Month: December 2021

NEW ADVENTURES ASSOCIATE ARTIST AND

TONY AND OLIVIER AWARD WINNING DESIGNER 

LEZ BROTHERSTON

TO RECEIVE AN

ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE

IN THE QUEEN’S

NEW YEAR HONOURS 2022

New Adventures is thrilled to congratulate Associate Artist and Tony and Olivier Award Winning designer Lez Brotherston on his Order of the British Empire in The Queen’s New Year Honours 2022 for services to Dance and Theatre.

Matthew Bourne said today, “Sending enormous congratulations to Lez Brotherston OBE on this much deserved honour, from the entire New Adventures Family. As my foremost collaborator, Lez’s contribution to the success of New Adventures is incalculable and much loved and admired across our industry. His particular contribution to dance design is unprecedented from his collaborations with Northern Ballet (under Christopher Gable) and Scottish Ballet (under Christopher Hampson) being especially significant. However, I’m proud to say that his longest association is the role he has had in shaping what many would recognise as the New Adventures “style” – our repertory of works is synonymous with the genius of Lez Brotherston – and today we celebrate a great man of contemporary theatre receiving the recognition that he so richly deserves” 

Lez Brotherston is an Associate Artist of Matthew Bourne’s company New Adventures.  His long collaboration with Matthew Bourne includes, “The Red Shoes”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “Sleeping Beauty”, “Edward Scissorhands”, “Lord of The Flies”, “Swan Lake”, “Play Without Words”, “Highland Fling”, “Dorian Gray”, “Cinderella” and “The Car Man”.  

His other credits include co-writing and co-directing “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” with Adam Cooper (Japan and Sadler’s Wells).  “Merry Wives of Windsor”, “The Rover”, “The Empress”, “Much Ado About Nothing”(Royal Shakespeare Company); “Me and My Girl”, “Fiddler on the Roof”(Chichester); “Twelfth Night”, “Romantics Anonymous” (Shakespeare’s Globe); “Flowers for Mrs Harris”, “Showboat”, “Pride and Prejudice” (Sheffield Crucible); “946” (Kneehigh/Globe Theatre); “Oh, What A Lovely War!” (Stratford East/West End), “Hysteria”(Hampstead Theatre); “Long Day’s Journey Into Night”, “Umbrellas Of Cherbourg”, “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice”, “Under The Blue Sky” (West End); “Sister Act” (West End, Worldwide); “Women Beware Women”, “Really Old Like 45” (National Theatre); “Hedda Gabler”, “Design For Living”, “Dancing at Lughnasa” (Old Vic); “Duet For One” (Almeida and West End); “My City”, “Measure For Measure” (Almeida); “L’Elisir d’Amore” (Glyndebourne).

Sing for a Sailor

‘Sing for a Sailor’ is a platform giving those who are professionally trained in musical theatre and/or opera the chance to appear in Sasha Regan’s smash-hit All-Male H.M.S. Pinafore at Wilton’s Music Hall next Spring (16^th March – 9^th April 2022).

The award-winning All-Male Gilbert & Sullivan Company are looking to expand and are on the hunt for rising musical theatre/opera stars from diverse backgrounds.

Whether you are male, male-identifying, non-binary and from diverse cultural backgrounds, the good ship Pinafore needs you and we’d love to hear you sing. The All-Male Company is looking for those with a strong vocal across all vocal lines and are especially keen to hear from those with a strong falsetto who have trained in musical theatre. The role is also very physical – the show will be choreographed by the amazing Lizzi Gee whose recent credits include: ‘H.M.S. Pinafore’; ‘The Merry Widow’ and ‘Iolanthe’ (English National Opera), as well as Sasha Regan’s All-Male G&S series.

How to apply

Prepare a favourite song of your choice – musical theatre or operatic.

Post on Twitter, tagging the following:
@allmalehms
@AdamBraham
#SingForASailor

We stress this is not an online audition, but a chance to showcase your talent, get noticed and invited to audition in the New Year. 

Anyone not feeling comfortable with posting online can e-mail our casting director directly on: [email protected]

The deadline for posting is noon on Friday 21st January 2022.

About the All-Male Company

Sasha Regan’s inventive reimagining of W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan’s fourth collaboration and first international blockbuster H.M.S. Pinafore or The Lass That Loved a Sailor, is set on a World War II battleship.

Set in the ship’s hold, the cast of 16 switch between burly sailors to lady visitors. A playful, innovative and heartfelt production.

Sasha Regan’s All-Male Company has toured all over the UK and abroad, receiving numerous awards, including winning Best Off-West End Production at the WhatsOnStage Awards in 2009 for The Pirates of Penzance. The Pirates of Penzance ran at Wilton’s Music Hall several times.  The show toured Australia and ran at the prestigious Sydney Theatre Company, thanks to Cate Blanchett, then co-artistic director, and last year it received widespread acclaim when it ran in the West End at the Palace Theatre.

The All-Male Company also toured with ‘Iolanthe’ (Critics’ Choice & Time Out’s top 10 musicals of 2010).

H.M.S. Pinafore is one of the most popular Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, dealing with the age-old conundrum of love between social classes. With infectious tunes and a beautifully constructed libretto, it is a perfect match for this creative team’s inimitable style.

Sasha Regan’s All-Male H.M.S. Pinafore has toured the UK, as well as being staged at the Hackney Empire to widespread critical acclaim. 

The All-Male Company would love to hear you sing and invite you to join H.M.S. Pinafore’s next voyage to Wilton’s Music Hall.

★★★★ ‘An extraordinary adventure’
Music OMH

Runs: 16^th March – 9^th April 2022

at Wilton’s Music Hall

https://www.wiltons.org.uk/whatson/698-h-m-s-pinafore

CONTAINED LIVERPOOL PRESENTS: THE EXORCIST… LIVERPOOL’S MOST IMMERSIVE HORROR ESCAPE ROOM EXPERIENCE

 Contained Liverpool Is back with a Brand New Horror Escape room Experience! Halloween might be over, but if you’re looking for a scream, Contained Liverpool is open on weekends, year round with their brand new horror escape room game. 

The Live action Escape room experience will take you on a 60 minute journey (or less if you escape) of pure fear as you collect clues and solve puzzles in order to escape.

 This immersive escape room will have your heart pounding as you race against the clock and attempt to find Father Daniels, who has mysteriously disappeared whilst investigating the possession at the child’s home.

 His last known location was at the home of a 12 year old girl who he believes was possessed by a vicious demon.

 You must head to the house and search for the missing priest & assist him with the exorcism. Should you not find him, you will have to attempt the exorcism alone!

 Be warned, unholy things have been happening in the house, you’ll need to bring your courage and logic, as you come face to face with the demon in a final battle of good vs evil! 

This tech heavy, interactive escape room is packed with challenging puzzles, thrilling frights and special effects

Maximum 6 people per game

 Ticket price: 

Groups of 2-3: £25 per player

Groups of 4-6 : £20 per player

Booking Link: www.containedliverpool.co.uk

If you are lucky enough to live to tell the tale, the rest of your life will be plagued with nightmares. The possessed girl’s face haunts you as you sleep, always wondering if the demon will choose you next to possess!

Groups who are brave enough to join us for this ultimate, horror escape room experience will endure 60 minutes of fear, puzzles, and clues with a maximum group size of 6 persons per booking and a minimum of 2 persons. 

Give The Gift Of Fear: 

Gift Cards now available and can be purchased here: bookeo.com/containedliverpool/buyvoucher

Please note:

This event is not for the faint of heart, you may encounter scenes and creatures that some audience members may find distressing, including sexual references, bad language, loud bangs, Darkness and will need to be able to bend down to floor level.

You will encounter the use of flashing lights, non-toxic smoke effects and loud noises inside the escaperoom. ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!

This event is recommended for persons aged 15+ 

Any person under the age of 18 years MUST be accompanied by a responsible adult inside the game.

Liverpool Empire Theatre – until 1st January 2022

Review by Carla Whittaker

4****

Dreamgirls tells the extraordinary story of three talented young singers in the turbulent 1960’s who embark on a musical rollercoaster ride through a world of fame, fortune, and the realities of show business, which tests their friendships to the limit. For me, this show is all about the music and consistent strong vocals which is absolutely sensational and sends tingles down your spine and sends the audience wild. A special mention must go to Nicole Dennis who plays the iconic role of Effie White whose credits include a finalist of The Voice in 2019. Her stage presence was phenomenal and her vocals were impeccable particularly when singing ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’. Never in my years of attending the theatre have I known a standing ovation at the interval! Listen, I Am Changing and One Night Only were also phenomenal. The choreography of the show was slick, extravagant and showcased the casts impressive move sets; simply superb. Backdrops for the production was magnificent with frequent spectacular backdrop changes of concert halls, stages, and TV studios.

Dreamgirls is playing at the Liverpool Empire Theatre until the 1st January 2022. It is the perfect show to watch to add glitz and glamour to your Christmas; you won’t be disappointed.

I was delighted to be able to watch the Broadway and West End smash hit Dreamgirls which is playing to sell-out crowds at the Liverpool Empire Theatre until the 1st January 2022. The Liverpool Empire Theatre is one of my favourite theatres given the intimate seating and traditional décor. Due to current covid precautions COVID vaccination passports need to be showed prior to entry, or evidence of a negative COVID test, and masks unless exempt must be worn within the theatre at all times.

MAST Mayflower Studios, Southampton – until 31 December 2021

Reviewed by Emma Barnes

5*****

Peter Pan An Awfully Big Musical Adventure is the first ever Christmas Youth Production at MAST Mayflower Studios and it has certainly set the bar high for future performance.   The production was jam packed full of music, adventure,  magic and imagination from start to end. 

We were whisked away from the Darling children’s nursery to Neverland where we met the Lost Ones, the Brave Ones,  the swashbuckling pirates and the dark and sinister Captain Hook.  The timeless tale was performed with such skill, we found ourselves  delighted by the lost ones,  mesmerized  by the mermaids, and on the edge of our seats when the pirates came out.   Do we believe in Fairies – we do now!

This was a story that celebrates youth and the magic of childhood,  and this couldn’t have been more appropriately demonstrated by the joy and happiness that radiated from the cast. The clever use of popular songs had us singing along throughout. On several occasions the audience joined in and spontaneously clapped along. I think it’s fair to say that everyone in the room wanted Wendy as their Mother,  and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house when the children finally flew back to the nursery. 

The scene changes were managed seamlessly and professionally by the cast who made excellent use of the stage area and props.   A highlight for us was the slow motion battle scene which had us shouting and cheering.  The sizeable cast were wonderfully choreographed and it was especially noticeable that they all had an opportunity to showcase their individual talents and shine, we were treated to brief moments of ballet and also gymnastics which were cleverly woven into the storyline. 

I certainly recommend a trip to Neverland at any age! Second to the right, and straight on till morning!

TO CELEBRATE ‘INNOVATION OF THE YEAR’ NOMINATION

DONMAR WAREHOUSE ANNOUNCES

LIMITED RE-RELEASE OF CONSTELLATIONS ON DEMAND

★★★★★

Daily Mail

★★★★

‘A modern classic:  Brilliant, beautiful theatre’ iNews

Following the nomination of the critically acclaimed revival of Nick Payne’s Constellations for Innovation of the Year in The Stage Awards 2022, Donmar Warehouse today announce the re-release of all four productions – starring Sheila Atim and Ivanno Jeremiah, Peter Capaldi and Zoë Wanamaker, Omari Douglas and Russell Tovey, and Anna Maxwell Martin and Chris O’Dowd.

The filmed productions are available on demand now, until 31 January 2022 via https://ondemand.donmarwarehouse.com/

In a producing model, devised in response to the pandemic, Donmar Warehouse Artistic Director Michael Longhurst rehearsed four different casts, each refracting the play afresh. One of the first productions to open post lockdown, Constellations was a smash-hit success, seen by over 60,000 people in the West End this Summer.

Michael Longhurst said today, “I am incredibly proud that the model of this project, which allowed us to serve audiences so well this Summer, has been honoured by The Stage’s nomination. And in this exact moment when getting to see our current production of Force Majeure live is not possible, we are delighted to be able to reshare Constellations.”

★★★★

‘Funny, heartbreaking.  A sharp, smart hit of first-class drama’ Evening Standard

For a limited time, Constellations will be available for 50% off. Each production will be £7.50 to rent and households will be able to watch the show for 24 hours after purchase; or a multi buy of all 4 for £20, with extended viewing time of 14 days. Captioned and audio described versions will be available, in partnership with VocalEyes and Stagetext.

★★★★

‘A stellar revival.  playful and profound’ The Guardian

Four new casts. One relationship. Infinite Possibilities.

‘One drink. And if you never want to see me again you never have to see me again.’

A quantum physicist and a beekeeper meet at a barbeque. They hit it off, or perhaps they don’t. They go home together, or maybe they go their separate ways. In the multiverse, with every possible future ahead of them, a love of honey could make all the difference.

★★★★

‘This offbeat romance is the classiest show in the West End’ Daily Telegraph

★★★★★

‘An unmissable theatrical event…I honestly couldn’t advise as to which is the better pair to see… Cosmically brilliant.’ WhatsOnStage

Michael Longhurst directs, with design by Tom Scutt, lighting design by Lee Curran, sound design by David McSeveney, music by Simon Slater, movement direction by Lucy Cullingford, casting by Anna Cooper CDG for the Donmar Warehouse, BSL Consultancy by Daryl Jackson, fight direction by Kate Waters, associate direction by Debbie Hannan, associate costume design by Kinnetia Isidore, assistant direction by Sara Aniqah Malik and Robert Awosusi, assistant design by Zoë Hurwitz andassistant lighting design by Laura Howard and assistant sound design by Callum Perrin.  

Donmar Warehouse, Wessex Grove and Eleanor Lloyd Productions 

Eilene Davidson, Gavin Kalin Productions, Grand Cru Consulting Ltd, Rupert Gavin/Mallory Factor

In association with Nica Burns for Nimax

The Royal Court Theatre Production.

Winner of the Evening Standard Award for Best Play and WhatsOnStage Award for Best Design.

DONMAR WAREHOUSE

The Donmar Warehouse is a 251-seat, not-for-profit theatre in Covent Garden, led by Artistic Director Michael Longhurst and Executive Director Henny Finch. We have won more than 100 awards in our 28-year history.

In our converted warehouse, we bring together audiences – never more than four rows away from an actor – to experience world class artists and rising stars create thrilling, unmissable theatre.

We rehearse life, imagine the future and exalt in the capacity for stories to effect change. We celebrate the power of live performance and visionary artistry to challenge, entertain, move and inspire us.

We develop new artists and future audiences through our renowned training programmes and our Discover activity with schools and communities. We know that theatre enriches our society, through empathy, imagination and community. We share our work far and wide to achieve this and maximise the impact of our artists’ ideas.

www.donmarwarehouse.com

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube: @DonmarWarehouse

Listings

Constellations

The films will be available via: https://ondemand.donmarwarehouse.com/

For this limited run, Constellations will be available for 50% off. Each production will be £7.50 to rent and gives audiences access to watch the show for 24 hours after purchase; or a multi buy of all 4 casts for £20, with extended viewing time.

Theatres Trust, the national advisory body for theatres in the UK, has responded to the Welsh government’s announcement of further Covid-19 restrictions from Boxing Day. Jon Morgan, director of Theatres Trust, comments:

Theatres in Wales have worked so hard to keep audiences and performers safe, adapting quickly to the introduction of Covid passes last month, so the announcement today that social distancing will be reintroduced, while understandable, is a major blow. The festive period is critical for most theatres’ finances and considerable sums of money will have already been invested in panto and other seasonal shows. This will add further hardship to the theatres and those who work in them. We therefore welcome the additional support including the Winter Cultural Stability Fund announced by the Welsh government and hope that it will be distributed swiftly.

Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham – until 01st January 2022 then Nationwide

Reviewed by Joanne Hodge

5*****

The music of the The Four Seasons is woven through the memories of my childhood. My parents were teenagers at the height of the bands’ fame, and as such their LP’s were regularly on the record player in our house, or on the cassette player in the car on our Sunday seaside trips.

Oasis are the band of my teenage years, and you’d think that they are the epitome of ‘rock and roll’ with their infighting and off-stage antics, but don’t let the look of these four smooth, suited-and-booted Jersey Boys fool you – they were creating great songs and behind the scenes dramas long before the Gallaghers’ were born.

The show tells the story behind Tommy [Dalton Wood], Nick [Lewis Griffiths], Bob [Blair Gibson] and of course Frankie [Luke Suri] – four American-Italian boys from Jersey and their journey between the wrong side of the tracks and fortune and fame. A line which is often burred and crossed – especially for loveable rogue Tommy.

Confirming that well-known adage that there’s three sides to every story; yours, theirs and the truth, we get to see how money and success can change people and situations, and not always for the better.

From the opening bars of scene one, I was hooked, and I’m confident I can say the same for the rest of the auditorium too. All ages were present, something I was glad to see, as you’d usually find younger patrons at panto at this time of year. Older members of the crowd swayed and bobbed along to tunes that reminded them of times gone by, with teenagers nodding in recognition as they realised that so much of today’s music has been influenced by The Four Seasons. Pretty sure some only learnt today that Beggin’ was not a Madcon original!

The songs felt ageless thanks to Steve Canyon Kennedy [Sound], and whilst the steps the Boys are known for were historically accurate, Sergio Trujillo’s choreography made it fresh for the more modern audience. I was particularly impressed by design team Klara Zieglerova and Michael Clark, who seamlessly joined old and new, with both projections of original 1960’s crowd footage alongside pop art graphics spattered throughout, which both reenforced a change of scene or a particular line or lyric.

Jill Green’s casting is PHENOMENAL! Every single character jumps straight off the stage and in to your heart, but Luke Suri’s Frankie will surely steal it. I was astonished to discover that this is his theatre debut. He is every inch the professional, and you felt safe and secure in his interpretation of the role. It must be so difficult to capture the essence and sound of someone so famous, but he did it with ease. Had I closed my eyes, I could have easily believed I was back sitting on my parents floor with that old record player going. I”m not sure I’ve ever seen a full-on standing ovation midway through an act of a matinee performance, but Luke received one, and it was every-bit deserved.

I must give one other special mention, and that’s for Damien Winchester [Barry and others], who stole every scene he was in with perfect comic-timing and characterisation.

I could go on and on about this fantastic show, but all I will say is .. Oh what a night! Make sure you don’t pass up an opportunity to see it.