PW Productions are delighted to announce the new cast of Susan Hill’s THE WOMAN IN BLACK at The Fortune Theatre, London. Julian Forsyth returns to the production to star as Arthur Kipps and Matthew Spencer reprises his role as The Actor from Tuesday 7 June 2022.
Due to the show’s enduring popularity with young people, the Producers are pleased to offer a free ticket to those aged 18 and under to see the West End production, alongside a full paying adult.
Julian Forsyth is a stage and television actor who first played Arthur Kipps in The Woman in Black in 2010, before reprising the role at the Fortune Theatre in 2014. His theatrical credits include An American In Paris at the Dominion Theatre, Guys and Dolls at the Royal Albert Hall, Sunset Boulevard at the Coliseum, The Go-Between at the Apollo Theatre, Wicked at the Apollo Victoria. His television credits include Father Brown, A Touch of Frost, The Curse of Steptoe, and Holby City.
Matthew Spencer returns to The Woman in Black as The Actor, having first played the role both at The Fortune Theatre and on tour. His other theatrical credits include Amadeus at the National Theatre, Haunting Julia and The Invisible Man both at the Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, 1984 and The Iliad, both at the Almeida, War House at the National Theatre and Nicholas Nickleby at the Gielgud Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre and on tour. He has also appeared on television in My Family and on film in The Man You’re Not.
In June 2019 THE WOMAN IN BLACK celebrated its 30th Anniversary in London’s West End with a special gala performance.
Stephen Mallatratt’s adaptation of Susan Hill’s best-selling novel tells the story of a lawyer obsessed with a curse that he believes has been cast over his family by the spectre of a Woman in Black. He engages a young actor to help him tell his story and exorcise the fear that grips his soul. It begins innocently enough, but as they delve further into his darkest memories, they find themselves caught up in a world of eerie marshes and moaning winds. The borders between make-believe and reality begin to blur and the flesh begins creep.
THE WOMAN IN BLACK is directed by Robin Herford, with designs by Michael Holt and lighting by Kevin Sleep.
On Sunday 17 July 2022, there will be a family-friendly charity football event and concert to raise money for Acting for Others and Sands. Taking place at the New River Sports and Fitness Centre in Wood Green, it will feature celebrities and performers from West End shows who will be playing football and singing in the concert.
Commencing the proceedings will be a short concert at 2.30pm, featuring performances from a host of singers from some of London’s most loved West End shows. Singing at the event will be Emma Kingston (Heathers, Les Misérables), Evie Hoskins (Waitress, Misfits), Kayleigh McKnight (Tina, Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Misérables), Shaq Taylor (Beauty and The Beast), Holly Anne Hull (The Phantom of The Opera, Les Misérables), and Giovanni Spano (The X-Factor, Cinderella), with more names to be announced.
The celebrity football match between West End Charity FC and Sands United FC will then kick off at 3pm. Playing football on the day will be Jamael Westman (Hamilton), Lee Mead (Casualty, Holby City, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat), Luke Kempner (comedian/impersonator), Aaron Sidwell (EastEnders), Courtney Stapleton (Beauty and The Beast), Liam Doyle (Heathers, Wicked, Mamma Mia!), Jon-Scott Clark (Miss Saigon, Hamilton), and Vinny Coyle (Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, Cinderella).
During the half time break, there will be another musical interlude and a raffle to finish off the day once the match concludes.
Gates will open at 1.30pm, the pre-match concert commences at 2.30pm and the football match will kick off at 3pm.
Tickets are priced at £12 for adults and £10 for children and can be purchased here www.ticketsource.co.uk/wecfc
TODAYTIX ANNOUNCES RETURN OF TICKETING CAMPAIGN 25 WEST END SHOWS AT £25
TodayTix today announces the return of 25 West End Shows at £25,their West End theatre ticket campaign where £25 tickets will be available across 25 West End shows. The campaign is dedicated to helping audiences experience the breadth of entertainment available in London’s vibrant theatres by offering the best prices for a wide selection of West End shows. The initiative, which also ran in 2019, will run for just two weeks from 16 May until 29 May 2022.
This year it will include more recent West End productions and 2022 Olivier Award-winning shows such as Back to the Future, Life of Pi, and Anything Goes, alongside classic West End productions and critically acclaimed shows such as Dear Evan Hansen andCome From Away. Other shows included are Cinderella, Come From Away, Get Up, Stand Up, Grease, Jersey Boys, Only Fools and Horses, Sister Act, The Drifters Girl, and The Woman in Black, with more to be announced. Tickets can be booked through the TodayTix website www.todaytix.com.
TodayTix Group Co-Founder and President Merritt Baer today said, “We’re delighted to bring back this initiative again after its great success in 2019 to empower new audiences to see a wide range of excellent theatre. We are keen to re-engage with both locals and visitors, and continue to restore confidence in the industry after the past two years. It’s been immensely rewarding to be able to welcome audiences back to London’s West End at affordable prices.”
TodayTix’s 25 West End Shows at £25 campaign arrives at a time when the capital’s theatres are once again fully reopened and welcoming audiences back to experience live entertainment. Following the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the promotion gives Londoners and visitors the chance to return to the theatre and see West End productions at affordable prices.
The Orange Tree Theatre today announces the full cast for Pierre Marivaux’s The False Servant, translated by Martin Crimp,whose prolific international career began at the Orange Tree Theatre, including the recent hit revival of Dealing with Clair. Before his final season as Artistic Director of the OT, Paul Miller, directs Uzair Bhatti, Will Brown, Julian Moore-Cook, Phoebe Pryce, Lizzy Watts and Silas Wyatt-Barke. The production opens on 13 June, with previews on 8 June, and runs until 23 July, with a livestreamed performance via OT On Screen on Thursday 7 July and available to stream on demand 26-29 July.
THE FALSE SERVANT
by Pierre Marivaux, translated by Martin Crimp
Directed by Paul Miller; Design by Simon Daw; Lighting Design by Mark Doubleday; Sound Design and Composer Liz Purnell; Casting Consultant Vicky Richardson; Costume Supervisor Sarah Frances;
Deputy Stage Manager Julia Crammer; Assistant Stage Manager Jamie Craker
8 June – 23 July
OT On Screen: Thursday 7 July 7.30pm
OT On Screen on demand: 26-29 July
When a man thinks he can cynically take a rich woman’s money and then run off with an even more lucrative potential fiancée, he’d best not tell the fiancée by mistake. Le Chevalier, a woman disguised as the son of an aristocrat, embarks on a plan that will expose the dark heart of this male power-play.
This version by Martin Crimp was acclaimed at its 2004 National Theatre première by The Daily Telegraph: “Thrills, chills, and belly laughs – this addictively adult comedy has got the lot.”
Uzair Bhatti plays Frontin. His theatre credits include East is East (Octagon Theatre); and his television credits include Extraordinary.
Will Brown plays Trivelin. His theatre credits include The Duchess of Malfi, The Fantastic Follies of Mrs Rich (Royal Shakespeare Company), Inheritance Blues (Hightide Festival, Soho Theatre, Sheffield Crucible and West Yorkshire Playhouse), The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe (Redgrave Theatre), Fade (DugOut Theatre), The Journey (Pleasance Theatre). His television credits include The Outlaws, Disability Benefits, The B@IT, The Nevers, Midsomer Murders, Unforgotten, Call the Midwife, Doctor Who, Spotless, and for film; Death of Zygielbojm, HAAR and Extinction.
Julian Moore-Cook returns to the Orange Tree toplay Lelio – he previously performed in While the Sun Shines and The Rolling Stone. His other theatre credits include Translations (National Theatre), The Lieutenant of Innishmore (Noël Coward Theatre), Dublin Carol (The Sherman Theatre), Mother Courage and Her Children (Southwark Playhouse), Three Sisters (Lyric Theatre Belfast), The Beggars Opera (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Our American Cousin (Finborough Theatre), Twelfth Night (Iris Theatre) and ObamAmerica (Theatre503). His television credits include Derry Girls, Kate and Koji, The Peripheral, Endeavour, Peaky Blinders, Benidorm, Shakespeare and Hathaway, 24 and Live Another Day;and for film, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, Ballywalter.
Phoebe Pryce plays Countess. Her theatre credits include The Night Watch, Cash Cow (Hampstead Theatre), The Picture of Dorian Gray (UK tour), About Leo (Jermyn Street Theatre), Passage to India (Park Theatre/UK tour), The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (Octagon Theatre/Theatre Royal York), The Merchant of Venice, The Tempest (Shakespeare’s Globe) and Charlie’s Dark Angel (The Drayton Arms Theatre).Her television credits include The Girlfriend Experience;and for film, The Lost King, The Merchant of Venice and Plus One.
Lizzy Watts returns to the Orange Tree toplay The Chevalier – she previously performed in Dealing with Clair. Her other theatre credits include Either (Hampstead Theatre), Hedda Gabler (Nation Theatre UK tour), Strife (Chichester Festival Theatre), The Angry Brigade (Bush Theatre), God of Chaos, Merit (Theatre Royal Plymouth), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare’s Globe international tour), Blink (Soho Theatre), Twelfth Night (Filter Theatre), Wasted (Roundhouse Theatre), Artefacts (Bush Theatre), The Man (Finborough Theatre) and Eight (Bedlam Theatre). Her television credits include Professor T, Call the Midwife, Endeavour, and The Durrells.
Silas Wyatt-Barke plays Arlequin. His theatre credits include The Prince of Egypt (Dominion Theatre), Twelfth Night (Young Vic), As You Like It (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Much Ado About Nothing (Rose Theatre), Dr Seuss’s The Lorax (The Old Vic), Forty Years On (Chichester Festival Theatre), The Emperor and the Nightingale (Theatre by the Lake), The Go Between (Apollo Theatre), and Sunny Afternoon (Harold Pinter Theatre). His film credits include Benjamin.
Martin Crimp was born in 1956 and began writing for theatre in the 1980s, with many of his early plays produced by the Orange Tree. His plays include When we have sufficiently tortured each other (2019), Men Asleep (2018), The Rest Will be Familiar To You From Cinema, (2013, voted by Germany’s Theater heute best foreign play of the year), In the Republic of Happiness (2012), Play House (2012), The City (2008), Fewer Emergencies (2005, receiving Italy’s Premio Ubu), Cruel and Tender (2004, written for director Luc Bondy), Face to the Wall (2002), The Country (2000), Attempts on her Life (1997), The Treatment (1993, winner of the John Whiting Award), Getting Attention (1992), No One Sees the Video (1991), Play with Repeats (1989), Dealing with Clair (1988) and Definitely the Bahamas (1987). His translations of plays include Botho Strauss’s Gross und Klein (2012), Ionesco’s Rhinoceros (2007), Marivaux’s The False Servant (2004) and The Triumph of Love (1999), Genet’s The Maids (1999), Ionesco’s The Chairs (1997), Koltès’s Roberto Zucco (1997), a new version of Chekhov’s The Seagull (2006), and adaptations of Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac (2019) and Molière’s The Misanthrope (1996). His work has been produced in the UK by the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, Almeida, Young Vic, Barbican, Théâtre de Complicité, the Orange Tree and the Royal Court, and has been translated into many languages and widely produced abroad at venues including the Piccolo Teatro, Milan, the Sala Beckett, Barcelona, the Vienna Festival, the Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord, the Théâtre de la Ville, Berlin’s Schaubühne, Deutsches Schauspielhaus Hamburg, and at the Festival d’Automne in Paris, which presented four of his works in their 2006 season, including his first text for opera, Into the Little Hill, written for George Benjamin. His second collaboration with Benjamin, Written on Skin, had its world premiere at the Aix-en-Provence Festival in 2012, and the third, Lessons in Love and Violence,opened at London’s Royal Opera House in 2018. In 2020 he was awarded the Nyssen-Bansemer Theatre Prize.
Paul Miller is Artistic Director of the Orange Tree where he has directed Terence Rattigan’s While the Sun Shines and French Without Tears (also tour with English Touring Theatre), Bernard Shaw’s How He Lied to Her Husband, Overruled, Candida, Misalliance, The Philanderer and Widowers’ Houses, Jo Clifford’s Losing Venice, Charlotte Jones’ Humble Boy, Lot Vekemans’ Poison, Marivaux’s The Lottery of Love, Somerset Maughan’s Sheppey, Doris Lessing’s Each His Own Wilderness and The Widowing of Mrs Holroyd by DH Lawrence. Between 2009 and 2014 he was an Associate Director at Sheffield Theatres, where his productions included Wonderful Tennessee by Brian Friel, The Winter’s Tale, The Daughter-in-Law by DH Lawrence, Democracy by Michael Frayn (which transferred to The Old Vic), Hamlet with John Simm and True West by Sam Shepard. For the National Theatre he has directed The History Boys (revival for the West End and UK tour), Baby Girl by Roy Williams, DNA by Dennis Kelly, The Miracle by Lin Coghlan, The Enchantment by Victoria Benedictsson, Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads by Roy Williams in the Cottesloe, and The Associate by Simon Bent in The Loft. Other work includes Macbeth (Chichester Festival Theatre); Elling, adapted by Simon Bent (Trafalgar Studios); The History Boys (Center Theatre Group, LA); Total Eclipse by Christopher Hampton (Menier Chocolate Factory); French Without Tears by Terence Rattigan (ETT); Not the Love I Cry For by Robin Hooper (Arcola); A Life in the Theatre by David Mamet (Setagaya Public Theatre, Japan); Sugar Sugar, Goldhawk Road, Bad Company by Simon Bent and Kingfisher Blue by Lin Coghlan (Bush Theatre), Mercy by Lin Coghlan (Soho); The Marriage of Figaro (English Touring Opera at Hackney Empire); Mean Tears by Peter Gill, Accomplices by Simon Bent and Mr England by Richard Bean (Sheffield Theatres); Honeymoon Suite by Richard Bean (Royal Court); Fragile Land by Tanika Gupta (Hampstead); Four Knights in Knaresborough by Paul Webb (UK tour); A Penny for a Song by John Whiting (Oxford Stage Company/Whitehall Theatre); Tragedy: A Tragedy by Will Eno (Gate); Hushabye Mountain by Jonathan Harvey (ETT/Hampstead); Rosmersholm by Ibsen (Southwark Playhouse) and The Robbers by Schiller (Latchmere).
Peter Forbes joins the cast of Jack Absolute Flies Again as the company start rehearsals
Rehearsals start today for Jack Absolute Flies Again, a riotous and comedic new version of Sheridan’s The Rivals, co-written by Richard Bean (One Man, Two Guvnors) and Oliver Chris (Emma) that will play in the Olivier theatre from 2 July.
July 1940. After an aerial dog fight, Pilot Officer Jack Absolute flies home to win the heart of his old flame, Lydia Languish. Back on British soil, Jack’s advances soon turn to anarchy when the young heiress demands to be loved on her own, very particular, terms.
Peter Forbes (Follies) joins the cast as Anthony Absolute alongside the previously announced Laurie Davidson (Cats) as Jack Absolute, Caroline Quentin(Jonathan Creek) as Mrs Malaprop, Natalie Simpson(Three Sisters) as Lydia Languish, Kelvin Fletcher (Emmerdale) as Dudley Scunthorpe and Kerry Howard (Him & Her) as Lucy. James Corrigan, Theo Cowan, Shailan Gohil, Millie Hikasa, George Kemp, Joanne McGuinness, Jordan Metcalfe, Akshay Sharan, Tim Steed, Geoffrey Towers, Shona White and Helena Wilson also join the company.
Director Emily Burns said: “Jack Absolute is a delightfully silly and exuberant refashioning of The Rivals that sends Sheridan’s play barrel-rolling into the Battle of Britain, and the adrenalised hedonism of a summer of life-or-death love. Richard and Oli’s adaptation is a dream to work on – fresh, sharp, joyous and full of heart. I can’t wait to get started.”
Set and costume design is by Mark Thompson, lighting design by Tim Lutkin, composer is Paul Englishby, sound design by Paul Arditti and video and projection design by Jeff Sugg. Physical comedy director is Toby Park and choreography is by Lizzi Gee. Staff director is Cara Nolan.
Jack Absolute Flies Again will be broadcast to cinemas via NT Live on 6 October 2022.
Access performances of Jack Absolute Flies Again
BSL performance: Thursday 28 July at 7.30pm
Sensory Adapted performance: Tuesday 2 August at 7.30pm
Audio-described performances: Friday 5 August, 7.30pm and Saturday 20 August, 2pm preceded by a Touch Tour at 12.30pm
Shakespeare in the Squares today announces the full cast for their fifth anniversary production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Sioned Jones directs Mark Carlisle, Laura Gomez Garcia, Indigo Griffiths, Phyllis Ho, Ellis Kerkhoven, William Shackleton, Wilf Walsworth and Sasha Wilson. The production, which tours to 18 squares across London in the most ambitious season to date, opens on 21 June at Arundel and Ladbroke Gardens, with previews from 15 June, and completes its run on 8 July at Cleveland Square.
Shakespeare in the Squares is now a central fixture in the calendar of Summer outdoor theatre, with each production tailored to the individual garden squares. The company works with the garden committees and other local organisations to create a unique community celebration around the play.
Shakespeare in the Squares presents
The Tempest
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Sioned Jones; Designer Emily Stuart; Music Director Tom Attwood; Movement Director Yarit Dor
Wednesday 15 June – Friday 8 July
“O wonder!
How many goodly creatures are there here!
How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world
That has such people in’t!”
Mark Carlisle plays Alonso. His theatre credits include The Lady Vanishes (Bill Kenwright), Glengarry Glen Ross (Playhouse Theatre), Peter Pan (Northcott Theatre), Once (Phoenix Theatre), The Resistable Rise of Arturo Ui (Duchess Theatre and Chichester), The Arabian Nights (Manchester Library Theatre/Derby Playhouse), Cinderella (Citizens Theatre Glasgow), The Happy Prince (Sherman Theatre), The Jungle Book (Birmingham Stage Company), Hubble Bubble (Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch), Cyrano de Bergerac, Love’s Labour’s Lost (Oxford Shakespeare Company), West Side Story (Pola Jones), The Herbal Bed (RSC), The Crucible (Sheffield Crucible), The Innocents (Greenwich Theatre), Carmen 1936 (Northern Stage Company), Peter and Captain (BAC). His television credits include The Crown, Hard Sun, and Red Dwarf.
Laura Gomez Garcia plays Gonzala/Juno. Her theatre credits include Calamity Jane (The Landmark, Ilfracombe); and her television credits include The Last Leg.
Indigo Griffiths returns to the company to play Miranda – she previously appeared in Romeo and Juliet. Her other theatre credits include Persuasion (UK tour), Peter Pan (Theatre Royal Winchester) and The Mulatto Girl (Nuffield Theatre Southampton). Her television credits include Still So Awkward, The One and Mechanical.
Phyllis Ho plays Ariel/Boatswain. Her theatre credits include The Mozart Question (The Barn Theatre), Life of Pi (Wyndham’s Theatre), Giraffes Can’t Dance (Curve Theatre), The Vagina Monologues (Ugly Duck), Gary’s Not Well (Ragged Trouser Theatre), A Weekend Near Madison (Island Productions) and TheBeggar’s Opera (Seven Tyrants Theatre). Her film credits include Fish, Are You Sleeping? Mr Baggage, The Wilding, and Untold Stories of the ER.
Ellis Kerkhoven plays Prospero. His theatre credits include Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, (Hereford Courtyard Theatre), The Amazons (Covent Garden Theatre Museum), Julius Caesar (Barbican), Silence (Young Vic), Rock ‘n’ Roll (Duke of York’s Theatre), Enchanted (King’s Head Theatre), Storms (Menier Gallery), Fantastic Mr Fox, Charlotte’s Web, PlayMakers, Nursery Crimes (Singapore Repertory Theatre) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Chilworth Manor Open Air). His television credits include Strange, Last Call Correction Facility, My Dearest Darling and Silent Whisper.
William Shackleton plays Antonio/Stefano. His theatre credits include Romeo and Juliet, The Merry Wives of Windsor (UK tour), A Christmas Carol (Germany tour) and Testament (Hope Theatre/UK tour/Chalk Line Theatre). William is also an Associate Artist of Chalk Link Theatre.
Wilf Walsworth plays Ferdinand/Caliban. His theatre credits include Heart of Hammersmith (Lyric Hammersmith), Buried (New York Musical Theatre Festival) and My Mate Dave Died (Edinburgh Fringe). He is currently part of the Lyric Hammersmith’s Springboard actor training programme.
Sasha Wilson plays Sebastia/Trincula. Her theatre credits include Bury The Hatchet (Hope Theatre), Lady Macbeth (Theatre503), Julius Caesar (V&A Museum), Twelfth Night (Southwest Shakespeare Company), and ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore (Lazarus Theatre). She is the Artistic Director of Out of the Forest Theatre.
Sioned Jones directs. She is a theatre-maker and played Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream for the company. As a director, her credits include: Ljubljana Junction (Roborough Studios), Lie Back In Anger, Cocktail Conversation, Madame Life, Christmas Presence (Union Theatre), Basket (Edinburgh Fringe Festival) and Expectations (Oval House) Diff’rent Times (Greenwich Studio) & The Silent Treatment (Summerhall ‘22). As an actress, her West End credits include: Tolstoy, Glorious!, The Letter, Shadowlands, Shakespeare in Love, A Woman of No Importance, National Theatre Credits include: Never So Good, Oedipus, All’s Well that Ends Well, 13, Women Beware Women.
Roustabout Theatre presents the premiere of its stage adaptation of Michael Foreman’s
Dinosaurs and All That Rubbish
A wildly imaginative retelling of this environmental tale,
featuring dancing dinosaurs, rock’n’roll, and a whole lot of riotous fun,
celebrating the 50th anniversary of the ever-popular picture book
Assembly George Square, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 4-21 August 2022 (excl. 15)
followed by an autumn tour of theatre venues and schools
One man’s passionate dream to find his paradise beyond the stars leaves the world in ruins. Can the dinosaurs who sleep deep underground wake up in time to sort out the mess and save Planet Earth?
Expect a riotous hour of dancing dinosaurs, space travel and catchy songs as Roustabout Theatre presents the premiere production of its stage adaptation of Michael Foreman’s classic children’s book, Dinosaurs andAll That Rubbish, at Assembly George Square, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, from 4-21 August 2022 (excl. 15 August). Recommended for ages 3-12.
Michael Foreman’s cautionary environmental tale for children celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, having sold more than 150,000 copies world-wide. The book and theatre adaptation deliver an important message of ecological awareness: the Earth belongs to EVERYONE, not parts of it to certain people but all of it to everyone, to be enjoyed and cared for.
Multi-award-winning writer and illustrator, Michael Foreman,says:“When I wrote, and illustrated, Dinosaurs and All That Rubbish in 1972, it was because of the growing threat to the environment. I never imagined the book would be even more relevant fifty years later, and I am delighted that director Toby Hulse and Roustabout are bringing it to a wider audience.”
Roustabout are proud that this production is sustainable in every way, monitoring their carbon footprint in every area of production including set and costume, travel and marketing. The company is pleased to partner with the charity SEEd (Sustainability and Environmental Education) on this production to support it to do this.
Alongside the underlying green message, Roustabout’s signature silliness will abound in this vibrant musical show which promises to have audiences tapping their toes from start to finish!
Dinosaurs and All That Rubbish is created by Roustabout (Luna, This Island’s Mine). It is directed by Toby Hulse. Casting will be announced shortly. Originally commissioned as a digital production by Watermans, it was shortlisted for Best Theatre for Children, OFFIE Awards 2022. It is produced by arrangement with Penguin Books Ltd, a Penguin Random House company.
Following its Edinburgh Festival Fringe run, Dinosaurs and All That Rubbish will embark on an autumn tour of theatre venues and schools – details to be announced.
Praise for Roustabout’s previous work: “Beguilingly epic” The Guardian, “Appealing, engaging fun” ★★★★The Stage
Venue: Assembly George Square Studio Two, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ
Time: 10:00 (am) Running Time: 60 mins
Dates: 4-21 August 2022 (no show 15 August)
Tickets: Aug 4-5: £7.50 (2 for 1); Aug 6-9,12-14,19-21: £11.50 (£10.50); Aug 10-11,16-18: £9.50 (£8.50)
Bookings: assemblyfestival.com, 0131 623 3030 or Assembly box offices at Assembly Hall and Assembly Roxy, Assembly George Square, Assembly Checkpoint and Assembly Rooms
Humankind has always looked at the heavens and wondered about the night sky. Well before technology made it possible to leave the safety of Earth, however, space exploration had already captured the minds of many people, not only aircraft pilots and scientists but also writers and artists. The strong hold that space travel has always had on the imagination explains why space exploration has been a common and enduring theme in literature and art. But it’s not just the desire to explore that makes us look up – it’s the beauty of mystery of the night sky above us that captivates us.
Last night I saw a brand-new special event – Ilan Eshkeri’s Space Station Earth. Created in collaboration with The European Space Agency, this music event from award-winning composer and show creator Ilan Eshkeri, not only allows the audience to see what an astronaut sees but is also an attempt to create something of the emotional and sensory experience that an astronaut undergoes when leaving the Earth and entering space, through a combination of music and images never seen before.
The show is part of a European tour and last night was to my knowledge the only UK date currently listed. Each show begins with an astronaut sharing their experience live on stage, and last night it was the turn of Tim Peake; in December 2015 Tim became the first British astronaut to visit the International Space Station and conduct a spacewalk during his 6 month mission.
I really enjoyed the Q+A session between Tim and Ilan; Tim shared his unique experience of space travel and described the visceral feeling of space travel. What I found most impactful was his statements regarding what astronauts call “the overview”; the awareness of our blue and green sanctuary, hanging in the blackest black of space, like a jewel. So beautiful. So fragile.
In terms of the show, there is no dialogue or narration; there is a circular narrative journey of sorts and the audience is immersed in sound and visuals. I found it stunning. There are visual juxtapositions that expand and contract your horizons, views that you have never seen before. Comparisons of nebulae and patterns in desert sand. The music swells and surges with a kind of tidal rhythm that takes you along with it. I was moved to tears at certain points. But would struggle to say why.
What I was struck by is that I thought I would learn something about space by going to this show. What it does however, is strike a powerful emotional chord and make the viewer take another look downwards, at the beauty of our home – the Earth.
At the end of the show there was a standing ovation and a special surprise treat for us. We were treated to a performance by Tim Peake on guitar!
The message you leave the show with is essentially an environmental, and possibly, a spiritual one. Like those who visit the European Space station, we cannot just be passengers on Earth. We have to be its crew and take care of it and each other.
I hope that this show becomes more widely available. The emotional impact it has is compelling and I think it could really help in the understanding of why Earth is so precious to us all and how we all have a part to play in taking care of it. We did all come from the same place. We were all born of supernovas. In the words of astronomer Carl Sagan, we are all stardust.
Casting was announced today (16 May 2022) for the Theatre Royal Bath Productions, Birmingham Rep and Kenny Wax revival of Lyric Hammersmith Theatre’s universally acclaimed, sell-out production of BUGSY MALONE which will open at Theatre Royal Bath with performances from 2 July 2022, followed by Birmingham Rep from 27 July 2022. The National Press Night will be on 12 July in Bath.
The tour continues to Newcastle Theatre Royal, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, Leeds Grand Theatre, Glasgow Theatre Royal, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Oxford Playhouse, Sheffield Lyceum Theatre, Leicester Curve, Milton Keynes Theatre, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Hull New Theatre, Nottingham Theatre Royal, Manchester Opera House, Edinburgh Playhouse, Southend Cliffs Pavilion, Cardiff’s Wales Millennium Centre and Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury with more venues to be announced.
The world-famous musical BUGSY MALONE is based on the hit 1976 movie by Alan Parker who’s long catalogue of films have won nineteen BAFTA® awards, ten Golden Globes® and six Oscars®. Packed with instantly recognisable songs from Oscar®-winner Paul Williams including My Name is Tallulah, You Give A Little Loveand Fat Sam’s Grand Slam, BUGSY MALONE is a masterclass of musical comedy with one of the most joyously uplifting finales in musical theatre.
The lead roles will be performed by three young casts of seven in rotation. Bugsy Malone will be played by Shaun Sharma, Gabriel Payne and Amar Blackman, Blousey Brown by Mia Lakha,Delilah Bennett-Cardy and Avive Williams, Fat Sam by Albie Snelson, Isham Sankoh and Charlie Burns, Tallulah by Taziva-Faye Katsande, Jasmine Sakyiama and Fayth Ifil, Fizzy by Aidan Oti, Jamie Northey-Dennis and one performer yet to be announced, Lena/Babyface by Cherry Mitra, Kayla-Mai Alvares and Ava Hope Smith and Dandy Dan by Rayhaan Kufuor-Gray, Kit Cranston and Desmond Cole.
They are joined by adult ensemble members: Georgia Pemberton, Alisha Capon, Lucy Young, D’Mia Lindsay Walker, Jessica Daugrida, Alicia Ally, Alicia Belgarde, Esme Bacalla-Hayes, Luchia Moss, Kalifa Burton, Rory Fraser, Andile Mabhena, Thomas Walton, Ru Fisher, Mohamed Bangura, Marcus Billany, Luke Mills and Will Lucas.
Directed by Sean Holmes (Holmes’ Hammersmith Lyric production of Blasted won an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre), Choreographed by Olivier Award-winning Drew McOnie, and Designed by multi award-winning international stage designer Jon Bausor, this will be the first ever professional production of BUGSY MALONE to tour the U.K. and star a young company of thirty nine actors (including three teams of seven kids).
Joining Sean, Drew and Jon on the creative team for this ambitious production are Franny-Anne Rafferty (Associate Director), Phil Bateman (Musical Supervisor, Arranger and Orchestrator), Phil Gladwell (Lighting Designer), Ben Harrison (Sound Designer), Leanne Pinder (Associate Choreographer), Verity Noughton (Casting Director for the unders), Will Burton (Casting Director for the overs), Susannah Peretz (Wig Designer).
Prohibition era, New York. A city full of mobsters, showgirls and dreamers. Rival gangster bosses Fat Sam and Dandy Dan are at loggerheads. The custard pies are flying and Dandy Dan’s gang has gotten the upper hand since obtaining the new-fangled “splurge” gun. Now, Fat Sam and his bumbling buffoons are in real trouble!
Enter Bugsy Malone, a penniless one-time boxer and all-round nice guy, thrust not-so-willingly into the gangster limelight when he becomes the last resort for Fat Sam’s hapless hoodlums. All Bugsy really wants to do is spend time with his new love, Blousey, but that just isn’t on the cards for our hero.
Will Bugsy be able to resist seductive songstress Tallulah, Fat Sam’s moll and Bugsy’s old flame, and stay out of trouble long enough to help Fat Sam to defend his business…?
Alan Parker’s world-famous 1976 movie BUGSY MALONE launched the careers of Jodie Foster and Scott Baio and received eight BAFTA® nominations and three Golden Globe® nominations including Best Motion Picture for a Musical.
Theatre Royal Bath Productions, Birmingham Rep and Kenny Wax present the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre production of BUGSY MALONE. Play by Alan Parker and Words and Music by Paul Williams. Director Sean Holmes, Choreographer Drew McOnie, Designer Jon Bausor, Musical Supervisor and Arranger Phil Bateman.
FOURTH WALL LIVE ANNOUNCES AN ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE OF
JEREMY JORDAN
LIVE IN LONDON
AT THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE
NOW ON
MONDAY 29 AUGUST AND TUESDAY 30 AUGUST
AT 7.30PM
Fourth Wall Live is delighted to announce an additional performance of Jeremy Jordan’s solo show, live in London at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Tuesday 30 August following phenomenal demand for the originally announced Monday 29 August performance. Tickets will go on general sale for both performances on Tuesday 17 May at 10.00am.
JEREMY JORDAN is a Broadway performer who is best known for Newsies (Tony, Grammy, Drama Desk nominations), Bonnie and Clyde (Theatre World Award), American Son, Little Shop of Horrors, West Side Story, Waitress and Rock of Ages. On television he has appeared as a series regular on Supergirl, Smash, and Disney’s Tangled. His film credits include The Last 5 Years, Joyful Noise, American Son, Newsies. He will soon star as the tenacious record industry giant, Neil Bogart, in the upcoming feature film, Spinning Gold. Jeremy is also a singer-songwriter whose concerts and cabaret shows have won awards and acclaim worldwide.
