Month: July 2022

UK & IRELAND TOUR

2022/2023

CORONATION STREET LEGEND

NIGEL PIVARO TO STAR AS ‘DA’

It is 35 years since The Commitments first burst from the pages of Roddy Doyle’s best-selling novel. The world’s hardest working and most explosive soul band are set to return in an all new stage production, kicking off a huge nine month tour opening in Bromley in September. The show will then tour across the country before culminating in Brighton in July 2023.

This major UK and Ireland tour of the smash-hit musical will star Coronation Street legend Nigel Pivaro, who appeared in the hugely popular ITV soap between 1983 – 2012 as the lovable rogue Terry Duckworth.  He will be swapping the cobbles for the stage and performing the role of ‘Da’ in this all-new production.

Nigel Pivaro says: “I am thrilled to be marking my return to the stage in this production of The Commitments. It’s an iconic story that resonates across the years, about people who though distant from the music’s origins find communion and expression in the Motown style. A musical genre which was borne out of oppression and which the characters embrace as their own. The Motown Sound is as vibrant today as it was when it first burst through in the Sixties.”

Roddy Doyle added: “I’m delighted that The Commitments are coming back in 2022 & 2023 and I’m particularly looking forward to seeing how Nigel Pivaro tackles the part of Jimmy Rabbitte’s Da.”

This new tour for 2022/23 is directed by Andrew Linnie. Andrew made his West End debut in the original production in 2013, playing the role of Dean, the band’s sax player. He then went on to star in the lead role of Jimmy Rabitte in the 2016/2017 UK tour.

Joining the cast as Deco is Olivier Award nominee Ian McIntosh.Ian is no stranger to this role, having previously played Alternate Deco during the original West End run. Previous credits include Galileo in the UK tour of We Will Rock You, Sid Worley in An Officer and a Gentleman and he was Olivier nominated for ‘Best Supporting Actor in a Musical’ for his role as Barry in Beautiful – The Carole King Musical. His extensive musical career has also seen him perform in Hair and Can’t Buy Me Love.

Other casting includes James Killeen as Jimmy, Stuart Reid as Joey, Ciara Mackey as Imelda, Michael Mahony as Oustpan, Ryan Kelly as Billy, Conor Litten as Dean, Guy Freeman as Derek, Stephen O’Riain as James, Ronnie Yorke as Mickah, Eve Kitchingman as Natalie, and Sarah Gardiner as Bernie. Maryann Lynch, Alice Croft, James Deegan, Callum Martin, Joshua Barton, Ed Thorpe and Colm Gleeson make up the ensemble.

In 2013 The Commitments musical opened in London’s West End to universal critical acclaim and enjoyed a record-breaking two-year residency at the Palace Theatre. After which, it hit the road for a major tour, invigorating audiences up and down the country throughout 2016 and 2017.

The rescheduled nine-month tour will see the show perform in front of fans all over the UK & Ireland, opening in Bromley in September and then playing Portsmouth, Wolverhampton, Sheffield, Milton Keynes, Hull, York, Bradford, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Wimbledon, Truro, Plymouth, Aylesbury, Dublin, Belfast, Ipswich, Bournemouth, Dartford, Bristol, Southampton, Nottingham, Northampton, Liverpool, Birmingham, Blackpool, Darlington, Peterborough, Cardiff, Llandudno, Manchester, Reading and Newcastle before culminating in Brighton in July 2023.

The Commitments musical has been adapted from the novel by Booker prize-winning author Roddy Doyle. Featuring an electric playlist, The Commitments showcases more than 20 soul classics performed live on stage, including Night Train, Try A Little Tenderness, River Deep, Mountain High, In The Midnight Hour, Papa Was A Rolling Stone, Save Me, Mustang Sally, I Heard It Through The Grapevine, Thin Line Between Love and Hate, Reach Out, Uptight, Knock On Wood, I Can’t Turn You Loose and many more!

Synopsis

The Commitments tells the story of Jimmy Rabbitte, a young working-class music fan, who transforms an unlikely bunch of amateur musicians into an amazing live act, which becomes the finest soul band Dublin has ever produced. Placing a classified advert in a music paper, Jimmy auditions a number of wannabes before finalising the members of his new band, which he names ‘The Commitments’.

Humour kicks in as the band get to know each other and their instruments, grappling with inter-group differences as they muddle their way through early rehearsals for the band’s first gig. Just as they improve and begin to get a name for themselves, they combust. The backing singers are more interested in the middle-aged horn playing legend, the singer has entered Eurovision, the drummer has walked out mid-gig and the saxophone player has dangerous leanings towards a jazz career.

The Commitments is a guaranteed “fabulously-fun night” (Daily Mail) that you will simply never forget.

“The Commitments is the musical we’ve been waiting for.

So good, our critic almost weeps”

The Sunday Times ★★★★★

“This hugely enjoyable show touches the sublime. Wonderfully funny”

Daily Telegraph ★★★★

“Unstoppable fun. A big-hearted, big-night out”

The Times ★★★★

THE COMMITMENTS – TOUR DATES

2022

24/09/2022 – 01/10/2022              Bromley: Churchill Theatre

03/10/2022 – 08/10/2022              Portsmouth: King’s Theatre

10/10/2022 – 15/10/2022              Wolverhampton: Grand Theatre

17/10/2022 – 22/10/2022              Sheffield: Lyceum Theatre

24/10/2022 – 29/10/2022              Milton Keynes: Milton Keynes Theatre

31/10/2022 – 05/11/2022              Hull: New Theatre

07/11/2022 – 12/11/2022              York: Grand Opera House

14/11/2022 – 19/11/2022              Bradford: Alhambra Theatre

21/11/2022 – 26/11/2022              Aberdeen: His Majesty’s Theatre

28/11/2022 – 03/12/2022              Edinburgh: Playhouse

05/12/2022 – 10/12/2022              Glasgow: Theatre Royal

2023

09/01/2023 – 14/01/2023              London: New Wimbledon Theatre

16/01/2023 – 21/01/2023              Truro: Hall for Cornwall

23/01/2023 – 28/01/2023              Plymouth: Theatre Royal

30/01/2023 – 04/02/2023              Aylesbury: Waterside Theatre

06/02/2023 – 18/02/2023              Dublin: Olympia Theatre

20/02/2023 – 25/02/2023              Belfast: Grand Opera House

27/02/2023 – 04/03/2023              Ipswich: Regent Theatre

06/03/2023 – 11/03/2023              Bournemouth: Pavilion Theatre

13/03/2023 – 18/03/2023              Dartford: Orchard Theatre

20/03/2023 – 25/03/2023              Bristol: Hippodrome

27/03/2023 – 01/04/2023              Southampton: Mayflower Theatre

03/04/2023 – 08/04/2023              Nottingham: Theatre Royal

10/04/2023 – 15/04/2023              Northampton: Royal & Derngate

17/04/2023 – 22/04/2023              Liverpool: Empire

24/04/2023 – 29/04/2023              Birmingham: Hippodrome

01/05/2023 – 06/05/2023              Blackpool: Opera House

08/05/2023 – 13/05/2023              Darlington: Hippodrome

15/05/2023 – 20/05/2023              Peterborough: New Theatre

22/05/2023 – 27/05/2023              Cardiff: Wales Millennium Centre

29/05/2023 – 03/06/2023              Llandudno: Venue Cymru

05/06/2023 – 10/06/2023              Manchester: Opera House

13/06/2023 – 17/06/2023              Reading: Hexagon

26/06/2023 – 01/07/2023              Newcastle: Theatre Royal

03/07/2023 – 08/07/2023              Brighton: Theatre Royal

Tickets available from: thecommitmentsontour.co.uk

World renowned mezzo-soprano Christine Rice will perform in the intimate 120 seat venue,
Ustinov Studio in Bath

PHAEDRA
by Benjamin Britten Sung by Christine Rice

MINOTAUR
by Kim Brandstrup

Ustinov Studio, Bath
Friday 12 August – Tuesday 23 August

The second production of Deborah Warner’s inaugural season as Artistic Director of the Ustinov Studio is a sensational double bill from two masters of their art. Christine Rice’s award-nominated performance of Benjamin Britten’s Phaedra is presented alongside the world premiere of a new dance piece from Olivier Award-winning choreographer Kim Brandstrup.

Following the success of Deborah Warner’s production at the Royal Opera House in 2020, music director Richard Hetherington and Olivier Award-nominee Christine Rice, one of the leading singers of her generation, re-imagine Britten’s intense and erotic work for the intimate space of the Ustinov Studio.

On the day of her wedding to Theseus, Phaedra catches sight of his young son Hippolytus. Consumed by lust and a longing that she knows cannot be requited, death will be her only escape. The scalding power of Britten’s score pushes Phaedra towards her doom in a remarkable and thrilling drama.

Ariadne, the sister of Phaedra, is the inspiration for Minotaur, a newly commissioned piece from Kim Brandstrup, renowned for his work over four decades with the Royal Ballet, New York City Ballet, English National Ballet and Rambert.

Often depicted as a creature of great strength and masculinity, the Minotaur is also trapped, isolated and abandoned. As the Greek heroes journey into the labyrinth to face the monster, Ariadne stands by the entrance to the maze. She wheels out the thread that will secure – hopefully – a safe return.

The cast includes Royal Ballet dancer Tommy Franzen.

Runaway Entertainment presents

2:22 – A GHOST STORY

The hit play by Danny Robins

Directed by Matthew Dunster

@222AGhostStory #222AGhostStory 

• SMASH HIT 2.22 – A GHOST STORY WILL EXTEND ITS RUN AT THE CRITERION THEATRE FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED FOURTH SEASON OF 18 WEEKS THROUGH TO 8 JANUARY 2023​
   
• 2:22 A GHOST STORY WILL HAVE ITS FIRST HALLOWEEN PERFORMANCE ON MONDAY 31 OCTOBER 2022
   
• FOLLOWING ITS PREMIERE AT THE NOEL COWARD THEATRE LAST SUMMER, THE PRODUCTION MOVED TO THE GIELGUD IN DECEMBER 2021 WHERE IT RAN UNTIL FEBRUARY. 
   
• CAST FOR THE EXTENDED CRITERION THEATRE RUN WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON
   
• THE PRODUCTION IS DIRECTED BY MATTHEW DUNSTER AND WRITTEN BY AWARD-WINNING WRITER DANNY ROBINS
   
• TICKETS FOR PERFORMANCES  FROM SEPTEMBER – JANUARY AT THE CRITERION THEATRE ARE ON  SALE NOW AT WWW.222AGHOSTSTORY.COM

Producer Runaway Entertainment is delighted to announce that the critically acclaimed, smash hit, supernatural thriller 2:22 – A Ghost Story will extend its run at The Criterion Theatre when the current run ends on 4 September.  It will play a 18 week season running through to 8 January 2023. The extension means that the production will have its first Halloween performance on Monday 31 October – be afraid!

Last week the Center Theatre Group announced the US premiere of 2:22 A Ghost Story at the Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles where it will run from 29 October to 4 December 2022.

The production began its life last summer at the Noel Coward Theatre starring Lily Allen, Julia Chan, Hadley Fraser and Jake Wood. It then transferred to the Gielgud Theatre for 10 weeks from 4 December 2021. The production there, starring Stephanie Beatriz, James Buckley, Elliot Cowan and Giovanna Fletcher, completed its run on 12 February 2022. The current cast at the Criterion Theatre features Tom Felton as Sam, Mandip Gill as Jenny, Beatriz Romilly as Lauren and Sam Swainsbury as Ben. Cast details for the extended run will be announced soon. 

“A great spine-tingling night out!” Evening Standard

“It’s happening again…”

Following three record-breaking seasons at the Noel Coward, Gielgud Theatre and Criterion Theatre, with a host of acclaimed star performances, this edge-of-your-seat, supernatural thriller will extend its run at the Criterion Theatre for 18 weeks.

2:22 is written by award-winning writer Danny Robins, creator of the hit BBC podcast The Battersea Poltergeist, and is directed by Matthew Dunster. Look out for the clues to unlock the mystery in this brilliantly funny and intriguing play; it’s an adrenaline-filled night where secrets emerge and ghosts may, or may not, appear…

Danny Robins said: ‘When this play opened in the summer of 2021 I couldn’t have dreamed that we’d be where we are now – in our third West End theatre, planning our fourth season! With each run, it’s been so great to see our new casts make it their own, and I’m so delighted that this modern ghost story of mine keeps connecting with audiences. I hope it’s more than just a play, it’s an exciting, adrenaline-filled night out that will have you laughing and jumping in equal measure and then you’ll spend the rest of the night talking about it with your mates, trying to crack the mystery! Do ghosts really exist? There’s only one way to find out – get yourself down to the Criterion to see 2:22!’

Matthew Dunster said: ‘On we go again! It’s such a thrill to know we get to extend our run of 2:22 at the Criterion through Christmas and into the New Year. And we finally get to do our spooky play on Halloween. What a night that will be.

When we dared to put this new play straight into the West End last summer we couldn’t have dreamed it would stir the people’s imagination in the way it has this past year. We love doing Danny’s wonderful play for our audiences, and their ongoing loyalty to the show and their joy at discovering each new cast has been so exciting for us..’

What do you believe? And do you dare discover the truth?

“THERE’S SOMETHING IN OUR HOUSE. I HEAR IT EVERY NIGHT, AT THE SAME TIME”

Jenny believes her new home is haunted, but her husband Sam isn’t having any of it. They argue with their first dinner guests, old friend Lauren and new partner Ben. Can the dead really walk again? Belief and scepticism clash, but something feels strange and frightening, and something is getting closer, so they’re going to stay up… until 2:22… and then they’ll know.

“A slick, chilling, romp of a play” The Guardian

2:22 – A Ghost Story features set design by Anna Fleischle, costume design by Cindy Lin, lighting design by Lucy Carter, sound by Ian Dickinson for Autograph Sound, casting by Jessica Ronane CDG and illusions by Chris Fisher, co-direction by Isabel Marr.

2:22 – A Ghost Story is produced by Tristan Baker and Charlie Parsons for Runaway Entertainment, Isobel David and Kater Gordon.

THE TONY AND OLIVER AWARD-WINNING ‘BEST MUSICAL

COME FROM AWAY

EXTENDS FOR THE LAST TIME IN THE WEST END AND WILL PLAY ITS FINAL PERFORMANCE AT THE PHOENIX THEATRE ON SATURDAY 7 January 2023

PHOENIX THEATRE, LONDON

London, Friday 1 July: The multi award-winning London production of global hit musical Come From Away will extend in the West End from September until the end of the year before holding its final performance at the Phoenix Theatre on Saturday 7 January 2023.

By the time the West End company take their final bow, this critically acclaimed production will have played 1048 performances in London, 47 performances in Dublin and won many major UK theatre Awards including the Olivier, Critics’ Circle and What’s On Stage Awards for ‘Best Musical’.

The current London cast of Come From Away includes Jenna Boyd (Beulah and others), James Doherty (Claude and others), Mark Dugdale (Kevin T/Garth and others), Alice Fearn (Beverley/Annette and others), Kate Graham (Diane and others), Robert Hands (Nick/Doug and others), Jonathan Andrew Hume (Kevin J/Ali and others), Gemma Knight Jones (Hannah and others), Kirsty Malpass (Bonnie and others), Harry Morrison (Oz and others), Emma Salvo (Janice and others), Lejaun Sheppard (Bob and others), with Chiara Baronti, Ricardo Castro, Stuart Hickey, Alexander McMorran, Sarah Morrison, Lucy Park, Jennifer Tierney and Matthew Whennell-Clark.

The Come From Away band includes Alan Berry (Musical Director/UK Musical Supervisor), Matt Bashford (Whistles/Irish Flute/Uillean Pipes), Aoife Mairead Ní Bhriain (Fiddle), Oli Briant (Electric/Acoustic Guitar), Justin Quinn (Acoustic Guitars/Mandolins/Bouzouki), Joey Grant (Electric and Acoustic Bass),  Ray Fean (Bodhrán/Percussion), Ian Whitehead (Drums/Percussion), Huw Evans (Associate Musical Director), Andrew Barrett for Lionella Music, LLC (Electronic Music Design), Phij Adams (Associate Keyboard Programmer), Ryan Driscoll (Music Preparation), and David Gallagher (Orchestral Management).

Come From Awayshares the incredible real-life story of the 7,000 air passengers from all over the world who were grounded in Canada during the wake of 9/11, and the small Newfoundland community that invited these ‘come from aways’ into their lives.

Experience the joy, heartache and soaring music as the spirited locals and global passengers overcome their fears and a world of cultural differences to come together and forge friendships that will stay with them forever. The first female American Airlines captain, the quick-thinking town mayor, the mother of a New York firefighter and the eager local news reporter are among the many real characters caught at the start of the moment that changed the course of history, and whose stories became a true celebration of hope, humanity and unity. 

The international hit musical has celebrated sold-out, record-breaking engagements on Broadway, in Canada, throughout Australia, and on a 60-city North American Tour.

The Come From Away creative team includes Irene Sankoff and David Hein (Book, Music and Lyrics), Christopher Ashley (Director), Kelly Devine (Musical Staging), Ian Eisendrath (Music Supervision and Arrangements), Beowulf Boritt (Scenic Design), Toni-Leslie James (Costume Design), Howell Binkley (Lighting Design), Gareth Owen (Sound Design), David Brian Brown (Hair Design), August Eriksmoen (Orchestrations), Pippa Ailion CDG and Natalie Gallacher CDG (Casting), Joel Goldes (Dialect Coach), Michael Rubinoff (Creative Consultant), Bob Hallett (Newfoundland Music Consultant),  Shirley Fishman (Dramaturg) and Tara Overfield (Associate Director and Choreographer UK).

Come From Away is produced in the UK by Junkyard Dog Productions and Smith & Brant Theatricals. The European premiere of Come From Away was co-produced with the Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s National Theatre.

Tickets for Come From Away at the Phoenix Theatre are available via comefromawaylondon.co.uk.

‘SUPERCALIFRAGILISTIC’

M A R Y   P O P P I N S

TAKES FINAL FLIGHT FROM THE PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE AS

LAST WEST END EXTENSION ANNOUNCED TO 8 JANUARY 2023

Disney and Cameron Mackintosh today (1 July 2022) announce the final extension for the West End run of the Olivier Award-winning Mary Poppins which will celebrate its final West End performance at the Prince Edward Theatre on 8 January 2023.  Tickets for this final extension go on general sale at 11am today.

Based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the original Walt Disney film, this production of Mary Poppins opened in October 2019 and played to March 2020 when it closed due to the Covid shutdown. Post pandemic the production re-opened in August 2021 with nightly standing ovations and will now play a further six-month extension into Christmas and New Year. Mary Poppins continues to spread her magic around the globe, having just opened in Tokyo earlier this year and Sydney in May where it has been received wonderfully by critics and audiences alike.

Cameron Mackintosh said “When the new revised production of Mary Poppins opened at the end of 2019 with a tremendous cast headed by Zizi Strallen, Charlie Stemp and Petula Clark, the response was even more ecstatic than the original. We had always planned to run two years until the physical production was required elsewhere but covid managed to stretch our timetable into 2023 allowing everyone to enjoy an additional supercalifragilistic last Christmas jolly holiday season. Mary Poppins has remained a timeless and timely, uplifting and joyous theatrical experience – but Mary never says goodbye, only au revoir… till we meet again.”

Thomas Schumacher, President & Producer of Disney Theatrical Productions, said “Over its 18 years on stage, each new production of Mary Poppins has managed to speak to us in new, resonant ways – and never more than in this jewel of a production under Richard Eyre’s loving oversight.  As they continue playing in productions around the world, Mary, Bert and the entire Banks family have still much to share – as Mary herself says, ‘with a good deal of love’.”

The stage production originally opened in the West End in December 2004, running for over 1,250 performances. During this time, the production won two Olivier Awards and an Evening Standard Award. Subsequently the Tony Award®-winning Broadway production ran for over six years. Mary Poppins was also the winner of Best Musical Revival at the 2020 Whatsonstage Awards and Best Set Design and Best Theatre Choreographer awards at the 2020 Olivier Awards.

The magical story of the world’s favourite Nanny arriving on Cherry Tree Lane has been triumphantly and spectacularly brought to the stage with dazzling choreography, incredible effects and unforgettable songs. The stage version of Mary Poppins, brilliantly adapted from the wonderful stories by PL Travers and the original beloved Walt Disney film, continues to be a smash hit around the world since its opening in London 18 years ago.

The original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman include the classic songs Jolly Holiday, Step in Time, Feed the Birds and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. New songs and additional music are by the Olivier award-winning British team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. Book is by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter and Downton Abbey creator, Julian Fellowes and this production is co-created by Cameron Mackintosh. The producer for Disney Theatrical Productions is Thomas Schumacher. This production of Mary Poppins has orchestrations by William David Brohn with dance and vocal arrangements by George Stiles. Sound design is by Paul Gatehouse and lighting is by Hugh Vanstone and Natasha Katz. Co-choreography is by Stephen Mear. The reimagined set and costume designs are by Bob Crowley. Co-direction and choreography is by Matthew Bourne and direction by Richard Eyre.

BRAND-NEW THEMED POP-UP BAR OPENS IN

COVENT GARDEN ALONGSIDE

IRIS THEATRE’S SUMMER SEASON

Iris Theatre today announces the opening of a brand-new pop-up, garden café and bar to accompany their 2022 Summer programme at the Actors’ Church. Aptly named The Bard, this pop-up will compliment Iris’ season’s headliner A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The Bard will be open Tuesday-Saturday until 9pm, and on Sundays until 6pm, and will run until September.

Open to everyone, this brand-new bar sits comfortably in the heart of Covent Garden, with access directly from Covent Garden Piazza. Customers can relax away from the hustle and bustle of Central London, surrounded by stunning 17th Century architecture. You can treat yourself to a selection of A Midsummer Night’s Dream themed cocktails such as Puck’s Playful Pimm’s, Demetrius’ Daiquiri or even Oberon’s Very Old-Fashioned, or you can take your pick from Prosecco, wine, beer, coffee, tea, and soft drinks.

The Bard will also play host to a range of live performances over the summer – you can sit down with a drink and enjoy poetry readings, acoustic music, comedy, and more. A relaxing space to experience a great selection of pieces from Iris Theatre’s brilliant summer line-up.

Producer of Iris Theatre, Rob Ellis said today: “We’re very excited to open The Bard to members of the public. It’s a real hidden gem – it couldn’t be easier to get to, just off the Piazza in Covent Garden, and it couldn’t be more peaceful when you arrive. If you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy a pre-theatre glass of Prosecco, or an after-work beer with friends, The Bard is a perfect place to visit. And if you’re coming to see our prom themed A Midsummer Night’s Dream, make sure you pick up one of our special cocktails, to really get into the party spirit. Plus, we have Pimm’s on tap – what more could you want during Summer?”

You can book tickets to see A Midsummer Night’s Dream here – https://iristheatre.com/event/a-midsummer-nights-dream-3

IRIS THEATRE 

LISTINGS

THE BARD

Actors’ Church, Bedford Street, London, WC2E 9ED

MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

St Pauls Covent Garden

Actors’ Church, Bedford Street, London, WC2E 9ED

Box Office: https://iristheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows 29 June – 13 August

Tickets: £22.50

Concessions: £17:50

DAISY WOOD-DAVIS AND HANNAH LOWTHER JOIN THE CAST OF

AND AN ADDITIONAL DATE IS ADDED TO THE CONCERTS
AT THE ICONIC THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE

NOW PLAYING ON 8 & 9 AUGUST 2022

Kinky Boots the Musical in Concert will be stepping out and painting the town red for an extra night on Tuesday 9 August at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane this summer.

Kinky Boots is the feel-good musical by Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper, based on the popular 2005 film of the same name. Previously announced cast are Cedric Neal (Back To The Future, Motown The Musical), as Lola/Simon, Matt Jay Willis (Busted, Waitress, Wicked) as Charlie and Courtney Bowman (Legally Blonde, SIX) as Lauren.

Kicking up their heels to join them is Ahmed Hamad (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, RENT) as Harry, Daisy Wood-Davis (Beautiful: The Carol King Musical, Hair) as Nicola, Duane Goode (Aladdin, The Smartest Giant In Town) as George/Simon Snr, Graham Bickley (Sunset Boulevard, Ragtime) as Mister Price. Hannah Lowther (Heathers, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Gemma Louise, Kayleigh McKnight (Tina Turner The Musical, Les Misérables) as Trish, Madison Swan (Book of Mormon, Heathers) as Marge, Nikki Bentley (Wicked, Monty Python’s Spamalot) as Pat and Sean Needham (9 to 5, Wicked) as Don.

The ensemble of Angels will be led by the Referee Angel, Ashley Samuels and include Eli Caldwell, Finton Flynn, Jayred Lempriere, Jordan Bennett and Ross Carpenter. 

Winner of six TONY awards and the Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 2016, the hilarious and joyous musical returns to the West End for the first time in three years in concert form.

Kinky Boots’ creative team are as follows — Director: Omar F Okai, Musical Director: Freddie Tapner, Designer: Ruth Sutcliffe, Lighting Designer: Ben Cracknell, Lighting Programmer: Chris Winn, Sound Designer: Tom Marshall, Casting: Harry Blumenau, Lighting Designer: Ben Cracknell, Production Manager: Pete Kramer, Company Stage, Manager: Rachael Downey, Assistant Stage Manager: Bryony Relf, Assistant to the Director: Bree Smith, Sound 1: Harry Greatorex, Sound 2: Olly Smith, Production Sound Engineer: Josh Richardson.

Kinky Boots the Musical in Concert is part of three concerts presented in August at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. It succeeds the concert stagings of Chess the Musical in Concert on 1 and 2 August and will be followed by Treason the Musical in Concert on 22 and 23 August.

LES MISÉRABLES

AT THE SONDHEIM THEATRE

EXTENDS BOOKING

UNTIL SUNDAY 5 MARCH 2023

AND NEW PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE FROM

WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER 2022

LES MISÉRABLES at the Sondheim Theatre is delighted to announce it has extended booking until Sunday 5 March 2023, and a new performance schedule from Wednesday 5 October 2022. Tickets for the new booking period are on sale from 11.00am today, Friday 1 July.

From Wednesday 5 October 2022 the new performance schedule will be:

Wednesday at 7.30pm

Thursday at 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Friday at 7.30pm

Saturday at 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Sunday at 2.30pm

Monday at 7.30pm

LES MISÉRABLES currently stars Jon Robyns as Jean Valjean, Bradley Jaden as Javert, Gerard Carey as Thénardier, Josefina Gabrielle as Madame Thénardier, Chanice Alexander-Burnett as Fantine, Harry Apps as Marius, Sha Dessi as Éponine, Jordan Shaw as Enjolras and Charlie Burn as Cosette. They are joined by Kelly Agbowu, Joseph Anthony, Emma Barr, Richard Carson, Rodney Earl Clarke, Danny Colligan, Matthew Dale, Matt Dempsey, Natalie Green, Jessie Hart, Christopher Jacobsen, Connor Jones, Jessica Joslin, Michael Kholwadia, Sarah Lark, Georgie Lovatt, Ellie Ann Lowe, Luke McCall, Leo Miles, Claire O’Leary, Kathy Peacock, Mark Pearce, Sam Peggs, Sake Wijers, Mared Williams and Phoebe Williams.  

Since Cameron Mackintosh first conceived this acclaimed new production of LES MISÉRABLES in 2009, to celebrate the show’s 25^th anniversary, it has taken the world by storm. It will relaunch its record-breaking tour of North America in October this year, a new tour of The Netherlands is set for early 2023 with further productions to be announced. The UK and Ireland tour continues its acclaimed run.

Boublil and Schönberg’s magnificent iconic score of LES MISÉRABLES includes the classic songs, I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, Stars, Bring Him Home, Do You Hear the People Sing?, One Day More, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, Master Of The House and many more. Several of its songs have become real life anthems of revolution wherever in the world people are fighting for their freedom. Seen by over 120 million people worldwide in 52 countries and in 22 languages, LES MISÉRABLES is undisputedly one of the world’s most popular and contemporary musicals.

Cameron Mackintosh’s production of LES MISÉRABLES is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and is based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, additional material by James Fenton and adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird. Orchestrations are by Stephen Metcalfe, Christopher Jahnke and Stephen Brooker with original orchestrations by John Cameron. The production is directed by James Powell and Laurence Connor, designed by Matt Kinley inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo with costumes by Andreane Neofitou and Christine Rowland, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter, projections realised by Finn Ross & Fifty Nine Productions, musical staging by Geoffrey Garratt, and music supervision by Stephen Brooker and Alfonso Casado Trigo.

Latest casting for Festival 2022 at Chichester Festival Theatre:

Jenna Russell plays the leading role in Alan Ayckbourn’s WOMAN IN MIND

Harry Lloyd and Claire Skinner head the cast of Christopher Shinn’s THE NARCISSIST

Full company confirmed for Roy Williams’s SING YER HEART OUT FOR THE LADS

Jenna Russell will lead the cast of Alan Ayckbourn’s WOMAN IN MIND, which Anna Mackmin will direct in the Festival Theatre from 23 September – 15 October.

Jenna’s extensive theatre work includes Sunday in the Park with George in London and on Broadway, for which she won an Olivier Award and was nominated for a Tony; Ayckbourn’s Season’s Greetings at the National Theatre, the title role in Piaf (Nottingham Playhouse) and Anna Mackmin’s production of Di and Viv and Rose (Vaudeville Theatre). Television includes Midsomer Murders, Gentleman Jack, EastEnders and Call The Midwife; she appeared at Chichester in Celebrating Sondheim in 2020.

Director Anna Mackmin (who replaces Justin Martin due to a scheduling conflict) makes her Chichester debut; her theatre work includes Hedda Gabbler and The Real Thing (Old Vic), Me and My Girl (Sheffield Crucible) and Really Old, Like Forty-Five (National Theatre).

Harry Lloyd and Claire Skinner will head the cast of Christopher Shinn’s new play THE NARCISSIST, directed by Josh Seymour, running in the Minerva Theatre 26 August – 24 September. The cast also includes Caroline Gruber, Akshay Khanna, Stuart Thompson, Paksie Vernon and Jenny Walser.

Harry Lloyd’s many screen credits include Game of Thrones, Arcane, Counterpart, Marcella, Wolf Hall, Manhattan and the forthcoming The Lost King; his theatre work includes The Dumb Waiter (Hampstead Theatre), The Duchess of Malfi (Old Vic), and The Little Dog Laughed, A View from the Bridge and The Sea in the West End.

Claire Skinner starred in the hugely popular BBC sitcom Outnumbered; other recent screen work includes McDonald & Dodds, Vanity Fair and The Pale Horse, whileher extensive theatre work includes A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (West End), Nightfall (Bridge Theatre), The Winter’s Tale and Othello (National Theatre).

The Narcissist was initially commissioned by Fictionhouse.

In Roy Williams’s SING YER HEART OUT FOR THE LADS,running in the Minerva Theatre from 22 July – 13 August, original cast members Harold Addo, Makir Ahmed, Alexander Cobb, Rob Compton, Kirsty J Curtis, Jennifer Daley, Michael Hodgson, Sian Reese-Williams, Richard Riddell and Mark Springer will be joined by Samuel Armfield, Steven Dykes, Duramaney Kamara and Jem Matthews.

Nicole Charles’s much-praised productionearned critical and public acclaim when it was staged in Chichester’s Spiegeltent in 2019, and will be revived by Joanna Bowman. Part of the Minerva Theatre will be transformed into a pub setting to create an immersive theatrical experience for this World Cup and Women’s Euro year.

CASTING AND FULL CREATIVE TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR ANTIGONE BY INUA ELLAMS

• ZAINAB HASAN PLAYS ANTIGONE

• TONY JAYAWARDENA PLAYS CREON

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre have today announced casting and the full creative team for Antigone. Written by Inua Ellams (Barber Shop Chronicles, Three Sisters), this contemporary retelling of Sophocles’s epic story has been commissioned by the theatre in its 90^th anniversary year.

A torn family. A hostile state. One heroic brother. One misguided son. One conflicted sister, and the second is on the run.

The creative team includes: Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante MBE (composer), Shanaé Chisholm (casting assistant), Barbara Houseman (voice & text and season associate director), Carrie-Anne Ingrouille (choreographer), Polly Jerrold (casting director), Jack Knowles (lighting designer), Emma Laxton (sound designer), Ingrid Mackinnon (season associate: intimacy support), Khadija Raza (costume designer), Leslie Travers (set designer), Jo Tyabji (co-director), Max Webster (director) and Kate Waters (fight director).

Zainab Hasan plays the role of Antigone, and Tony Jayawardena plays Antigone’s uncle, Creon.

Also joining the cast are: Pandora Colin (Eurydice) Rhianna Dorris (Lyra), Sandy Grierson (Aleksy), Nadeem Islam (Polyneices), Abe Jarman (Eteocles), Oliver Johnstone (Haemon), Munir Khairdin (Nikomedes), Susan Lawson-Reynolds (Commissioner), Eli London (Tiresius), Shazia Nicholls (Ismene), Mervin Noronha (Chorus), Razak Osman (Athan), Joseph Prouse (Officer), Nadia Sohawon (Kyria), Riley Woodford (Strom) and Lydia Bakelmun (walking understudy).

Zainab Hasan (Antigone)

Theatre includes: Chasing Hares (Young Vic); Lotus Beauty (Hampstead); Rice (Orange Tree/Actors Touring Company); Living Newspaper (Royal Court); The Welkin (National Theatre); Blank, Shakespeare Trilogy, Henry IV (Donmar Warehouse); Timon of Athens, Tartuffe, Tamburlaine (RSC); Hijabi Monologues (Bush); The Tempest (Donmar Warehouse/St Ann’s Warehouse, New York); Boy (Almeida); Henry IV (St Anne’s Warehouse, NYC); The Class by Luke Barnes (National Youth Theatre); Tory Boyz, Romeo & Juliet, Prince of Denmark (Ambassadors).

Television includes: Casualty (BBC One); Maryland (BBC Two, Century Films).

Writing includes: Writing Wrongs – Equal Measure (Donmar Warehouse).

Tony Jayawardena (Creon)

Theatre includes: The Father and the Assassin, England People Very Nice (National Theatre); East is East (National Theatre/Birmingham Rep); The Invisible Hand, White Teeth (Kiln); Christmas at the Snow Globe, Twelfth Night, Lions and Tigers (Shakespeare’s Globe); Hobson’s Choice (Royal Exchange, Manchester); Young Marx (The Bridge); The Tempest, The Roaring Girl, The White Devil (RSC); Bend It Like Beckham (Phoenix).

Television includes: Avoidance, Holby City (BBC One); The Crown, The Duchess (Netflix); Ackley Bridge, The Windsors (Channel 4); The Tunnel (Sky Atlantic); Cuckoo (BBC Three); The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (Kindle Entertainment).

Film includes: A Street Cat Named Bob; The Cook; Trance; A Bunch of Amateurs.

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s 90^th Anniversary season also includes the sell-out hit musical Legally Blonde (playing until 2 July) directed by Lucy Moss, co-creator of Six the Musical, which has now played to over 65,000 people. From 12 July to 28 August, 101 Dalmatians is a newly commissioned musical written by Douglas Hodge (music and lyrics) and Johnny McKnight (book), from a stage adaptation by Zinnie Harris, based on the book by Dodie Smith.

The theatre also presents a series of one-off MOREoutdoor events including Daniel Kitson with or near Gavin Osborn (24 July, 21 August), Austentatious: An Improvised Jane Austen Novel (Sunday 31 July), Frankenstein: How To Make A Monster (Monday 8 August) from Battersea Arts Centre the BAC Beatbox Academy, Le Gateau Chocolat, making his Open Air Theatre debut with Raw Cacao (Sunday 14 August), and The Luna Cinema presents Steven Spielberg’s multi-award-winning new take on West Side Story (Sunday 18 September).