Month: August 2022

HAMPSTEAD THEATRE ANNOUNCES THE FULL CAST AND CREATIVE TEAMS FOR THE WORLD PREMIERES OF RICHARD EYRE’S THE SNAIL HOUSE AND GEORGINA BURNS’ RAVENSCOURT

Hampstead Theatre is delighted to announce the full cast and creative teams for The Snail House and Ravenscourtwhich open this September.

The world premiere of The Snail House will feature Amanda Bright (In From the Cold, Netflix; Macbeth, Shakespeare Globe), Raphel Famotibe (Rocks, Fable Pictures; Wonder Boy, Bristol Old Vic), Vincent Franklin (Bodyguard, BBC; Mary Stuart, Almeida Theatre), Grace Hogg-Robinson (Flesh and Blood, ITV; The Ocean at the End of the Lane; National Theatre/Duke of York’s), Megan McDonnell (Normal People, BBC; The Playboy Of The Western World, Lyric Theatre), Eva Pope (Waterloo Road, BBC; Still Alice, UK Tour) and Patrick Walshe McBride (Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators, BBC; Peer Gynt, Barbican).

The Snail House, written and directed by Richard Eyre, will run from 7 September until 15 October.  Former Artistic Director of the National Theatre and, writer and regular adaptor of other people’s work for the stage, The Snail House is Eyre’s first completely original play.  He previously premiered Jennifer Dawson’s novel The Ha Ha at Hampstead Theatre Club in 1968.

Eyre is joined by designer, Tim Hatley; associate designer, Ross Edwards; lighting designer, Hugh Vanstone; lighting associate and programmer, Sam Waddington; sound designer, John Leonard; associate sound designer, Ali Taie;casting director, Ginny Schiller CDG and assistant director, Jessica Mensah.

Sir Neil Marriot, familiar from TV as a government medical advisor, is hosting his own lavish birthday party.  But, amidst the oak panelling and the champagne his family are at one another’s throats – and there’s something deeply unsettling about one of the caterers …  

Richard Eyre, Director of The Snail House, said:

“Apart from versions of existing plays in foreign languages, I haven’t written and directed a play of mine since 1968 when my adaptation of Jennifer Dawson’s novel, The Ha Ha, was on at what was then the Hampstead Theatre Club.  I am very nervous and very excited to be directing my first original play at almost the same location.”

In the theatre’s Downstairs space, Ravenscourt by Georgina Burns, directed by Hampstead Theatre’s Associate Director, Tessa Walker, will run from 23 September until 29 October.  Burns is an alumnus of Hampstead Theatre’s INSPIRE course for emerging playwrights and Ravenscourt is her first produced full-length play.  

The world premiere of Ravenscourt will feature Josef Davies (1917, Dreamworks; Hangmen, Royal Court/Wyndham’s), Jon Foster (The Salisbury Poisonings, BBC; Every Day I Make Greatness Happen; Hampstead Theatre), Andrea Hall (Honour, ITV; Shook, Southwark Playhouse) and Lizzy Watts (The Durrells, ITV; Either, Hampstead Theatre).

Walker is joined by designer, Debbie Duru; lighting designer, Matt Haskins; sound designer Anna Short; fight director Philip d’Orléans; movement director, Rebecca Wield and assistant director, Sam Edmunds.

Lydia is a mental-health professional determined to make a difference. But as she settles into her new job at Ravenscourt she starts to realise how high the odds are stacked against real change. Maybe the cynics are right: the system is broken and nobody cares…

Tessa Walker, Director of Ravenscourt, said:

‘It is a great pleasure and privilege to be directing Georgina’s first produced full-length play, and the first piece that we have produced from our INSPIRE programme.  Ravenscourt really captured my imagination when I read the script and I can’t wait to get started in rehearsals with this wonderful team.” 

London International Arts Theatre Presents

Sh!t-faced Shakespeare® presents:

Macbeth

National UK tour 23^rd September – 26^th November

“A great night out to get properly pucked up. It’s what Willy would have wanted.” ★★★★  – Time Out

“There is no doubt this is a hoot to watch” – Evening Standard

“Theatre for people who hate theatre” – The Sunday Times

“Creating theatre that is unique and jolly good fun”  – Younger Theatre

Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most famous works and arguably, the greatest play ever written.  It’s a dramatic epic about greed, ambition and the heights and depths of the human condition.  Now, imagine it being performed by a rotating cast, one of who is completely inebriated?   That is the very essence of Sh!t-faced Shakespeare® as they prepare to the take their unique interpretation of Macbeth on a national tour this autumn. 

Sh!t-faced Shakespeare® presents: Macbeth is aside-splitting combination of a faithful adaptation of this Shakespearean classic, complete with one worse-for-wear cast member.Every night before the show, an actor is given four hours to “wet the whistle” by consuming as much alcohol as they can get their hands on.  This is classical theatre as it was always meant to be seen; with a gin in one hand, a cup of wine in the other and a flagon of ale lined up next.

Featuring wasted witches, boozy best friends, hammered hell-hounds, unhinged wives and enough crapulous kings to give Game of Thrones a run for its money, this is Shakespearean theatre as you’ve never experienced it before…  What could possibly go wrong?

The production will feature a rolling cast with the actors performing different parts each night.  The cast will consist of:

For Tickets visit www.shitfacedshakespeare.com

Listings Information:

Tour dates:  23^rd September – 26^th November 2022 

23^rd September – Chesham Elgiva Theatre – buy tickets here

29^th September – Yeovil Octagon Theatre – buy tickets here

1^st October – Liverpool Epstein Theatre – buy tickets here

6^th October – Nottingham Playhouse – buy tickets here

7^th October – Isle of Wight Shanklin Theatre – buy tickets here

8^th October – Twickenham The Exchange – buy tickets here

12^th October – Dunstable The Grove – buy tickets here   

13^th October – Southend Cliffs Pavilion – buy tickets here  

14^th October – Stratford-upon-Avon Playhouse – buy tickets here  

15^th October – Redhill Harlequin Theatre – buy tickets here

20^th October – Portsmouth New Theatre Royal – buy tickets here  

21^st October – Twickenham The Exchange – buy tickets here

22^nd October – Swindon Wyvern Theatre – buy tickets here

26^th October – Peterborough The Cresset – buy tickets here

27^th October – Horsham The Capitol – buy tickets here

28^th October – Basingstoke The Haymarket – buy tickets here

29^th October – Northampton Royal & Derngate – buy tickets here 

4^th November – Bath Komedia – buy tickets here  

8^th November – St. Albans Arena – buy tickets here  

10^th November – Middlesbrough Town Hall – buy tickets here  

12^th November – Newcastle Tyne Theatre – buy tickets here

16^th November –  Wimborne Tivoli Theatre – buy tickets here

18^th November – Dorking Halls – buy tickets here

19^th November – Taunton Brewhouse – buy tickets here

20^th November – Exeter Corn Exchange – buy tickets here

24^th November – Ipswich Corn Exchange – buy tickets here

25^th November – Farnham The Maltings – buy tickets here

The Little Mermaid 

Northern Ballet brings classic fairy tale to life

Touring nationally 22 September – 29 October  

Coming to Sheffield Lyceum Theatre, Belfast Grand Opera House, Southampton Mayflower & Newcastle Theatre Royal  

Northern Ballet is bringing Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale to life this autumn as it tours The Little Mermaid to theatres across the UK.

Telling the story of a young mermaid who is willing to give up everything she knows in the search for love, the ballet premièred to critical acclaim in 2017 and has become a favourite amongst audiences.

The Little Mermaid is choreographed and directed by the Company’s former Artistic Director David Nixon CBE whose creations include hits like Cinderella, The Great Gatsby and Beauty & the Beast. 

The ballet will immerse audiences in the mystical underwater world of Andersen’s famous fable with designs by Kimie Nakano (sets), Tim Mitchell (lighting) and David Nixon CBE (costumes). The production also features an original score by composer Sally Beamish.

David Nixon CBE, Director, Choreographer and Costume Designer said: 

 ‘The Little Mermaid is an enchanting and relevant story. The fantastical underwater world of the mermaids evokes beautiful imagery that lends itself so well to ballet.  

It has become one of our most beloved productions and I’m delighted Northern Ballet is bringing it back to the stage this autumn.’

In addition to The Little Mermaid, Northern Ballet will be touring Made in Leeds: Three Short Ballets, Ugly Duckling, and The Nutcracker to theatres across the UK this autumn. To find out more and book visit www.northernballet.com. 

MIRROR, MIRROR, ON THE WALL,

DON’T MISS THE FAIREST PANTOMIME OF THEM ALL!

NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE MAKE FIRST CASTING ANNOUNCEMENT

FOR SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS

New Wimbledon Theatre have today [Friday 12 August] announced the first of the cast for their magical Christmas pantomime, Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs.

With an all-star cast including X Factor semi-finalist, Loose Woman, actress and television personality Brenda Edwards; singer, TV actor and musical theatre star Lee Mead; legendary panto Dame and TV presenter Matthew Kelly and TikTok sensation Hannah Lowther Wimbledon audiences are in for a panto treat this Christmas.

Joining the cast as The Spirit of Pantomime will be Brenda Edwards. Brenda’s professional career started when she was the last woman standing in the 2005 season of The X Factor. Since The X Factor Brenda has gone on to take the musical theatre world by storm, playing roles in Chicago, We Will Rock You, Carousel and Hairspray. Brenda has also been a popular face on TV as a regular on ITV’s daytime panel show Loose Women and BBC’s Songs of Praise.

Best-known for winning the BBC talent show Any Dream Will Do, Lee Mead won the title role in the West End revival of Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to rave reviews. Since then, Lee has had lead roles in Wicked and Legally Blonde in the West End, released several solo albums and toured extensively. From 2014 to 2016 Lee starred as Ben “Lofty” Chiltern in Casualty, which saw him nominated for various national Best Newcomer television awards, a role he reprised on the popular BBC spin-off series, Holby City. In 2021 Lee celebrated 20 years of his career at The London Palladium, before embarking on a UK tour of his fifth album. 2022 sees Lee play Billy Flynn in the hit musical Chicago. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will see Lee swap the medical gowns for something more regal in the role of The Prince.

Matthew Kelly will play Snow White’s Nurse and is best known for being a presenter on ITV’s Stars in their Eyes, since then Matthew has gone on to become a star of stage and screen and starred in many pantomimes across the country. Matthew’s previous television work includes ITV’s award-winning thriller Cold Blood, Benidorm, Casualty and Heartbeat. His theatre credits include the original Stanley in Funny Peculiar – a role he created at the Liverpool Everyman, Waiting For Godot with Ian McKellen and Roger Rees and Lennie in Of Mice and Men at the Savoy Theatre for which his performance won him an Olivier Award for Best Actor. Matthew has recently played Sir in the UK tour of The Dresser opposite Julian Clary.

Musical Theatre sensation Hannah Lowther will play the title role of Snow White. Hannah’s viral musical theatre parody videos took social media by storm, becoming a TikTok-hit in the first lockdown. Hannah recently appeared in Heathers the Musical (The Other Palace) and won three West End Wilma Awards for her performance, she has also appeared in Millennials (The Other Palace) and Kinky Boots–The Musical in Concert (Theatre Royal Drury Lane).

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is produced by Crossroads Pantomimes, the World’s biggest pantomime producer whose Chief Executive Michael Harrison said: “Today we’re proud to have announced the first of the all-star cast to appear in our New Wimbledon Theatre pantomime. As well as assembling a sensational cast, we’re already working on creating a Christmas treat packed with spectacular special effects and comedy for the whole family to enjoy.”

Nick Parr, Theatre Director at New Wimbledon Theatre said: “I can’t wait for audiences to return to panto in Wimbledon, the highlight of our year. With such a talented selection of performers and more to be announced – Brenda, Lee, Matthew, and Hannah really do ensure there is something for everyone this Christmas.”

With more star casting to be announced, you’ll want to book your tickets early, or you won’t be able to look yourself in the mirror!

Performances begin at New Wimbledon Theatre on Saturday 3rd December 2022 and continue until Saturday 31 December, Tickets from £13 and are on sale now: here

CURVE AND BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME ANNOUNCE CAST OF

THE COLOR PURPLE

Musical set to tour England and Wales for the first time this Autumn

Leicester’s Curve theatre and Birmingham Hippodrome have announced the cast of their co-production of acclaimed musical The Color Purple, which is set to tour England and Wales for the first time this autumn thanks to support from Arts Council England’s National Lottery Funding.

Leading the company as the downtrodden but full-hearted heroine Celie is Me’sha Bryan, whose previous roles have included Romantics Anonymous (Bristol Old Vic), Caroline, or Change (The Playhouse Theatre) and The Lion King (UK tour). The role of glamorous singer Shug Avery will be played by Bree Smith (The Wiz, Hope Mill Theatre), Aaliyah Zhané (The Comedy of Errors, Mercury Theatre) joins as Celie’s sister Nettie, Harpo will be played by Ahmed Hamad (The Addams Family, UK Tour and The Boy in the Dress, RSC) and Squeak will be portrayed by Jimand Allotey, who makes her professional stage debut in the production.

The tour sees several cast members from Curve and Birmingham Hippodrome’s original award-winning production return, including Ako Mitchell as Mister, Anelisa Lamola as Sofia, KM Drew Boateng as Pa, Rosemary Annabella Nkrumah as Darlene and Karen Mavundukure as Doris and Alternate Celie.

The cast also includes Kyle Birch, Kayla Carter, Joshua Clemetson, Esme Laudat, DeeArna McLean, Monifa James, Nathaniel Morrison, Alex Okoampa and Neil Patterson.

The Color Purple will once again be directed by Tinuke Craig, with Lakesha Arie-Angelo as Revival Director. Also resuming their roles on the production team are Musical Supervisor Alex Parker, Orchestrator Martin Higgins, Choreographer Mark Smith, Designer Alex Lowde and Video Designer Joshua Pharo, Sound Designer Tom Marshall and Casting Director Kay Magson CDG, with Ian Oakley as Musical Director, Ricardo Pardo as Associate Designer and Gail Parmel and Iona Waite as Associate Choreographers also joining.

Speaking about the announcement, Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster said:

“We are delighted to announce our exceptional The Color Purple company, assembled by the brilliant Tinuke Craig. The Color Purple is very close to our hearts, and we cannot wait to welcome back familiar faces and new colleagues to take this award-winning Curve and Birmingham Hippodrome production on tour. We know this extraordinary team will create something truly special for audiences across England and Wales this Autumn.  

“Our thanks once again to our friends at Theatrical Rights Worldwide and Arts Council England, whose support has made the tour of this production possible.” 

Chris Sudworth, Director of Artistic Programme at Birmingham Hippodrome said:

“We are delighted that our very special co-production of The Color Purple will open the musical’s first ever UK tour on the Hippodrome’s main stage, after such a fantastic response from our audiences in 2019. We are committed to making high quality work in the Midlands and delighted the show will be seen so widely thanks to the support of our partner venues and Arts Council England. We can’t wait to welcome this wonderful company to the Hippodrome for rehearsals next week.”

The tour will open at Birmingham Hippodrome 13 to 17 September, the musical will then visit Theatre Royal Plymouth (27 September to 1 October), Royal & Derngate Northampton (4 to 8 October), The Lowry in Salford (11 to 15 October), Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff (18 to 22 October), Mayflower Theatre Southampton (25 to 29 October), finishing its run at Norwich Theatre Royal (1 to 5 November). Listings and ticket information can be found below.

Originally staged in 2019, Curve and Birmingham Hippodrome’s production of The Color Purple received an incredible response from critics and audiences alike, winning the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Regional Production. During lockdown in Spring 2021, Curve – in association with Birmingham Hippodrome – reunited the company to share a special digital production of the show which was streamed by over 20,000 people* in the UK and Ireland.

Based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer prize-winning novel and adapted for the stage by Pulitzer Prize and Tony award-winner Marsha Norman, Allee Willis, Brenda Russell and Stephen Bray, The Color Purple tells the powerful and life-affirming story of courageous heroine Celie. Abused and oppressed throughout her youth, Celie embarks on a journey through joy, despair, anguish and hope, discovering her own unique voice thanks to the incredible women in her life. From an unbreakable bond with her sister Nettie, to friendship with fiercely independent Sofia and a life-changing affair with glamorous singer Shug Avery, Celie learns to love herself.

With a profoundly evocative score by Grammy award-winners Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray and drawing inspiration from jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues, this landmark musical celebrates life, love and the strength to stand up for who you are and what you believe in.

THE CHER SHOW UK and Ireland tour has released new imagery to celebrate the 100th performance which will take place tomorrow, Saturday 13 August, at Milton Keynes Theatre. 

THE CHER SHOW tells the incredible story of Cher’s meteoric rise to fame. Cher takes the audience by the hand and introduces them to the influential people in her life, from her mother and Sonny Bono, to fashion designer and costumier Bob Mackie. It shows how she battles the men who underestimated her, fought the conventions and, above all, was a trailblazer for independence.

The musical is packed with 35 of her biggest hits, including ‘If I Could Turn Back Time’,  ‘I Got You Babe’, ‘Strong Enough’, ‘The Shoop Shoop Song’ and ‘Believe’.

THE CHER SHOW is written by Tony Award-Winning Rick Elice and is directed by Dame Arlene Phillips with choreography by Oti Mabuse and costumes by Tony Award-winning Gabriella Slade. THE CHER SHOW stars Debbie Kurup, Danielle Steers and Millie O’Connell, all starring as Cher – Star, Lady and Babe respectively.

DRAG RACE ICON MIZ CRACKER

STARS IN THE EUROPEAN DEBUT OF

WHO’S HOLIDAY

AT THE SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE THIS CHRISTMAS

HOME MANCHESTER 30 NOV – 4 DEC
SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE 7 DEC – 7 JAN 23

TICKETS ON SALE HERE

Drag Race US icon Miz Cracker will star in the European debut of WHO’S HOLIDAY by Matthew Lombardo, a wildly funny and heartfelt adults-only comedy based on the Dr Seuss classic festive tale The Grinch, that enjoyed a critically acclaimed run off Broadway in 2017. Presented by TuckShop and Jack Maple and directed by Kirk Jameson, Who’s Holiday will play at Home in Manchester 30 November to 4 December, before a five-week run over Christmas at the Southwark Playhouse, from 7 December to 7 January.

You saw her last when she was just two
Celebrate the holidays with Cindy Lou Who
Pull up a seat and fill up your cup
‘Cause your favorite little Who is all grown up”

Who’s Holiday tells the story of Cindy Lou Who as she recalls that Christmas Eve she first met the Grinch and the twisted turn of events her life has now taken…

Miz Cracker is a New York City drag queen—and a writer, foodie and comedienne. She launched her drag career in 2011 while participating in marches for marriage equality in Times Square. She went on to compete in RuPaul’s Drag Race Season Ten, landing a spot in the top five and becoming a fan favorite. She later appeared in RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season Five, landing a spot in the top 3. Today, she tours the world with her one woman shows; delights fans on her YouTube channel; lectures on drag at top universities; writes for publications like Slate, ArtForum, Vice and GQ; engages nearly 1.5 million followers across social media; and tells the stories of incredible women through her interview podcast, She’s a Woman. Cracker describes herself as a “woman’s lifestyle brand,” and is a vocal advocate for women’s rights.

Miz Cracker said, “I’m thrilled to join Tuckshop for Who’s Holiday this winter. What an honor to make my London acting debut with such a fun concept and company. And what a joy to return to the UK, where I feel so much love every time I visit! I hope everyone has a chance to join us for some big laughs!”

Director Kirk Jameson said, “I’ve admired the creativity and tenacity of Tuckshop for a number of years now and have been keen to find the right kind of project we might collaborate on. Chris’ frankly brilliant idea to combine the nostalgia of Dr Seuss with the global phenomenon that is Drag Race on the U.K. premiere of this brilliant play, was simply impossible to resist. I can’t wait to get started!” 

Kirk’s recent credits include the 10th Anniversary Concert Production of Howard Goodall’s Love Story (Cadogan Hall) and The Distance You Have Come (Apollo Theatre). In 2020 Kirk presented his reimagining of JM Barrie’s Peter Pan and a critically acclaimed production of Stephen Sondheim’s Marry Me A Little, both for the Barn Theatre in Cirencester.

In 2018 Kirk helmed the stage adaptation of Dreamwork’s Madagascar starring X-Factor winner Matt Terry, which having toured the UK and Asia now prepares for its tour of Australia. Other credits include, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change; filmed at the London Coliseum, for digital release; Kander & Ebb’s And The World Goes Round and Stiles & Drewe’s Just So; also for the Barn Theatre, Cirencester. 

In the last two years TUCKSHOP has engrained itself as a fundamental part of the West End, bringing drag to the mainstream like never before. With the huge rise in drag popularity over the last ten years, TuckShop is at the forefront of UK Drag culture, coming hot off the heels of Chris Clegg’s fifteen years’ experience in the West End as a producer, theatre manager, and marketing expert. Having had huge success with the critically acclaimed comedy Death Drop – the first all drag spectacular in a West End playhouse and now on a major UK tour, TuckShop West End, a summer festival of drag shows and performances at the Garrick, and Cinderella at the Trafalgar Studios, TuckShop also represent the next generation of Drag superstardom, handle merchandising for performers globally, and are branching out into broadcast media, with shows such as Holly Stars: Inspirational now on Amazon Prime and OUTTv. Their smash hit show Gals Aloud has played sold out seasons across the UK, and new production The Sickening 90s Drag Prom creates new interactive experiences for audiences.TuckShop is the beating, glittery heart of an industry that continues to explode! 

Jack Maple is a theatre producer and general manager, who became one of the West End’s youngest producers at the age of 20, when he co-produced the Olivier award-winning revival of Show Boat at the New London Theatre. Most recently, with the permission of Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Jack produced a one night concert of the beloved musical comedy The Witches Of Eastwickat the Sondheim Theatre, directed by three-time Olivier award-winner Maria Friedman.

Select theatre credits include: Horse Play (Riverside Studios); Cratchit (Park Theatre); All On Her Own starring Janie Dee (stream.theatre); Private Peaceful(Barnfest, Barn Theatre and Bristol Old Vic); Tonight At The London Coliseum; The View UpStairs (Soho Theatre); The Rink (Southwark Playhouse); Working (Southwark Playhouse) and The Boys In the Band (Park Theatre, National Tour & Vaudeville Theatre).

Concerts and events include: The Show Must Go On! Live (Palace Theatre, SkyArts in association with NT Live & Universal Pictures); Evening Standard Future Theatre Fund Awards in association with TikTok (Apollo Theatre); Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Zorro The Musical, Sierra Boggess, Kelli O’Hara, Caissie Levy, Laura Benanti and Laura Michelle Kelly (Cadogan Hall) and Keala Settle & Andy Mientus (Hippodrome Casino).

WEST END STARS GINA MURRAY, IAN MCLARNON AND RICHARD COSTELLO TO STAR IN NEW INTIMATE MUSICAL

TRIO

BY PAUL SIRETT, PETER ROWE AND BEN GODDARD

RUNNING AT THE NEW WOLSEY THEATRE FROM

7-15 OCTOBER 2022

LIVESTREAMED PERFORMANCES (14 & 15 OCTOBER)

The New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich has today announced the full cast and creative team for the world premiere of the new intimate musical Trio, which runs at the theatre from 7-15 October 2022. This world premiere production will also have livestreamed performances on 14 & 15 October 2022.

Trio, set in a buzzing London recording studio; one piano, one guitar, three stools, three characters and a lifetime of love and passion, loyalty and betrayal, captured in songs, creating an album which will be their legacy.

It started at a glittering party back in the 80s. Ian, the top record producer, Phil, the rising pop star and Becca, the breezy studio receptionist with a glance across a crowded floor that sparked a blaze to last a lifetime.

The three look back on their entangled lives, asking could things have been different and perhaps, where did they go wrong?

The new intimate musical, with a new original score, is the latest by the creative team of Paul Sirett, Peter Rowe and Ben Goddard, whose previous collaboration include Midsummer Songs, Oxy and the Morons and Mods and Rox.

Trio will star Gina Murray (Chicago, Hairspray) as Becca, Ian McLarnon (Follies, Les Misérables) as Ian and Richard Costello (Death of England, Never Lost at Home) as Phil. Peter Rowe will direct the world premiere production with musical direction by Ben Goddard, set & costume design by Libby Watson, lighting design by David Phillips, sound design by James Cook and casting direction by Debbie O’Brien.

Trio will mark the first piece of theatre by Peter Rowe to debut at the New Wolsey Theatre since he stepped down earlier this year as Artistic Director of the New Wolsey Theatre, completing a celebrated 22-year tenure at the award-winning theatre. He has also recently been announced to be writing and directing the theatre’s upcoming annual Rock ‘n’ Roll panto Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Captioned and livestreamed options available will be available during the run, as well as a post-show talk on Thursday 13th October.

Tickets for Trio are on sale at www.wolseytheatre.co.uk.

CHANNING TATUM’S

MAGIC MIKE LIVE IN LONDON

EXTENDS BOOKING PERIOD

AT THE HIPPODROME CASINO

TO 2 JULY 2023

TICKETS NOW ON SALE

Channing Tatum and his co-producers are delighted toannounce a new booking period for Magic Mike Live at The Theatre at the Hippodrome Casino in London. Patrons will be able to book performances through to Sunday 2 July 2023. Tickets for the new booking period are on sale now.

The cast of Magic Mike Live in London includes Sarah Annakin, Daniel Blessing, Natacza Boon, Jake Brewer, Harry Carter, Hannah Cleeve, Peter Cleverley, Joel Ekperigin, Petr Fedorovskii, Luca Figarazzi, Myles Harper, Charlie Knight, Mark Lace, Theo O. Bailey, James Percy, Ross Sands, Josie Scamell and Manny Tsakanika.

Conceived and co-directed by Channing Tatum, Magic Mike Live, which has already wowed over 300,000 people in London alone and over 1,000,000 worldwide, is a large-scale, live production show based on the hit films Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL, which opened at The Theatre at the Hippodrome Casino in London’s Leicester Square in November 2018.  Magic Mike Live has inspired a new television series on HBO Max, Finding Magic Mike, which aired in the United States earlier this year. Magic Mike’s Last Dance, the third instalment of the Magic Mike franchise, will be released this autumn.

From the bespoke entrance off Cranbourn Street, to the specially curated lounge and bar experience, to the cast of world-class performers, Magic Mike Live is a complete evening of unparalleled entertainment for guests aged 18 and up.  Audience members enter Magic Mike’s mythical club and marvel as a group of extraordinary artists perform a 360-degree dance and acrobatic spectacular in front of, behind, and above them.  Sexy dance routines intertwined with one-of-a-kind acts, are presented by a diverse cast of performers from around the world.

Magic Mike Live in London is co-directed by Channing Tatum and Alison Faulk, with Luke Broadlick as associate director, and choreography by Alison Faulk, Teresa Espinosa and Luke Broadlick.The Executive Producer is Vincent Marini with General Management by Crossroads Live. The production designer is Rachel O’Toole, with scenic design by Rob Bissinger and Anita LaScala (Arda Studio), costume design by Marina Toybina, lighting design by Philip Gladwell and video design by Luke Halls.  Musical supervisor is Jack Rayner, with sound design by Nick Kourtides.  Dreya Weber is aerial choreographer & aerial apparatus designer. 

Magic Mike Live has become an international sensation since opening in Las Vegas in April 2017.  In addition to breaking box office records and performing to sold-out audiences in Las Vegas and London, the show premiered in Berlin in 2020 and the Australia national tour opened in Sydney in December 2020.  A multi-year North American touring production of Magic Mike Live will launch in Miami, Florida in October 2022.

Magic Mike Live is produced in London by Channing Tatum, Reid Carolin, Greg Jacobs, Peter Kiernan, Steven Soderbergh, Nick Wechsler and United Talent Agency in association with Warner Bros., Vincent Marini, The Hippodrome Casino, Bruce Robert Harris and Jack W. Batman, TSG Entertainment & Ashley DeSimone, Richard Winkler and The Creative House.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Magic Mike Live

The Theatre at the Hippodrome Casino

Cranbourn Street

Leicester Square

London WC2H 7JH

Website:  www.magicmikelondon.co.uk  

Twitter:  @MagicMikeLDN

Facebook:  @MagicMikeLDN

Instagram:  @MagicMikeLiveLDN

TikTok:  @Magicmikelivelondon

Box Office:  [email protected]

Ticket Prices from: £39

Current Booking Period: until Sunday 2 July 2023

Running Time:  approximately 90 minutes (no interval)

Performances: Wednesday 7pm, Thursday 7pm & 10pm*, Friday 7pm & 10pm*, Saturday 4pm, 7pm & 10pm*, Sunday 4pm & 7pm

*Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening performances will be at 7pm and 9.30pm from 5 January 2023

No performances: w/c 5 September or w/c 12 September 2022

Christmas 2022/23 Performance Schedule

Monday 19 December                      No Performance

Tuesday 20 December                      7 pm & 10pm

Wednesday 21 December                7 pm & 10pm

Thursday 22 December                    7 pm & 10pm

Friday 23 December                         7pm & 10pm

Saturday 24 December                     4pm

Sunday  25 December                      No Performance

Monday 26 December                      No Performance

Tuesday 27 December                      7 pm & 10pm

Wednesday 28 December                7 pm & 10pm

Thursday 29 December                    7 pm & 10pm

Friday 30 December                         7 pm & 10pm

Saturday 31 December                     7pm

Sunday 1 January                              4pm & 7pm

Magic Mike Live guests must be at least 18 years to attend – appropriate photo ID will be requested on arrival at the venue – begambleaware.org

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR WORLD PREMIÈRE OF NEW MISCHIEF COMEDY GOOD LUCK, STUDIO PRESENTED BY MERCURY THEATRE AND WILTSHIRE CREATIVE

Mercury Theatre and Wiltshire Creative today announce the full cast for the world première production of Mischief’s Good Luck, Studio. Henry Lewis directs Adam Byron (Anthony), Bryony Corrigan (Saoirse), Eboni Dixon (Pam), Jemma Geanaus (Elizabeth), Harry Kershaw (Sean), Chris Leask (Toby), Greg Tannahill (Kevin), Gareth Tempest (David Cooper-Brown), Sophia Lorenti (Michaela) and Tom Walker (Andy). Designs are by Sara Perks, with lighting design by David Howe, sound design by Alexandra Faye Braithwaite, composition by Richard Baker, fight direction by Greg Tannahill and casting by Jenkins McShane Casting.

This dark new comedy opens on 5 October at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester, with previews from 30 September, before transferring to Salisbury Playhouse followed by Yvonne Arnaud Theatre.

Mercury and Wiltshire Creative present the world première of the Mischief production

By arrangement with Kenny Wax Ltd and Stage Presence Ltd

GOOD LUCK, STUDIO

Written by HENRY SHIELDS; Directed by HENRY LEWIS

Mercury Theatre, Colchester: 30 September – 15 October 2022

Salisbury Playhouse, Wiltshire: 18 October – 5 November 2022

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford: 8 – 12 November 2022

Good Luck, Studio is a new dark comedy from the award-winning Mischief, written by Henry Shields and directed by Henry Lewis and with access performances available across both venues.

It’s the final night of recording Wibble the Dragon. The show is massively over budget and under written. With one hour left to film, 16 pages to go, and an audience of screaming children getting more and more impatient, the cast and crew know big cuddly heads are going to roll. 

The last thing anyone needs is a failed actor showing up with a sinister vendetta and his own dragon costume. In this kid’s TV show, more than just careers will die.

Adam Byron plays Anthony. Byron’s theatre credits include The Play That Goes Wrong (Duchess Theatre/UK tour), Lights! Camera! Improvise! (The Comedy Store), The Liberation of Colette Simple (St James’s Theatre), Waiting for Lefty (Theatre Royal Haymarket) and The Ofsted Inspector (West Sussex Theatre). Their film credits include Kung Fury 2 and The Love Punch.

Bryony Corrigan plays Saoirse. Corrigan’s theatre credits include Magic Goes Wrong, Groan Ups (Vaudeville Theatre), Clear White Light, My Romantic History (Live Theatre), The Play That Goes Wrong (Duchess Theatre/Lyceum Theatre, Broadway), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (Apollo Theatre), How I Learned to Drive (Southwark Playhouse), Lights! Camera! Improvise! (Duchess Theatre), Something Cloudy, Something Clear (Greenwich Theatre) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Pleasance); and for screen: Good Omens, The Goes Wrong Show, A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong and Peter Pan Goes Wrong.

Eboni Dixon plays Pam. Dixon’s stage credits include Secret Cinema’s Bridgerton, Peter Pan Goes Wrong (UK tour), Wings for Philomel (Southwark Playhouse), Sundown Town (Tristan Bates Theatre), Notes from The Field (Royal Court Theatre) and Lyric Fest (Lyric Hammersmith).

Jemma Geanaus plays Elizabeth. Geanaus’s stage credits include Gangsta Granny (UK tour), Dick Whittington (Hackney Empire), Peter Pan (National Theatre) and Jack and the Beanstalk (Salisbury Playhouse). Their film credits include Matilda and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

Harry Kershaw playsSean. Kershaw’s theatre credits include What’s New Pussycat? (Birmingham Rep Theatre), Magic Goes Wrong (Vaudeville Theatre), Edmond de Bergerac (UK tour/Birmingham Rep Theatre), The Madness of King George III (Nottingham Playhouse), This House (National Theatre/UK tour), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (Pleasance/Apollo Theatre), The Play That Goes Wrong (Duchess Theatre), Lights! Camera! Improvise! (Duchess Theatre/Pleasance) and One Man, Two Guvnors (National Theatre/Theatre Royal Haymarket). Their screen credits include Skyfall, Peter Pan Goes Wrong and Great Expectations.

Chris Leask plays Toby. Leask’s theatre credits include The Comedy About a Bank Robbery (Criterion Theatre), I Need to Vent (Vaults Theatre), The Play That Goes Wrong (Duchess Theatre), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (Apollo Theatre/UK tour) and Love Your Soldiers (Sheffield Theatres). Their screen credits include The Goes Wrong Show, Peter Pan Goes Wrong and A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong.

Greg Tannahill plays Kevin. Tannahill’s theatre credits include The Play That Goes Wrong (Duchess Theatre/UK tour/Lyceum Theatre, Broadway), The Comedy About a Bank Robbery (Criterion Theatre) and Peter Pan Goes Wrong (Pleasance/Apollo Theatre). Their screen credits include The Goes Wrong Show, Peter Pan Goes Wrong and A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong.

Gareth Tempest plays David Cooper-Brown. Tempest’s theatre credits include Classic! (Hope Mill Theatre/Pleasance), The Invisible Man (Theatr Mwldan), Property (New River Studios), Cinderella, Twelfth Night, Jack and the Beanstalk, Dick Whittington (The Riverfront, Newport), The Comedy About a Bank Robbery (Criterion Theatre), Loot (UK tour), It’s A Family Affair (Sherman Cymru), The Lonesome West (Alma Tavern Theatre), Adventures in Wonderland (Vaults Theatre) and A Funny Thing Happened on The Way to The Forum (Tobacco Factory).

Sophia Lorenti plays Michaela. Lorenti’s theatre credits include Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (UK tour), Momentary Insight (London Improv Theatre), Walter & Maisy Have a Very Long Day (Oso Arts Centre) and Thark (Drayton Arms Theatre); and for film: 51 and Lake Placid vs. Anaconda.

Tom Walker plays Andy. Walker’s well-known fictional alter-ego is political correspondent, Jonathan Pie, which has led to four international tours and a regular feature in The New York Times’ opinion page. Their theatre credits include The Quiet House (Park Theatre), Noises Off (The Old Vic), The 39 Steps (Criterion Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Teatro Petruzzelli, Italy), The Merchant of Venice (Hazlitt Arts Centre), The City Wives’ Confederacy (Greenwich Playhouse), Twelfth Night (Oxford Shakespeare Company), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Opera North) and Annie Get Your Gun (Union Theatre).

www.goodluckstudio.co.uk

#GoodLuckStudio

GOOD LUCK, STUDIO

Listings

Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gate, Colchester, CO1 1PT

30 September – 15 October 2022

Box office: www.mercurytheatre.co.uk / 01206 573948

Access performances:

Relaxed: 13 October at 2:30pm

Captioned: 14 October at 7:30pm

Touch tour: 15 October at 1pm

Audio described: 15 October at 2:30pm

Salisbury Playhouse, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7RA

18 October – 5 November 2022

Box office: www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk/whats-on/main-house// 01722 320333

Access performances:

Relaxed, BSL and captioned: 27 October at 2:15pm

BSL and captioned: 1 November at 7:30pm

Touch tour and audio described: 3 November

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Millbrook, Guildford GU1 3UX

8 – 12 November 2022

Box office: https://www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/whats-on/good-luck-studio / 01483 440000

Twitter and Facebook: @GoodLuckOnStage

Instagram: @GoodLuck_OnStage