Month: July 2022

Blackpool opera House – until 9 July 2022

Reviewed by Debra Skelton

3***

Bat Out of Hell the Musical makes no bones about what it wants to be: a spectacular two hours of escapism. By staying just the right side of pretentious, and with a nod and wink to the audience and excellent performances, it pulls it off triumphantly

In truth, it’s smashing stuff, right up there with We Will Rock You for sheer energy, a cracking soundtrack – and a story that is, in all honesty, a distant second to the music.

Now in its 5th year, and now more poignantly as we lost both Jim Steinman (2021) and Meatloaf (2022), this show continues to find new fans to join with the die hard ‘Loafers’. Producer Michael Cohl said of the tour: “We’ve all been through a lot these past 15 months and we now need a really good night out with friends and family. Bat Out Of Hell will give you the most fun night you can have in the UK and Ireland this year (with your clothes on)!

Set in the post-apocalyptic fictional city of Obsidian (a comic book-like Manhattan) in the year 2030 after the “chemical wars” that have rendered a select group of teenage street people mutants, forever frozen at age 18, Strat (Glenn Adamson – American Idiot), the leader of these co-ed “lost boys” dubbed “the lost”, falls for Raven (Martha Kirby – Grease), the Rapunzel-like daughter of the teens’ foe Falco (Rob Fowler), a “tyrannical leader”, and his unsatisfied housewife, Sloane (Franziska Schuster).

Tink (Killian Thomas Lefevre), our Tinkerbell, a jealous tween in love with Strat; Zahara (Joel Moses) one of “the lost” with a day job as Falco and Sloane’s maid; and Jagwire (James Chisolm), her unrequited lover, all nonsensically figure in the story reverse-engineered, “Mamma Mia!”-style, for the purpose of using as many beloved rock anthems from the “Bat Out of Hell” albums as possible.

The silver lining of “Bat Out of Hell” is that the cast is superbly talented and the music sounds incredible—the duet “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” is a highlight—performed with an explosive energy that rocks the auditorium.

At the end of the day, that is this musical’s raison d’etre: to give fans of the albums a chance to hear the songs they love performed well within the loose framework of a story in line with its musical aesthetic and sensibility. On this mark, “Bat Out of Hell” knocks it out of the park. The standing ovation at the end was testament to the genuine joy this show brings.

KING’S HEAD THEATRE ANNOUNCES SUMMER SEASON OF PLAYS

BOYS! BOYS! BOYS!

Bi-boys, bad-boys, biographies and bodies…

https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on

Artistic Director Mark Ravenhill and the whole team at the King’s Head Theatre are pleased to announce details of BOYS! BOYS! BOYS!, the summer season of writer/performer plays running in rep from 2 August to 10 September. Whilst thematically each play centres on male experience, each one is produced or directed by women, and the majority are performed or produced by LGBTQ+ creatives.

Producer Sofi Berenger said, “When we started to talk about putting the Boys! Boys! Boys! Season together, it was important that the shows were reflective of the way King’s Head Theatre works. Womxn in key creative roles are still hugely underrepresented in the work that gets put on and this is certainly true in the producing and directing fields. As well as producing my own play independently, I have an absolute powerhouse of other female producers and creatives presenting work this season who I am extremely privileged to work alongside – on this season and future productions we have planned at Kings Head Theatre.”

BI BI BAILEIGH

“A husband, some kids, a few animals and a quaint little cottage just south of the A35.” That’s all veterinary student Baileigh has ever wanted. Until a one-night stand makes him question the future he’s always had his heart on. Bi Bi Baileigh is a “heart-warming”, comedic Essex story about the navigation of love and how the plans you’ve been stuck on may not be the plans that fit you best.

Following its sold out run at the Harlow Playhouse and Brighton Pride 2022 run, Baileigh is back and making his London Debut. Written by Isaac Verrall and presented by Madison Parker and Jess Smith in association with The 5 O’Clock Club Ltd.

Producers Madison Parker and Jess Smith are Creative Producing MA students at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, with Madison currently on placement at the King’s Head Theatre and Stage One’s Bridge the Gap programme. Madison is managing director of The 5 O’Clock Club, a new production company which has produced Sophie Ben and other problems (Chiswick Playhouse), Everything is grand and I’m completely okay (The Hope Theatre) and F*CKBOYS (Brighton Fringe). Jess production & stage manages and is currently on placement with Jonathan Church Productions Ltd.

Director Izzy Edwards is a director and producer, currently Creative Producing MFA student at Royal Central School of Speech & Drama and producing coordinator at the Kings Head Theatre. She has created work as a director, dramaturg, and producer in venues across the UK and New York including Ashley Everhart; Only Time (The Tank), Stupid F*cking Bird (Shelter Studios), A Dog Dies (NYU Tisch), and F*CKBOYS (Brighton Fringe). She is the Executive Director of Little Match Theatre, a dramaturg collective and new work development programme for emerging artists across the UK.  

MEDIOCRE WHITE MALE

They say that as you get older, time sort of… speeds up. Well, it doesn’t feel like that for me…not here…

It’s been years since high school, since everyone left for uni, since starting the summer job that’s never ended… and since you.

These days, you can’t even say hello to the new girl without offending her. Apparently it’s a generational thing. I would say I’m the same generation… I’m in my late 20’s… essentially.

Things change? Yeah, well, some of us are sick of change. Change is a thief.

What about me? What about us? I think people forget about the people that stay.

A searing portrait of male anger, fragility and vulnerability, and about being left behind in a small community. Mediocre White Male unpacks what it means to feel abandoned as the world changes and confused in the face of a progressive agenda you don’t fully understand.

Following a sold-out ★★★★★ (Broadway World, Gonzo Magazine) run at Edinburgh Fringe 2021, Mediocre White Male was scheduled to play VAULT Festival’s largest space The Crescent before the festival was cancelled in 2022. It has subsequently toured and performed as part of Park Theatre’s Come What May festival.

Delivering a ★★★★ “captivating performance” – Scottish Daily Mail, co-writer/performer Will Close (Dave Comedy Award winner) takes to stage to re-live ancient history, the recent past and present lies. It’s time to face up to some uncomfortable truths.

Producer Sofi Berenger is a Stage One alumni and independently produces through her companies Metal Rabbit Productions & Wound Up Theatre. She has produced over 40 shows in her career, including Cuckoo (Soho Theatre), United Queendom (Les Enfants Terribles at Kensington Palace), Bismillah!, and upcoming The Prince (Southwark Playhouse). She is also the producer at Kings Head Theatre and chairwoman of Iris Theatre.

QUENTIN CRISP : NAKED HOPE

Mark Farrelly brings his highly acclaimed solo play to the King’s Head, where Quentin Crisp himself gave his first stage performances in 1975.

From a conventional upbringing to global notoriety via The Naked Civil Servant, Quentin Crisp was one of the most memorable figures of the twentieth century. Openly gay as early as the 1930s, Quentin spent decades being beaten up on London’s streets for refusing to be anything less than himself. His courage, and the philosophy that evolved from those experiences, inspire to the present day.

Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope debuted at the Edinburgh Festival 2014 and has toured constantly ever since, recently reaching its 150th performance.

Director Linda Marlowe is an acting legend of stage and screen. Famed for her long-running collaboration with Steven Berkoff, she is a prolific solo performer, and has appeared in everything from EastEnders to Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy opposite Gary Oldman.

JARMAN

A mighty spirit is about to reawaken. Yours.

Derek Jarman: film-maker, painter, gardener at Prospect Cottage, activist, writer…his influence remains as strong as it was on the day AIDS killed him in 1994. But his story, one of the most extraordinary lives ever lived, has never been told. Until now.

This vibrant new solo play also from Mark Farrelly brings Derek back into being for a passionate, daring reminder of the courage it takes to truly live while you’re alive. A journey from Dungeness to deepest, brightest Soho and into the heart of one of our most iconoclastic artists.

Jarman is the first dramatic recreation of the life of the iconic painter, gardener, writer, film-maker and activist Derek Jarman (1942 – 1994). First performed in 2021, the show has been touring the UK, keeping Derek’s spirit vividly alive, and raising funds for the Terrence Higgins Trust.

Director Sarah-Louise Young is an immensely prolific theatre maker, having created and performed numerous hit shows, including Cabaret Whore, Julie Madly Deeply and An Evening Without Kate Bush. Her new solo play The Silent Treatment debuts at the Edinburgh Festival this year.

BRAWN

What if the lads at work poke fun at you for your chicken legs? What if the girl of your dreams goes off with popular lad James Robinson? What if you’re sick to death of looking in the mirror and hating what you see?

You get ripped, that’s what.

Locked away in his dad’s garage Ryan puts  his body through a gruelling regime – determined to bulk and cut, until he reaches perfection.

Christopher Wollaton’s one man show explores themes of body image and mental health issues in men. The show returns to the King’s Head Theatre after a sell-out run in 2019. Brawn has also successfully performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (2018), Brighton Fringe Festival (2017/18) and toured nationally, including the Oxford Playhouse and Harrogate Theatre in 2017. 

Producer Zoe Weldon is an independent producer and Stage One alumni. She has worked across the West End and Fringe on productions such as Instructions for a Teenage Armageddon (Southwark Playhouse), Tender Napalm and Jew…ish (King’s Head Theatre), Cassie & the Lights (VAULT & Adelaide Festivals) and CHUTNEY (Bunker Theatre). She is an associate producer at King’s Head Theatre and Rifco Theatre.

Mark Ravenhill said, “This season features some shows which have had many previous runs but with companies excited to perform to new audiences, others are new and coming to London for the first time. Some are celebrating queer icons and exploring LGBTQ+ history, others are looking at toxic masculinity and mental health. But all are exploring the male experience and many different representations of masculinity.”

The King’s Head Theatre was established in 1970. Passionate about great theatre, it is known for its challenging work and support of early career artists. KHT is committed to fighting prejudice through the work it stages, and the artists and staff it works with. The team believes in fair pay for all on the fringe and create accessible routes for early career artists to stage their work – work they are passionate about.

NEW CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

TONY & OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING SMASH HIT MUSICAL

JERSEY BOYS

AT THE TRAFALGAR THEATRE, LONDON’S WEST END

The producers and creative team are delighted to announce that Luke Suri, who is currently playing alternate Frankie Valli on the UK and Ireland tour, will make his West End debut as Frankie Valli in the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning smash hit musical JERSEY BOYS on 27 July 2022.  The show is now booking to 30 April 2023. 

Luke joins current stars Adam Bailey as Bob Gaudio, Karl James Wilson as Nick Massiand Benjamin Yates as Tommy De Vito.

Other new cast members include Joey Cornish as Joe Pesci, Kevin Fullinick as Barry Belson, Matthew Goodgame as Gyp De Carlo, Danny Knott as Swing, Gracie Lai as Lorraine, Carolyn Maitland as Mary Delgado, Rosie Needham as Francine, Tom Oliver as Norm Waxman/Hank Majewski and Joseph Peters as Bob Crewe. They join remaining cast members Elliot Allinson, Jack Campbell, Huon Mackley, Bonnie Page and Andy Smith.

The musical opened to rave reviews at the new multi-million pound reinstated Trafalgar Theatre on 28 July 2021.

JERSEY BOYS is written byMarshall Brickman & Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe.

Go behind the music and inside the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in the Tony and Olivier Award-winning, true-life phenomenon, JERSEY BOYS. They were just four guys from New Jersey, until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard… and the radio just couldn’t get enough of. But while their harmonies were perfect onstage, off stage it was a very different story—a story that has made them an international sensation all over again. From the streets of New Jersey to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this is the musical that’s too good to be true.  The show is packed with their hits, including Beggin’, Sherry, Walk Like A Man, December, 1963 (Oh What a Night), Big Girls Don’t Cry, My Eyes Adored You, Let’s Hang On (To What We’ve Got), Bye Bye Baby, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Working My Way Back to You, Fallen Angel, Rag Doll and Who Loves You.   

Recipient of Broadway’s Tony, London’s Olivier and Australia’s Helpmann Awards for Best New Musical, JERSEY BOYS is the winner of 65 major awards and has been seen by over 30 million people worldwide. 

JERSEY BOYS originally opened in New York on 6 November 2005 and, by the time it closed over 11 years later on 15 January 2017, it was the 12^th longest running show in Broadway history.  It first ran in London’s West End from 18 March 2008 to 26 March 2017 – nine amazing years – and, at the time, was the sixth longest musical running in the West End.

JERSEY BOYS is now on its third UK & Ireland Tour through to April 2023, having previously played two record-breaking UK and Ireland Tours from 2014 to 2016 and from 2017 to 2019.

JERSEY BOYS returned to New York with a new production in November 2017 running until 22 May 2022. The JERSEY BOYS US National Tour continues to break house records in cities across North America. JERSEY BOYS can also be seen on board the Norwegian Bliss.

JERSEY BOYS at the Trafalgar Theatre is staged by the original Broadway creative team, led by the Tony Award-winning team of director Des McAnuff and choreographer Sergio Trujillo, with scenic design by Klara Zieglerova, costume design by Jess Goldstein, lighting by Howell Binkley, sound by Steve Canyon Kennedy and projections design by Michael Clark.  The orchestrations are by Steve Orich and the music supervision and vocal arrangements by Ron Melrose.  Casting Director  is Jill Green CDG.

JERSEY BOYS is produced in London by the Dodgers and Trafalgar Theatre Productions, with BB Investments, Kevin Kinsella, Pelican Group in association with Latitude Link and Eilene Davidson Productions.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Trafalgar Theatre

14 Whitehall

London SW1A 2DY

Website: www.jerseyboysmusical.co.uk

Facebook: @JerseyBoysLondon

Twitter & Instagram: @JerseyBoysUK

Box Office: 0333 009 6690 (calls cost 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge)

JERSEY BOYS

Current booking period: 30 April 2023

Performances:

Monday – Saturday 7.30pm with no performance on Tuesday evening

Thursday and Saturday 2.30pm

Sunday 4pm

Christmas 2022/23 Performance Schedule

Monday 19 December             7.30pm

Tuesday 20 December            No performance

Wednesday 21 December       2.30pm & 7.30pm

Thursday 22 December          2.30pm & 7.30pm

Friday 23 December               7.30pm

Saturday 24 December           2.30pm

Sunday 25 December             No Performance

Monday 26 December             No Performance

Tuesday 27 December            2.30pm & 7.30pm

Wednesday 28 December       2.30pm & 7.30pm

Thursday 29 December          7.30pm

Friday 30 December               2.30pm & 7.30pm

Saturday 31 December           2.30pm

Sunday 1 January                   No Performance

Monday 2 January                   2.30pm & 7.30pm

Tuesday 3 January                  No Performance

Wednesday 4 January             7.30pm

Thursday 5 January                2.30pm & 7.30pm

Friday 6 January                     7.30pm

Saturday 7 January                 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Sunday 8 January                   4pm

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – until 16th July 2022

Reviewed by Sally Lumley

4****

Jersey Boys brings hit after hit to the Mayflower this week in a toe-tapping show that has something for everyone.

Jersey Boys tells the story of how four ordinary boys from New Jersey became the chart topping Four Seasons. Nothing is held back as we see the life of crime the boys were so determined to escape, the family heartbreak that came as the price of fame, and the band dynamics that ultimately pushed them apart. This serves to set each of their hits in context, and the rollercoaster drama of what was happening in their lives strikes a sharp contrast to the bright pop songs that intersperse it.

The boys themselves were played by Michael Pickering (Frankie Valli), Dalton Wood (Tommy DeVito), Norton James (Nick Massi) and Dougie Carter (Bob Gaudio). Pickering is perfection as Valli, pulling off his signature falsetto voice with ease and hitting every high note with confidence. Wood brings a menacing charisma to the role of Tommy, the driving force of the band, unable in the end to shake off his past. The brotherly bond that brings the boys together is completely believable, and the audience is rooting for their friendship right up until the end of the show.

All four boys had the dance moves completely in sync and the harmonies were absolutely on point throughout. We found out afterwards that a number of swings and understudies were covering parts, but we would never have known as the show was completely seamless so huge praise to all of them – they absolutely smashed it.

The staging is minimal but is used to great effect. A drummer on stage for nearly the whole show drives music as the beating heart of the story, and the audience is treated to hit after hit, such as Bye Bye Baby, Sherry, Walk Like a Man, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You and many, many more. By the end of the show the whole theatre was on their feet – Oh what a night!

FULL CAST NOW ANNOUNCED FOR

PLUS AN ADDITIONAL MATINEE PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN ADDED ON 2 AUGUST 2022

AT THE ICONIC THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE

The hotly anticipated Chess the Musical in Concert will add an additional matinee performance to its chequerboard, on Tuesday 2 August, due to popular demand. The first announced date sold out in 7 days, so there will now be a total of three performances of the iconic production.

Full casting is also announced for the production as listed below;

 Samantha Barks (Frozen, Les Misérables) as Florence, Hadley Fraser (2:22 A Ghost Story, City of Angels) as Anatoly, Joel Harper-Jackson as Freddie (Cock, Kinky Boots), Frances Mayli McCann (Bonnie and Clyde, Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour) as Svetlana and Ako Mitchell (Caroline Or Change, The Colour Purple) as The Arbiter are joined by Craige Els (Matilda the Musical, The Imitation Game) as Molokov.

Completing the ensemble is Joshua Robinson who will join the previously announced Joseph Craig, Darius J James, Aoife Kenny, Jessica Lee, Nick Len, Natasha May-Thomas, Alice Readie, Stuart Rouse, Phoebe Samuel-Gray, Grant Thresh and Libby Watts.

Chess, with music by ABBA legends Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and lyrics by the incomparable Sir Tim Rice, returns to the West End for the first time since 2018, as part of three star-led musical concerts. They will be accompanied by both the London Musical Theatre Orchestra as well as the London Musical Theatre Chorus and will be presented at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane this August.

Chess’s creative team are as follows; Director and Choreographer: Nick Winston, Associate Director and Choreographer: Alexzandra Sarmiento, Musical Director: Freddie Tapner, Designer: Ruth Sutcliffe, Lighting Designer: Ben Cracknell, Sound Designer: Tom Marshall, Video Projection Designer: Duncan McLean, Casting: Harry Blumenau and Lighting Programmer: Chris Winn, Assistant Director & Choreographer: Tara Young, Production Manager: Pete Kramer, Company Stage Manager: Rachael Downey, Deputy Stage Manager: Bryony Relf, Costume Supervisor: Stephen Frosdick, Sound 1: Harry Greatorex, Sound 2: Olly Smith, Production Sound Engineer: Josh Richardson, Chorus Master: Dan Turek and Assistant Musical Director: Honor Halford-MacLeod.

Chess the Musical in Concert is part of three concerts presented in August at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. It precedes concert stagings of Kinky Boots the Musical in Concert on 8 and 9 August and Treason the Musical in Concert on 22 and 23 August.

JMK TRUST ANNOUNCES SHORTLIST FOR THE

2022 JMK AWARD

The JMK Trust today announces the shortlisted directors, and the designers they are partnered with, for this year’s JMK Award – Emily Aboud, Joanna Bowman, Emerald Crankson, Leo Doulton, Dale Edwards, Masha Kevinovna, Indiana Lown-Collins and Elsie Yager. Presented in partnership with the Orange Tree Theatre, the winning director will stage their production there this Autumn as part of Paul Miller’s final season at the venue.  The winner will be announced on 13 July at the Orange Tree.

The shortlisted directors/designers and their chosen productions are:

·                  Emily Aboud (she/they) with their production of Meetings by Mustapha Matura. Designer: Anna Reid (she/her)

·                  Joanna Bowman (she/her) with her production of Crave by Sarah Kane. Designer: Alisa Kalyanova (she/her)

·                  Emerald Crankson (she/her) with her production of Swallow by Stef Smith. Designer: Zoe Hurwitz (she/her)

·                  Leo Doulton (he/him) with his production of Nightwatchman by Prasanna Puwunarajah. Designer: Charley Ipsen (they/them)

·                  Dale Edwards (he/him) with his production of hang by debbie tucker green. Designer: Caitlin Mawhinney (she/her)

·                  Masha Kevinovna (she/her) with her production of Crave by Sarah Kane. Designer: Cara Evans (she/they)

·                  Indiana Lown-Collins (she/her) with her production of The Solid Life of Sugar Water by Jack Thorne. Designer: Ica Niemz (he/they)

·                  Elsie Yager (she/her) with her production of Swallow by Stef Smith. Designer: TK Hay (he/him)

Stephen Fewell, Chair of the JMK Trust, said today, “This year’s shortlisted directors represent some of the most exciting directors across the country, and we’re faced with the considerable challenge of choosing to promote the work of just one, when they are all so deserving of career success. At this time, when venues are finding their feet and their audiences again, we hope that by announcing this shortlist each and every one of them will attract interest and work opportunities. Of course, the winner receives a full production and the support of our host venue The Orange Tree Theatre, who already do so much to support and promote early career artists.”

The JMK Trust was founded in memory of James Menzies-Kitchin, a young director of great promise who died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 28, to give opportunities to theatre directors of similar ability and vision. Each year it gives one prestigious award to enable an outstanding applicant aged 35 or under to create their own production of their choice of classic text. Its intensive development and selection process has itself given powerful impetus to the best theatre practitioners of the future. Previous winners have become major players in British theatre, including Thea Sharrock, Orla O’Loughlin, Bijan Sheibani, Joe Hill-Gibbins, Natalie Abrahami, Roy Alexander Weise and Polly Findlay.

The expanding National Directors Programme provides year-round training, mentoring, bursaries and support for directors of all ages. The current partners in the programme are Bristol Old Vic, HOME in Manchester, Royal and Derngate Northampton, Wiltshire Creative, Traverse Edinburgh, Birmingham Rep, Northern Stage, New Vic Stoke, Nottingham Playhouse, Reading Rep, and Leeds Playhouse. The programme at each partner venue is run by the JMK Trust’s Director Practitioners – who are established, locally-based directors. They curate a free programme of workshops for their region, working with their nearest partner venues to tailor the work to the needs of local directors. An essential network seeking talent from across the UK, the Programme feeds into the JMK Award, enabling a truly national reach.

THE JMK AWARD-WINNING PRODUCTION

An Orange Tree Theatre Production in association with The JMK Award

15 October – 12 November 2022

OT On Screen: 15 – 18 November
A brand-new production from an emerging theatrical talent. The winner and play will be announced on 13 July 2022. Tickets are now on sale via: https://orangetreetheatre.co.uk/

The OT produced the JMK Award-winning production for the first time in 2019 with Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu directing a critically acclaimed production of Little Baby Jesus by Arinzé Kene. 

The JMK Trust gives opportunities to young theatre directors of similar ability and vision, allowing one such director a year to stage their own professional production of their choice of play. Last year saw Diane Page directing Athol Fugard’s Statements After An Arrest Under The Immorality Act. 

Supporters

The JMK Award is supported by the Martin Bowley Charitable Trust, the Katie Bradford Arts Trust, The Leche Trust, The Garrick Charitable Trust, and other individual donors.

For further information on how to support the Trust, please see: http://www.jmktrust.org/support-us/

Patrons

Tom Morris OBE (Founding Chair), Clare Menzies-Kitchin MBE, Dame Judi Dench, Baroness Howe and Sir Ian McKellen.

Trustees

Justin Audibert, Stephen Fewell (Chair), Robert Gill (Secretary), Christopher Haydon, Cordelia O’Neill, Lucy Popescu and Mark Rosenblatt (Vice Chair).

www.jmktrust.org

Twitter: @JMKTrust1

Facebook: /jmktrust

FOLLOWING THE HUGE SUCCESS OF ITV DRAMA ‘GRACE’

JOSHUA ANDREWS AND PETER JAMES

ANNOUNCE THE WORLD STAGE PREMIERE & UK TOUR OF

‘WISH YOU WERE DEAD’

TICKETS ON SALE FROM PETERJAMES.COM

Following the critically acclaimed smash-hit primetime ITV series ‘Grace‘, based on the best-selling novels by the UK’s number one crime author Peter James, producer Joshua Andrews is delighted to announce the world stage premiere of James’ novel ‘Wish You Were Dead‘ – featuring DSI Roy Grace.

This will be the sixth stage adaptation of James’ best-selling novels – making it the most successful crime thriller stage franchise since Agatha Christie.

Adapted exclusively for the stage, the world premiere of ‘Wish You Were Dead‘ will kick off a major five-month nationwide UK tour in February 2023 at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley. The production will then travel to theatres across the country until late July. Tickets are on sale now from PeterJames.com, with further dates to be announced soon.

Peter James said: “I have always loved live theatre, so it’s been thrilling to watch how much audiences around the UK have loved the plays. Theatre and the escapism it provides us all is so important – particularly now. Inside the safe cocoon of a theatre, audiences love to be on the edge of their seats and sometimes shocked, always hoping when that final curtain falls, order will have been restored and the world will seem just a little bit of a better place. I am incredibly grateful for the support regional theatres and their audiences have shown our plays and it will

be fantastic to see another one of my books being adapted for the stage – the sixth one! – and audiences enjoying it, in 2023.

Previous Peter James novels brought to the stage include: ‘Looking Good Dead’ which premiered earlier this year starring Adam Woodyatt; ‘The House on Cold Hill’ starring Joe McFadden and Rita Simons in 2019; ‘Not Dead Enough’ starring Shane Richie and Laura Whitmore in 2017; ‘The Perfect Murder’ starring Shane Richie and Jessie Wallace in 2016 and ‘Dead Simple’ starring Tina Hobley in 2015.

The gripping television series ‘Grace‘ was an immediate success with audiences when it launched on ITV in 2021, with almost nine million viewers tuning in to watch the primetime drama starring John Simm as DSI Roy Grace. Series two returned to TV screens in spring this year, with five more thrilling episodes being the most watched programme across all channels on each of the Sundays they were broadcast. A third series has already been commissioned for 2023.

The stage play of ‘Wish You Were Dead‘ follows DSI Roy Grace and Cleo Morey as they take a much needed holiday together. Cleo hopes that she will finally get Grace to herself for a few days and away from his crime solving exploits. But their dream escape turns out to be the holiday from hell, as the past comes back to haunt them.

Adapted by award winning writer Shaun McKenna, who has adapted the five previous Peter James plays, the production will also reunite the creative team from Looking Good Dead, with Jonathan O’Boyle directing, Design by Michael Holt, Lighting by Jason Taylor and Sound by Max Pappenheim.

Peter James is a number one bestselling author of crime and thriller novels and the creator of the much-loved Detective Superintendent Roy Grace. He has topped the Sunday Times bestseller list 19 times and has achieved global book sales of over 21 million copies which have been translated into 37 languages. Synonymous with plot twisting page turners, he has garnered an army of loyal fans throughout his storytelling career which also included writing for TV and producing films. He has won over 40 awards for his work, including the WHSmith Best Crime Author of All Time Award, Crime Writers’ Association Diamond Dagger and a BAFTA nomination for The Merchant of Venice starring Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons, which he also executive produced.

Festival Theatre – until 9th July 2022

Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau

4.5****

Boeing Boeing is a comedy drama written (and set) in 1962 by Marc Camoletti, famous French playwright. The story concerns Bernard, owner of a Paris flat and proud of his juggling three fiances – each an air hostess who all are kept apart by their work schedules…

At first we find Bernard full of confidence in his lifestyle but as his orderly world falls apart his nerves shred trying to keeping his ladies apart, especially when they start turning up at the flat at the same time. John Dorney displays a commendable range of reactions and mannerisms – a tour de force of acting extremes.

The maid, Bertha, is a wonderful creation brought scintillatingly to life by Jo Castleton. She boils just under the surface with a sincere insincerity and world-weariness. Hilarious.

The star of the show is the flat’s visitor – at first appalled, then enticed by the love triangle. Robert (played by Paul Sandys) desires Paris’s excitement but is unprepared for the sheer level of stimulation that his friend’s flat affords. He, arguably, is the pivotal character with the most stage time. His attempts to do the right thing for his friend, whilst also battling with his own moral standards and his attraction to the flat’s many delights, are truly wonderful. A priceless performance!

All three ladies are wonderful, albeit vastly different characters befitting their nationality. Gloria from the USA (Isabel Della-Porta) is very sure of herself and the way a husband needs to act. Gabriella from Italy (Nathalie Barclay) is sexy and has total confidence in her man and the institution of marriage. Gretchen from Germany (Jessica Dennis) captures the Teutonic efficiency and command of the situation, bringing a deliciously sultry sensuality. A stunning ensemble of female actresses, each at the top of their game, propelling this work along with some delightfully nuanced acting.

The set (designed by Bek Palmer) is very stylish, reflecting the ladies professions – with a curved blue wall not unlike a globe of the world, into (and out of) which the ladies make their entrances and exits. I found the 60’s furniture rather appealing – especially the globe chair!

As farces go this is a classic, with the male characters becoming more manic (and panicked) as events unravel around them as they attempt to keep the deception going.

Fittingly, it is the women who are actually in charge and it is them who decide how the situation resolves itself. And it is a nicely satisfying conclusion that I found rather heartwarming.

Given the rather dubious nature of Bernard’s love life, this play is charming. Even Bernard, the resident cad at the heart of this web, is appealing – quite a feat which must be all credit to the script but also the director Michael Cabot.

It is a humorous script that elicited many laughs. If you want a feel good play that will make your spirits fly you could do no better than to go see this work. I thoroughly enjoyed and can wholeheartedly recommend it.

New Victoria Theatre, Woking – until 9 July 2022

Reviewed by Lorna Hancock

4****

Presented by Bill Kenwright and Laurie Mansfield, Bringing on Back the Good Times is the third in a series Dreamboats and Petticoats Jukebox musicals. We see Bobby, Laura, Sue, Norman and the gang get back together, for a follow on story based around the hits from the million selling Dreamboats and Petticoats albums. Laura (Elizabeth Carter) now has a successful solo career, but Bobby (Jacob Fowler) her partner on their number one hit record ‘Dreamboats and Petticoats‘ has left the spotlight and decided to re-join his former group Norman and The Conquests at St Mungo’s Youth Club.

With the book by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran and musical production by Keith Strachen, Bringing on Back the Good Times is packed with some of rock ’n’ rolls greatest hits of the 50s and 60s.

With very fond memories of seeing the first Dreamboats and Petticoats musical back when it first came out, I was extremely excited to have the chance to review the latest instalment. I have to say, the first half was quite slow to get going and I was worried I would be leaving disappointed. However the second half started with a bang and filled the audience with the same nostalgic party feeling as the original and soon had everyone in the audience clapping along and dancing in their seats. 

The set is simple but very effective. The storyline is the bare minimum to string the songs together. The thing that stands out most in the show is the very strong cast, their vocal range and the impressive harmonies they achieved in every song performed. Along with the dancing having all of the instruments played live on stage makes the show a real treat for the eyes as well as the ears.

Jacob Fowler gave a very touching performance as Bobby, and I think Joseph Lukehurst as Norman made the ladies in the front row blush with dance moves to rival Elvis. All of the musical numbers were brilliant, but two that stand out for me are Lauren Anderson-Oakley’s powerful performance of ‘I just don’t know what to do with myself’ and a magnificent rendition of Blue Moon by the full cast, and what a treat it was to have Mark Wynter performing a medley of his own songs. The script was witty, and David Bensons impression of Kenneth Williams had the whole theatre laughing with his short ditty ‘I love a foreign tongue’.

My personal highlight was the spectacular Megamix finale, which had the full company singing, dancing and playing instruments on stage, in a brilliantly choreographed routine that definitely succeeded in ‘Bringing on back the good times’. 

Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield – until 9th July 2022

Reviewed by Alison Beaumont

4****

Chicago is an American musical set in in the 1920’s and based on real life murders and trials. It follows Roxie Hart who is a wannabe vaudevillian who murders her lover and tries to convince her pushover husband, Amos to lie for her, however despite her attempts Roxie is arrested for the murder. Whilst in jail Roxie meets her hero and nightclub performer Velma Kelly who is awaiting trial for the double murder of her husband and sister. Roxie and Velma both hire the same greedy lawyer Billy Flynn and both try to be in the spotlight.

Velma (Dajalenga Scott) started Act 1 off with All That Jazz and certainly set a precedent for the rest of the show. Her leg lines when dancing were amazing to watch.

Roxie is played by the famous Faye Brookes (best known as Kate Connor in Coronation Street and runner up in Dancing on Ice), she played the character well and I thought Faye and Lee Mead (who shot to fame after winning the role of Joseph in the BBC series Any Dream will Do) and played Billy Flynn the lawyer were outstanding both together and individually.

Mamma Morton should have been played by Brenda Edwards who unfortunately due to an injury was unable to perform. However this was played by her understudy Michelle Andrews. Initially I was disappointed that Brenda was not able to perform as I am sure she would play the role well, however, having said that other than one tiny mistake Michelle Andrews did not disappoint.

The music and the dancing certainly made this musical.

For me the orchestra was fantastic and the usage of the musical director (Andrew Hilton) during the performance was a welcomed first for me. The Entr’acte was amazing and I could have listened to it again.

The Company were all very talented, the boys especially were great to watch.

I wouldn’t say this is on my all time list of top 10 favourites, but if this is your genre then it is definitely up there and worthy of going to see.