Steve, starring David Ames and Jenna Russell, extended at Seven Dials Playhouse by popular demand Tuesday 8th February – Saturday 19th March 2022 1a Tower Street, London WC2H 9NP
Heartfelt, hysterical, and sharp-witted comedy, Steve has been extended until 19th March 2022 due to popular demand. Marking the launch of this exciting new venue in Covent Garden, the long awaited European premiere will run in London’s West End for two extra weeks this February
Directed by Andrew Keates (Director: Dark Sublime, Trafalgar Studios; As Is, Finborough Theatre; Dessa Rose, Trafalgar Studios. Performance Director Ghostbusters: The Gates Of Gozer, Secret Cinema), Steve illuminates LGBTQ+ relationships, both romantic and platonic. The play navigates the highs and lows of getting older, long-term friendship, monogamy, saying goodbye and being alive. Starring Holby City’s David Ames (The Temperamentals, Greenwich Theatre; I Am Montana, The Arcola) and Tony Award nominee and Olivier Award-winner Jenna Russell (Guys and Dolls, Piccadilly Theatre: Sunday In The Park With George, Wyndham’s Theatre; Fun Home, Young Vic), further casting will be announced in January 2022. Steve was heralded as The New York Times’ Critic’s Pick when it ran in New York in 2015. It is now presented by Seven Dials Playhouse and M. Green Productions.
David Ames, who will play Steven, commented I am ridiculously excited to start working on this poignant, moving and hilarious script alongside Jenna Russell with such talented director and crew
Jenna Russell commented I’m thrilled we’re going to be extending our run of Steve, it’s such a gorgeous and hilarious study of friendship, modern families, loss, and Sondheim. I really hope you can join us – bring your best mates, and some tissues!
Written by Mark Gerard, Steve invites its audience to join a group of middle-aged LGBTQ+ New Yorkers as they reflect on mortality, monogamy and musicals; with a Sondheim reference for every eventuality. Seven Dials Playhouse’s production will offer audiences the option to book on-stage cabaret tables and indulge in themed cocktails throughout, in order to join the characters on-stage in a more intimate way.
Mitchell Reeve, Executive Creative Producer, commented I am thrilled with the response we have received from audiences who are booking tickets so far in advance to catch the European Premiere of Steve and I am delighted that we are able to extend the opportunity for more audiences to join us in our Manhattan Piano Bar next year.
Seven Dials Playhouse is the West End’s home for the development of professional theatre and artists. It seeks to provide opportunities for people to collaborate on bold, creative and high quality work while providing journeys of enlightenment and entertainment for artists and audiences alike.
Oh no it isn’t! Oh yes it is! Christmas pantomime is back indeed and what a wonderful first pantomime to visit other than the Tyne Theatre in Newcastle. Enchanted Entertainment presented Sleeping Beauty which kept our eyes peeled and not once made us yawn!
I’ll be honest, this is the first time we have ever attended a Tyne Theatre pantomime…. How dare I? As a Boro girl visiting the toon, I could tell this was a Geordie Panto! Some lines were misheard and some jokes were misunderstood due to the strong accent, however as the story flowed there was no need for the husband to translate. The cast includes Lewis Denny, a young fresh-faced dame with fabulous attire and a sneaky lovely singing voice. Yes we know a bit about you Mr Denny! Laura Baxter as Sleeping Beauty, Jo Jo as a ballsy Fairy Fortywinks who brought toughness to her character! It’s nice to see more strong females in a pantomime. BGT winner Matt Pagan and Sarah Annakin as Carabosse. Obviously we can’t forget the hilarious Charlie Richmond as Jester who made our sides hurt with every punch line. Charlie kept the scene flowing when Sleeping Beauty clearly didn’t make the stage on time due to a costume issue. Charlie entertained with joke after joke and even when the jokes were dying Charlie’s energy didn’t stop by introducing the problem to the audience which made it even funnier. After all this is pantomime. Well done Charlie! And thanks to Lewis who didn’t help which also made it funnier!
From the moment the pantomime started this production was packed with sparkles, colour, laughter and smiles. You could feel the buzz fill the theatre. Maybe it was the relief of visiting a pantomime finally after the past two years or maybe it was the hilarious cast? All we know is that it was a pleasure to attend.
THE STARS CAME OUT IN FORCE TO OFFICIALLY OPEN SILCOCK’S WINTER WONDERLAND MANCHESTER AT EVENTCITY
EVENT RETURNS AFTER FOUR YEAR BREAK AND RUNS UNTIL 2ND JANUARY
FIVE STAR REVIEWS FOR THE INDOOR CHRISTMAS THEME PARK
Stars from stage, screen and sports came out in the droves on Monday to officially open the family festive extravaganza, Silcock’s Winter Wonderland Manchester at EventCity.
Organised by Kingpin Events, the theme park returned to the city for the first time in four years – and it has already been highly praised for its safety, entertainment and is welcomed back as a Christmastime favourite across the region. The cast of Hollyoaks, Emmerdale and CoronationStreet were all in attendance, along with players and their families from the regions biggest football and rugby clubs.
Footballers Harry Maguire, Vincent Kompany, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Tom Heaton, Lee Grant, Sam Johnstone, Luke Ayling and Kyle Bartley were all present along with Natasha Hamilton, Denise Welsh, John Thompson, Katie McGlynn, Millie Gibson, Daniel Jillings and Louis Emerick were among the guests enjoying the rides, shows and games. The evening also seen the regions media attend with 4 and 5 star reviews across the board.
Silcock’s Winter Wonderland Manchester runs until Sunday 2 January 2022. EventCity is located next to the Trafford Centre, and offers 3,000 free car park space.
It was announced last week that fashion giants Boohoo and BoohooMAN – which were founded in Manchester and lead the fashion e-commerce market – were announced asheadline sponsors of the festive spectacular.
Silcock’s Winter Wonderland Manchester and Kingpin Events bring the magic and excitement of Christmas back to EventCity and have transformed the indoor 22,000sq m exhibition space into an unbelievable Winter wonderland. It was a top attraction and annual highlight in the city’s events calendar between 2103 and 2017. Now the hugely popular event is open bigger and better than ever before and is an unmissable Christmas family adventure.
The festive spectacular features more than 50 family rides and attractions all under one roofincluding dodgems, roller coasters, waltzers, a runaway train, inflatables, baby chill out zone – and even a beach, welcome during the cold Winter season.
Silcock’s Winter Wonderland Manchester will also offer a whole host of live entertainment across the Christmas season including performances of specially created mini pantomime The Wizard Of Oz. The colourful family show will be performed at each daily session, and performances are included in the entrance fee. The entertainment programme also includes a dazzling array of theatrical shows on the main stage.Highlights include TV stars Daisy and Ollie, Ice Princess Show, Christmas Meltdown, and the return of the spectacular Christmas Circus – all with daily performances.
Organisers Tammy and Billy Silcock of Kingpin Events added: “We couldn’t have asked for a more welcome return to EventCity, from our charity night on Friday, followed by a busy weekend of attenders and our official opening night on Monday. To see the joy on families faces following the dreadful couple of years we have had is an absolute joy. We want people to come along and feel safe and we have put stringent measures in place to ensure social distancing. Tickets are selling fast so please book early to avoid disappointment.”
Visitors will be greeted by Elves and Fairies, and the man of the moment Father Christmas will be meeting youngsters every day up to and including Christmas Eve. There is an opportunity to purchase a toy and keepsake photograph from the Father Christmas Toy Workshop.
There are also games stalls and festive foods, from German sausages to waffles and crepes, as well as an authentic German Bar for alcoholic drinks and refreshments.
Ticket admission for a Silcock’s Winter Wonderland Manchester session includes four hours of non-stop fun and entertainment for one price (excluding games and food stalls). Silcock’s Winter Wonderland Manchester is operated on a session basis to ensure visitors can enjoy a Covid-secure and enjoyable experience without overcrowding. There is also ticket insurance and a “buy with confidence, exchange with ease policy” should a ticketholder have to isolate.
Silcock’s Winter Wonderland Manchester will adhere to any Government Covid guidelines in place at the time. Hand sanitiser stations will be located around the event, with stringent additional cleaning measures in place.
Silcock’s Winter Wonderland Manchester is also available for private hire.
I visited the Winter Wonderland with my 17 year old on a Monday evening. From the images on the website, we anticipated it to be predominantly for families with little children but we were delightfully surprised.
The magic starts as you arrive in the foyer, where we all gathered. There was a cloak room where you could leave your coat. On a stage, the head elf greeted us and introduced several singing and dancing performances to entertain us all, while we waited to go inside at 6:30. He gave us a briefing of what to expect, timings of shows in the ‘Circus’ tent and Main stage, and where the toilets and changing facilities were. We were then counted down to the curtain opening revealing (machine) snow falling and a sea of lights and noise of the many attractions and the smell of candy floss, popcorn and doughnuts.
Some of the many rides and attractions included baby chill out zone, Father Christmas meet and great, inflatables, game stalls (extra cost), fairground rides, roller coasters, merry go rounds, little children’s rides, mirrored maze, bucking bulls (our absolute favourite ride, hands down), bumper cars, waltzers, gravity rotor and many more. As we were making our way around the rides, we caught sight of The Wizard of Oz Mini Panto and Jedi Training Camp on the Main Stage. In the Christmas Circus we were entertained by a variety of first class acrobatic performances including hula hoop, juggling and aerial silk.
As it is next to the Trafford Centre, it is very easy to find and there is plenty of free parking by the Event City .
If you are looking for some fun filled festive activities this Christmas, then Winter Wonderland covers it all.
Was it Miss Scarlett, with the revolver, in the dining room……?
Actress Michelle Collins, star of EastEnders, Coronation Street and 2000 Acres of Sky, is to star as the iconic Miss Scarlett in the UK Tour of the new play Cluedo, which begins in January 2022. Tickets are on sale now from Cluedostageplay.com.
Based on the classic Hasbro detective board game loved by generations and the hit 1985 Paramount film CLUE, the brand new comedy thriller opens on 28 January at Bromley’s Churchill Theatre and will then visit theatres across the country until the end of July.
Michelle Collins says: “I’m thrilled to be joining the cast of Cluedo. It’s such an iconic game and I remember how much I loved playing it with my cousins when we were younger. I’m delighted that it’s being brought to the stage – and having really enjoyed reading the script, I’m sure audiences across the UK will love it.”
When Miss Scarlett, Professor Plum, Mrs Peacock, Reverend Green, Mrs. White and Colonel Mustard arrive at a country house one dark and stormy evening, they are surprised to find they have all received the same intriguing invitation from Lord Boddy. It soon becomes clear that they all have something to hide as the mystery and hysteria grows and the inhabitants and guests of Boddy Manor are killed off one by one, with a variety of familiar weapons, leaving everyone to wonder, who will be next!
This hilarious spoof of a thriller, will keep you guessing right up to the finale as both the guests and audience try to work out whodunnit…. with what… and where!
This UK premiere production is directed by Mark Bell, director of the award winning The Play That Goes Wrong and A Comedy About A Bank Robbery and just like the game, it promises audiences of all ages a nostalgic, fun and thrilling evening of entertainment. Based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn, the play is written by Sandy Rustin with additional materials by Hunter Foster and Eric Price and for the UK production, Mark Bell.
Producer Josh Andrews added: “We wanted an iconic actress to play such an iconic character and we could not be happier to have Michelle starring as Miss Scarlett in Cluedo. Both the game and Clue the movie, are much loved by all ages, so it’s a privilege to bring this new play of Cluedo to the UK stage and it could not be in more suitable hands than our director, Mark Bell. He certainly knows how to deliver a night full of great fun and entertainment!”
The tour is produced by Josh Andrews and Stuart Galbraith of Kilimanjaro Theatricals, in collaboration with their US producing partners Work Light Productions, Lively McCabe Entertainment & The Araca Group.
Cluedo 2022 UK Tour Dates
28 January – 05 February Bromley: Churchill Theatre
07 – 12 February Norwich: Theatre Royal
14 – 19 February Cambridge: Arts Theatre
21 – 26 February Woking: New Ambassadors
28 February – 5 March Nottingham: Theatre Royal
07 – 12 March Richmond: Richmond Theatre
14 – 19 March Coventry: Belgrade Theatre
21 – 27 March Leeds: Grand Theatre
04 – 9 April Cardiff: New Theatre
11 – 16 April Shrewsbury: Severn Theatre
25 – 30 April Bath: Theatre Royal
02 – 07 May Birmingham: Alexandra Theatre
10 – 14 May Edinburgh: Kings Theatre
17 – 21 May Southampton: Mayflower
23 – 28 May Sheffield: Lyceum
30 May – 4 June Milton Keynes: Milton Keynes Theatre
Aria Entertainment today announces the final casting for the musical adaptation of KahlilGibran’sBroken Wings by Nadim Naaman – who will also play Kahlil Gibran -and Dana Al Fardan.
Completing the company are Johan Munir (Bishop Bulos) and Stephen Rahman-Hughes (Faris), who join the previously announced Yasmeen Audi (Layla Bawab/Ensemble), Haroun Al Jeddal (Mansour Bey Galib), Lucca Chadwick-Patel (Young Kahlil Gibran), Soophia Foroughi (Mother), Alex Kais (Ensemble), Nadim Naaman (Kahlil Gibran), Ayesha Patel (Dima Bawab) and Noah Sinigaglia (Selma Karamy). After multiple productions of the musical in concert form around the Middle East this will be the first full staging of the musical. Directed by Bronagh Lagan, the production opens at Charing Cross Theatre on 26 January, with previews from 21 January, and runs until 5 March 2022.
Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment with Bonnie Comley and Stewart F. Lane in association with Edward Prophet and People Entertainment Group presents
Kahlil Gibran’s
BROKEN WINGS Written by Nadim Naaman and Dana Al Fardan
Cast: Yasmeen Audi (Layla Bawab/Ensemble), Haroun Al Jeddal (Mansour Bey Galib),
Stephen Rahman-Hughes (Faris)and Noah Sinigaglia (Selma Karamy)
Director: Bronagh Lagan; Musical Director: Erika Gundesen; Orchestrations: Joe Davidson;
Set & Costume Designer: Gregor Donnelly; Choreographer: Philip Michael Thomas; Lighting Designer: Nic Farman; Sound Designer: Andrew Johnson; Casting Director: Jane Deitch;
Assistant Director: Riwa Saab
21 January – 5 March 2022
New York City, 1923. Through exquisite poetry and enchanting music, an ageing Gibran narrates our tale, transporting us back two decades and across continents, to turn-of-the-century Beirut. Gibran meets Selma; their connection is instant and their love affair, fated. However, their journey to happiness is soon thrown off course, as the pair face obstacles that shake the delicate foundation of their partnership. Will their love win out or will their dream of a life together be torn apart?
Performed in-the-round, Broken Wings takes us on an unmissable musical voyage, exploring issues of gender equality, immigration, the freedom to love who we love, and what ‘home’ really means to us. Over a century later, and the themes and debates raised in Gibran’s story, remain increasingly relevant today.
Nadim Naaman is the book writer and co-composer, and is also playing Kahlil. His credits include Rumi: The Musical – released by Broadway Records as a Concept Album. His credits as an actor include A Little Night Music (Holland Park Opera), The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre/Greek tour), By Jeeves (The Old Laundry), Sweeney Todd (Tooting Arts Club), One Man, Two Guvnors (Theatre Royal Haymarket), and The Sound of Music (London Palladium). As a soloist, he has performed concerts in venues including The Hong Kong Philharmonic, Birmingham Symphony, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, RTE Concert Orchestra Dublin, Liverpool Philharmonic, The John Wilson Orchestra, London Symphony and BBC Proms at The Royal Albert Hall. His 2016 studio album, Sides, topped the iTunes UK Vocal Chart, and is available on iTunes and Spotify. Naaman is also an associate at The Royal Academy of Music.
Dana Al Fardan is a Qatari composer, songwriter and symphonic artist. Her credits include Rumi: The Musical – released by Broadway Records as a Concept Album. She is the official composer of Qatar Airways and also Brand Ambassador of Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, with whom she has recorded two albums: Layla and Sandstorm – the latter has been performed by The London Metropolitan Orchestra at Theatre Royal Haymarket in London.
Yasmeen Audi plays Layla Bawab/Ensemble. She recently graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she won the 2019 Toni V. Fell Prize for Acting through Song. She made her West End debut playing the legendary in Umm Kulthum & The Golden Era (London Palladium). Her other work includes Broadway’s Gypsy of the Year (assistant choreographer/swing), RENT, Little Shop of Horrors and Into the Woods.
Haroun Al Jeddal plays Mansour Bey Galib. He recently graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. His performance credits Grease (UK tour), Bring It ON (The BTA), West Side Story (FutureStages), Imaginary, The Battle of Boat (NYMT), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (Mischief Theatre), and Baby and We Lost Elijah (National Theatre Connections); and for television, Coronation Street.
Lucca Chadwick-Patel plays Young Kahlil Gibran. He graduated this year from Guildford School of Acting. His theatre work includes The Magician’s Elephant (RSC), In Pieces (Turbine Theatre), Dogfight (Southwark Playhouse), and Carousel: In Concert and The Clockmaker’s Daughter (Cadogan Hall).
Soophia Foroughi plays Mother. Her theatre credits include The Prince of Egypt (Dominion Theatre), Rumi – The Musical (Concert/Workshop/Recording), Spamalot (Frankfurt, Germany), The Sound of Music (Popular Productions), Michael Ball Sings The Musicals, Michael Ball: Both Sides Now (UK tours), White Christmas (Pitlochry Festival Theatre), The Rat Pack, Live From Las Vegas (Wyndham’s Theatre), The House of Bernarda Alba (Union Theatre), Thursford Christmas Spectacular, and Jack and the Beanstalk (Mercury Theatre Colchester).
Alex Kais is making his London stage debut in the Ensemble. He recently appeared in The Hades & Persephone Project and partnered with Trinacria Theatre Company to develop the production. He is currently part of the team that are producing the 2021 Black British Theatre Awards.
Johan Munir plays Bishop Bulos. His recent theatre credits include Tape, Othello (The Drayton Arms), My Dad’s Gap Year (Bush Theatre), Macbeth (The Lion & Unicorn), Posh, The Crucible (ADC Theatre), Much Ado About Nothing (The Howard Theatre and Japanese tour), Umm Kulthum & The Golden Era (London Palladium), Broken Wings (Dubai Opera House and The Katara Opera House), It Happened In Key West (Charing Cross Theatre), Little Women (Hope Mill Theatre) and Love’s Labour’s Lost (Hackney Empire/Royal Academy Of Music).
Ayesha Patel makes her professional stage debut playing Dima Bawab. She recently graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Her television work include as part of the choir in Ball & Boe: A Very Merry Christmas.
Stephen Rahman-Hughes plays Faris. His recent theatre credits include Aladdin(New Amsterdam Theater), Rock of Ages(UK tour). His concert work includes The West End Men (Milton Morrissey Productions), Puteri Gunung Ledang(Princess Of Mount Ledang), West End Stars in Concert, Seasons of Love Concert(Enfinti Productions) and Malaysian Philharmonic Concert (MPO). His television credits include as series regular Adam Bateman in EastEnders and Almost Never.
Noah Sinigaglia makes her professional stage debut playing Selma Karamy.
Bronagh Lagan directs. Her theatre credits include Cruise (Duchess Theatre), Rags The Musical (Lyric Theatre/Park Theatre), Umm Kulthum (London Palladium), Putting It Together, Little Women (Hope Mill Theatre), A Winter’s Tale (Rose Theatre Kingston), Brexit the Musical (Edinburgh Festival Fringe), Promises, Promises (Southwark Playhouse), tick, tick… BOOM! (Park Theatre), As You Like It (Jackson’s Lane), The Adventures of Pinocchio (Ambassadors Theatre), The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (Chipping Norton Theatre), The Pajama Game, A Man of No Importance (Pleasance Theatre), Heart of Winter, The Stationmaster (Tristan Bates Theatre), James and The Giant Peach (UK/international tour), Portia Coughlan (The Old Red Lion), Girlfriends (Union Theatre), A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (Greenwich Theatre), The Mistress Cycle (Landor Theatre), Expectations (Arcola Theatre), Blood Wedding (Courtyard Theatre), Newsrevue (Canal Café Theatre), Henry VIPart 1 (Rose Theatre), Erris (Theatre503), Julius Caesar (The Scoop) and The Madness of Sweeney (Lyric Theatre, Belfast). Lagan is also part of the From Page To Stage Literary department for Aria Entertainment.
Giles Terera will return to the West End production of Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre from 17 December 2021 – 30 January 2022 to play Aaron Burr, the Olivier award-winning performance he created in the original London cast as Best Actor in a Musical. Simon-Anthony Rhoden, who currently plays the role of Aaron Burr, has unfortunately sustained an injury and will return to the role at a date to be announced. Jay Perry will play the role of Burr on Thursdays during this period.
Cameron Mackintosh said: “I am delighted that Giles was free to return to the role he brilliantly originated when Hamilton first opened in London and I’m very grateful to him for stepping in for Simon-Anthony who sadly recently sustained an injury. It will be wonderful to have Giles back in the room where it happens and we of course wish Simon-Anthony a very speedy recovery and look forward to having him back in the show.”
As well as Hamilton, Giles Terera’s theatre credits include Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Hamlet, Death and the Kings Horseman, The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other, Troilus and Cressida, Candide, Honk! and Darker Face of the Earth all for the National Theatre. His other theatre credits include Blue Orange for the Theatre Royal Bath and Royal & Derngate Theatres, Rosmersholm at the Duke of York’s Theatre, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui for the Donmar Warehouse, The Merchant of Venice, Pure Imagination and King John all for the Globe, The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre, The Tempest at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, Avenue Q at the Noel Coward Theatre, The Rat Pack at the Strand Theatre and Rent at the Prince of Wales Theatre. His film and television credits include The Death of England, Maxx, The Current War, London Boulevard, Horrible Histories and Doctors. His book Hamilton and Me: An Actor’s Journal was published by Nick Hern Books earlier this year.
HAMILTON is the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and helped shape the very foundations of the America we know today. Thescore blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway – the story of America then, as told by America now.
HAMILTON has book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, is directed by Thomas Kail, with choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire and is based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton. HAMILTON features scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg and hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe.
The Olivier, Tony and Grammy award-winning production opened at the newly re-built and restored Victoria Palace Theatre in London in December 2017 and continued to play there until the start of lockdown in March last year. The production resumed performances in August 2021.
HAMILTON is produced in London by Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman, The Public Theater and Cameron Mackintosh.
L – R: Eleanor Lloyd (SOLT President, theatre producer)Arinzé Kene (‘Bob Marley’ in Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical) Gabrielle Brooks (‘Rita Marley’ in Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical) Justine Simons (Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries) Rankin (photographer) Sadiq Khan (Mayor of London) Bradley Jaden (‘Javert’ in Les Misérables) Aisha Jawando (‘Tina Turner’ in Tina – The Tina Turner Musical) Jammy Kasongo (‘Ike Turner’ in Tina – The Tina Turner Musical) Sha Dessi (‘Eponine’ in Les Misérables) Isobel McArthur (creator of Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of))
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, renowned photographer Rankin and stars from the West End gathered in Piccadilly Circus today (Tuesday 7 December), as the famous Piccadilly Lights were lit up with striking portraits of people behind London’s world-leading theatreland.
Using images shot by Rankin as part of his ground-breaking project Performance by Rankin, the Piccadilly Lights display officially launched the New Year Sale promotion offering £10, £20, £30, £40 and £50 tickets to nearly 60 top London shows in January and February.
The New Year Sale is run by Official London Theatre, which is working with the Mayor and Rankin to help bring audiences back into central London to enjoy the capital’s unparalleled cultural scene, world class bars and eateries, and renowned attractions. New Year Sale tickets go on general sale today from officiallondontheatre.com/new-year-sale.
This exciting Piccadilly Lights moment has been made possible by Landsec and Westminster City Council.
Performance by Rankin – a collaboration between Rankin, Official London Theatre and Fujifilm, supported by the Mayor of London as part of the Let’s Do London campaign – is currently running as a major free exhibition at the FUJIFILM House of Photography in Covent Garden, open until 31 January. A book of the portraits is also available to buy at the exhibition and from a variety of bookshops, with proceeds going to the Theatre Artists Fund and the Mayor’s chosen London youth homelessness charities.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said:
“London’s theatres are the envy of the world, but their success is only possible due to the brilliant individuals working in the industry – both on and offstage – who have been instrumental in raising the curtain and ensuring that London’s West End bounces back safely.
“I’m delighted to partner with renowned photographer Rankin, Official London Theatre, and the Piccadilly Lights as part of our Let’s Do London campaign to celebrate theatreland’s workforce and encourage Londoners to rediscover the magic of live entertainment with this unbeatable ticket promotion.”
Hans Christian Anderson’s classic tale is given a modern environmental twist in Wrongsemble’s festive production. Lumi (Tilly Smith) has asked lots of questions from a very young age but as she grows older and is more aware of the world, she has questions about global warming and pollution, and decides to be an activist. The one question she really wants answered is why hasn’t it snowed? So, she writes letter after letter to the Snow Queen who controls the weather. Fed up with waiting for a reply, Lumi goes on a quest to the North to find the Snow Queen and get the answers she needs.
On her journey, Lumi meets Horton the Tortoise, a wasteful hoarder, Flash the Polar Bear, whose high-energy, high-power lifestyle is melting the ice cap around his bachelor pad, and Oops the delivery elf, whose working conditions are awful as consumers demand instant service. They help her on her way to the Snow Queen’s ice place, where Lumi can finally ask for snow.
Writer and director Elvi Piper tackles important environmental issues with a light touch that will engage and excite school age children. The repeated message that small changes can make the biggest difference is one they will have encountered at school. In Lumi, Piper has created a proactive character that children can relate to and aspire to be, reminding the audience that sometimes the youngest voices will speak the loudest truths. There are catchy songs and simple choreography that was copied by lots of energetic audience members, and just enough slapstick and physical humour to keep very young children interested and laughing. There are lots of jokes for the adults in the audience too – most delivered with icy disdain by the Snow Queen (Richard Priestley). Looking down from an ice tower lit by a huge crescent moon, Priestley is hilarious as the drag queen diva, preening, pouting and punning as well as providing accompaniment to the songs. The Snow Queen’s pronouns, they/their, are used in song lyrics and dialogue and accepted without question by the young audience. Tilly Smith is sweetly convincing playing a young girl, never becoming a cheesy caricature and winning over the audience within minutes. Thomas Cotran plays multiple characters with lots of energy – making the biggest impact with Flash the polar bear in need of a digital detox – each wiggle of his hips had the audience in stitches.
The production lives up to its message of sustainability, with impressive set design by Antony Jones, and manages to be educational without losing its strong narrative. One of the more thoughtful, message-orientated productions around this year, The Snow Queen is joyful entertainment with all the Christmas fun and frolics you need for a family treat.
Phoenix Theatre, London – until 9 January 2022 (6 performances)
Reviewed by Celia Armand Smith
5*****
Panto season is upon us and The TuckShop’s Dick Whittington is a campy, nonsensical, heart filled production that has something for everyone (over the age of 14). The stellar drag cast and superb writing by Gareth Joyner had the whole audience in stitches from beginning to end.
The story of Dick Whittington is not a new one, however, this was not the traditional telling of the story that we know so well. The hero, Dick (played by Cheryl Hole), sets out on a quest to find adventure, fame, fortune on the streets of the city of Soho with his faithful yet miserable sidekick cat friend, Cat Slater (Elektra Fence). With the help of the Spirit of Soho (Kitty Scott-Claus) they must defeat Queen Rat (Choriza May), and win the heart of Alice (Karen from Finance), and Alice’s mum Dame Sarah (Yshee Black) after her prized spatula is stolen from the safe (played by Villager number 4, Ophelia Love). There are some hiccups along the way including a banishment to the North, but with the Mayor of Soho (Beau Jangles) and Daddy (Richard Energy) who owns the local “marital aids” shop, they save Soho and the day.
The stage is normally home to Come From Away, so the set was a simple street scene with some Mary Poppins style chimneys and a pink postbox. Without any changes at all, it was a cafe, a ship, and a completely different city.
The musical numbers were fantastic, and in particular, Beau Jangles had a stand out voice. Everyone had their moment to shine, and the joy was non-stop. The interval is a welcome break for my cheeks which hurt from laughing. We really felt like we were in on the joke. For me, Ophelia Love, Richard Energy, and Beau Jangles stood out. Their use of props, vocals, and comedy timing were excellent despite some technical difficulties with sound. Special mention should go to Owen Cennydd Hodges and Alex Conder who were very campy backing dancers. Every raised eyebrow, little balletic leap, and hip wiggle had us giggling uncontrollably.
As half the cast have been on RuPaul’s Drag Race at some point, there is quite a lot of drag race content so if you don’t watch Drag Race, some of the jokes will go over your head. There was plenty of laughter to go round however, and lots of jokes were made at the expense of Drag Race which famously does not include Drag Kings or alternative drag forms.
At a time when the news is so miserable every day, having a few hours of complete silliness, unrelenting hilarity, and queer joy is a well needed tonic. Get on over to the Phoenix Theatre for one of the five remaining performances.
