Month: August 2022

FROM POPPINS TO PEGGY – FULL CAST

ANNOUNCED FOR…

ARE YOU AS NERVOUSE AS I AM?

PREMIÈRING AT GREENWICH THEATRE
FROM 1 OCTOBER 2022

Following the announcement of Bill Ward joining the cast of NEW British musical, Are You As Nervous As I Am?, three talented young actresses will take on the role of Young Peggy.

Megan Donovan comes straight to the Greenwich Theatre from her West End debut in Mary Poppins, and will be sharing the role of Young Peggy with Darcey Wilks (The Sound of Music) and Eva Hill who will be making her stage debut. In addition to this, Megan, Darcey and Eva will also share the role of Welsh schoolgirl Anwen.

Previously announced Katie Elin-Salt will star in the role of Peggy, the young and impressionable girl with a passion for singing, alongside Emma Thornett as Janet, the runaway sister in search of a more honest life. Bill Ward will be playing the role of Bob, the charismatic husband of Peggy who is not what he first seems.

Completing the ensemble will be Christopher Cameron (Bat Out of Hell) who joins the talented cast of the show in assorted supporting roles alongside understudying the role of Larry.

Fresh from Billy Elliot at the Leicester Curve, Josh Cottell will be joining the production as Musical Director. Josh’s previous credits also include Musical Director for Sweeney Todd (Bath Theatre Academy) and Spring Awakening (Royal Birmingham Conservatoire).

Final casting also includes: Sarah Ingram (Flashdance; Oklahoma!) as Catrin/Christine,Daniel Abbott (Groan Ups; Pride and Prejudice) as Larry, Simon Furness (The Cleaner; Uncle Vanya) as Peter, Ian Houghton (War Horse; This House) as The Welsh Soldier/Sam Berkowitz, Emily-Mae (City of Angels; Hairspray) as Kiki Kavelle, Jenny Perry (The Rocky Horror Picture Show; The Wizard of Oz) as A Cockney Girl/Peggy and Janet Cover.

FAMILY BEFORE FAME

The story follows a journey of two sisters – Peggy and Janet – in their search for happiness. Fighting against their mother’s dysfunctional behaviour, they are forced apart to pursue lives away from their home in Wales.

Set against the background of a century in flux, when the sisters reconnect, they are gradually empowered to positively transform their lives

The world premiere of Are You As Nervous As I Am? takes place at Greenwich Theatre from 01 – 23 October 2022.

With a multi award-winning creative team, Are You As Nervous As I Am? is written by Simon Spencer, with music by Leighton James House and lyrics by Shaun McKenna.

Are You As Nervous As I Am? is a strong female-driven story of empowerment: touching on disability, sexuality, abuse and race, with memorable characters and powerful original songs.

The production is directed by Phoebe Barran, music direction by Josh Cottell and musical arrangements by Dr Matthew Malone, set & costume design by Kevin Jenkins lighting by Mike Robertson, movement by Denni Sayers

NIC COLICOS,

BILLY NEVERS &

JOE FOSTER 

TO JOIN THE WEST END’S MOST JOYOUS MUSICAL

Booking at Shaftesbury Theatre, London

to September 2023

The producers of & Juliet – the West End’s joyous and fun-loving Max Martin musical, playing at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London – announced today (Tuesday 30 August)) that three new cast members will be joining the long-running West End hit. They are Nicolas Colicos, who will play Lance, Billy Nevers as Francois and Joe Foster, who will be May.

Nicolas Colicos’ theatre credits include Bones in the original cast of Sister Act at the London Palladium, Francz Liebkind in The Producers in the West End and Bill in the original cast of Mamma Mia. His film and TV work includes Kingsman II, Superman IV and Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.

Billy Nevers was in the original ensemble of & Juliet, and is thrilled to be to returning in the role of Francois. His other work includes Legally Blonde at Regents Park Open Air Theatre and Jesus Christ Superstar at the Barbican and Regents Park.

Joe Foster recently appeared in Legally Blonde at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Hex at the National Theatre and Rent at Hope Mill Theatre.

Full cast biographies can be found on the & Juliet website www.andjulietthemusical.co.uk

& Juliet soars with the music of Max Martin, the acclaimed songwriter of some of pop’s most iconic songs and recorded by artists including Backstreet Boys, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Katy Perry and Ariana Grande, all brilliantly arranged for the musical by Tony® and Grammy Award-winning orchestrator Bill Sherman.

The musical contains many of the biggest and most anthemic songs of the last 30 years, including Baby One More Time, Everybody (Backstreet’s Back), Love Me Like You Do, Confident, It’s My Life, Can’t Feel My Face and the roof-raising Roar.

Miriam-Teak Lee – who was awarded the Olivier Award for Best Actress in 2020 for her performance as Juliet – leads a cast including Cassidy Janson, who also won an Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Anne Hathaway, Oliver Tompsett as William Shakespeare, Tom Francis as Romeo, and Malinda Parris as Angelique, the Nurse.

The ensemble includes Ebony Clarke, Bessy Ewa, Collette Guitart, Cassandra Lee, Nathan Louis-Fernand, Zara MacIntosh, Carl Man, Christian Maynard, Rachel Moran, Owen Saward, Aaron Shales, Benjamin Terry and Suki Wong, who join Ivan De Freitas, Rhian Duncan, Alex Tranter, Sophie Usher and Rhys Wilkinson..

Brought to life by an award-winning creative team in an explosive fusion of styles, & Juliet is directed by Luke Sheppard with a book by David West Read (Schitt’s Creek), electrifying choreography from Jennifer Weber, stunning set design from Soutra Gilmour and costume design by Paloma Young.

Max Martin and Tim Headington present & Juliet, which is produced by Martin Dodd, Tim Headington, Max Martin, Jenny Petersson and Theresa Steele Page.

MONICA DOLAN, TAMSIN GREIG AND STEPHEN MANGAN JOIN LYRIC HAMMERSMITH THEATRE’S FUNDRAISING WEEK TO SUPPORT THE TALENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, SPRINGBOARD

MONICA DOLAN, TAMSIN GREIG AND STEPHEN MANGAN JOIN LYRIC HAMMERSMITH THEATRE’S FUNDRAISING WEEK TO SUPPORT THE TALENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, SPRINGBOARD

Lyric Hammersmith Theatre alumni Tamsin Greig and Stephen Mangan together with West Londoner Monica Dolan are helping to raise money for the pioneering talent development programme, Springboard, which aims to find, shape, inspire, champion and sustain the next generation of performers from underrepresented backgrounds.

The venue is hosting a week of events to help raise funds for the programme which includes talks from the critically acclaimed actors, a rare opportunity to thrift directly from the Lyric costume department, and a drag night variety show. Tickets are available to book now at www.lyric.co.uk.

Monday 19^th September, 7.30-9pm

An Evening with Monica Dolan hosted by Artistic Director and CEO Rachel O’Riordan

Tuesday 20^th September, 7.30-9pm

An Evening with Tamsin Greig hosted by Bill Cashmore Award Founder, Sasha Bates

Wednesday 21^st September, 2-9pm

Lyric Costume Sale. A rare chance for thrift-lovers to buy the gems from the first costume department following its first clear out in 10 years.

Thursday 22^nd September, 7.30pm-midnight

Chariots of Glitter – A Drag Night Variety Show hosted by Aurora Kills

Comedy, lip-sync and songs with guest performers supporting marathon runner Aurora Kills followed by a discotheque 

Friday 23^rd September, 7.30-9pm

An Evening with Stephen Mangan hosted by Lyric Chair, Lorraine Heggessey, 

Tickets are £20. Book at www.lyric.co.uk or 0208 741 6850

Biographies

Monica Dolan is a BAFTA and Olivier Award winning actor whose work spans television, film and stage. Her recent theatre credits include Doubt (Chichester Festival Theatre), The Shrine (The Bridge), Appropriate (Donmar Warehouse), All About Eve ­– winning the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role(Noel Coward Theatre), The Beasts (Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Bush Theatre). For television, her credits include The Thief, His Wife, And The Canoe, My Name Is Leon, Appropriate Adult, Talking Heads, A Very English Scandal, Black Mirror, The Witness For The Prosecution, The Casual Vacancy and W1A, and for film; Cyrano, Days of the Bagnold Summer, The Dig, Rialto, Official Secrets, Eye in the Sky, The Arbor, Pride and The Falling.

Tamsin Greig is an award-winning actor of stage and screen. One of her first performances ever, in 1997, was in Don Carlos at the Lyric Studio. Her theatre credits include Peggy For You (Hampstead Theatre), Talking Heads Live: Nights In The Garden of Spain (Bridge Theatre), A Kind of Alaska/Landscape (Harold Pinter Theatre), Twelfth Night, Gethsemane (National Theatre), Jumpy (Royal Court), God of Carnage (Gielgud Theatre) and Much Ado About Nothing (RSC and Novello Theatre). Her television credits include The Amazing Mr Blunden, Romeo and Juliet, Belgravia, Elementary, Diana and I, Inside No.0, Episodes, Friday Night Dinner, Emma, The Diary of Anne Frank, Love Soup, Green Wing, Doctor Who, Black Books, Jonathan Creek, Falling Apart, People Like Us, Happiness, and for film; Official Secrets, Days of the Bagnold Summer, Tamara Drewe, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Breaking the Bank, Stop the World, Shaun of the Dead, Captain Eager and The Mark of Voth.  

Stephen Mangan returns to the Lyric 17 years since he appeared in The Magic Carpet. His theatre credits include The People Are Friendly, Birthday (Royal Court), The Norman Conquests (Old Vic and Broadway), Noises Off (Piccadilly Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, School For Scandal (RSC), Much Ado About Nothing (Cheek By Jowl World Tour), Hayfever (Savoy Theatre), She Stoops To Conquer (Birmingham Rep), As You Like It, Twelfth Night, The Tempest (Nottingham Playhouse), Hamlet (Theatre Royal, Norwich), Crouch Grass and Ribbon (Watermill Theatre), Rules for Living (National Theatre) and The Rover (Salisbury Playhouse). His television credits include Episodes, Green Wing, Dirk Gently, The Hunt for Tony Blair, Free Agents, The Split, Urban Myths, Hang Ups, Bliss, Drunk History, Houdini and Doyle, Never Better, Jane Hall, Bromwell High, Watership Down and Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years, and for film; Breathe, Rush, Beyond the Pole, Someone Else, Confetti, Festival, SuperTex, New Year’s Eve, Birthday Girl and Chunky Monkey.

SOARING ACCOMMODATION COSTS THE BIGGEST RISK TO EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE FUTURE

SAY THE EIGHT MAJOR PRESENTERS BEHIND EDFEST.COM

Sunday, 28 August: The eight major producing venues behind EdFest.com – which comprise Assembly, Dance Base, Gilded Balloon, Just the Tonic, Pleasance, Summerhall, Underbelly and ZOO – collectively commented that soaring accommodation costs are the biggest risk to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s future. 1,965,961 tickets were collectively sold by the eight venues in 2019 while more than 1,486,746 are forecast to be sold this year.

A spokesperson for EdFest.com said: “It has been fantastic to be back at the first full Fringe since 2019 – to see the live performance industry come roaring back to life in this post-pandemic world. There has been a real appetite and energy for shared, live experiences in Edinburgh over the last few weeks and the quality of the programme has been incredible – yet, the forecast number of tickets we’ve collectively sold is down 25% compared to 2019 which is a major threat for everyone involved in the festival.

“Together, we eight venues are forecast to have sold more than 1,486,746 tickets despite the very real continuing challenges to our industry, including the cost-of-living crisis, the lingering effects of coronavirus, the cost and uncertainty of international travel, the recent train strikes and more. Chief among these however is the soaring cost of accommodation in Edinburgh in August – audiences and artists alike are being priced out of town, out of experiences.

“It is clear to anyone spending time in Edinburgh, that there are fewer people in the city this year than in 2019. While there are certainly other factors that have affected audience numbers this year; the cost of accommodation is a perennial problem across the board. Disruption with public transport, delays with artist visas, and high fuel costs are even more insurmountable when people and performers simply cannot afford to stay in the city.

We know that a lack of safe, affordable housing is not just an August problem, but one that affects the artists, staff and audiences who call Edinburgh home. It’s imperative that local and national government, landlords, the universities, Fringe venues and the Fringe Society all come together to find a lasting solution for this issue, or the future of the Fringe is in very real danger. Long term we also have to find solutions that allow the festival to be affordable to performers and the audience. Given the extent of the reduction in sales the overall festival has a major job to do in restoring the event to normality, which may take several years and require some public support. We need to stabilise the current situation where many people have made significant losses; to address the accommodation issue; to find ways of supporting work; and a major marketing campaign to get the audience back to the festival.

“Over the past 75 years, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe has earned its reputation as the world’s leading arts festival. We must continue to work together to do everything in our power to ensure that it remains a vibrant, inclusive, and financially accessible destination for another 75 years.”

The Bread & Roses Theatre – until 3 September 2022

4****

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

Farine Clark’s sharp and scathing play returns to The Bread & Roses for a well-deserved longer run. Even though the story is set at the turn of the millennium, the characters and situations are depressingly recognisable in the political and corporate world of 2022.

With the development of the internet and the beginnings of the move to online media, a large media corporation, UK National News Group, is on the lookout for fresh acquisitions. While most newspapers are seeing a decline in sales, The Daily Word is a success, so UKNNG want to buy it. Unfortunately, the paper’s publisher is all too aware of the corporation’s history of profits before editorial content, but this isn’t the biggest sticking point in the takeover.

It only takes six characters to portray the prejudices and inequalities in business to stark effect – this renders them a little stereotypical but could well trigger moments of recognition of past work colleagues amongst the audience. With barbed one liners and glorious sarcasm, the meetings and pre-meetings rattle along in various offices, and then come to a grinding halt for a scene change. My only niggle with the production and Catriona Clancy’s otherwise assured direction are these overly elaborate scene changes, with the angle of the desk being changed slightly and items on the desk being rearranged. If these props were vital, fair enough, but the cast only use folders and coffee cups at most, and the desk is above the eyeline of the audience – so what is the point? The only desk position change I found effective and necessary was for Sunil’s office, with his Lord of the Manor ego trip and power games. The red light and the ticking are highly effective to demonstrate the end of a scene, but couldn’t they just change a nameplate on the desk? That way the sense of urgency and building pace of the action would be much smoother instead of too much stop/start.

The three main protagonists are a joy to watch – with Harris Vaughan’s Christian coming across as an amalgam of Gordon Brittas and an adult Inbetweener. His ruthlessness and willingness to manipulate and dispense with his loyal team is odious, contrasting deliciously with his toadying to those who are more powerful. Natalie Lauren as Arabella is smart and nuanced, portraying the character’s frustration and conscience after so many years of manipulating takeovers, chasing profits and ignoring the human cost. Stuck in the middle is Charles (Paul Condon) a delightfully average and mild-mannered accountant who just loves being pert of the team and is loyal to the corporation.

The layers of prejudice and lack of conscience within the corporation are laid bare to Charles by Arabella as they work on the takeover of the Daily Word, but even as she complains and hates what she is doing, she carries on with the task. Meanwhile, Christian tries to educate Charles on the hidden “inner circles” of power, leading to Charles’ many funny London Zoo references. Charles’ reactions to these insights about racism and tokenism are beautifully judged, never making it clear if he is just naïve or with his head in the sand all those years. The higher up the board you go in this play, the more venal the men. Dan Saski’s Alex is at least open with colleagues about his views, while Anirban Roy as Sunil is much more dangerous with his duplicity and prejudices hidden behind his sophistication. Odimegwu Okoye’s Kelvin is mostly stoic in his knowledge and acceptance of the true consequences of the takeover, making his angry speech education Arabella and Charles about their bosses’ racism much more effective and upsetting as he makes it clear that this is what he deals with every day.

The duplicitous business shenanigans and faction building are sobering, but great fun to watch, and the writing leads you to think that Charles will save the day, until Farine Clarke pulls a handbrake turn with the plot and ends the play with a deliciously dark and satisfying laugh. Highly entertaining, extremely relevant, and very funny.

Jack Studio Theatre- until 27 August 2022

4****

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

Bear in the Air Productions charming adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing is a delightful summer treat. Director Heather Simpkin cuts the running time to under two hours and the characters down to twelve played by a cast of six. This inevitably means the loss of some of the build up in Beatrice and Benedick’s relationship, but the choices made and the strong performances of Hannah Eggleton and Ross Telfer as the couple make their shorter sparring/courtship work very well in this setting.

From their tour photos, the company has changed little of the set from their outdoor venues, and although the bunting isn’t fluttering in the breeze, the show still manages to keep its relaxed Shakespeare in the park atmosphere indoors. The Steampunk influenced costumes of the noble characters and the modern attire of the watchmen mark their social standing instantly.

The comedy rattles along before the interval, with the contrast between Hero and Claudio’s love at first sight and Beatrice and Benedick’s protestations about marriage leading to the two gloriously ridiculous scenes of physical comedy where Beatrice and Benedick eavesdrop and are tricked into confronting their love for each other. The plotting of Don Jon – obviously evil in black uniform and shades and henchman Borachio plays like a scene from the earliest Blackadder where Baldrick was the clever one, with Conor Cook nailing the petulant little brother mood. The cast are excellent: Megan King and Toby George-Waters are a delight as the young lovers Hero and Claudio and Charles Stobert’s Don Pedro has a comforting air of kindly authority.

As the play gets darker with death and revenge amongst the nobles, so the production ramps up the comedy with the introduction of the watch. Conor Cook is a scream as the “Chief Scout” Dogberry – his pathetic pomposity clashing brilliantly with the childish rivalry between the watchmen (Hannah Eggleton and Ross Telfer). There is lots of audience participation that feels natural and unforced, helped by the cast sitting on stage when not involved in scenes and reacting in character with the audience to what is happening. The musical numbers are irreverently appropriate and enhance the shared camaraderie between audience and players (yes, we know this is all nonsense, but we are all having a lovely time together) that shines through with excellent productions of Shakespeare comedies.

Doctor Who’s Colin Baker and The Archers’
Terry Molloy bring Sherlock Holmes’ The
Hound of the Baskervilles to the stage
UK Tour: October – November 2022

Commemorating 120 years of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s world-famous tale, Crime And Comedy Theatre Company present a brand-new stage adaptation of The Hound of the Baskervilles, touring the UK this autumn. Doctor Who stars Colin Baker (Doctor Who, BBC; The Brothers, BBC) and Terry Molloy (The Archers, BBC Radio 4; Doctor Who, BBC) will take to the stage in this classic detective tale.

Once facing each other as mortal enemies as the Doctor and Davros in Doctor Who, Baker, returning to the stage after five years, and Molloy, best known for playing the infamous Mike Tucker in The Archers for over forty years, now team up as the iconic Holmes and Watson. Joined by Dee Sadler (No Place Like Home, BBC; All Creatures Great and Small, BBC) as Doctor Mortimer, this radio-play-on-stage brings to life one of the greatest detective mysteries ever told

Adaptor and director Martin Parsons comments, With 2022 being the 120th anniversary of the publication of The Hound of The Baskervilles, it’s an ideal time for a brand-new adaptation of the world’s most famous detective story. And having seen Colin Baker and Terry Molloy’s pitchperfect performances, I know audiences will delight at their portrayals of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. We’re in for a treat and I’m thrilled to be able to bring two such fine actors together on stage in these iconic roles.

The cast is completed by Nigel Fairs (Translations, National Theatre; The Mousetrap, West End) as Sir Henry Baskerville, Kate Ashmead (The Importance of Being Earnest, Palchetto Stage; Educating Rita, Regent Theatre) as Mrs Barrymore and Martin Parsons (The Railway Children, UK Tour; Billy Liar, UK Tour) as Jack Stapleton.

CIRCUS MEETS PANTOMIME THIS CHRISTMAS,

WITH MORE CAST ANNOUNCED FOR RICHMOND

THEATRE’S SPECTACULAR PANTO!

RICHMOND THEATRE 3-31 DECEMBER 2022

Richmond Theatre is pleased to announce further cast for their upcoming circus-themed pantomime, Goldilocks and the Three Bears who will join TV personality Matt Baker as he reprises the role of Joey the Clown following his acclaimed performance in the 2019 London Palladium production.

Taking on the role of villain Countess Von Vinklebottom will be Jessica Martin, with esteemed pantomime performer Nigel Ellacott as Dame Betty Barnum.

The panto will also feature Phil Walker as Ringo the Ringmaster and Tamara Morgan as Goldilocks, along with the magic of Magician Phil Hitchcock and the amazing circus skills of Gordon Marquez.

Members of the cast appeared for the first time in character at Richmond Theatre’s family Circus Skills Day, interacting with the local community and trying their hand at new skills such as juggling and plate-spinning. [Images available to download here.]

Matt Baker is known to millions as a presenter of Countryfile on BBC One and Matt Baker: Our Farm in the Dales on Channel 4. Previously, he has presented The One Show, Blue Peter and was a finalist on Strictly Come Dancing. He has previously been seen on stage as Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Jessica Martin is no stranger to the stage, having made her West End debut as Sally Smith in Me and My Girl. Her other credits include Mack and Mabel, South Pacific, Sweeney Todd and Sondheim at 80. Jessica is delighted to be playing her very first pantomime villain. Nigel Ellacott is one of the UK’s most celebrated panto dames, having performed in almost 50 pantomime across the UK. As well as a hugely talented performer, Nigel’s costumes are also his own creations!

Award-winning comedian Phil Walker was voted the City of Life Comedian in Manchester and headlines comedy clubs across the UK. He recently supported Jason Manford on his nationwide ‘Like Me’ tour and has appeared in over 20 pantomimes. A recent Urdang graduate, Tamara Morgan has recently appeared in Lift (Southwark Playhouse) and Half a Sixpence (Kilworth House) and can’t wait to star in her first pantomime.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears will be a panto like Richmond has never seen before, bringing all the magic of the Big Top to the Theatre with circus acts combined with all the comedy you’d expect from the perfect family Christmas show.

Goldilocks’ circus is under threat from an evil rival circus owner and, with the help of their madcap circus friends, they’re battling to rescue their Big Top from ruin. Will they succeed? All seems lost, until three brilliant bears join the gang…

Don’t miss your chance to grab your tickets to the biggest and the best circus in town this Christmas and be swept away by a pantomime spectacular that’s just right!

ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company              
Mixtape – Celebrating 20 years of ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company
Sadler’s Wells Theatre, EC1R 4TN
Wednesday 5 – Saturday 8 October                               
Tickets: £15 – £55 
Ticket Office: 020 7863 8000 or www.sadlerswells.com

Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Kate Prince celebrates 20 years of her phenomenal company ZooNation with a new show. Mixtape – Celebrating 20 years of ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company runs at Sadler’s Wells from Wednesday 5 – Saturday 8 October.

Mixtape includes excerpts of hit shows from the last two decades of the Sadler’s Wells Resident Company, reworked with a twist. Expect to see the recent Message In A Bottle with music by Sting; Into the Hoods – the first hip hop dance show to run in the west end; Some Like it Hip Hop; and The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party among others, in a retrospective of two decades of groundbreaking storytelling inspired by the music and culture of hip hop.

As part of this celebration, free exhibitions transform the Sadler’s Wells foyers into a vibrant space showcasing the productions and artists that have created ZooNation, with a special exhibition honouring the life of the late Teneisha Bonner.

Since 2002 Kate Prince, Artistic Director and founder of ZooNation, has created multiple hit shows and has wowed the next generation of theatregoers and theatre makers with extraordinary work. Kate’s other recent work includes choreography for the stage show and film of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. She has also choreographed for the Olympics and Paralympics Handover Ceremonies 2008 Beijing and was awarded an MBE for services to dance in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2019.

Mixtape is co-directed by ZooNation Associates Dannielle ‘Rhimes’ Lecointe and Bradley Charles, experienced choreographers and performers who have been in the company for over 17 years. Dannielle and Bradley have collaborated to bring ZooNation’s highlights back to the stage and to reunite the artists who have been a part of the company over the last two decades.

ZooNation Associate Artist Dannielle ‘Rhimes’ Lecointe has worked on ZooNation shows including Into The Hoods, SYLVIA and Groove on Down the Road (remounted). Dannielle was Artistic Director of ZooNation Young Company Birmingham. Dannielle was Assistant Choreographer during London 2012’s Opening Ceremony and has worked as Associate Choreographer on the West End musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.

ZooNation Associate Artist Bradley Charles has worked with some of the top commercial and underground artists in the entertainment industry on film projects, commercials, theatre, arena and world tours. He has worked on the West End run of Into the Hoods with ZooNation. Bradley also performed with Boy Blue Entertainment in their show PIED PIPER, as well as delivering choreography and performing with Flawless UK on their most recent world tour and choreographed for the 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony. Bradley Charles was also Artistic Director of ZooNation Youth Company from 2019 – 2021.

ZooNation Musical Director D.J. Walde joined ZooNation in 2003 and has created and performed music for hit shows including The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, Into the Hoods, Groove on Down the Road and Some Like it Hip Hop, as well as further work for ZooNation Academy of Dance and ZooNation Youth Company. D.J. Walde will be creating a new piece of music for the introduction of Mixtape.  

The show design is by Ben Stones and lighting by Charlie Morgan Jones. The show features live vocalists and special guest performers including; Nafisah Baba, Tommy Franzen, Lukas McFarlane, Lizzie Gough, Sarah Richards and Issac ‘Turbo’ Baptiste.

Sir Alistair Spalding CBE, Sadler’s Wells Artistic Director and Chief Executive, said: “Sadler’s Wells has a longstanding relationship with Kate Prince as a Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist and with her company, which is one of our resident companies, and we have been delighted to present her energetic and inventive work over the years.

Sadler’s Wells is proud to be celebrating ZooNation’s amazing milestone anniversary with this special evening of dance, looking back on two decades of hit shows. Kate Prince and ZooNation have opened up the world of hip hop to our audiences, and I am sure they will continue to enjoy the work of this groundbreaking company for years to come.”

Kate Prince said, “Mixtape is a true celebration of not just ZooNation’s work over the past 20 years, but the people and artists we’ve had the joy of collaborating with. Everyone has brought something different, so our shows have always been an exploration of styles, stories and people. We’re so grateful and excited to be back on stage, and to be uniting company members, new and seasoned. It’s a celebration – not just for the company, but for our amazing audiences and supporters too.”

Co-director Dannielle ‘Rhimes’ Lecointe said, “For two decades we’ve made it our mission to make theatre for all generations to access, enjoy and feel inspired by. It’s only right we celebrate the accomplishments of not just our company and artists, but of those who have supported our earliest and most recent work. This is a time of celebrating the diverse body of work, artists and audiences of ZooNation.”

Co-director Bradley Charles said, “At this landmark birthday celebration, we look at our achievements through a selection of work and pay tribute to all the creative artists who made it all possible. From the technical teams, artists, lighting, sound, administration and producers. We say thank you! For 20 years ZooNation have entertained crowds around the world. Bringing our creative storytelling and original writing to the stage. Along with well-known and original produced music to get audiences bouncing in their seats! It’s such an honour to be able to reimagine and relive all these highlights, and reunite nearly 40 artists on stage, it’s going to feel electric!.”

Contains references to bereavement, loss and death.

Kate Prince is a Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist and ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company is a resident company

BSL Interpreted post show talk on Wednesday 5 October

Audio Described performance on Saturday 8 October at 2:30 pm

Cast Announced For the UK Tour of STRICTLY BALLROOM

Baz Luhrmann’s smash hit musical Strictly Ballroom is set to sweep audiences off their feet once more when the new 2022/2023 tour, directed by the fab-u-lous Craig Revel Horwood, begins in Portsmouth on 26th September. Former Strictly Come Dancing champion, Kevin Clifton stars as Scott Hastings and EastEnders star and Strictly Come Dancing finalist, Maisie Smith makes her musical theatre debut in the lead female role of Fran. Kevin and Maisie were previous champions of the Strictly Come Dancing Children in Need Special 2019.

The 10 month tour – choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood and Strictly Come Dancing’s Creative Director, Jason Gilkison – visits almost 40 venues before culminating in Bristol in July 2023. Foxtrotting around the UK and Ireland, the show is based on the award-winning, global film phenomenon, ‘Strictly Ballroom’ that inspired the world to dance and spawned the smash hit TV series ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.

Craig Revel Horwood said: “I am absolutely delighted to be directing the amazing Kevin Clifton and the sensational Maisie Smith, together with our super talented cast in Strictly Ballroom The Musical – I know that they’ll all be FAB-U-LOUS! Expect some sexy moves, sizzling costumes and a simply sensational evening!”

Kevin Clifton said: “I’m thrilled to finally be fulfilling my lifelong ambition to play Scott Hastings in Strictly Ballroom The Musical. When I was 10 years old I first watched the movie that would become my favourite film of all time. This is my dream role. I’m beyond excited to be performing with Maisie again – she’s amazing – and can’t wait to don the golden jacket and waltz all over the UK with her in this incredible show!”

Maisie Smith said: “Dancing in Strictly has been a huge part of my life, and been so much fun. I’m absolutely delighted to be able to continue that journey in Strictly Ballroom The Musical. Not only do I get to make my musical theatre debut with my former partner in crime, Kevin Clifton, but I get to work with Craig Revel Horwood and Jason Gilkison again too – I can’t wait!”

This all-singing, all-dancing and all-glittering nine-month tour will see the show dazzle audiences all over the UK & Ireland in Portsmouth, Bromley, Sunderland, Liverpool, Llandudno, Birmingham, Wimbledon, Darlington, Blackpool, Peterborough, Sheffield, Guildford, Ipswich, Reading, Cardiff, Plymouth, Truro, Wolverhampton, Southampton, Northampton, Hull, Canterbury, Southend, Bradford, Milton Keynes, Norwich, Bournemouth, York, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Derry, Dublin, Glasgow, Aylesbury, Nottingham, Salford, Leeds and Bristol.

Strictly Ballroom The Musical tells the beguiling story of Scott Hastings, a talented, arrogant and rebellious young ballroom dancer. When Scott’s radical dance moves see him fall out of favour with the Australian Federation, he finds himself dancing with Fran, a beginner with no moves at all. Inspired by one another, this unlikely pair gather the courage to defy both convention and their families – and discover that, to be winners, the steps don’t need to be strictly ballroom…

Featuring a show-stopping book by Baz Luhrmann & Craig Pearce, and bringing together a sublime cast of over 20 world class performers, Strictly Ballroom brings to life iconic songs, including Love is in the Air, Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps and Time After Time with dynamic and joyous verve. The show will also feature some amazing new songs by internationally acclaimed artists including Sia, David Foster and Eddie Perfect. The show’s scintillating singing, dazzling dancing and eye-popping costumes will combine together to bring audiences a story of heart, comedy and drama, and promises to be an unforgettable night under the glitter ball.

The cast of Strictly Ballroom The Musical includes: Nikki Belsher (Shirley Hastings); Mark Sangster (Doug Hastings); Gary Davis (Barry Fife); Quinn Patrick (Les Kendall); Oliver Brooks (JJ Silvers); Jose Agudo (Rico); Karen Mann (Abuela); Agnes Pure (Liz); Benjamin Harrold (Ken); Jessica Vaux (Charm); Danielle Cato (Tina Sparkle); Kieran Cooper (Wayne); Maddy Ambus (Vanessa); Adam Davidson (Nathan) and Poppy Blackledge (Pam). The ensemble features Liv Alexander, Edwin Ray, Stuart Rouse, Hollie Jane Stephens, Michelle Buckley and Stylianos Thomadakis.

This uplifting and courageous musical originated as a stage play that Baz Luhrmann devised with a group of classmates at Sydney’s National Institute of Dramatic Art in 1984. Eight years later he made his screen directorial debut with ‘Strictly Ballroom’, the first instalment in Luhrmann’s acclaimed Red Curtain Trilogy. The vibrant film enjoyed staggering success, winning three awards at the 1993 BAFTA awards and a 1994 Golden Globe nomination for Best Picture, going on to become one of the most successful Australian films of all time, earning more than $80 million at the box office. In April 2014 Strictly Ballroom The Musical had its world premiere at the Sydney Lyric Theatre.

Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom The Musical is a fabulous, feel-good evening full of sequins, singing and salsa. This unmissable kaleidoscope of glitz and glamour is a tonic for the soul and will send your heart soaring and toes tapping long after you leave the theatre!