner theatres to support this group of writers over the next few months. This kind of space and workshop time is invaluable to me as a writer, and I hope I can give some of that back. Excited to get started!”
THE PLAYWRIGHTS
Amy Bethan Evans (she/her)is a playwright, dramaturg and disability activist. Her work includes Libby’s Eyes (Bunker Theatre, 2018), Tinted (Bloomsbury Theatre 2018 and Vaults 2020), Pink Statements (Arcola Theatre, Wardrobe Theatre and Salisbury Arts Centre 2019), Neurodiverge-Aunt (Royal Court’s Living Newspaper), To Be My Eyes (Theatre 503) Normal Day (Theatre Clywd), and Lesser Spotted (Graeae). Amy is on commission to the Royal Court and on attachment with Bristol Old Vic and the National Theatre Studio, having completed an attachment with the Bush.
Naomi Obeng (she/her) is a British playwright and arts critic from France. Her theatre work includes A Distance Between (Paines Plough), Jack and the Beanstalk, Where It Lands (Nottingham Playhouse), and A Town Cry For Today (New Perspectives), I’ll Show You The Oranges (Young Court at the Royal Court). She was a writer in residence at Leicester Curve, and has new work in development with 45North. Her first full-length play We’ll Be Who We Are was shortlisted for the inaugural Women’s Prize for Playwriting in 2020.
Lettie Precious (they/them)is a British playwright, poet, author and artist. Their theatre credits include The Grey Area, My White Best Friend (Royal Court Theatre), 15 Heroines: Oenone (Jermyn Street Theatre), This Is Us (Bush Theatre), Backpacks and School Books (Soho Theatre), My Girl Pauletta (Oval Playhouse), The Wine That Sweeps Away The Dust (Arcola Lab), and Dance With Me (Theatre Royal Stratford East). For radio, their work includes ORLANDO and REFLECTION. They won the 2019/2020 Royal Court and Kudos Fellowship and recently completed the 2019/2020 BBC Writers’ Room. Their first full length play, THIS IS US, is in development with Graeae.
Mich Sanderson (they/them)is a playwright, theatre practitioner and director. Their theatre credits include Girl(ing) (Theatre Royal Plymouth/UK Tour), and Realness (Plymouth Fringe Festival). They are a Theatre Royal Plymouth associate artist, currently on commission to the theatre with their play exploring rural trans identities, Airy-Fairy, and, with a close collaborator, Mich is the recipient of this year’s SHIFT Development Fund from Wiltshire Creative, for a new verbatim project exploring the lived experience of the South West’s LGBTQ+ youth.
Hannah Wilkin (she/her) is a playwright. Her theatre work includes This Tree is for the Chop (Octagon Theatre), which was shortlisted for the Royal Court’s Lynne Gagliano Award in 2019. Hannah is in her second year of her PhD in Creative Writing at Newcastle University. She is writing two plays for her PhD, influenced by her time working with an over 65’s dance group and as a Sales Assistant in a Charity Shop.
Chinonyerem Odimba is a Nigerian British playwright, screenwriter, and poet. Her recent work includes Medea (Bristol Old Vic), We Too, Are Giants, The Seven Ages of Patience (Kiln Theatre), Unknown Rivers (Hampstead Theatre), Prince and the Pauper (Watermill Theatre), Princess & The Hustler (Eclipse Theatre/Bristol Old Vic/Hull Truck), The Bird Woman of Lewisham (Arcola Theatre), Rainy Season, and His Name is Ishmael (Bristol Old Vic) Joanne (Clean Break), Amongst the Reeds (Clean Break/The Yard Theatre), Twist (Theatre Centre) and Sweetness of a Sting (NT Connections). In 2018 she was awarded the Sonia Friedman Productions Award in recognition of her play How To Walk On The Moon, written in association with Talawa Theatre under the Channel 4 Playwrights’ Scheme. Her play Wild is De Wind was shortlisted for the 2015 Bruntwood Prize, and she has previously been shortlisted for the Alfred Fagon Award and the Adrienne Benham Award. For television, her credits include Scotch Bonnet, A Blues for Nia, Adulting and My Best Friend Married a Warrior. For radio, her credits include The Last Flag, and Eve.
from the original novels by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve and Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont
Friday 26 November 2021 – Saturday 29 January 2022
New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme
CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR NEW VIC’S SPECTACULAR RETELLING OF ORIGINAL BEAUTY AND THE BEAST STORY
This Christmas, the New Vic Theatre takes the classic story of Beauty and the Beast back to its roots, for a magical retelling of the much-loved classic, from Friday 26 November 2021 to Saturday 29 January 2022.
Directed by New Vic Artistic Director Theresa Heskins (The 39 Steps; Olivier Award-winning The Worst Witch; The Snow Queen, UK Theatre Award Best Show for Children and Young People) this production will bring together the creative team behind previous New Vic shows The Prince and the Pauper, The Borrowers and Treasure Island. Following in the tradition of the New Vic’s hugely successful festive productions, this adaptation of Beauty and The Beast has sought inspiration from the original versions of the tale to retell this magical story in the New Vic’s unique style.
Creating the characters on stage are a talented company of actors, featuring faces new and familiar to the theatre-in-the-round, including Rhyanna Alexander-Davis (Mischief Movie Night In, Mischief Theatre; The Visit, National Theatre) as Nigella; Bella Band (Young Dracula, So Awkward, CBBC) as Mechanical/Ensemble; Danielle Bird (The Worst Witch, Vaudeville Theatre, West End; The Prince and the Pauper, Astley’s Astounding Adventures, New Vic Theatre) as Goblin Queen; Jonathan Charles (Peter Pan in Scarlet, Robin Hood and Marian, The Borrowers, New Vic Theatre) as Wheeliam; Lucinda Freeburn (As You Like It, Beacon Hill Cottage) as Mechanical/Musician/Ensemble; Polly Lister (The Worst Witch, Vaudeville Theatre, West End; The Snow Queen, 101 Dalmatians, New Vic Theatre) as Warrior Queen; Frederik Pahus making his professional debut as Mechanical; Nicholas Richardson (Astley’s Astounding Adventures, New Vic; Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Hulu) as the Beast; Solaya Sang (Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens, TriBeCa Manchester) as Prunella; and Rhiannon Skerritt (Stranger Things, Secret Cinema; Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Box Clever) as Bella.
Enchanting audiences with his violin playing, Farhaan Shah will complete the company as Musician and Show Musical Director following his previous appearances at the New Vic in Coppelia – A Mystery, The Prince and the Pauper and Astley’s Astounding Adventures.
Artistic Director Theresa Heskins said: “Bringing new life to these classic stories is absolutely what we’re about at the New Vic. I enjoyed discovering the original version of Beauty and the Beast to create this new version for our in-the-round stage. It’s a story about kindness; about love; about not judging people based on outward appearances: themes that feel apt for this time. And it’s about magic, which is exciting to me as a director.”
Beauty and the Beast takes to the stage at the New Vic from Friday 26 November 2021 to Saturday 29 January 2022. Tickets are on sale now, priced from £19.00 – £28.50. For more details and to book, call the Box Office on 01782 717 962 or visit newvictheatre.org.uk.
Socially-distanced performances of this production are available to book on selected dates, for those who would feel more comfortable with some extra space during their visit. Visit the New Vic Theatre website for more details.
As part of Aylesbury Waterside Theatre’s commitment to accessibility and theatre for all, the venue has announced they will be co-hosting their first S.E.N.D Night Club Experience on Sat 6 Nov with award-winning DJ, Dan Blaze.
The party night for teens & adults aged 15+ with learning difficulties / disabilities will give partygoers the chance to dance, sing & practice life skills in a controlled, safe and fully accessible environment.
Guests can expect music old & new with plenty of sing-along classics on the big screen, there will be a bar and soft drinks station with sweets, snacks & glow sticks, lots of UV Lighting perfect for the neon face painting, plus a photo booth & more! All disco effects will be specially programmed to be safe for those with photosensitive epilepsy. The event will be volume monitored and won’t be too loud with a chill out space with sensory activities available anyone who needs a break
Theatre Director, Sophie Denney said of the event: ‘We are incredibly lucky to have a fully accessible venue, and this is a great way to showcase it whilst inviting members of the community to enjoy an experience that otherwise may not be readily available to them. We continue to offer equal access for everyone and proudly support the Sunflower Lanyard initiative enabling those with a hidden disability who may require additional help to be easily recognised and assisted as needed. We hope this will be the first of many S.E.N.D party nights, a very welcome addition to our packed programme of shows this Autumn.’
DJ Dan Blaze was recently honoured with a ‘Lockdown Hero Award’ by the Mayor of Aylesbury for his online broadcasts throughout lockdown both on radio and online TV. It was such a wonderful service helping to keep people connected in care homes and others in isolated situations across Buckinghamshire, most importantly, the broadcasts kept spirits high in a fun, friendly and safe atmosphere.
DJ Dan said: ‘I’m very excited to be back partying in public and even more so that we can host this event in such a wonderful venue! Many of us took our teens for granted, being able to go out to the pub on a weekend with our mates whenever we felt like it. These events offer a controlled environment so teens and adults with learning difficulties / disabilities can enjoy a night out ‘clubbing’ with their friends in a way they simply could not do in a regular bar or club. The night club experience events offer guests a way to gain vital life skills in a fun & safe way.’
Tickets are on sale now from atgtickets.com/Aylesbury* (*booking fees apply).
Listings
DJ Dan Blaze’s Night Club Experience
Sat 6 Nov
Doors open 7pm Tickets – £12 (& include 1 carer)
Supported by Bucks Radio
A carer must accompany guests who require additional support – 1 carer receives a free ticket alongside each paying guest (if required)
T H E B O O K O F D U S T – L A B E L L E S A U V A G E
AT THE BRIDGE THEATRE
New performance dates have released for Nicholas Hytner’s production of Philip Pullman’s The Book of Dust – La Belle Sauvage to run at The Bridge in a new stage adaptation by Bryony Lavery. Taking place twelve years before Pullman’s epic His Dark Materials trilogy, performances are now from 30 November 2021 – 26 February 2022
The cast comprises Julie Atherton, Holly Atkins, Wendy Mae Brown, Pip Carter, Samuel Creasey, Ella Dacres, Ayesha Dharker, Heather Forster, Naomi Frederick, Richard James-Neale, John Light, Dearbhla Molloy, Tomi Ogbaro, Sid Sagar, Nick Sampson and Sky Yang.
Co-Directors are Emily Burns and James Cousins with designs by Bob Crowley, puppetry by Barnaby Dixon, lighting design by Jon Clark, sound by Paul Arditti, video designs are by Luke Halls and Zakk Hein and music by Grant Olding. James Cousins is also movement director, Kate Waters is fight director and illusions are by Filipe Carvalho.
Two young people and their dæmons, with everything at stake, find themselves at the centre of a terrifying manhunt. In their care is a tiny child called Lyra Belacqua, and in that child lies the fate of the future. And as the waters rise around them, powerful adversaries conspire for mastery of Dust: salvation to some, the source of infinite corruption to others.
La Belle Sauvage was published in 2017 and was followed by The Secret Commonwealth in 2019. His Dark Materials, a ground-breaking production sixteen years ago directed by Hytner at the National Theatre, was also adapted for broadcast on BBC One in 2019 with the second series in 2020.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Address: Bridge Theatre, 3 Potters Fields Park, London, SE1 2SG
Combining cast members from Sh!t-faced Showtime and Sh!t-faced Shakespeare, A Pissedmas Carol is the all singing, all boozing alternative Christmas knees-up we all so desperately needed after the last year and a half of Zoom calls, Tiger King and bloody banana bread. Miserly Scrooge and his classic coterie of employees, relatives and ghosts travel through time having the night of his life – but will Scrooge be merry before the end? Or will it be the spirits that have had too many spirits? With one genuinely drunk cast member in every performance, A Pissedmas Carol is the ultimate “You’ll never guess what happened to me last night” story – despite having heard it all these last 2 years!
So how does it work? Each performance has a cast of actors who all arrive 4 hours before the start of the show for a ‘party’ – however this particular Christmas work social is dry for all but one performer, who gets, yes, you’re starting to catch on – Sh!t-faced. The rest is a delicate tight rope between performing songs and reciting Dickens all within the parameters of our strict improvisation rules, which are stated as thus: Go with WHATEVER the drunk actor decides to do. Unless it’s illegal. But even that’s a grey area we prefer to let our lawyers wade through. Every single show is a one-off. Every single performance has a different drunk actor. Every single time they are genuinely inebriated.
Sh!tfaced Shakespeare was launched in 2010, by a bunch of idiots who loved creating chaos at music festivals such as Secret Garden Party and Glastonbury. Sh!tfaced Showtime joined the Sh!tfaced family in 2015 and have previously presented Oliver with a Twist and Alice through the Looking Glass. Sh!t-faced Shakespeare and Showtime have performed all across the UK, USA and Australia and regularly sell-out the Edinburgh and Brighton Fringes.
Producer and performer James Murfitt said “We know you all missed not having Tiny Tim’s not-so-tiny endowment and Scrooge’s expletive laden tirade on the working class bandied about the Christmas table last year, so we’ve decided to charitably stuff an extended 90 minute show with all new songs, scenes, dance sequences and even an extra trick or two into your stockings this year! Don’t say we’re Scrooge’s this Christmas! Bar, Rum, Glug!
Running Time: 90 minutes | Suitable for ages 16+ (may contain nudity and strong language)
Company information
Directed by Katy Baker Written by Lewis Ironside, Issy Wroe Wright & James Murfitt
Musical Direction Charlotte Brooke Produced by James Murfitt & Issy Wroe Wright
Photography by Rah Petherbridge Original production concept by Dora Rubinstein, Issy Wroe Wright
Cast
Katy Baker, James Murfitt, John Mitton, Issy Wroe Wright, Hal Hillman, Will Seaward, Daniel Quirke, Charlotte Brooke, Nick House.
Listings information
Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place, London WC2H 7BX
6 Dec 2021 — 15 Jan 2022 (except 24-26 and 31 Dec, and 1 Jan)
Wicked, the West End and Broadway musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, is pleased to announce that an additional 500,000 new tickets are now on sale, with booking extended to Sunday 27 November 2022.
Following its “triumphant return to the London stage” (Independent) on 15 September 2021, Wicked will also play Wednesday matinees at 2.30pm beginning this week (27 October 2021) and has added six extra Christmas shows: Tuesday 21 December 2:30pm, Friday 24 December 2.30pm, Monday 27 December 2:30pm & 7:30pm, Thursday 30 December2:30pm and Friday 31 December2.30pm 2021.
Now in its landmark 16th year, Wicked plays Tuesday-Saturday evening performances at 7.30pm with matinees on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2.30pm. Visit www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk for information and tickets.
Wicked currently stars Laura Pick (Elphaba), Sophie Evans* (Glinda), Alistair Brammer (Fiyero), Kim Ismay (Madame Morrible), Andy Hockley (The Wizard), Carina Gillespie (Nessarose), Nicholas McLean (Boq), Simeon Truby (Doctor Dillamond), Amy Webb (Standby for Elphaba), Charli Baptie** (Standby for Glinda), Meg Astin, Rebecca Botterill, Lauren Brooke, Grace Chapman***, Michael Colbourne, Conor Crown, Lewis Easter, Nolan Edwards, Joseph Fletcher, Fraser Fraser, Rebecca Gilliland, Lucie Horsfall, Nick Len, Will Lucas, Nicole Lupino, Stuart Maciver, Carl Man, Rhidian Marc, Jessica-Alice McCluskey, Stacey McGuire, Emmie Ray, Natalie Spriggs, Scott Sutcliffe, Genevieve Taylor, Samantha Thomas****, Grant Thresh, James Titchener, Libby Watts, Chiarina Woodall and Tom Woollaston. Cast subject to change from 1 February 2022.
*Maternity cover for Helen Woolf. **Maternity cover for Lisa-Anne Wood. ***Maternity cover for Maggie Lynne.
****Maternity cover for Joanna Sawyer.
Already the 9th longest running West End musical of all time, Wicked has been “wowing London audiences for 15 years” (Sky News) and has now been seen by more than 10 million people in London alone (and 60 million worldwide). “The global sensation”(Independent) is the winner of over 100 major international awards, including three Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy Award and ten theatregoer voted WhatsOnStage Awards (including ‘Best New Musical’ and three for ‘Best West End Show’).
Wicked imagines a beguiling backstory and future possibilities to the lives of L. Frank Baum’s beloved characters from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and reveals the decisions and events that shape the destinies of two unlikely university friends on their journey to becoming Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
Wickedhas music and lyrics by Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy Award winner Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, The Prince of Egypt, Disney’s Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Enchanted and its forthcoming sequel Disenchanted). It is based on the bestselling novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire and written by Emmy and Tony Award nominee Winnie Holzman, creator of the landmark American television series My So-Called Life. Musical staging is by Tony Award-winner Wayne Cilento with direction by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe Mantello.
Wicked is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Stage Productions, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone. Executive Producer (UK) Michael McCabe.
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire is published in the UK by Headline (the book is recommended for readers aged 16+). Wicked: The Grimmerie, a behind-the-scenes look at the musical by David Cote, is published in the UK by Hyperion.
Audience Protocols
The Apollo Victoria Theatre, owned and operated by the Ambassador Theatre Group, maintains stringent public health and COVID-secure audience protocols throughout the venue. On arrival, as well as showing an eTicket, audience members over 18 will be required to show an NHS COVID Pass* detailing either Full Vaccination, a Negative PCR/LFTest OR Natural Immunity. The venue also operates cashless payments (including Apple Pay and Google Pay) and at-seat ordering/delivery as well as enhanced cleaning practices and increased air flow. Sanitation stations are available throughout the theatre, including at entry doors.
All theatre staff wear face coverings, and, for the safety of all patrons, it is expected that audience members wear face coverings when entering and moving around the venue and while seated.
*Or equivalent documentation issued in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or Non-UK.
The producers of Harry Potter and the CursedChild – Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions – recently confirmed full casting for the production which resumed performances at the Palace Theatre in London on 14 October 2021.
Jamie Ballard plays Harry Potter with Susie Trayling as Ginny Potter and Dominic Short who plays their son Albus Potter. Thomas Aldridge plays Ron Weasley with Michelle Gayle as Hermione Granger and Phoenix Edwards as their daughter Rose Granger-Weasley. James Howard plays Draco Malfoy with Luke Sumner as his son Scorpius Malfoy. They are joined by Lola Adaja, Samson Ajewole, David Annen, Valerie Antwi, Sue Appleby, Phil Cheadle, Craig Connolly, Morag Cross, Robert Curtis, Tim Dewberry, Jim Fish, Thomas Gilbey, Jemma Gould, Rachel Hinds, Jordan Lang, Ronnie Lee, Katrina Lopes, Lucy Mangan, David Mara, Lucia McAnespie, Kathryn Meisle, Gordon Millar, Ian Redford, Thomas Royal, Tom Sturgess, Joshua Talbot, Mark Theodore, Emma-May Uden, Madeleine Walker and Wreh-asha Walton who complete the 43-strong company playing a variety of characters including seven children – Noah Alexander, Tom Quinn Alexander, Abby Barnes, Harley Barton, Chase Collard, Samuel Newby and Cici Smith – who alternate two roles.
Tickets for the original two-part multi award-winning production in the West End are now available for performances at the Palace Theatre until 23 October 2022. Tickets remain priced from £15 per part. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child partners with TodayTix for The Friday Forty,the production’s Lottery for Patrons to apply for some of the very best seats in the theatre priced at £40 (£20 per part) which will secure a seat for both Part One and Part Two on consecutive performances.
The regular performance schedule is now as follows – Monday, Tuesday and Thursday – no performance; Wednesday, Friday and Saturday – 2pm Part One & 7pm Part Two; Sunday – 1pm Part One & 6pm Part Two.
The original production ofHarry Potter and the Cursed Child, one play presented in two parts, is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The critically acclaimed production received its world premiere in July 2016 at the Palace Theatre in London. The most awarded new play in theatre history, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has won 24 major theatre awards in the UK and is the most awarded play in the history of the Olivier Awards, winning a record-breaking nine awards including Best New Play. The production has also won 25 major US awards with six Tony Awards including Best Play.
Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Childis a new play by Jack Thorne, directed by John Tiffany with movement by Steven Hoggett, set by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, music & arrangements by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, illusions & magic by Jamie Harrison,music supervision & arrangements by Martin Lowe, and casting by Julia Horan CDG.
Harry Potter and the CursedChild is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions.
In addition to the return of the original London production, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is currently playing at the Princess Theatre Melbourne. Performances plan to resume in November 2021 at the Lyric Theater, New York followed by productions at the Curran Theater, San Francisco in January 2022, the Mehr! Theatre, Hamburg in December 2021, the Ed Mirvish Theatre, Toronto in the summer of 2022 and the TBS Akasaka ACT Theater in Tokyo in the summer of 2022. The New York, San Francisco and Toronto productions will be returning in a newly staged, one show experience. Details of all productions of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child can be found at HarryPottertheplay.com
See videos of the studio session recordings of Probly here and Sixteen here
The National Theatre has today released studio recordings of three songs and confirmed the full cast for its upcoming new musical Hex, a vividly original retelling of Sleeping Beauty that will open in the Olivier theatre for previews on 4 December.
Hex goes beyond the kiss that woke the Sleeping Beauty and tells the story from the fairy’s perspective as she tries everything in her power to make things right after placing the hex on the baby. Rosalie Craig plays the fairy in this mythic, big-hearted new musical.
The three songs released today are Probly, Sixteen and In the Middle:
Probly is sung by Fairy (Rosalie Craig). After Fairy has been invited to the Palace to bless the new baby, Rose, she questions whether she should go or whether she will be forever on the outside.
Sixteen is sung by Rose (Kat Ronney). On the eve of her 16th birthday our soon-to-be sleeping beauty dreams of breaking free from her over-protective parents and the confines of her palace life.
In The Middle is sung by Fairy (Rosalie Craig) and Queenie (Tamsin Carroll). After the birth of Bert, the Prince, Fairy tries to teach Queenie to trust her maternal rather than her ogre instincts, and to feed the baby.
Songs From Hex – The Studio Sessions will be released by Broadway Records and available on all major digital music retailers from today.
The cast is led by Tamsin Carroll as Queenie, Rosalie Craig as Fairy, Michael Elcock as Bert and Kat Ronney as Rose, alongside Christopher Akrill, Delroy Atkinson,Esme Bacalla-Hayes, Madeline Charlemagne, Ebony Clarke, Sonya Cullingford, Hanna Dimtsu, Tamsin Dowsett, Joe Foster, Ben Goffe, Eleanor Kane, Daisy Maywood, Kody Mortimer, Joseph Prouse, Shaq Taylor and Sargon Yelda.
Rufus Norris directs with music by Jim Fortune, book by Tanya Ronder, lyrics by Rufus Norris, designs by Katrina Lindsay and choreography by Jade Hackett.
Orchestrations by Simon Hale, music supervision by Marc Tritschler, music direction by Tarek Merchant, lighting design by Paul Anderson, choreography by Jade Hackett with consultant choreography by Bill Deamer, sound design by Simon Baker and video design by Ash Woodward.
Probly, Sixteen and In The Middle were recorded at Konk Studios in September 2021, performed by Rosalie Craig, Kat Ronney and Tamsin Carroll (vocals), Marc Tritschler (piano), Nick Pynn (mandocello, guitar), Joley Cragg (drums) and Flo Moore (bass). Recorded by Julian Simmons and Matt Jaggar with Assistant Engineer Andy Whyte.
Hex begins performances in the Olivier theatre on Saturday 4 December. It is recommended for ages 8+
Supported by the Garfield Weston Foundation through the Weston Culture Fund. The reopening of the Olivier theatre is generously supported by Areté Foundation / Betsy & Ed Cohen.
The development of new music theatre is supported by the Genesis Foundation through the Genesis Music Theatre Programme.
Wilshire Creative today announces the cast for Snow White and the Happy Ever After Beauty Salon at Salisbury Playhouse. Gareth Machin directs GregBarnett (King), Rebecca Cooper (Queen), Jake Mitchell (Federico), Martha Pothen (Trish) and Consuela Rolle (Snow), with all actors also multi-rolling alongside their main roles. This festive family show, which puts a contemporary spin on the classic story, features music by Tayo Akinbode, lyrics by Mike Akers, and additional songs by Christopher Peake. The production opens on 8 December, with previews from 3 December, and runs until 31 December.
Snow White and the Happy Ever After Beauty Salon sees Greg Barnett return to Salisbury Playhouse for another festive season, following his starring role as the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood in 2019. Rebecca Cooper and Jake Mitchell also return to Salisbury Playhouse after appearing in Her Naked Skin and The Tailor of Gloucester, respectively.
In a magical 1950s fairy-tale wonderland, young apprentice Snow is working hard in her Aunt Trish’s Beauty Salon. She curls the tails of the three little pigs, sharpens the teeth of the Big Bad Wolf, and perfectly sets Prince Charming’s quiff. But, suddenly stumbling upon Aunt Trish’s magic mirror puts Snow’s life in peril.
Will she be able to survive as she heads underground and attempts to carve her own path to a happily ever after?
With toe-tapping live music, dazzling design, puppetry and laugh out loud entertainment, the show will delight the whole family this Christmas.
Greg Barnett returns to Salisbury Playhouse to play the King and other roles – he previously appeared in Robin Hood. His other theatre credits include The Duchess of Malfi, The Fantastic Follies of Mrs Rich, Miss Littlewood (Royal Shakespeare Company), Fantastic Mr Fox (Nuffield Theatre/Lyric Hammersmith/UK tour), This Little Life of Mine, Thérèse Raquin (Park Theatre), Not Moses (Arts Theatre), A Christmas Carol (The Castle Theatre), These Trees Are Made of Blood (Southwark Playhouse), Making a Scene (National Theatre), The School for Scandal (Theatre Royal Bath), Swallows and Amazons (Vaudeville Theatre), 20th Century Boy (New Wolsey Theatre), Pushing up Poppies (Theatre503), Spend Spend Spend (Watermill Theatre/UK tour), Marry Me a Little (Everyman Cheltenham), Zorro (Garrick Theatre), White Liars (The Etcetera), Twelfth Night (Theatre Royal and Derngate), Sweeney Todd (UK tour), The Plantagenets Club (Young Vic) and Fiddler on the Roof (Courtyard Theatre). For television his work includes Jesus: His Life, Fleabag and Undercover; and for film, Bonobo, Hot Property and Common.
Rebecca Cooper returns to Salisbury Playhouse to play the Queen and other roles – she previously appeared in Her Naked Skin. Her other theatre credits include Lucid (Norwich Puppet Theatre), The Miracle (National Theatre), The Waltz of the Toreadors (Chichester Festival Theatre) and Shakespeare for Breakfast (Edinburgh Festival). For or television, her credits include Birds of a Feather, Being Human and Little Britain;and for film, Forget Me Not.
Jake Mitchell returns to Salisbury Playhouse to play Federico and other roles – he also appeared in The Tailor of Gloucester. His other theatre credits include Flat Out (Ovation Productions) and Alice in Wonderland (Immersion Theatre). His credits for television include Episodes and Doctors as featured character Sean Parsons.
Martha Pothen plays Trish and other roles. Her theatre credits include The Visit (National Theatre), Cold Feet and Bacon Sandwiches (Hampstead Theatre), Predrinks/Afterparty (Drayton Arms Theatre), Third Wheel (Deadpan Theatre/Bloomsbury Theatre), Privates on Parade (Union Theatre), Twilight Robbery (Barn Theatre Cirencester), Jew You Love Me? (Lion and Unicorn Theatre) and Love’s Labour’s Lost (Hackney Empire). For television, her credits include, The Diary of My Broken Vagina.
Consuela Rolle plays Snow. Her theatre credits include The Worst Witch (Vaudeville Theatre/UK tour), Can’t Wait for Christmas (Orange Tree Theatre), The Wizard of Oz (Storyhouse Theatre) and The Wind in the Willows (Sixteenfeet Productions). For television, her credits include Ball and Boe Back Together.
Mike Akers is a writer, dramaturg and early years’ specialist. He has had more than thirty plays commissioned and produced by companies including Bristol Old Vic, Salisbury Playhouse, Travelling Light, Polka Theatre, Green Ginger, Sixth Sense, Myrtle Theatre Company, Theatre West and Kazzum. He has worked regularly as a dramaturg with renowned director Sally Cookson on shows including Boing! (Winner of the 2017 Offie for best production for young people) and a trio of highly successful Bristol Old Vic productions: Treasure Island, Peter Pan and Jane Eyre, the latter two of which have both enjoyed huge critical acclaim on their transfer to the National Theatre. Akers has worked extensively as a dramaturg supporting theatre companies in devising new work and acting as a mentor to other writers. He has a long history of working with young people, both as a writer, a teacher and in the pioneering work he has done with Sandra Barefoot and Sarah Moody exploring non-verbal storytelling in Early Years settings.
Gareth Machin is the Artistic Director of Wiltshire Creative. Previously, he was studio associate at the National Theatre, artistic director of Southwark Playhouse and associate director at Bristol Old Vic.
LISTINGS
SNOW WHITE AND THE HAPPY EVER AFTER BEAUTY SALON
Salisbury Playhouse, Wiltshire Creative
Malthouse Lane, Salisbury, SP2 7RA
Ticket Sales: 01722 320333
SNOW WHITE AND THE HAPPY EVER AFTER BEAUTY SALON
3 December – 31 December 2021
Tickets: £12, £16, £21
SALISBURY PLAYHOUSE FULL PROGRAMME:
HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES
15 November – 20 November
A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING
3 – 19 February 2022
FASCINATING AIDA
4 March 2022
SNOWFLAKE/TORNADO
5 March 2022
A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED – A MISS MARPLE MYSTERY 7 – 12 March 2022
Your current booking will automatically transfer to 2022/2023 with no action needed.
We are also offering ticket holders Membership benefits of priority booking for SnowWhite and the Happy Ever After Beauty Salon and 10% discount off up to 2 tickets.
Group Bookers will be contacted directly by the box office team to make revised arrangements with you.
New bookings, credit or refunds can be arranged through the box office.
In person at Salisbury Arts Centre, Bedwin Street Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 3pm.
To arrange group or access bookings please phone 01722 320 333 Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 12pm.
Thank you for your patience as we are operating with a reduced box office team.
SEE IT SAFELY -We have been granted the use of Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre’s See It Safely mark. The mark certifies that we are complying with the latest Government and industry COVID-19 guidelines, to ensure the safety of our staff and audiences. You can find out more here https://officiallondontheatre.com/see-it-safely/ about the measures we have been putting in place ready for your visit, and what you will need to know beforehand.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
WILTSHIRE CREATIVE
Wiltshire Creative brings together Salisbury Arts Centre, Salisbury International Arts Festival and Salisbury Playhouse. Salisbury Playhouse is one of Britain’s leading producing theatres, with a national reputation for home-grown work of the highest quality that attracts audiences from across Wiltshire, Hampshire, Dorset and beyond. Recent theatre productions include the world premieres of Blood Wedding by Barney Norris and The Mirror Crack’d by Rachel Wagstaff. Recent audio and digital productions includes the world première of Making Massinger by Simon Butteriss, the British première of Call Cutta at Home by Rimini Protokoll and Shift a significant youth led project amplifying young voices.
