Month: March 2022

COLLABRO RETURNS TO LONDON WITH A BRAND-NEW CONCERT THIS CHRISTMAS!

·      The world’s most popular musical theatre vocal group have risen to international fame since winning Britain’s Got Talent in 2014 announced a new tour for 2022.

·      Cuffe & Taylor, Lambert Jackson Productions and Live Nation Present Collabro – Christmas is Here UK Tour

Following a sell-out UK Tour, Collabro, the world’s most popular musical theatre vocal group, will return to London’s glittering West End as part of their up and coming UK Tour. Collabro will bring their new concert to the Adelphi Theatre on Tuesday 13th December 2022. 

Tickets for Collabro – Christmas is Here UK Tour at London’s Adelphi Theatre willgo on sale on Friday 25^th March 2022 at 10 AM.

Collabro – Christmas is Here UK Tour will open on Tuesday 29^th November 2022 at Sheffield City Hall before heading to Carlisle, Plymouth, Newcastle, Manchester, Blackpool, Edinburgh, London, Birmingham, Bath.

Collabro – Christmas is Here UK Tour will close on Friday 16^th December 2022 at Portsmouth Guildhall.

Collabro’s international fame has grown since winning Britain’s Got Talent in 2014. With two million record sales, six top-selling albums, five sell-out UK tours, and headline slots at the London Palladium, Wembley Stadium, the O2 Arena, and the Royal Albert Hall, Collabro havegone from strength to strength.

Following the release of their much-loved Christmas album, Christmas is Here; audiences can expect to hear breathtaking renditions of a range of festive classics, from Winter Wonderland to All I Want for Christmas, along with Christmas hymns we all know and love including Silent Night and O Holy Night.

Both the tour and album take their name from Collabro’s original song Christmas is Here, showcasing their pitch-perfect harmonies and providing a poignant reminder of the joy in bringing everyone together again for the Christmas season.

Collabro – Christmas is Here UK Tour will make the perfect gift this Christmas, expect stunning vocals and beautiful arrangements of your best-loved festive classics wrapped up in an intimate evening of stories, fun, laughter, and some very special surprises.

Collabro – Christmas is Here UK is real feel-good treat for theatre lovers and a night not to be missed!

York Theatre Royal Saturday – 19th March 2022

Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

5*****

York drag star, Velma Celli (Ian Stroughair) hit the York Theatre Royal stage on Saturday night for an evening of cabaret. Me and My Divas is a celebration of divas, who have influenced her throughout the years.

From the offset, stepping on the stage belting out Marry the Night, you could tell we were going to be in for a great night. She looked glorious and there was certainly nothing fake about her, well apart from her amazing eyelashes, especially loved the hair. What followed was over 2 ½ hours, including interval, longer than Les Mis, as she kept reminding us, of pure entertainment.

Velma is a born entertainer, funny, full of charm and a talented singer with a belting voice. She has a way with the audience that had us all in the palm of her hand. She has a witty sense of humour, putting her own spin on things, producing some great comedic moments. With a four-piece band accompanying her she worked her way through such artists as Witney, Adele, Ella James, Madonna, Lady Gaga and a hilarious exchange between Miley Cyrus and Sinead O’Connor, plus many more.

Throughout the evening she was supported by three guest entertainers, Twinnie, Gina Murray and Jess Steel. With powerful voices, they paid their own homage to the divas of the past, as well as duets with Velma, each bringing that special something to the evening. Twinnie was engaging, playing her new single “Welcome to the Club”. West End leading lady Gina, who may be petite, but she could belt out those numbers and with her wonderful accents, was a fabulous mimic. Jess, with her glorious red hair, was hilarious. Arriving on stage full of easy chatter, the kind that you have with your mates, had us all in stitches. She is a natural, and then she sang, WOW, what a voice. Her duet of Shallow, from a Star is Born, with Velma was stunning.

One of the highlights of the show for me was Velma’s reverence for two divas that you wouldn’t immediately think of as divas, and only because they are male. Those were Freddie Mercury and David Bowie. Her tribute to both artists gave me goosebumps.

The vocal talent on show was just amazing for the whole evening, a perfect cabaret show. Velma and the girls, had us all up and dancing and certainly deserved the standing ovation they received.

This overindulgent diva fest was a night of escapism, over far too quickly. Just what we need to help lift us, especially in the times we are living in.

Keep an eye out for more Velma Celli shows, you won’t be disappointed, we weren’t!

Crucible Studio Theatre, Sheffield – until 19th March 2022

Reviewed by Sophie Dodworth

4****

The Crucible Studio is small and intimate, which is the perfect place to be able to witness the magic that is Dispatches on the Red Dress. The show stops here for one night only but can be seen at many other venues in March and September this year.

A one woman show, although you wouldn’t believe that when you walk into the auditorium and see five instruments on set, waiting to be played (including the fiddle, viola, banjo and electric guitar) The solo show was first seen by audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2019 and was a big hit, earning writer (co-written by Liam Hurley), performer and director Rowan Rheingans the prestigious Fringe First Award.

Drawn in by the story told in Rowans sweet, calm and endearing voice, we learn about Rowans grandparents In Germany 1940. You are taken around the village in Germany, where her ‘Oma’ and ‘Opa’ still live. You will be treat to a tale about the red dress worn on a night out for her grandma at the dance hall. It delves a little deeper into political matters and hardships at the time and can be quite thought provoking. The story is emotive, haunting and uplifting, leaving you smiling or feeling empathetic throughout. If you close your eyes during the narrative, you will be able to picture everything so clearly in your mind, with the atmosphere created by Rowan.

The show features songs from her album ‘The Lines We Draw Together’, such a lovely selection of well-written, perfectly performed songs. The folk singer is incredibly gifted, being able to sing beautifully, play multiple instruments flawlessly and remember all her lines while doing everything together. There is a very small amount of movement in the show but still is impactful and really adds to the storyline running through.

This show will leave you spell-bound by the multi-talented Rowan

Wilton’s Music Hall – until 9 April 2021

4****

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

It’s not just the nice girls who love a sailor, everybody who has the chance to see this show will fall in love with the ridiculously talented crew of HMS Pinafore. Sasha Regan’s All-Male productions of Gilbert and Sullivan classics have the perfect home in Wilton’s, with the sublime voices and piano accompaniment washing over the audience without need for microphones.

The silly plot involves sailor Ralph Rackstraw (Danny Becker) who loves Josephine (Sam Kipling), his captain’s daughter. Josephine also loves Ralph, but her father (Juan Jackson) has set his mind to her marrying the first lord of the admiralty, Sir Joseph Porter (David McKechnie). Sir Joseph shares his strong views about equality until he finds out about Josephine and the lowly sailor. Being Gilbert and Sullivan, of course there is a hidden truth that is revealed at the last minute to ensure a happy ending in this bonkers comedy about class.

Using just two bunkbeds, metal lockboxes and rope, the cast transform themselves from a WW2 era crew lolling around below deck into the camp and silly Victorian characters on board HMS Pinafore. Lizzie Gee’s delightful choreography gives the jolly tars a chance to show off their physical prowess with joyous glee, and Juan Jackson’s first entrance as Captain Corcoran is hilarious as he competes with his crew to prove his machismo. Jackson and Scott Armstrong as a very Scottish Little Buttercup have brilliant comedic chemistry and light up the stage. The romance between Ralph and Josephine is sweet and Sam Kipling is hilarious as Josephine tries to resist her true feelings. Danny Becker is strong in the hero role, and Sam Kipling’s phenomenal soprano vocals are a wonder to behold. David McKechnie is king of the patter songs, and there’s more than a touch of Leonard Rossiter in his very funny portrayal of the pompous character. Richard Russell Edwards steals the show as Cousin Hebe, with every expression and move cleverly calculated to draw howls of laughter, even when he is just sitting in the background. The clever use of minimal props and Lizzie Gee’s inspired choreography bring the crazy world to life with fantastic physical comedy and director Sasha Regan allowing the tender moments to settle without losing impetus.

The show wouldn’t work without a cast with gorgeous voices, and musical director Ashley Jacobs’ arrangements are pristine. The production will put a smile on your face within minutes, and that smile won’t disappear for a long while after the show. The playful creativity of this production and the talent on stage ensure an evening of escapism, wonder and joy.

Theatre Royal, York – Until 18^th March 2022

Reviewed by Katie Goldsbrough

4****

Here’s What She Said to Me tells the story of 3 generations of African women trying to find the balance between their careers and their families, Each having to make the choice of marrying the man they love and raising a family, or having a successful career. As each battle with whether their decision was the right one, they pass on their knowledge and advice to the next generation. Written by Oladipo Agboluaje, Here’s What She Said to Me gives a unique insight into what it’s like to grow up in a time and place where men can have control over what their families do and women shouldn’t talk back to their fathers or husbands. 

With the three actresses taking on the roles of Grandmother, mother and daughter we follow their journeys across two continents sharing in their joy, grief and tragedy as they look back on what could have been across the decades. 

Beginning with Agbeke played by Anni Domingo we learn of her struggles in her marriage after she successfully gets a scholarship to study in England. We then move on to Omotola played by Oyin Orija who at times struggles to take her mother’s advice and come to terms with the abuse she suffers as a child. Finally, we learn of Aramide played by Lola May who wants to have it all and build her own business in Nigeria where her family is from as well as having a romantic relationship. All three portray multiple characters as we hear their stories, effortlessly moving from one to the other. They all have excellent abilities and a special mention must go to musician Ayan De First who accompanies the story with traditional African music throughout. 

This story is one that deserves to be told, presented by Utopia Theatre who are a prominent voice in African Theatre, encouraging authentic and minimising stereotypes. 

If you get chance I would recommend giving this a go. It gives a great insight into a world a lot of people in the West have little experience of, showing how strong women can be and the difficulties they may face. 

Orange Tree Theatre – until 16^th April 2022

Reviewed By Carly Burlinge  

5***** 

Tom Fool by Franz Xaver Kroetz tells the story of a family going through the notions of life and how things can change drastically when actions that take place in existence arise, but can’t so easily be taken back! Dad Otto (Michael Shaeffer) likes to discuss his working day to his wife Martha (Anna Francolini), who takes it all in with a smile always listening to the big dreams that he has, his irritation of being stuck in a job that doesn’t seem to give him any excitement or purpose in life. This only makes Martha think about her own unhappy existence, which makes her feel so very frustrated as well as trapped! Their son Ludwig (Jonah Rzeskiewicz) who is currently still living at home. Has no space of his own sleeping on the sofa, has no job and would quite happily start up a career in a different role from what his parents think is acceptable. He doesn’t care how he earns his money but his parents won’t let him venture into his own world. They know what’s best for him! As a result, he feels cornered his father Otto has no worries in telling him if he wants or thinks he’s man enough to give orders he can only do this when he earns himself some money! I think it’s safe to say he only wishes to be as far away from his parents as possible. All the above causes friction within the family dynamics and when thing comes to a head.  Will this family be able to continue how they always have done or will changes need to be made in order for survival! 

What a truly compelling performance to watch some outstanding and overwhelming acting that was so up-close and felt personal.  Giving the audience the feeling that they were there in the moment! This production had so many strengths from having the audience at the edges of their seats with some shocking intense and heart-breaking scenes of rage to then experience laughter and love truly unbelievable. 

The lighting and sound were done exceptionally well throughout sad, angry and dramatic parts. Which set the tone and carried the storyline involving the audience to a deeper level. 

This show was magnificent to watch one that got me thinking and a production that shouldn’t be missed – just amazing!! 

An event was held at the SS Great Britain for the cast of Anything Goes (Kerry Ellis (Wicked/We Will Rock You), Simon Callow (Art/Death in Paradise) and Bonnie Langford (EastEnders/9 to 5). 

CASTING ANNOUNCED

JENNIFER SAUNDERS, BEVERLEY KNIGHT

KEALA SETTLE, LESLEY JOSEPH

CLIVE ROWE, LIZZIE BEA

TO STAR IN A NEW PRODUCTION OF 

AT LONDON’S EVENTIM APOLLO

FROM

19 JULY TO 28 AUGUST 2022

The producers of the new production of SISTER ACT THE MUSICAL are delighted to announce casting for the run at London’s Eventim Apollo from Tuesday 19 July to Sunday 28 August 2022.

Jennifer Saunders will star as ‘Mother Superior’ alongside Beverley Knight as ‘Deloris Van Cartier’, Keala Settle as ‘Sister Mary Patrick’, Lesley Joseph as ‘Sister Mary Lazarus’, Clive Rowe as ‘Eddie Souther’ and Lizzie Bea as ‘Sister Mary Robert’.

Producer Jamie Wilson said today “Hallelujah! We are thrilled to be finally sharing the news of this stellar cast and cannot thank audiences enough for their patience and support for the production since we first announced way back in 2019. I am so excited that the immense talents of Jennifer Saunders and Beverley Knight will be leading the company, with the equally talented Keala Settle, Lesley Joseph, Clive Rowe and Lizzie Bea completing our all star principal cast.”

The cast also includes Jeremy Secomb, Graham MacDuff, Tricia Deighton, Lori Haley Fox, Tom Hopcroft, Bradley Judge, Tanya Edwards, Catherine Millsom, Anne Smith, Emma Ralston, Jermaine Woods, Michael Ward and Caroline Bateson. Complete casting to be announced soon.

Jennifer Saunders is a BAFTA award-winning actress, comedian and writer. She is one half of the highly successful and much-loved comedy duo French and Saunders and also wrote and starred in five series, three specials and a feature film of her hit comedy “Absolutely Fabulous”. Her many other TV credits include writing and starring in “Jam and Jerusalem” and guest starring in “Friends” and “Roseanne”. Her film credits include the voice of the evil ‘Fairy Godmother’ in “Shrek 2”. On stage she has appeared in “Lady Windermere’s Fan” at the Vaudeville Theatre and “Blithe Spirit” at Bath Theatre Royal and the Duke of York’s and Harold Pinter theatres in the West End.

Beverley Knight recently received an Olivier nomination for her starring role as ‘Faye Treadwell’ in “The Drifter’s Girl”, which she is currently appearing in at the Garrick Theatre in London’s West End. Beverley can also be seen as a judge on ITV’s highly successful brand new entertainment show “Starstruck”. She is a three-time MOBO Award winner and Mercury Music Prize nominee who has sold over a million albums in the UK, including the platinum selling “Voice: The Best of Beverley Knight”. Her other West End credits include Olivier Award nominated performance as ‘Felicia Farrell’ in “Memphis The Musical”, ‘Rachel Marron’ in “The Bodyguard”, ‘Grizabella’ in “Cats” at The London Palladium and ‘Emmeline Pankhurst’ in “Sylvia” at the Old Vic Theatre. In 2021 she was also seen in Amazon’s live action movie “Cinderella” and in the Channel 4 pilot Big Age.

Tony-Award nominated actress and singer, Keala Settle, is the breakout star of 20th Century Fox’s, “The Greatest Showman”, alongside Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, and Zendaya. The Hawaii native’s performance of the film’s Oscar-nominated song “This Is Me” reached Number One on the UK’s charts for a record-smashing 28 weeks. Her Broadway credits include “Hands on a Hardbody”, “Les Misérables” and “Waitress”. She also featured on Hugh Jackman’s world tour concert “The Man. The Music. The Show.”, performing in Europe, New Zealand, Australia and North America. In December 2017, Keala released her EP Chapter One, a compilation of contemporary and R&B infused covers.

Lesley Joseph is best known for playing ‘Dorien Green’ in the hugely successful sitcom “Birds of a Feather” alongside Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson. They recorded over 100 episodes over a period of nine years. Lesley and her co-stars returned to our screens in “Birds of a Feather in 2013. She has been seen on screen in ITV’s “Night and Day” and appeared on BBC One’s “Strictly Come Dancing” and most recently Channel 4’s “Celebrity Coach Trip” alongside Linda Robson. Lesley’s theatre credits include ‘Miss Hannigan’ in “Annie” at the West End’s Victoria Palace and also on national tour, and her Olivier Award nominated performance as ‘Frau Blucher’ in “Young Frankenstein”. Her other touring credits include “Calendar Girls” and “Hot Flush!”. 

Clive Rowe won the Olivier award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for “Guys and Dolls” at The National Theatre and was also nominated for Best Supporting Performance in “Carousel”,also at The National Theatre. At 2009’s Oliviers, he was nominated for the Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre award for “Mother Goose” at Hackney Empire. His many West End and touring credits include “Ladykillers” at the Gielgud Theatre, “Chicago”at the Adelphi Theatre, “Sweet Charity”at the Donmar Warehouse, the UK tour of “The Wind in The Willows” and “Me and My Girl”at Chichester Festival Theatre.

Lizzie Bea is currently starring as ‘Martha Dunnstock’ in “Heathers The Musical” at The Other Palace. She recently received critical and audience acclaim for her portrayal of ‘Tracy Turnblad’ in “Hairspray” at the London Coliseum. Her other theatre credits include ‘Abigail’ in the World Premiere of “Becoming Nancy” at the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta and performing in the UK Tours of “Kinky Boots”, “Fat Friends the Musical”, “Chicken Little”, “The Shakespeare Revue” and “The 3 Little Pigs”.

Based on the iconic movie, this sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, sisterhood and music tells the hilarious story of the disco diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she won’t be found – a convent! Disguised as a nun and under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. 

SISTER ACT has direction by Bill Buckhurst, choreography by Alistair David, Set Design by Morgan Large, Lighting Design by Tim Mitchell, Sound Design by Tom Marshall and Musical Supervision by Stephen Brooker. Casting is by Stuart Burt. 

SISTER ACT features original music by Tony® and 8-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken(Disney’s Aladdin, Enchanted), lyrics by Glenn Slater, book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner with additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane. SISTER ACT is produced by Jamie Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg.

Beverley Knight will not be appearing at the following performances – Sunday 24 July at 3.00pm, Tuesday 26 July at 7.30pm and Thursday 28 July at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

The Girl on the Train

Full casting and creative team have been announced for the London return of THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN which plays at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate Village, from Wednesday 8 June – Sunday 3 July 2022.

Joining the previously announced Katie Ray (The Mousetrap) as Rachel Watson, are, Tori Hargreaves (Blood Brothers) as Anna Watson, Chrystine Symone (The Magician’s Elephant) as Megan Hipwell, Cavin Cornwall (Star Wars) as D.I. Gaskill, Scott Hume (The Crown) as Scott Hipwell, Kirk Smith (My Only Relative) as Kamal Abdic and Tom Gordon (Romeo and Juliet) as Tom Watson.

Based on the bestselling novel by Paula Hawkins and blockbuster DreamWorks film, this new stage adaption by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel tells the story of Rachel Watson, who longs for a different life, her only escape is the perfect couple she watches through the train window everyday, happy and in love, or so it appears. When Rachel learns that the woman she’s been secretly watching has suddenly disappeared, she finds herself as a witness and even a suspect in a thrilling mystery in which she will face bigger revelations than she could ever have anticipated.

This new production will be directed by Joseph Hodges, with set design by Richard Cooper, lighting design by Seb Blaber, sound design by Sam Glossop, casting by Jay Gardner and produced by Gardner Hodges Entertainment.

Tickets are available from the Upstairs at the Gatehouse box office by phone on 020 8340 3488 or online at www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com.

You can find ‘The Girl on the Train’ on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @GirlonTrainUK

DUE TO PHENOMENAL DEMAND,

THE MULTI-OLIVIER AWARD

NOMINATED

PRODUCTION

OF

LIFE OF PI

EXTENDS BOOKING TO

4 SEPTEMBER 2022

Following its recently announced nine Olivier award nominations, it was announced today (17 March 2022) that public booking for Life of Pi, Lolita Chakrabarti’s dazzling stage adaptation of Yann Martel’s award-winning book, has been extended until 4 September 2022.

Producer Simon Friend said: ‘‘We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we will once again be extending public booking for Life of Pi, and that audiences continue to flock to this unique show. We are also delighted to have been nominated for nine prestigious Olivier Awards, including the first in history to recognise puppeteers – and when you see them in action you’ll see why!’

The Olivier Nominations for Life of Pi are: Best New Play, Best Actor (Hiran Abeysekera), Best Director (Max Webster), Best Set Design (Tim Hatley, Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell), Best Lighting (Tim Lutkin and Andrzej Goulding), Best Sound Design (Carolyn Downing), Best Original Score (Andrew T Mackay), Best Choreographer (Finn Caldwell) and Best Supporting Actor (The Tiger Puppeteers:  Fred Davis, Daisy Franks, Romina Hytten, Tom Larkin, Tom Stacy, Scarlet Wilderink and Habib Nasib Nader).

Hiran Abeysekera takes the central role of Pi, alongside Mina Anwar as Ma, Nicholas Khan as Father, Payal Mistry as Rani, Tom Espiner as Father Martin and Commander Grant-Jones, Raj Ghatak as Mamaji and Pandit-Ji, Syreeta Kumar as Mrs Biology Kumar and ZaidaKhan, David K.S. Tse as Mr Okamoto, Kirsten Foster as Lulu Chen, Habib Nasib Nader as Cook and Voice of Tiger.

They are joined by the Oliver Award-nominated puppeteers: Fred Davis (Tiger Head), Daisy Franks (Tiger Hind), Romina Hytten (Tiger Heart), Tom Larkin (Tiger Head), Tom Stacy (Tiger Hind) and Scarlet Wilderink (Tiger Heart).

Nuwan Hugh Perera is Pi alternate, and understudies are Alex Chang and Deeivya Meir.

The production is directed by Max Webster, Set and Costume designer is Tim Hatley, the Puppet and Movement Director is Finn Caldwell, the Puppet Designers are Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, the Video Designer is Andrzej Goulding, the Lighting Designer is Tim Lutkin, theSound Designer is Carolyn Downing, the Composer is Andrew T Mackay, Dramaturgy is by Jack Bradley, the Casting Director is Polly Jerrold, the Associate Director is Leigh Toney, the Associate Set Designer is Ross Edwards, the Costume Supervisor is Sabrina Cuniberto and the Props Supervisor is Ryan O’Conner.

For all information, please see www.lifeofpionstage.com

Based on one of the best-loved works of fiction – winner of the Man Booker Prize, selling over fifteen million copies worldwide – Life of Pi is a breath-taking new theatrical adaptation of an epic journey of endurance and hope.

After a cargo ship sinks in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, there are five survivors stranded on a single lifeboat – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, a sixteen year-old boy and a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger. Time is against them, nature is harsh, who will survive?

Award winning writer Yann Martel’s works include The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios (1993), Self (1996), We Ate the Children Last (2004), Beatrice and Virgil (2010) – a New York Times Bestseller and a Financial Times Best Book, 101 Letters to a Prime Minister (2012) – a collection of letters to the prime minister of Canada; and The High Mountains of Portugal (2016).  

Lolita Chakrabarti OBE is an award-winning playwright and actress. Her writing credits include: Red Velvet which opened at the Tricycle Theatre in London in 2012, returning in 2014 before transferring to New York and the West End; Red Velvet was nominated for nine major awards including two Olivier Awards. Lolita won the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Most Promising Playwright, The Critics Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright and the AWA Award for Arts and Culture; She adapted Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities for MIF in 2019 a collaboration with 59Productions and Rambert; her play Hymn was live streamed in February 2021 from the Almeida, before opening to audiences later in July; she was dramaturg on Message in a Bottle for ZooNation and Sadler’s Wells; she curated The Greatest Wealth for Old Vic, a series of monologues marking the 70th birthday of the NHS. Acting credits include: Vigil, The Casual Vacancy (BBC),  Riviera, Delicious (Sky), Born to Kill, My Mad Fat Diary (Ch4), Criminal (Netflix), Fanny and Alexander (The Old Vic), Hamlet (RADA). She can soon be seen in Showtrial for the BBC and Wheel of Time for Amazon Prime. 

Max Webster was the inaugural Baylis Director at the Old Vic and is now an Associate Director at the theatre where his work includes Fanny and Alexander, Cover My Tracks and Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax. Selected other stage work includes the forthcoming The Merry Widow (ENO), The Jungle Book (Northampton/Fiery Angel UK tour), The Winter’s Tale (Lyceum, Edinburgh), and King Lear (Royal and Derngate, Northampton/UK tour).

The extraordinary animals are brought to life by Puppet & Movement Director Finn Caldwell, who began his career in the original company of the National Theatre’s international phenomenon War Horse. He is the Artistic Director of his own company Gyre & Gimble, for whom work includes: co-director/puppet designer of The Four Seasons: A Reimagining (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Hartlepool Monkey (UK tour) and The Elephantom (National Theatre & West End). His other work includes: director of puppetry/movement for Angels in America (National Theatre & Broadway), The Light Princess (National Theatre), War Horse (West End & Internationally) and Groundhog Day (Old Vic & Broadway).

Life of Pi is produced by Simon Friend in association with Playing Field and Tulchin/Bartner.

Edwardian Hotels London is proud to be the official hotel partner of Life of Pi in the West End.