Month: July 2022

MULTI AWARD-WINNING

H A M I L T O N 

BOOKING EXTENDS TO 3 MARCH 2023

CHRISTMAS 2022 SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

Jeffrey Seller and Cameron Mackintosh, producers of the West End production of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s HAMILTON, are delighted to announce that booking is extending at the Victoria Palace Theatre to 3 March 2023. 

Reuben Joseph plays the title role of Alexander Hamilton with Simon-Anthony Rhoden as Aaron Burr, Allyson Ava-Brown as Angelica Schuyler, Shan Ako as Eliza Hamilton, Roshani Abbey as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds, Trevor Dion Nicholas as George Washington, Waylon Jacobs as Marquis De Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson, Emile Ruddock as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison, Jake Halsey-Jones as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton and Joel Montague as King George III. At certain performances the role of Alexander Hamilton is played by Alex Sawyer.

The cast also comprises Jade Albertsen, Curtis Angus, Maya Britto, Matthew Caputo, Filippo Coffano, Ashley Daniels, Kelly Downing, Matthew Elliot-Campbell, Jordan Frazier, Manaia Glassey-Ohlson, Olivia Kate Holding, Barney Hudson, DeAngelo Jones, Phoebe Liberty Jones, Nicolais-Andre Kerry, Travis Kerry, Ella Kora, Natasha Leaver, Aaron Lee Lambert, Louis Mackrodt, Kerri Norville, Samuel Sarpong-Broni, Lindsey Tierney and Brandon Williams.

The schedule for Christmas 2022 is as follows –

Monday 19December 7:30pm

Tuesday 20 December 2:30pm and 7:30pm

Wednesday 21December 7:30pm

Thursday 22 December 2:30pm and 7:30pm

Friday 23 December 7:30pm

Saturday 24December 2:30pm

Sunday 25December no performance

Monday 26December no performance

Tuesday 27December 7:30pm

Wednesday 28December 2:30pm and 7:30pm

Thursday 29December 2:30pm and 7:30pm

Friday 30December 7:30pm

Saturday 31December 1pm and 6pm

Sunday 1January 2023 no performance

HAMILTON has book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, is directed by Thomas Kail, with choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire and is based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton. HAMILTON features scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg and hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe.

The Olivier, Tony and Grammy award-winning production opened at the newly re-built and restored Victoria Palace Theatre in London in December 2017 and continued to play there until the start of lockdown in March 2020. The production resumed performances in August 2021.

HAMILTON is produced in London by Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman, The Public Theater and Cameron Mackintosh.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Theatre                              Victoria Palace Theatre, Victoria Street, London SW1E 5EA

Dates:                                Now booking to 3 March 2023

Prices:                                Tickets from £20, no booking fee applies

Box Office:                          0344 482 5151

Website:                             hamiltonmusical.com

Social Media:                       facebook.com/HamiltonWestEnd

twitter.com/HamiltonWestEnd

instagram.com/HamiltonWestEnd

                                         #HamiltonLDN

GARY BARLOW’S

A DIFFERENT STAGE

TO OPEN AT THE DUKE OF YORK’S THEATRE IN LONDON’S WEST END

EXTRA DATES NOW ON SALE DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND

adifferentstage.show

★★★★★ A brave and beautiful retelling of his whole life story…a seriously emotional experience – Manchester Evening News

★★★★★ Barlow holds his audience rapt throughout…[he’s] a candidly open and honest storyteller – Edinburgh Evening News

Acclaimed singer, songwriter, composer and producer, Gary Barlow is bringing his theatrical one man stage show, A Different Stage, to London’s West End, with more dates now on sale, due to unprecedented demand.  Gary will now perform at The Duke of York’s Theatre from 30 August to 25 September 2022.

A Different Stage premiered in February to a rapturous reception from his delighted fans. He has since played to sell-out audiences around the UK, including four very special shows at the community centre in his hometown of Frodsham, as well as York, Salford, Liverpool and Edinburgh.

After London’s West End, the tour will continue around the UK & Ireland. Full dates below:

Truro Hall for Cornwall – 27 – 28 September

Salford The Lowry Lyric Theatre – 4 – 8 October

Newcastle Tyne Theatre – 11 & 12 October

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre – 19-21 October

Dublin Gaiety Theatre – 26 – 29 October

Southend Palace Theatre 1 – 4 November

Portsmouth New Theatre Royal – 7 – 11 November

Nottingham Playhouse – 13 – 15 November

A Different Stage, which Gary Barlow created with his long-time friend and collaborator, Tim Firth, is an intimate evening with Gary, as he recounts, with humour, some tears and unflinching honesty, his life story. Of course, along the way, there will be some music, but some of which will be a surprise to many.

Gary said: “Now I’ve done shows where it has just been me and a keyboard. I’ve done shows where I sit and talk to people. I’ve done shows where I’ve performed as part of a group. But this one, well, it’s like all of those, but none of them. When I walk out this time, it’s going to be a very different stage altogether.”

Gary Barlow is one of Britain’s most successful songwriters and record producers. As part of the group Take That, he has won eight BRIT Awards and sold over 45 million records. Aside from his achievements with Take That, he has also co-written and produced music for other renowned artists including Dame Shirley Bassey, Sir Elton John and Robbie Williams.

In more recent years, Gary has also turned his attention to the world of theatre, composing the score for the hugely successful production of Finding Neverland, working alongside Tim Firth on Calendar Girls The Musical, and collaborating with Tim and his Take That bandmates on The Band, a record-breaking stage musical currently being adapted into a feature film.

A Different Stage is directed by Tim Firth, with design by Es Devlin, lighting by Bruno Poet and sound design by Gareth Tucker.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

30 August – 25 September 2022

Duke of York’s Theatre

St Martin’s Lane

London WC2N 4BG

Performances: Tuesday – Saturday at 7.30pm* and Sunday at 2.30pm

*extra matinees on Saturday 17 & 24 September

Tickets: from £35

Box Office: adifferentstage.show

ACTS ANNOUNCED FOR SHEFFIELD THEATRES’ TOGETHER IN THE SQUARE

Saturday 9 – Sunday 10 July 2022

Sheffield Theatres, in production with The University of Sheffield and Yellow Bus Events, is excited to host the return of Together in the Square – an outdoor weekend of free events, taking place on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 July. Tudor Squarewill be transformed into a festival space with events including street acts, music, poetry and theatre, to coincide with the first weekend of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022.

Street performers will be entertaining across both days from 11am, including: Mark Mark Productions, Able Mabel & Peter Anderson, Abi Collins, Madame Zucchini, Bread & Butter Productions and Felicity Footloose.

On Saturday 9 July from 2pm, enjoy acapella chorus by Steel City Voices, followed by evocative songs from Emma Saville. After this, Debjani Chatterjee performs spoken word poetry, then music from Hattie Cooke and contemporary dance from over 50s company Third Bite Dance. Later into the afternoon, Sunrit Culture Group share traditional Indian arts and culture with DJ Malika Green performing between acts and into the evening. Northern rapper Kay Greyson then performs, and the day concludes with an immersive and part improvised Drag King cabaret show from HÄUS OF DONS.

On Sunday 10 July, the lovable Granny Norbag entertains from 1.30pm, followed by Pinder Dance Productions who last performed in the Crucible for our community celebration event Together in the City. We welcome BBC Radio Sheffield host Sile Sibanda, before rounding off the weekend with a performance from Stannington Brass Band.

John Tomlinson, Producer at Sheffield Theatres said:

‘We have a fantastic line-up of talent for this year’s Together in the Square, including the return of acts who entertained the crowd last year and new performers who we are excited to see debut on the square. Both days will provide free entertainment for all ages, plus we have a BBQ running outside Crucible Corner for guests to enjoy across the two days.

With a UEFA Women’s EURO 2022match happening at Bramall Lane on Saturday 9 July, we hope the people of Sheffield will enjoy some theatre and entertainment with us, alongside the brilliant teams at The University of Sheffield and Yellow Bus Events.’

Professor Vanessa Toulmin, Director of City and Culture at the University of Sheffield, added:

‘It’s always brilliant to work with our great cultural partners Sheffield Theatres and Yellow Bus Events on events like Together in the Square. We’re looking forward to a day filled with vibrant music, poetry and street theatre by local artists and performers to bring free entertainment and culture to the city centre.’

Alongside these performances and other creative events happening across the city, Sheffield Theatres celebrates the history of football in Sheffield by coinciding with the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022. Matches will take place throughout July at both Bramall Lane in Sheffield and New York Stadium in Rotherham, with events such as Together in the Square supporting the celebrations throughout South Yorkshire.

All performances at Together in the Square will be free with unallocated seating on Tudor Square. An outdoor BBQ will be running in the square outside Crucible Corner on Saturday and Sunday, catering for meat, vegetarian and vegan options.

Together in the Square is made possible by the support of Sheffield City Council. More information can be found at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.

Peter Brook – statement from the Royal Shakespeare Company on the death of Peter Brook

We were deeply saddened to hear today of the passing of visionary director and RSC Honorary Associate Artist, Peter Brook

Peter was a giant of European theatre, who breathed exhilarating new life into the art form. His influence at the Royal Shakespeare Company cannot be overestimated, with more than 20 years of artistry and experiment, including the remarkable US, a daring response to the Vietnam war which premiered at the Aldwych in 1966 with a cast including Glenda Jackson.

In 1970 he directed the truly revolutionary A Midsummer Night’s Dream, designed by Sally Jacobs, and with a cast including Frances de la Tour, Ben Kingsley and Patrick Stewart. This production completely reset what it meant to bring Shakespeare alive for a contemporary audience, and continues to exert a serious influence on theatre artists today. 

Erica Whyman, RSC Acting Artistic Director, said, “I was privileged to get to know Peter in the 1990s at the National Theatre Studio where he generously shared his practice with younger theatre-makers, and later when I presented his work at Northern Stage. He was a mesmerising person, fascinated by the potential of human beings to communicate the most delicate feelings and thoughts to one another, by respecting the commanding simplicity of an ‘empty space’ ”.

Gregory Doran, RSC Artistic Director Emeritus, added ‘When Peter was last in Stratford in February 2019, he generously agreed to come and talk to the acting company. At 94, he still conveyed the boundless curiosity which has characterised his career. From the Watteau-inspired Love’s Labour’s Lost in Stratford in 1947, to the ground-breaking Titus Andronicus with Olivier in 1955, from the Theatre of Cruelty Season to the legendary A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 1970, from the Marat/Sade to The Mahabharata, Peter defined the essential. We ‘shall not look upon his like again’ ”.

Peter’s decades of captivating work at Les Bouffes Du Nord emerged from the explorations he was undertaking at the RSC. His influence will never be forgotten and his spirit will be sorely missed.

Pleasance Theatre, London – until 17th July 2022

Reviewed by Celia Armand Smith

3***

Rapture, written by Sophie Leydon and produced by the LGBTQIA+ collection Pink Sky Theatre, is an exciting exploration of the lives of three young people navigating life, love, and trauma in East London. The play centres around three flatmates; Rosy (Izzy Neish) and Kit (Sam Crerar) who are in a relationship, and their best friend Tommy (Bryan Moriarty), all of whom are struggling with their pasts and presents. At the start of the show, the dynamic between the main characters is fiery but good natured and full of love, however things soon start to unravel as other characters are introduced.

Spoken word poetry, direct to audience monologues, and dialogue (plus a bit of audience participation) are used to convey the story, keeping us on toes. The transitions, especially in the first half, are smooth and the pace is snappy. The actors switch between characters and settings using clever tweaks in tone and a limited number of props. From colleagues, to family members, to party goers, it was never difficult to discern which character was present. There are no big sets or costumes, but they are not missed. It is atmospheric enough already.

As we walked into the theatre, there was a list of trigger warnings that we had to OK before entering which include substance abuse, suicidal ideation, self harm, dead naming, and sexual assault. Big topics that are tackled with delicacy and heart (and a few laughs) in this honest celebration of the queer urban family.

Oldham Coliseum Theatre, Oldham – until 2nd July 2022

Review by Rebecca Hampson

5*****

Written by Alphamum Production, a new female led production company created by Joann Condon and Leonie Rachel, Little Boxes is a one woman show staring Joann Condon taking the audience on a journey through Joann’s life and the ‘boxes’ that society and she herself has placed herself in. The show explores the importance of the Arts, the importance of hopes and dreams and the importance of allowing yourself to ‘be me’.

Throughout the performance Joann picks up a variety of cardboard boxes which differ in shape and size, and all represent different social categorisations that have been placed upon Joann in her life so far. These boxes represent different stages of her life and show her growth and development through life.

The boxes offer moments of joy, passion and laughter but also offer moments of sadness and grief. As an audience we a thrust from moments of laughter to moments of tears as we experience Joann’s raw emotion and empathise and relate to the struggles of being a woman.

A poignant moment within the play was when Joann spoke about how Drama gave her hope during the grief of losing her father. The realisation of how Drama gave her freedom to be someone, anyone, but herself for a while was a feeling I resonated with and reminded me why I also fell in love with Drama.

Joann was spectacular in this piece, and you could clearly see the real emotion and passion that radiated across the stage. The staging, sound and lighting beautifully complemented the piece and provided moments of comic relief after emotional scenes. I particularly enjoyed the used of the song ‘Jump’ which encouraged audience participation and lifted the spirts of everyone in the room.

I left the theatre today conscious of the boxes I put myself into and how I may make my own ‘me’ box bigger. Great theatre makes us think and I am particularly grateful to Little Box for such an inspiring piece of theatre.

This is not a show to miss so please look out for it as it will be touring in Buxton from 11th July to 14th July!

SIX to reign again at The Lowry

Hit musical returns to Salford from Tuesday 2^nd to Sunday 14^th August 2022

The multi award-winning musical phenomenon SIX, written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, returns to The Lowry, Salford, next month.

The new touring Queens include: Chlöe Hart (Catherine of Aragon), Jennifer Caldwell (Anne Boleyn), Casey Al-Shaqsy (Jane Seymour), Jessica Niles (Anna of Cleves), Jaina Brock-Patel (Katherine Howard) and Alana M Robinson (Catherine Parr). Grace Melville, Leesa Tulley and Natalie Pilkington (Dance Captain)will be joining the cast as Alternates, with Super Swing Harriet Caplan-Dean. The cast are backed by the show’s all-female band, The Ladies in Waiting.

SIX follows the six wives of Henry VIII as they take to the mic to tell their own personal tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21^st century girl power.

Since its early days as a student production in a 100-seat room at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the showhas fast become a global musical phenomenon. SIX currently has productions playing on Broadway at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre and on tour in Australia and New Zealand, with a major US tour coming soon. Meanwhile, back on home turf, the London production is now enjoying its third royal residence in the West End at the Vaudeville Theatre and the UK tour continues its nationwide sold-out reign, now booking through to 2023.

Winner of the 2022 Tony Award for ‘Best Original Score’ on Broadway, the 2022 Whatsonstage Award for ‘Best West End Show’ and the 2020 BBC Radio 2 Audience Award for ‘Best Musical’, SIX was also nominated for five Olivier awards, including ‘Best New Musical’.

Celebrating the global success of its songs with over 300 million streams and over 3 billion views on TikTok,the original studio album of SIX officially turned Gold in March 2022, marking over 100,000 sales in the UK.

Written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, SIX is co-directed by Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage, featuring choreography by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille. The design team includes Emma Bailey (Set Design), Gabriella Slade (Costume Design), Tim Deiling (Lighting Design) and Paul Gatehouse (Sound Design). The score features orchestrations by Tom Curran with music supervision and vocal arrangements by Joe Beighton. Musical Director Jennifer Deacon and UK Musical Supervisor Katy Richardson. Casting is by Pearson Casting. SIX is produced by Kenny Wax, Wendy & Andy Barnes and George Stiles.

UK Cast Announced As LIZARD BOY, The New Hit Indie Rock Musical Sensation From The US, Makes Stunning UK Debut at Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester And Gilded Balloon’s Patter Hoose at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

The UK cast for the new indie rock musical has been announced ahead of its UK premiere at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester from 14th – 27th July 2022. Equal parts comic book lore and coming-of-age love story, Lizard Boy is the thrilling original rock musical that’s been called “Ingenious” (San Francisco Chronicle), “Phenomenal” (San Jose Mercury News), “Ferocious & Funny”(Seattle Times). 

During a bizarre childhood accident, Trevor was drenched head to toe in dragon’s blood. Growing green and scaly skin, he withdrew from the world. Tonight—twenty years later—Trevor’s first date with a cute guy transforms into adventure of mythic proportions.

The UK cast is Anthony Rickman as Trevor, Alan Cammish as Cary and Sophie Reid as Siren, who playing alternate nights alongside the original US cast of Justin Huertas, Kirsten “Kiki” DeLohr Helland and William A. Williams, the hit show will make its UK premiere at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester from 14th – 27th July 2022.

Lizard Boy will then travel up to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for a full run at the Big Yin, Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose from 5-28August 2022.

Lizard Boy author, composer and star Justin Huertas said: “Lizard Boy was conceived when the late, great Jerry Manning commissioned me to write a small, simple solo show for Seattle Rep. I had never written anything before, and Jerry made one request: play your cello. Many years later—inspired by my love of comic book superheroes, with the help of my best friends, and with Jerry’s spirit watching over us—Lizard Boy has grown into the unique, dynamic, indie-rock musical that it is today. At their core, superhero stories are about transformation, identity, and difference—so the genre was a natural fit for me as a theatremaker and as a person of colour. With Lizard Boy, I set out to create a piece that is authentic to who I am as both. I hope, with their empathy and imagination as a guide, audiences will embrace Lizard Boy and celebrate its message: what makes you different makes you powerful. “

Justin commented on the Manchester performances: “It’s always been my dream to bring Lizard Boy around the world. I can’t wait to bring some Seattle magic to Manchester! I’m so excited to learn even more about this show from a brand-new audience. After so many months making art in my room, I can’t wait to share this story live in such a creative city as Manchester.”

Justin commented on the Edinburgh Fringe run: “Lizard Boy at the Edinburgh Fringe is a moment I’ve been dreaming of since we premiered this musical seven years ago in Seattle. After so many months making art in my room, I can’t wait to join the Fringe in person and share this story in a place that celebrates the arts so expansively. And on the 75th Anniversary! This is a dream come true!”

Opera Holland Park – 30th June 2022

Reviewed by Fozia Munshi

4****

This historic comedic Opera set in Persia, has everything, love, jealousy, misunderstandings, laughter, and a happy ending.

The Holland Park stage is perfect in its simplicity, the Persian court bought to life by an ensemble cast of skilful dancers and acrobats, there were moments when the background comedy almost distracted from the main characters.

The Opera opens with Cecelia Halls Serse rendition of Ombra mai fu, a tribute to a tree (the above mentioned ensemble being the tree Serse is singing to), her voice filling the stage and she is riveting to watch. James Laing’s Arsamene and Timothy Nelson as his manservant Elviro soon enter the stage providing a dose of comedic buffoonery. Arsamene is engaging and a little infuriating as Serse’s brother, is his fear of his brother greater or the love he has for Romilda?

Sarah Tynana’s Romilda sings entrancingly, no wonder Serse falls in love with her voice. Her song is incredibly beautifully sung and fills the stage almost hypnotically.

Anna Cavaliero plays Atlanta (her role is merged with Princess Amastre in the original opera), she is playfully flirtatious and mischievous, causing laughter and mayhem in her wake, trying in vain to win her sisters lover from her. And Timothy Nelson takes on both the roles of Elviro Arsamene’s faithful servant, and Ariodate Romilda’s father, with great comedic effect his flower seller is amusingly buffoonish.

The Opera is condensed into two hours with an interval, the venue Holland Park is beautifully atmospheric, and watching the show as twilight falls has a rather romantic effect, wrap up warm though, this is England after all!

This version of Handel’s Serse is beautifully directed by Frederick Waxman the instruments included two (that I could see) Theorbo’s, which I was delighted to have the opportunity to hear played so beautifully. The cast of the Opera are spectacular, anyone who wants a romantic evening which ends in a smile should definitely go see this performance of Serse

Cambridge Arts Theatre, Cambridge – until Saturday 2nd July 2022

Reviewed by Steph Lott

5*****

On an empty stage, a big red telephone is ringing. A writer of musicals answers it and is told that he has to write a brand new musical in 2 hours! He agrees but says that he needs the audience to help him do it – so the audience has to shout out suggestions of a setting, style of music and the title of the show. And then they’re off!

This is improv at its very best. It’s a glorious mix of some very skilled performers romping through a show that’s being created as they go. Every night is a premier. Our show was called “Death in Bali”, was set in a yoga retreat and featured “The Parrots of Prophesy”! If you love West End musicals you’ll enjoy this show because there are nods to some that will be very familiar to you, such as Les Mis, Phantom, Hamilton and so on.

Unfortunately I can’t give credit to any particular performer as there was no cast list, but they are all so impressive, I could mention every one of them. They all have a wild variety of acting, singing and dancing skills, whilst the musicians respond to the action on stage, as the actors adapt their movements and lyrics; all in near perfect tempo. They also enjoy dropping each other in it from time to time!

I would thoroughly recommend this show and the audience, both young and old, were in stitches most of the time. Who knows what will be created on the night you go…