Month: March 2022

Sunderland Empire – until 2 April 2022

4****

“Oh What a NIght!” – It’s easy to see why Jersey Boys is such an award winning and popular musical. It’s a feel good night out and jam packed with more than 30 hits and as you sit back and listen it’s easy to forget just how many top songs this quartet produced over the years. Seeing this musical for the first time you may be fooled into thinking you’re unfamiliar with the songs, but once you hear them, they are all recognisable.

Telling the story of the Four Seasons, each band member gets a season to tell his tale.  But as they say in the show “take four different men and you’ll get four different versions”.  It turns out there was a lot more to the group than close vocal harmonies and hit records, their colourful story – of ducking and diving, wise guys and hustles, failed relationships, rows, retribution and eventual redemption – makes this a jukebox musical with a real story to tell.

Cleverly the show is split into the four seasons – Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter, giving each band member a chance to tell the audience their side of the story; all of them working their way into the audience’s affections. Regardless of their various differences, we know and care about Bob Gaudio, Tony DeVito, Nick Massi and Frankie Valli, and it’s that which gives their song lyrics extra resonance.

We start with Tommy DeVito (Dalton Wood) and Spring.  DeVito, a petty criminal, with a criminal record a mile long, but with a musical talent and a dream to escape.  He put together a band with his brother Nick and Nick Massi (Lewis Griffiths) and gave Francis Castelluccio the big break that turned him into Frankie Valli (Michael Pickering and Luke Suri on alternate dates).  With a few stints in prison,  and brother Nick not coming out of jail for a long time, the band begins.

With the joining of Bob Gaudio (Blair Gibson) and the name The Four Seasons taken from the local bowling alley, the band hits big and Bob gives us his Summer.

A chance meeting with Bob Crew (Michael Levi) gives them the recording contract they desire and with Gaudio’s writing talent a slew of hits appear from Sherrie, to our first ovation of the night Walk Like A Man.  But as the hits keep coming DeVito’s spending gets worse and by the end of the first half the boys are in a million dollars worth of debt to the tax and the Mob.

Nick Massi’s Fall comes next.  Lewis Griffiths must be able to act the role in his sleep, having done it so many times before.  But long may it reign, Massi is the quiet member of the band, big on harmonies and Griffiths has a lovely deep vibrancy in his vocals. We are then followed by Valli’s winter including the tragic death of his daughter.

But the hits continue and the second ovation is for Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You, the song none of the record producers wanted to touch but was a huge commercial success.

It’s a bittersweet story.  Valli’s immediately recognisable distinctive voice gives rise to some amazing vocals during the show.

It would be all too easy to put this show on the road as another jukebox musical, a limp through the history of a household name, but the narrative is as strong as the score and really packs a punch in the emotional moments.  Klara Zieglerova’s restrained design, a framework of scaffolding encloses the action. At the back of the stage, huge Roy Lichtenstein-style cartoons show comic-strip girls with ponytails, huge tears and speech bubbles, while against the oranges and reds of what seems to be a perpetual sunset is an industrial silhouette of chimneys and pylons.

The band is led by Griff Johnson with Ed Hewlett, Tara Litvack,Craig Oxley, Marcus Pritchard and Stephen Fawbert on a motorised drum set that travels the stage.

In Sunderland until 2 April and then on tour.  This is a show not to be missed

PEAKY BLINDERS: THE RISE

THE IMMERSIVE THEATRE SHOW

LIVE IN LONDON

AT THE CAMDEN GARRISON, CAMDEN MARKET

ON SALE NOW

OPENING

THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2022

Producers Immersive Everywhere, in association with Caryn Mandabach Productions and Steven Knight announce that PEAKY BLINDERS: THE RISE, a brand-new immersive theatre show, live at The Camden Garrison at the Stables Market, Camden, London is now on sale, with performances from Thursday 23 June 2022. 

Tickets are available now from: www.immersivepeakyblinders.com

Tommy invites you to a family meeting in the heart of Camden Town, where the Shelby family have acquired new headquarters. From here, they will launch their ambitious campaign to take over London.

PEAKY BLINDERS: THE RISE is the first official fully immersive 360-degree theatre show set in the world of one of the most globally successful drama franchises, “Peaky Blinders”. Audiences will be welcomed to a specially adapted performance space, The Camden Garrison in Camden Market, just moments away from the setting for Solomons’ Yard from the TV series.

PEAKY BLINDERS THE RISE will follow the rise in the fortunes of Tommy and the Shelby family as the unfolding story and live actors place the audience right at the heart of the Peaky Blinders, their associates, and their enemies.

With multiple storylines and venues to explore from betting shops and The Garrison, all the way through to the infamous Eden Club, PEAKY BLINDERS THE RISE is the unmissable immersive show live in London from June 2022.

The Creative Director and Director of PEAKY BLINDERS: THE RISE is Tom Maller (Doctor Who: Time Fracture (Immersive Everywhere) and Arcane, Casino Royale, Romeo + Juliet and Blade Runner: Final Cut (Secret Cinema)) and Production Designer is Rebecca Brower (Doctor Who: Time Fracture (Immersive Everywhere), Arcane (Secret Cinema), Bat Out Of Hell).

Peaky Blinders, the TV series, was created and written by Steven Knight (Dirty Pretty Things, Eastern Promises and Locke) and recently returned for its final season, receiving five-star reviews and enjoying record viewing figures. The multi award-winning BBC One/iPlayer and Netflix series is owned and produced by Peaky Blinders’ official series and brand owner, Caryn Mandabach Productions and the television series is co-produced with Banijay Group’s Tiger Aspect Productions.

Peaky Blinders® © Caryn Mandabach Productions. All rights reserved. Licensed by Caryn Mandabach Productions.

NEW CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY

AT THE O2 LONDON

From Thursday 7 April 2022, Ellis Dackombe, Tamara Perks and Tasha Sheridan will join the cast of MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY at The O2 London.  They will join Fed Zanni who plays Nikos, Kimberley Powell who will take over as Kate, Linda John-Pierre who plays Debbie, Jonathon Bentley who will take over as Adam, Molly Cleere who will take over as Kostantina, Allie Ho Chee who plays Bella, Jessica Spallis who will take over as Nina, Dawn Spence who plays Grandma, Gregor Stewart who plays Fernando and Oscar Balmaseda, Claudia Bradley, and Garrett Tennant. The musicians are John Donovan, Luke Higgins, Kathryn Tindall, Steve Rushton and Mark Pusey.

MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY, London’s premier dining experience, is currently booking until Sunday 2 October 2022.

Created by ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY is a unique and magical experience in a class of its own, bringing all ABBA’s hits to life more vividly than ever before: over the course of four glittering hours, guests can immerse themselves in a spectacular musical extravaganza, a four-course Greek feast and an ABBA disco, all in one unforgettable evening of dancing, dining and singing!

MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY is set in a taverna on the beautiful Greek island of Skopelos, where most exteriors of the first MAMMA MIA! film were shot. Nikos and his wife Kate run this exotic and wonderful restaurant together with their family and friends. Told through dialogue and timeless ABBA songs, a warm, romantic and funny story evolves and unfolds during the evening, taking place around the guests as they sit at their tables enjoying a gourmet Greek meal. The evening ends with a 1970s disco, where audience members are welcome to stay to sing and dance to ABBA recordings.

Food is at the heart of the experience and a menu has been created that collects the finest Greece has to offer, made from the best, freshest ingredients. Guests are served with a traditional mezze followed by the iconic Greek salad of fresh cherry tomatoes, cucumber and feta. For the main course, confit lamb shoulder and slow-cooked beef are served with roasted garlic potatoes, courgettes peperonata, romesco and aromatic jus. For vegetarian and vegan guests, there is roasted cauliflower with a lemon-herb dressing and stuffed tomato with lentil ragout. A sumptuous Greek lemon cake served with confit orange skin and citrus yoghurt is the perfect end to this delicious meal. Vegan guests are served traditional loukoumades, delicious dough balls accompanied by a sweet fig jam.

Guests can get the ultimate MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY experience with one of the available packages. The Platinum Package provides a Tier A ticket in a prime location, a meet & greet and photo opportunity with members of the cast right at your table, champagne on arrival, half a bottle of wine and a MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY merchandise party pack. Guests can also upgrade their existing booking by adding the VIP upgrade package, taking their experience to the next level with champagne on arrival, half a bottle of wine and a MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY merchandise party pack. 

MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY has music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (some songs with Stig Anderson), and a story by Calle Norlén, Roine Söderlundh and Björn Ulvaeus, with the English book by writer, comedian and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig.

The London version of MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY, which originally opened in Stockholm in January 2016, is co-directed and choreographed by Stacey Haynes and Roine Söderlundh, with set designed by Bengt Fröderberg, lighting designed by Patrick Woodroffe, sound designed by Gareth Owen, costumes designed by Annsofi Nyberg, music supervision by Robin Svensson and casting by David Grindrod CDG for Grindrod Burton Casting.MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY is executively produced by Björn Ulvaeus and produced by Sally Davies for U-Live.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY

The O2

Peninsula Square

London SE10 0DX

Box Office: www.mammamiatheparty.co.uk / 020 3995 6288

Website: www.mammamiatheparty.co.uk

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @mammamiapartyuk

#mammamiatheparty

Now Booking to Sunday 2 October 2022

Minimum age: 5

Tickets: From £99 to include admission, a four-course set meal and welcome drink (additional drinks extra)*

Platinum Package: From £195 to include a Tier A ticket, a four-course set meal, cast meet & greet, champagne on arrival, half a bottle of wine and Mamma Mia! The Party merchandise pack (limited Platinum Packages are available per party)*

VIP Upgrade Package: £25 in addition to the price of an existing booking to include; champagne on arrival, half a bottle of wine and a Mamma Mia! The Party merchandise party pack*

*All listed prices are per person plus booking fees.

Performances: Wednesday to Sunday doors open at 6:30pm, Saturday & Sunday at 12:00noon**

**Subject to schedule – please see website.

HAMPSTEAD THEATRE ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF ITS OLIVIER-NOMINATED HIT PRODUCTION FOLK, RUNNING FROM 24 JUNE UNTIL 30 JULY

Following its sold-out run earlier in the year, Hampstead Theatre is delighted to announce the return of Folk, Nell Leyshon’s beautiful new play with songs, directed by Hampstead’s Artistic Director, Roxana Silbert.  Currently nominated for a 2022 Olivier Award, Folk returns with the complete original cast, Ben Allen (Measure for Measure, Donmar), Sasha Frost (Persuasion, Rose Theatre Kingston), Mariam Haque (Behind the Beautiful Forevers, National Theatre) and Simon Robson (The Schumann Plan, Hampstead Theatre).

Silbert will be reunited with Designer Rose Revitt, Lighting Designer Matt Haskins, Director of Music Gary Yershon, Sound Designer Tingying Dong and Movement Director Ayse Tashkiran.  Associate Sound Designer Anna Short will also join the team.

Inspired by a true story and set in her home county of Somerset, Nell Leyshon’s beautiful new play features live folk song. 

Tickets go on sale from Thursday 24 March at 10.30am at hampsteadtheatre.com.

Nell Leyshon, playwright ofFolk, said: 

“The response to Folk was overwhelming and I’m thrilled this brilliant production by Roxana Silbert and Hampstead Theatre will be on again, and with all the original extraordinary cast.  From the moment I heard Louie Hooper’s story I wanted to tell it, and I am so pleased more people can hear what she has to say about folk music, nationalism and identity.”

Roxana Silbert, Artistic Director of Hampstead Theatre and director of Folk,said:

“It’ll be an enormous pleasure to revisit Louie Hooper and her relationship with Cecil Sharp, the first time this story has been told on stage, in Nell Leyshon’s beautiful play, and share it with audiences once more.  I am delighted that all of the original company will be reunited as this was a uniquely collaborative project, which warmed so many people’s hearts when we performed earlier this year.”

***

“I’ll tell you one more thing. I got more songs in my head than I ever told you.I got enough to sing for days…”

1903, Somerset.  Rooted in the land where she has lived her entire life, Louie Hooper’s mind overflows with its songs – more than 300 of them passed down from her mother.  Cecil Sharp, a composer visiting from London, fears England’s folk songs will be lost forever and sets out on a mission to transcribe each and every one.  He believes Louie’s music should speak not just for this place but for the whole of England.

Nell Leyshon’s theatre credits include Comfort Me With Apples (also previously nominated for an Olivier Award for ‘Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre’ and winner of the Evening Standard Award for Most Promising Playwright) and Glass Eels (both Hampstead Theatre), Don’t Look Now (Sheffield / Lyric Hammersmith) and Bedlam (Globe).  

Roxana Silbert’s production of Alexis Zegerman’s The Fever Syndrome begins previews on Hampstead Theatre’s Main Stage tonight, running until 30 April.  The Fever Syndrome will be Silbert’s third Main Stage production at Hampstead, following Al Blyth’s espionage thriller The Haystack (2020) and Marsha Norman’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play ‘night, Mother (2021).  She also recently directed Deborah Bruce’s tender new play Raya (2021) at Hampstead Downstairs. 

Folk is a T. S. Eliot Foundation commission.  A production of Folk aired on Radio 3 in May 2021 as part of the BBC’s Lights Up series, which turned the spotlight on plays whose staging had been delayed by the pandemic.  Hampstead Theatre’s world premiere production of Folk ran from 18 December 2021 until 26 January 2022. Folk is currently nominated in the Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre category at the 2022 Olivier Awards.

EMPIRE THEATRE, LIVERPOOL – UNTIL SATURDAY 26TH MARCH 2022

REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN

5*****

Did you happen to notice how many yellow cars you passed on your way to work? What about the number of people on the number 1 bus? Those who are on the autistic spectrum will do. Based on the best selling novel by Mark Haddon and adapted for stage by Simon Stephens, this production lets the audience see how people with autism and neurodiversity, think and experience the world.

Christopher Boone (David Breeds) is presented as a mathematical genius who has trouble interpreting social situations and everyday life presents some barriers for him. He detests being touched and distrusts strangers, in his own words he has ‘some behaviour difficulties’. When his neighbour’s dog Wellington is killed, he sets out to solve the mystery. As he becomes more involved with the murder case, he ends up discovering the truth about his own life and family. His journey in looking for the dog’s murderer soon becomes a search for his mother Judy (Sophie Stone).

The wondrous strange workings of Christopher’s mind, is demonstrated through a mathematical grid set and versatile props by designer Bunny Christie. One particular beautiful moment, is when Christopher builds a toy train set which comes to life on stage. Paule Constable’s accent lighting and Adrian Sutton’s electronic score both contribute to providing the context and conditions of the action of the play.

The character with the most significance in the play is Siobhan (Rebecca Root), Christopher’s teacher. She brings a lovely soothing tone as the narrator to the production. Christopher seems really fond of her and their magical teacher-student relationship shines when Christopher celebrates his maths A level result which means the world to him. Although his father Ed (Tom Peters) understands him well, Siobhan is the only one who really speaks his language, she understands his needs and strengths.

This ingeniously staged production has been recognised for its beautiful portrayal of the unique perspective, children like Christopher have on the world. It is a play full of heart, warmth and emotion, tackling heavy themes including neurodiversity, family violence and mental health. It is a coming of age story about a boy who struggles to fit in but who pushes back at the world and believes he can do anything. You will think, laugh and most of all, look at the world around you in a different way. Be sure to stay right until the end!

LIVERPOOL EMPIRE THEATRE TRUST BRINGS NATIONAL THEATRE PRODUCTION TO WIRRAL SCHOOLS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC MULTI ACADEMY TRUST

Hamlet’s dad is dead. His uncle has taken over the kingdom and married Hamlet’s mum. The whole world feels like it’s turned upside down. A ghostly encounter reveals a dreadful deed has been done. Should Hamlet take revenge?

The Liverpool Empire Theatre Trust has been helping to introduce young audiences in Wirral to the world of Shakespeare by funding a National Theatre schools tour of Hamlet in partnership with the Empire’s Creative Learning department and the Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust.

Funded by the Empire Theatre Trust the production was hosted at St Josephs RC Primary – a primary school in The Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust and welcomed seven Wirral schools to experience this fantastic opportunity from 7th March including: 

• St Werbugh’s RC Primary School, Birkenhead 
• St Anne’s Primary School, Birkenhead
• Our Lady of Pity RC Primary School, Wirral 
• St Bernard’s RC Primary School, Ellesmere Port  
• St. John Plessington Catholic Secondary School, Wirral 
• St. Mary’s Catholic College, Wirral 

Natalie Flynn, ATG’s Senior Creative Learning Manager said, “Educational engagement is at the heart of what we do, and this project is the perfect way to inspire a new generation of theatre lovers. Due to the generosity of the Theatre Trust we have been able to bring the National Theatre production of Hamlet to young people in the Liverpool City Region at no direct cost to the schools. It’s been a great way to build upon and celebrate our incredibly important partnership with the Academy Trust.”

Klare Rufo, Director for Development and improvement at the Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trustsaid, “Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust is so proud to be working with the Empire Theatre and The National Theatre to bring this amazing opportunity to both the children of our own trust schools and some of our local schools too. Providing these amazing opportunities for our children is absolutely essential and for many this has been their first encounter with Shakespeare. The children have enjoyed the show and the workshops so much and our parents have been in touch to say how excited the children have been reliving the experience at home.”

The project in Wirral is part of a wider nationwide tour by the National Theatre and will also be performed in the Dorfman Theatre from 24^th March – 6^th April. The tour will reach over 5,000 pupils across four weeks as part of the NT’s commitment to introducing children and young people to theatre, also visiting schools in Wolverhampton, Sunderland and South Essex.

Director Tinuke Craig said, “I’m so thrilled to be revisiting this project- especially after it was cut short by the start of the pandemic in 2020. It’s a big challenge to take one of the greatest works in the canon and distil it to an hour long play for 8–12-year-olds, but one I’m so excited to be taking on again along with a fantastic cast and creative team. Not only do we have the task of creating an engaging production for an audience, but we also have a responsibility to introduce younger audiences to theatre, bringing productions to their home turf to provide an early, and often first, experience of Shakespeare that is welcoming, inclusive, exciting and fun.”

Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre said, “It’s so important that children from all backgrounds feel that the arts are open to them to participate in and enjoy, and so we’re delighted to bring Tinuke Craig’s reimagining of Hamlet to the stage of the National Theatre and directly into school halls. We hope this exciting first experience of Shakespeare and live theatre will inspire young audiences to discover more about theatre-making and support teachers to ensure creative learning continues to be a key part of a rounded education”.

LONDON CLASSIC THEATRE ANNOUNCE

UK TOUR AND FULL CAST OF BOEING BOEING

London Classic Theatre today announces a new UK tour of Marc Camoletti’s BOEING BOEING.Michael Cabot directs Nathalie Barclay (Gabriella), Jo Castleton (Bertha), Isabel Della-Porta (Gloria), Jessica Dennis (Gretchen), John Dorney (Bernard) and Paul Sandys (Robert) in a translation by Beverley Cross and Francis Evans.

The production opens at Lighthouse Poole on 19 May before touring to Mold, Bath, Eastbourne, Bury St Edmunds, Derby, Guildford, Malvern, Cambridge and Winchester, concluding at Darlington from 26-30 July 2022.

Artistic Director Michael Cabot said today “I’m very excited to be working on this wonderful piece with a terrific cast and creative team.  Boeing Boeing is one of the longest running and most successful farces ever written for the stage.  In terms of comedy, it really has got it all – larger than life characters, an improbable plot and an abundance of comic mayhem.  It promises to be great fun, but I also hope we can bring a contemporary twist to the story – the women in the play are definitely no pushover and Bernard will be getting a very powerful taste of his own medicine.”

London Classic Theatre present

BOEING BOEING

Written by Marc Camoletti 

Translated by Beverley Cross and Francis Evans

Directed by Michael Cabot;Set & Costume Design by Bek Palmer; Lighting Design by Matthew Green

UK Tour

19 May – 30 July 2022

Paris, 1962. Bernard, a successful architect, has a very complicated love life. His three fiancées, Gloria, Gabriella and Gretchen, work for different airlines with different timetables. With the help of his maid, the long-suffering Bertha, Bernard has somehow managed to keep all three women blissfully unaware of the others’ existence. However, the arrival of an old friend from the provinces and the launch of a new super-fast jet propel Bernard’s carefully constructed plans into comic chaos. Marc Camoletti’s award-winning farce was a West End and Broadway hit and has delighted audiences worldwide for over 50 years.

Marc Camoletti (16 November 1923 – 18 July 2003) was a French playwright. His credits include Boeing Boeing, Don’t Dress for Dinner and Happy Birthday. Camoletti was awarded the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, one of France’s highest honours. 

Nathalie Barclay plays Gabriella. Theatre credits include: Fools Rush In (Soho Theatre/NFTS), Here I Belong (Theatre By The Lake & UK tour, Pentabus Theatre), Primary Playmaker (Oxford Playhouse), Antigone (The Lowry & UK tour), Positive (Park Theatre), The Class Ceiling (Southwark Playhouse), The Boy Who Never Learned To Fly (Arcola Theatre), Dog’s Bite (Soho Theatre/Goldsmiths), You Once Said Yes (Nuffield Theatre, Southampton), Sad Play (New Diorama Theatre), Girl on Girl (Kings Head Theatre), Much Ado About Nothing (New Wimbledon Theatre Studio) and Macbeth (Lion and Unicorn Theatre). TV and film includes: Killing Eve, Trigonometry, Old Man, Con Man, One Day at a Time, 50 Kisses, Duplicity, Twenty Nothing, Hungry Angel and New Year’s Resolution.

Jo Castleton plays Bertha. Theatre credits include: Vincent River (Bridge Theatre, Brussels), War Horse (National Theatre), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (National Theatre), Dangerous Corner (Nottingham Playhouse), Round and Round the Garden, Table Manners, A Murder is Announced, Deathtrap, Murder Weapon, Suddenly at Home (Eastbourne Theatres &tour), Shock (Nottingham Theatre Royal), Twist of Gold (Polka), Lilies on the Land (National Tour), Beauty and the Beast, Oh! What a Lovely War, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Wind in the Willows, The Wizard of Oz, A Christmas Carol (Haymarket Basingstoke), Elephant 21 (Royal Court), Family Man (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Ghost Train, Sailor Beware and Daisy Pulls It Off (UK Tour), The Magic Flute, The Mystery Plays, Oliver Twist, Shakers (Liverpool Playhouse). TV and film credits include: Suspicion and Birth of Daniel F Harris.

Isabel Della-Porta plays Gloria. Theatre credits include: Eigengrau (Waterloo East Theatre), Chutney (Bunker Theatre), Network (National Theatre), Put Out the Lights (The Red Rose Chain), Mary Stuart (Almeida Theatre). Film credits include: The Lost Daughter.

Jessica Dennis plays Gretchen. Theatre credits include: Jack and the Beanstalk (Stephen Joseph Theatre), Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet (Orange Tree Theatre), The Habit of Art (Original Theatre), Henry V, The Tempest (Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre), Offside (Futures Theatre), Macbeth, Frankenstein, A Christmas Carol (Box Clever), Property of Polka, The Wind in the Willows (Polka Theatre), Meet Me in the Ruins (Belgrade Theatre), Redder than Roses, The Woman on the Bridge (Buxton Festival), Million Dollar Quartet (Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, Mumbai) and The Deranged Marriage (Rifco Arts).

John Dorney plays Bernard. Theatre credits for London Classic Theatre include: Absurd Person Singular, Hysteria, Absent Friends, The Caretaker, Humble Boy. Other theatre includes: Flight and Peter Pan (National Theatre), Something Beginning With…(The Orange Tree Theatre), Feelgood (English Speaking Theatre of Vienna & English Speaking Theatre of Frankfurt), Better Watch Out (Hampstead Theatre), At the Back and Out of Focus (Soho Theatre), Volpone (Wilton’s Music Hall), The Revenger’s Tragedy and The Stranger (Southwark Playhouse), A-Team: The Musical (Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh), Coalition (Pleasance Edinburgh and Islington), Beauty and the Beast (Creation, Oxford), On the High Road (RADA Studios) and Seasons Greetings (Union Theatre).

Paul Sandys plays Robert. Theatre credits for London Classic Theatre include: Absurd Person Singular, Private Lives, Entertaining Mr Sloane, The Importance of Being Earnest. Other theatre includes: Dr Longitude’s Marvellous Imaginary Menagerie (Les Enfants Terribles), Peter Pan (New Vic Theatre), Out of the Sun (The New Actors Company), Friend or Foe (Scamp Theatre). TV and Film includes: The Sprint King and Apple Tree House.

Michael Cabot directs and is the founder and Artistic Director of London Classic Theatre. He has directed all forty-three LCT productions since their touring debut in 2000, including Same Time, Next Year, Absurd Person Singular, No Man’s Land, My Mother Said I Never Should, Private Lives, Hysteria, The Birthday Party, Waiting for Godot, Absent Friends, Entertaining Mr Sloane and Equus.  His freelance work as director includes three recent collaborations with award-winning playwright Henry Naylor, The Collector (Arcola Theatre/UK tour), Angel and Borders (Edinburgh Festival Fringe).

BOEING BOEING

LISTINGS

Lighthouse, Poole

19 -21 May

Box Office: www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/ 01202 280000

Theatr Clwyd

24 – 28 May

Box Office: www.theatrclwyd.com/ 01352 344101

Theatre Royal Bath

1 – 4 June

Box Office: www.theatreroyal.org.uk /01225 448844

Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne

7 – 11 June

Box Office: www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk/venue/devonshire-park-theatre/ / 01323 412000

Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds

14 – 18 June

Box Office: www.theatreroyal.org/ 01284 769505

Derby Theatre

21 – 25 June

Box Office: www.derbytheatre.co.uk / 01332 593939

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Guilford

28 June – 2 July

Box Office: www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/ 01483 440000

Malvern Theatres

5 – 9 July

Box Office: www.malvern-theatres.co.uk/ 01684 892277

Cambridge Arts Theatre

12 – 16 July

Box Office: https://www.cambridgeartstheatre.com/ 01223 503333

Theatre Royal Winchester

19 – 23 July

Box Office: www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk / 01962 840440

Darlington Hippodrome

26 – 30 July

Box Office: https://www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk/  01325 405405

Principal Dancer Ashley Dixon to become Principal Character Artist and Assistant Rehearsal Director at Northern Ballet

Ashley Dixon will be stepping down from his role as Principal Dancer at Northern Ballet to take up a new position of Principal Character Artist and Assistant Rehearsal Director with the Company. His final performance will be on Saturday 23 April as Jay Gatsby in David Nixon OBE’s award winning The Great Gatsby, opposite ex-Premier Dancer Antoinette Brooks-Daw as Daisy Buchanan who will be returning to the stage for the occasion.  

The new role of Principal Character Artist and Assistant Rehearsal Director has been created by outgoing Artistic Director David Nixon OBE. It will support all aspects of Northern Ballet’s productions and will work closely with the Company’s newly appointed Artistic Director Federico Bonelli who takes up his position in early May. 

During his time at Northern Ballet, Hull born Ashley has played many leading roles including Peter (Peter Pan), Mercutio (Romeo & Juliet), Oberon and Demetrius (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Heathcliff and Young Heathcliff (Wuthering Heights), Harker (Dracula), Hamlet (Hamlet) and Mark Antony (Cleopatra). He has danced opposite his wife, First Soloist Rachel Gillespie in many productions including The Nutcracker and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  

To showcase Ashley’s talent for dark and gritty characters, David Nixon created the character of ‘Beast’ for him in his production of Beauty and the Beast, which received glowing reviews from critics and has since become an audience favourite

Ashley said: 

‘It’s been a really difficult decision to make the transition from dancer to ballet staff and it is one that has been in the works for some time. I’ve loved every moment of my career as a dancer but you reach a point where your body tells you to slow down and you have to listen. I’m delighted with this new role which will allow me to utilise the skills and knowledge I have gained throughout my career and impart them on the next generation of dancers, as well as continue to feed my passion for the art form. I’m excited to take on a new part in the creative process and support the Company in its mission to bring narrative ballet to audiences across the UK and beyond.’ 

David Nixon said:

‘Ashley has had a distinguished career at Northern Ballet and is one of those dancers whose talent and abilities were always suited to the Company. Ashley has danced an enormous amount of the repertoire and the creation of the Beast in Beauty and the Beast was a most memorable and rewarding experience for me as both Choreographer and Director. Ashley has always been an exceptional member of the Company, fully engaging in the ethos and cultural environment, his work has been and continues to be an example to all of the incoming members.  

Ashley’s intelligence and personal skills, and his understanding of my work have extended his value beyond the studio and in particular his work with staging and rehearsing my repertoire. I have always had a special place and appreciation for Ashley and I think he can do a wonderful job both as Character Artist on stage and in the studio as a Rehearsal Director. I wish him all the very best.’ 

See Ashley’s final performance in David Nixon’s The Great Gatsby at Edinburgh Festival Theatre on Saturday 23 April. For tickets visit northernballet.com/gatsby 

Hull New Theatre – until 26th March 2022

Reviewed by Catherine McWilliams

4****

Hessle Theatre Company celebrated its centenary in style with a sparkling production of Shrek The Musical at Hull New Theatre. From start to finish this is a show to delight all ages and it was lovely to see so many families at the Theatre.

With book and lyrics by David-Lindsay Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori, Shrek The Musical is based on the Dreamworks Animation Motion Picture and the book by William Steig. Hessle Theatre Company’s production is directed and choreographed by Martin Beaumont with musical direction by Sarah-Lucy Penny.

Shrek The Musical tells the story of an unlikely hero Shrek (Russell Fallon), an ogre who is living happily in his swamp until one day all the fairy tale characters arrive having been thrown out of Duloc by the evil Lord Farquaad (Joe Porte). Shrek sets off to demand that Lord Farquaad gives him his swamp back, meeting a talking Donkey (Harry Owen) on his way to Duloc. Lord Farquaad is desperate to meet and marry a princess and promises Shrek he can have his swamp if he rescues Princess Fiona (Sarah Brodie) from her tower and the dragon that guards her. With the ultimate happy ending but a twist to all those stories of princes rescuing their princess, Shrek The Musical is full of humour and fun.

Russell Fallon’s Shrek is superb, totally deadpan throughout with some classic throw away lines, and physically capturing the lumbering gait of an ogre. Yet he portrays Shrek with great sensitivity and tenderness as he falls in love with Princess Fiona and his rendition of “When Words Fail Me” was beautiful, he has a powerful voice and my word he can hit those notes!

I cannot have been the only one in the theatre who fell in love with Harry Owen’s Donkey, he presented us with an irritating, over- enthusiastic, and totally unputdownable Donkey with a zest for life. It was an utter joy to watch and listen to and the sheer physicality of his performance was outstanding. The double act between Shrek and Donkey was superb, their timing was excellent and they provided a great deal of the humour.

Sarah Brodie played Princess Fiona with just the right amount of feistiness and attitude, a princess not to be messed with! Her face is wonderfully mobile and all Princess Fiona’s emotions were clearly shown. She has a beautiful voice and this performance was wonderful.

Joe Porte created a Lord Farquaad with an arrogance and air of vanity that befits such a catch! From the minute he first appeared on stage he was a delight, with laughs galore to be had at his behaviour.

A big shout out must go to the puppeteers who manipulated the most incredible dragon with its eyelashes fluttering and glittering eyes. I was astonished to read in the programme that the first time they had handled this enormous dragon puppet was just before the dress rehearsal. The dragon is voiced by Georgina Garton and what a magnificent soaring voice she has, full of fierceness. The little boy seated just down from me was clearly enthralled as he booed loudly every time the dragon appeared and was shouting “No, No” as it chased Donkey.

A production such as this requires a large supporting cast and what a talented bunch they are. Harmonies and choreography were tight and slick throughout, a particular highlight for me was Princess Fiona tap dancing with the rats.

The band under the direction of Sarah-Lucy Penny provided an excellent accompaniment to the production.

Shrek The Musical was originally due to be staged in 2020 but due to covid had to be cancelled four weeks before curtain-up. It was certainly well worth the wait to see this production, Shrek The Musical is full of vitality, laughs, and is an utter delight with something for everyone. This cast is superb and has real joie de vivre which shines out from the stage. A treat for all the family.

Congratulations on your centenary Hessle Theatre Company and here’s to your next 100 years!

New Wimbledon Theatre – until 26^th March 2022

Reviewed by Carly Burlinge  

5***** 

When Dewey (Jake Sharp) hits hard times gets thrown out of his rock band and is having cash issues with rent due and people on his back he sees no way out! Then a call arrives for his flatmate Ned (Matthew Rowland) Regarding a position at a High Regarded School looking for a substitute teacher. Before he knows its Hes posing as a fake music teacher at a very posh school whilst trying to keep his identity hidden from the very prim and proper uptight Head Mistress Miss Mullins (Rebecca Lock).  He begins to bring the children out of their shells by teaching them and introducing them to the rock gods of our time. How to make music and how to rock out in the best possible way, seeing as many of the children feel they don’t have a voice it’s the most perfect way for them to express themselves. This only transforming them into one amazing rock band that he wants to take all the way to the Battle of the Bands. 

Jake Sharp as Dewey played his part exceptionally well with such enthusiasm to music. Acting not quite the adult and very childish and cheeky at times. He showed great energy on the stage and went ballistic with his guitar jumping around generally showing us how to rock out! I enjoyed everything about this dude from his actions to his voice just an impressive first-rate performance that had the audience laughing throughout the whole show as well as being very amused and entertained. 

Rebecca Lock as Rosalie Mullins played a very impressive, spectacular pristine and sternly equipped Headteacher. Her performance of Where did the Rock Go was just outstanding to watch, she gripped the audience with her powerful electrifying voice. what a fabulous song that was well accomplished.  

As for the children well, it wouldn’t have been such a spectacular performance without them. The amount of talent that I witnessed in one sitting was just magnificent and marvellous. Amazing Grace performed by Tomika ( Souparnika Nair) just blew me away, with her strong voice at such a young age. Then their rock moves are definitely to be mentioned. I’ve never seen so many children strutting out such fabulous moves, including some fab outfits, bright swinging head banging colourful hair. Followed by exceptional faces they definitely showed you exactly how to Rock on out and have as much fun as possible! Talent was at a definite high. 

This production was just awesome from start to finish.  I can honestly say I was sad to see it end. I definitely was smiling, clapping and joining in through the whole performance such a feel-good show with so much to offer that really shouldn’t be missed.