Month: September 2022

The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

25th September 2022

Attended by Emma Millward

The Alexandra Theatre Birmingham gave us a sneak peek of their festive season spectacular. Dreamgirls will entertain audiences in Birmingham right up until New Year’s Eve.

After a brief introduction by Theatre Director Simon Creed, we were introduced to some of the cast and given exclusive stripped down performances of four songs from the hit show. The cast members and the characters they play are as follows:

Nicole Raquel Dennis as Effie White.

Natalie Kassanga as Deena Jones.

Paige Peddie as Lorell Robinson.

Brandon Lee Sears as Jimmy Early.

The full company opened with ‘Fake Your Way to the Top’. The perfect lively song to kick off proceedings. Between songs, the cast told us they were looking forward to bringing the show to Birmingham in December as it’s perfect for the festive party season with its glitz, glamour and plenty of brightly coloured sequins!

Brandon Lee Sears and Paige Peddie then sang ‘Ain’t No Party’. A much slower but equally powerful song that was met with a huge round of applause. Next came ‘Listen’, sang beautifully by Nicole Raquel Dennis and Natalie Kassanga. This is one of the more famous songs from the show and Nicole Raquel Dennis told us it’s always a crowd pleaser when it appears towards the end of the show.

Finally bringing the ‘Live Lounge’ style show to a fitting climax, Nicole Raquel Dennis sang ‘I Am Changing’. One of many big songs Nicole sings in the show. Nicole told us the role of Effie White was definitely a ‘bucket list’ role for any actor to play, and with emotional songs like this to perform each night, it’s not hard to see why.

If this dazzling preview is anything to go by, Dreamgirls definitely looks set to be the ‘must-see’ show in Birmingham this December and the perfect festive treat. Get your tickets now!!

Dreamgirls runs from 6th December until 31st Decembe

FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY
AT THE GARRICK THEATRE

MUSIC BY KEITH HARRISON DWORKIN

BOOK & LYRICS BY KEITH HARRISON DWORKIN & LAURA SCHEIN

MONDAY 31OCTOBER 2022

“Emojiland is a delectably silly-smart confection”

The New York Times

Having opened off-Broadway in January 2020 where it received a New York Times Critics’ Pick, the award-winning Emojiland, will be hitting the West End on 31 October 2022.

For a one night only concert at The Garrick Theatre some of the leading talent in musical theatre will take on these iconic figures inside our phones. Giving them life, personality, and whole lot of song.

This esteemed cast will include, Blake Patrick Anderson (Be More Chill), Laura Baldwin (Cinderella), Louise Dearman (Wicked), Olly Dobson (Back to the Future), Hiba Elchikhe (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), Renee Lamb (Six), Hannah Lowther (Heathers), Tim Mahendran (& Juliet), Natalie Paris (Six), Oliver Saville (Rocky Horror Show), Jonny Weldon (101 Dalmations), and Dean John Wilson (Aladdin).

Emojilandis an electric, funny and surprisingly touching piece about a diverse community of archetypes who live in our smart phones. They take one another at face value – but are far more complex: a smiling face dealing with depression; a princess who doesn’t want a prince; a skull dying for deletion; a nerd face too smart for their own good; a face with sunglasses who can’t see past their own reflection; and a police officer who struggles to break ranks for what’s right.

When a software update and an evil skull emoji threaten to destroy life as they know it, the characters in Emojiland must step out of their iconic roles to fight for survival, for freedom of self-expression and for true love.

Silly, witty, chaotic, and fun – How else would you want to spend Halloween this year?

Emojiland was originally presented by the New York Musical Festival (Dan Markley, Executive Director & Producer). Emojiland was a Grand Jury Selection of the 2018 New York Musical Festival. The original 2020 Off-Broadway production produced by Visceral Entertainment, and directed by Thomas Caruso.

The Original Cast Recording of Emojiland is available at BroadwayRecords.com and wherever digital music is sold.

LISTINGS

EMOJILAND

In Concert

THE GARRICK THEATRE

Monday 31 October 2022

Music by Keith Harrison Dworkin

Book and Lyrics by Keith Harrison Dworkin & Laura Schein

Venue: The Garrick Theatre

Address: 2 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0HH

Date: Monday 31 October

Running Time: 2 hours 30 Minutes, inc. interval

Website: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/emojiland/

Tickets: From £25

Socials:
@TurbineTheatre 

#PoweringTheImagination

NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE MAKE FURTHER CASTING ANNOUNCEMENT FOR ALL-STAR SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS

New Wimbledon Theatre have today [Tuesday 27 September] announced additional casting for their star-studded Christmas pantomime, Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs, which is set to take Southwest London by storm this festive season.

Joining the previously announced Brenda Edwards (Loose Women, X-Factor, Hairspray), Lee Mead (Holby City, Casualty, Any Dream Will Do), Matthew Kelly (Stars in Their Eyes) and Hannah Lowther (TikTok, Heathers) are: Ruthie Henshall; West End Legend, multi-award-winning actor, singer and dancer and 2020 I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here contestant, Dick & Dom; award-winning, comedy television presenters with a career in children’s television spanning over 20 years and John Archer; past winner of the Magic Circle Stage Magician of the Year and semi-finalist on Britain’s Got Talent 2019.

Ruthie Henshall will be swapping the bright lights for something a bit more sinister as she treads the boards as The Wicked Queen this Christmas. Most recently, she was seen as a firm fan favourite on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! in 2020, Ruthie’s career is however, defined by her West End and Broadway legend status. She made her West End debut in Cats, following a stint in the UK tour of A Chorus Line, but has since appeared in leading roles, in a plethora of huge shows, from: Miss Saigon (Broadway), to Children of Eden, Les Misérables (West End and 10th Anniversary ‘Dream Cast’), Crazy For You, Oliver!, She Loves Me (winning the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical), Chicago (Original London Company, Broadway and the only British actor to play all three female leads in the show), Stephen Sondheim’s Putting It Together, Peggy Sue Got Married, The Woman in White, Marguerite, Blithe Spirit and Billy Elliot (including the live cinema broadcast).

Set to cause as much on-stage chaos, as we are used to seeing on our television screens, and appearing as Snow White’s friends, are much-loved comedy duo Dick & Dom. Celebrating 25 years as a double act, the duo are multi-BAFTA award winners, known for hosting their iconic Dick & Dom in Da Bungalow, which led to spin-offs and presenting roles in further acclaimed productions such as: Diddy Movies and Diddy TV, Splatalot, The Legend of Dick and Dom, their science entertainment show Absolute Genius, Sunday Morning’s Lie in (BBC Radio 1) and Are You Smarter than a 10 Year Old (Sky One). As well as TV, they have starred onstage, and on the big screen, featuring in Horrid Henry; The Movie and on the West End in Monty Python’s Spamalot. Recently they started hosting their own Podcasts: Cash From Chaos, Diddy Pod and The Dick and Dom Debate.

John Archer also joins the cast as the misguided Henchmen and, is thought by many to be one of the best Comedy Magicians in the UK today having toured and performed widely for over 26 years. He appeared on ITV’s Penn & Teller – Fool Us show and was the first man to fool them, winning a trip to perform with them at The Rio Hotel in Las Vegas. In 2019 John took part in Britain’s Got Talent and reached the live semi-finals. He then went on to host A Magical Cirque Christmas, touring 43 cities across the USA. He is also a multi-award winner, with accolades including: The Magic Circle Stage Magician of the Year, The David Berglas Award For Outstanding contribution to Magic, The Carlton Comedy Award for outstanding use of Comedy and Magic as well as, British Magical Champion of Comedy at The British magical Championships, and in 2002 he was promoted to a Member of the Inner Magic Circle – with gold star. As a writer and performer, John has also been involved in several BAFTA-winning television productions.

Rounding up the rest of the cast are: Jonny Weston, Chris Otim, Lucas Angelo Ward, William Keeler, Jacob Smith, Jack Malin, Ellie May-Wilson, Tonye Scott-Obene, Ethan Atkinson, Michael Parker, Theo Rose, Lauren Hyland and Sasha Woodward.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is produced by Crossroads Pantomimes, the World’s biggest pantomime producer and performances begin at New Wimbledon Theatre on Saturday 3rd December 2022, continuing until Saturday 31st December, Tickets are from £13 and are on sale now: here

Live Entertainment News

Kilimanjaro Live proudly presents:

QUADRUPLE BAFTA WINNERS

‘DICK AND DOM IN DA BUNGALOW’

20^TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR EXTENDED AND MOVED TO 2023

THE BEST NIGHT OUT EVER!

To celebrate 20 years since cult hit TV show ‘Da Bungalow’ hit our screens – quadruple Bafta award winners Dick & Dom are back with an extensive UK tour for 2023. Taking in 23 dates the tour starts on Sat 11^th March at Birmingham’s Town Hall and culminates on Saturday 10^th June at Glasgow’s o2 Academy taking in a date at London’s Shepherds Bush Empire on Friday 21^st April. The show is set to excite Bungalow Heads young and old who spent every Saturday morning glued to the TV set watching the boys command the chaos.  Get ready for the messiest night out in the UK!

The live show promises to bring back the spirit of Da Bungalow with their family friendly anarchic style and content as it was in the original series.  This interactive experience will include all your favourite games including two-word tango, musical splatues, the grunty song, fairly hairy fizzogs, pants dance, what a sweaty flap and of course bogies!!!  And for their finale expect to watch participants being splattered in their legendary Creamy Muck Muckgame. There will be appearances from Diddy, Dick and Dom, and D.I Harry Batt with his interrogation game as well as giving audience members the chance to win part of, some of, or almost all the price of their ticket… To add to the excitement each audience member will have the chance to take part in the show and relive their childhood memories!

“20 years?! 20 years since those lift doors slid open and we welcomed you to Da Bungalow! It’s going to blow your mind as we take you on a nostalgia fuelled trip to

relive the best show ever to be on your telly! The most asked question we get is, ‘When are you going to bring Da Bungalow Back’. Well… it’s BACK! See you there. P.S BOOOOGIES!” DICK & DOM

‘Dick and Dom in Da Bungalow’ started on CBBC on August 31st, 2002. After one series, the audience had grown from one kid eating her cereal in Stockport, to hundreds of thousands of fanatical viewers screaming ‘bogies’ at the top of their lungs.

The show swiftly moved to BBC One, putting Saturday mornings back on the BBC’s map and thrashing the opposition ‘SMTV Live’. Over 4 years, 5 hit series and numerous awards and accolades Dick and Dom became household names. Despite being asked to continue for another 2 series the team made the decision to end the series on a high in 2006.

The show has many celebrity fans and participants (or victims!) of the show including Fearne Cotton, Adam Woodyatt, Chris Moyles, Tom Fletcher, Sara Cox, Will Mellor, Rupert Grint and of course Rachel Stevens (who famously legged it as she didn’t want to get dirty!).

After 25 years together Dick and Dom’s success is still as relevant today as it was back in ‘Da Bungalow’. In 2017, they completed a nationwide smash theatre tour, followed in 2018 by a sell-out season in one of the largest venues at the Edinburgh Festival, winning them an award for Best Family Show. Audiences of families and those old enough to remember the original still flock to see them proving the Bungalow’s heritage still lives on and continues to ignite the millennial generation.

Dick and Dom are Richard “Dick” McCourt and Dominic “Dom” Wood. As well as In Da Bungalow, they have presented The Sunday Morning Show on BBC Radio 1 and ‘Are You Smarter than a 10 Year Old?’ for  Sky 1 as well as starring roles in the hit film ‘Horrid Henry: The Movie’. Their many other hit TV shows include ‘The Legend of Dick & Dom’, Diddy Movies and Diddy TV, Splatalot, Dick & Dom’s HOOPLA and the BAFTA award winning ‘Absolute Genius With Dick and Dom’.  Recent TV appearances include Comic Relief, The Weakest Link, Pointless and Celebrity Ghost Trip.

The pair voiced the roles of Unhygienix and Fulliautomatix in the English release of the film Asterix: The Mansions of the Gods.  They also starred in the hit film ‘Horrid Henry: The Movie‘. On stage Dick and Dom played King Arthur and Patsy in Monty Python’s West End revival of Spamalot. 

The dates are as follows:

MARCH

Sat 11^th             BIRMINGHAM – Town Hall

Sun 12^th            SOUTHEND – Palace Theatre

Sat 18^th             WOKING – New Victoria Theatre

Sun 19^th            NOTTINGHAM – Theatre Royal

Mon 20^th           IPSWICH – Regent Theatre

Tues 21^st          CROYDON – Ashcroft Theatre

Thurs 23^rd         LEICESTER – De Montfort Hall

Fri 24^th              SHREWSBURY – Severn Theatre

Sat 25^th             HULL – City Hall

Wed 29^th           NEWCASTLE – Tyne Theatre

Thurs 30^th         BRADFORD – St. Georges Hall

APRIL

Sat 1^st               BUXTON – Opera House

Sun 2^nd             SALFORD – Lowry

Wed 19^th           PORTSMOUTH – Guildhall

Thurs 20^th         BRIGHTON – Dome

Fri 21^st             LONDON – Shepherds Bush Empire

Sat 22^nd            SWANSEA – Grand Theatre

Thurs 27^th         BATH – Forum

Fri 28^th              NORTHAMPTON – Royal & Derngate

MAY

Sat 6^th               KING’S LYNN – Corn Exchange

Fri 12^th              SHEFFIELD – o2 Academy

Sat 13^th            READING – Hexagon

Sun 14^th            CARDIFF – New Theatre

JUNE

Sat 10^th             GLASGOW – o2 Academy

TICKET LINK: www.myticket.co.uk/artists/dick-and-dom-in-da-bungalow-live

Twitter: @dickndom Facebook: @dickndomofficial Insta: dickndomofficial

J A C K   A N D   TH E   B E A N S T A L K

FURTHER CASTING ANNOUNCED

THE 2022 PANTOMIME AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM

FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED FIVE WEEK RUN

Michael Harrison for Crossroads Pantomimes is delighted to announce that Louis Gaunt, Rob Madge and Natalie McQueen will join the cast of Jack and the Beanstalk at The London Palladium this Christmas. They join the previously announced Dawn French, Julian Clary, Alexandra Burke, Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Gary Wilmot. Jack and the Beanstalk plays from 10 December 2022 to 15 January 2023.

Louis Gaunt (Jack) most recently completed a run in the West End production of Mary Poppins as Bert. His other theatre credits include Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends  at the Sondheim Theatre, Piaf  at Nottingham Playhouse, Gypsy at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Grease  on National Tour, Standing at the Sky’s Edge at Sheffield Crucible, Sweet Charity  at Nottingham Playhouse, Kiss Me, Kate  at Sheffield Crucible, and his professional stage debut at Grange Park Opera in Oklahoma! for which he won at The Stage Debut Awards in 2018.  His television credits include the most recent series of Bridgerton for Netflix and ITV’s The Larkins.

Rob Madge’s (Pat The Cow) theatre credits include Millennials: A Pop Cycle at the Other Palace, Bedknobs & Broomsticks UK and Ireland Tour, Les Misérables UK and Ireland Tour, Les Misérables 25^th Anniversary Concert at the O2, Les Misérables at the Barbican, Oliver! at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward Theatre. Madge’s production of My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?) will run at the Garrick Theatre this Autumn.

Natalie McQueen’s (Princess Jill) previous West End credits include Blanche Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde at The Arts Theatre, Doralee in 9 to 5 The Musical at the Savoy Theatre, Lauren in Kinky Boots at the Adelphi Theatre. Other theatre credits include Catherine in Pippin at The Charing Cross Theatre, The Mad Hatter in Wonderland UK and Ireland Tour and Dinah in Starlight Express at The Other Palace. Her concerts include Bonnie & Clyde at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Frank Wildhorn & Friends at Cadogan Hall, London and the Palace Theatre Manchester. Original cast recordings include 9 to 5 The Musical and Natalie can also be seen on screen playing Lauren in the live film recording of Kinky Boots.

Once again directed by Michael Harrison, Jack and the Beanstalk will feature lavish new set designs from Mark Walters and costume designs from Hugh Durrant created especially for The London Palladium. Harrison’s production has choreography by Karen Bruce, with lighting designs by Ben Cracknell, sound designs by Gareth Owen and composition and orchestrations by Gary Hind.

Jack and the Beanstalk is produced by Michael Harrison for Crossroads Pantomimes.As a producer in the West End his credits include The Drifter’s Girl, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Gypsy, The Bodyguard, Annie and Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein. Crossroads Pantomimes is the world’s biggest pantomime producer and part of Crossroads Live, a global leader in the production of musical theatre and immersive entertainment experiences.

LISTINGS INFORMATION 

Theatre:                             The London Palladium, Argyll St, London W1F 7TF

Dates:                                Sat 10 December 2022 – Sun 15 January 2023

Performances:                     Visit website for performance schedule

Tickets:                              Tickets from £20 – no booking fees

Website:                            www.palladiumpantomime.com

Twitter:                              @PalladiumPanto                          

Facebook:                           PalladiumPanto

Instagram:                         palladiumpanto

Crossroads Pantomimes
With a glittering array of star names headlining spectacular, lavish productions, Crossroads Pantomimes is the world’s biggest pantomime producer. With renowned creative teams, talented casts and musicians, and passionate production teams, the company create pantomimes which are at the heart of family entertainment across the UK. As part of Crossroads Live, the company works under the leadership of Michael Harrison and is chaired by David Ian.

The London Palladium has been the capital’s majestic home of variety for over a century, and to this day it continues to delight and surprise audiences with its rich tapestry of acts. We’ve welcomed a staggering selection of greats from Bob Hope and Louis Armstrong to the Two Ronnies, Bruce Forsyth and Cliff Richard. This proud tradition has continued since the theatre joined the LW Theatres family in 2000, hosting recent headliners as diverse as Sting, Bob Dylan, Madonna, Coldplay, Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Ocean and Dita Von Teese. An annual pantomime made a return to The London Palladium in 2016.

WICKED CELEBRATES 16^TH BIRTHDAY

AND PUTS 500,000 NEW TICKETS ON SALE

Award-winning West End musical now booking to

Sunday 26 November 2023 with 10 extra shows added

www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

WICKED, the West End and Broadway musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, tonight (Tuesday 27 September 2022) celebrates its 16^th birthday at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre and announces a 34^th booking extension. 500,000 new tickets are now on public sale for all performances until Sunday 26 November 2023. The following 10 extra shows are also now on sale: Thursday 27 October, Tuesday 20 December, Friday 23 December, Tuesday 27 December, Friday 30 December 2022, Thursday 16 February, Thursday 6 April, Thursday 3 August, Thursday 17 August, and Thursday 26 October 2023, all @2:30pm. Tickets are available now at www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

Upcoming access performances are confirmed as follows Captioned: Saturday 18 February 2023 @ 2.30pm and Friday 15 September 2023 @ 7:30pm; Audio Described: Saturday 12 November 2022 @ 2.30pm,  and Tuesday 14 March 2023 @ 7.30pm; Sign Language Interpreted: Saturday 22 October 2022 @ 2.30pm, Friday 21 April 2023 @ 7.30pm, and Sunday 12 November 2023 @ 2:30pm

The London production of Wicked opened at the Apollo Victoria Theatre on 27 September 2006 and has subsequently become “one of the most successful musicals of all time” (BBC News). Recently welcoming its 11 millionth theatregoer, Wicked is already the 9^th longest running West End musical in history. The“global sensation” (Independent) has won over 100 international awards, including three Tony Awards, six Drama Desk Awards, two Olivier Awards, ten WhatsOnStage Awards (including three for ‘Best West End Show’), six Australian Helpmann Awards and a Grammy for its Platinum-selling Original Cast Recording.

Based on the multi-million copy best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked imagines a beguiling backstory and future possibilities to the lives of L. Frank Baum’s beloved characters from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and reveals the decisions and events that shape the destinies of two unlikely university friends on their journey to becoming Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Wicked currently stars: Lucie Jones (Elphaba), Helen Woolf (Glinda), Ryan Reid (Fiyero), Sophie-Louise Dann (Madame Morrible), Gary Wilmot (The Wizard, until 16 October 2002), Mark Curry (The Wizard, from 18 October 2022), Carina Gillespie (Nessarose), Nicholas McLean (Boq), Simeon Truby (Doctor Dillamond), Amy Webb (Standby for Elphaba), Lisa-Anne Wood (Standby for Glinda), Yuki Abe, Kofi Aidoo-Appiah, Meg Astin, Alishia-Marie Blake, Pàje Campbell, Michael Colbourne, Fergus Dale, Nolan Edwards, Nicola Espallardo, Danny Fogarty, Laura Harrison, Amie Hibbert, Lucie Horsfall, Samuel How, Christian Knight, Nick Len, Jasmine Leung, Maggie Lynne, Rhidian Marc, PaddyJoe Martin, Jessica-Alice McCluskey, Stacey McGuire, Harry Mills, Lewis Newton, Natalie Spriggs, Samantha Thomas, Joe Thompson-Oubari and James Titchener.

Cast subject to change from Tuesday 7 March 2023.

Wickedhas music and lyrics by multi-Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy Award winner Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, The Prince of Egypt, Disney’s Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Enchanted and its new Disney+ sequel Disenchanted). It is based on the bestselling novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire and written by Emmy and Tony Award nominee Winnie Holzman (creator of the landmark American television series My So-Called Life). Musical staging is by Tony Award-winner Wayne Cilento with direction by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe Mantello.

Wicked is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Stage Productions, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone. Executive Producer (UK) Michael McCabe.

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire is published in the UK by Headline (the book is recommended for readers aged 16+). Wicked: The Grimmerie, a behind-the-scenes look at the musical by David Cote, is published in the UK by Hyperion.

The Apollo Victoria Theatre, Wilton Road, London, SW1V 1LG

Official UK website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

Twitter: @WickedUK  |  Facebook: /WickedUK  |  Instagram: @WickedUK

The Grammy Award-winning, Platinum-certified Original Broadway Cast Recording on Decca Broadway

The Rubens at the Palace and The Clermont Victoria are the official hotel partners of WickedLondon

  www.rubenshotel.com      www.theclermont.co.uk/victoria

★★★★★

“Punchy, playful and sexy, this Oklahoma! is an absolute knockout” The Telegraph

DATES CONFIRMED FOR CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED

SMASH-HIT PRODUCTION OF RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S OKLAHOMA!

AS BOOKING OPENS FOR THE WEST END RUN

★★★★★

“Oklahoma! is stunningly reimagined” Financial Times

Eva Price, Sonia Friedman Productions and Michael Harrison in association with the Young Vic Theatre today announce the dates for the West End transfer of the critically acclaimed production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!. The production will open at Wyndham’s Theatre on 28 February 2023, with previews from 16 February, and run until 2 September 2023. Priority booking opens today, with public booking opening tomorrow at midday – tickets are from £20.

In addition, the Producers have set aside a number of £10 tickets for Monday – Wednesday performances that are offered directly to those currently under-represented in West End theatre audiences. These are made available via an outreach programme run by Sita McIntosh of Inclusive Audiences – www.inclusiveaudiences.com.

Reimagined for the stage by Daniel Fish, the production played a sold-out run at the Young Vic earlier this year, having previously transferred to Broadway from St. Ann’s Warehouse winning the Tony Award for Best Musical Revival.

★★★★★

“Your heart will soar. Exceptional.” Metro

Eva Price, Sonia Friedman Productions, Michael Harrison

in association with the Young Vic Theatre

present

The Bard Summerscape production of

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s

OKLAHOMA!

Music by RICHARD RODGERS

Book and Lyrics by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II

Based on the play “Green Grow the Lilacs” by Lynn Riggs

Original Choreography by Agnes de Mille

Director: Daniel Fish; Orchestrations, Arrangements and Co-Music Supervision: Daniel Kluger; Choreographer: John Heginbotham; Scenic Designers: Lael Jellinek & Grace Laubacher;

Costume Designer: Terese Wadden; Lighting Designer: Scott Zielinski; Sound Designer: Drew Levy;

Projection Designer: Joshua Thorson; Co-Music Supervision and Additional Vocal Arrangements: Nathan Koci

Forget what you think it is… this is Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! as you’ve never seen it before – re-orchestrated and reimagined for the 21st century. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical Revival, Daniel Fish’s bold interpretation recently enjoyed a sold-out run at the Young Vic following sold-out runs in New York and across the U.S. on tour.

Oklahoma! tells a story of a community banding together against an outsider, and the frontier life that shaped America. Eighty years after Rodgers & Hammerstein reinvented the American musical, this visionary production is funny and sexy, provocative and probing, without changing a word of the text.

After long and highly distinguished careers with other collaborators, Richard Rodgers (composer, 1902-79) and Oscar Hammerstein II (librettist/lyricist, 1895-1960) joined forces in 1943 to create the most successful partnership in American Musical Theater. Prior to joining forces, Rodgers collaborated with lyricist Lorenz Hart on musical comedies that epitomized wit and sophistication (Pal Joey, On Your Toes, Babes in Arms and more), while Hammerstein brought new life to operetta and created the classic, Show Boat, with Jerome Kern. Oklahoma!, the first Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, introduced an integrated form that became known as “the musical play.” Their shows that followed included Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I and The Sound of Music. Collectively, the Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals have earned Tony, Oscar, Grammy, Emmy, Pulitzer and Olivier Awards. The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization is a Concord Company.

Daniel Fish is a New York-based director who makes work across the boundaries of theatre, film, and opera. He draws on a broad range of forms and subject matter including plays, film scripts, contemporary fiction, essays and found audio. His 2019 production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! transferred to Broadway from St. Ann’s Warehouse and won the Tony Award for Best Musical Revival. Other recent work includes White Noise, inspired by the novel by Don DeLillo (Ruhrfestspiele Recklingshausen, Theater Freiburg, Skirball NYU), Most Happy, based on Frank Loesser’s “The Most Happy Fella” (Williamstown Theater Festival), Michael Gordon’s opera, Acquanetta (Prototype Festival/Bard SummerScape), Don’t Look Back (The Chocolate Factory), Who Left This Fork Here (Baryshnikov Arts Center, Onassis Center), Ted Hearne’s The Source (BAM NEXT WAVE, LA Opera, San Francisco Opera), and Eternal, a video installation. His work has been seen at theatres and festivals throughout the U.S. and Europe including, The Walker Arts Center, PuSH, Teatro Nacional D. Maria, Lisbon/Estoril Film Festival, Vooruit, Festival TransAmériques, Noorderzon Festival, The Chocolate Factory, The Public Theater’s Under The Radar, Opera Philadelphia/Curtis Opera Theater, American Repertory Theater, Richard B. Fisher Center at Bard College, Yale Repertory Theater, McCarter Theater, Signature Theater, The Shakespeare Theater Company, Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus, Staatstheater Braunschweig, and The Royal Shakespeare Company. Residencies and commissions include The MacDowell Colony, Baryshnikov Arts Center, Mass MOCA, and LMCC/ Governor’s Island. In December 2022, he will première a new production of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide for Opera National de Lyon. He is graduate of Northwestern University’s Department of Performance Studies and has taught at The Juilliard School, Bard College, and The Department of Design for Stage and Film at NYU Tisch School of the Arts.  He is the recipient of the 2017 Herb Alpert Award in the Arts for the Theater.

www.OklahomaWestEnd.com

Instagram: @Oklahoma.WestEnd

Twitter: @OklahomaWestEnd

Facebook: @OklahomaWestEnd

#OklahomaMusical

OKLAHOMA!

LISTINGS:

Wyndham’s Theatre

Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0DA

Box Office: 0344 482 5151 / www.OklahomaWestEnd.com

Groups booking: 0344 482 5100

Access booking: 0344 482 5137

Tickets from £20

Perform Productions announces the cast and creative team 

 of its spellbinding West End family musical 

 Magical Merlin 

playing daytime performances at The Fortune Theatre 

for half-term from 24 – 30 October 2022 

Perform Productions is delighted to announce the cast and creative team for the West End premiere of Magical Merlin this October half-term. The spellbinding family musical, which promises to be full of fun and laughter, plays daytime performances at The Fortune Theatre in Covent Garden from Monday 24 to Sunday 30 October 2022. 

West End favourite Ben Stock (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Grease) plays the lead role of Merlin with Stuart Maciver (Wicked, Evita) as Lancelot. They are joined by a talented line-up of Lydia Abbotts as Guinevere, Lizzie Buckingham as Morgan, Jordan Donnelly as Dustman, Farirayi Garaba as Swing and Claire Lee Shenfield as Mildred.  

Magical Merlin is directed by the critically-acclaimed Kirk Jameson (credits include UK & International Tour of Dreamworks’ Madagascar, the 10^th Anniversary Concert Production of Love Story at Cadogan Hall, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (filmed at the London Coliseum for Broadway HD)).  

Magical Merlin is written and composed by Will Barnett. Choreography is by Khiley Williams, design by Ryan Dawson Laight, lighting design by Andrew Ellis and sound design by Tom Marshall. The magic consultant is Scott Penrose. The show is produced by Perform Productions and general managed by Anthology Theatre.  

Magical Merlin features a mix of magic, songs and dancing, as well as uplifting themes of teamwork and self-belief. The show is set in Ancient Britain, a wild world of witches and wizards where Magical Merlin’s miraculous powers rule supreme. When the baby King Arthur is born and jealous older sister, Morgan Le Fay, starts turning people into animals, it’s down to Merlin to save the day. 

Perform Productions is run by Lucy Quick and Will Barnett, who produced the sell-out run of Jungle Rumble at The Fortune Theatre in February 2022. They are also the founders and managers of the renowned drama school, Perform, which runs classes for 4-12 year olds across the UK. Magical Merlin ties in with the students’ theme this term. A professional cast will bring the legendary characters they have been learning about to life on the West End stage, from Sir Lancelot and Princess Guinevere to a fire-breathing dragon! 

Magical Merlin is an enchanting mini-musical for the whole family, running from 24 to 30 October at The Fortune Theatre, Russell St, London WC2B 5HH (Covent Garden) at various times during the day – check the Box Office (running time 1 hr; suitable for ages 3+). BSL performance: Sunday 30 October at 10am.  

Book at ATG Tickets: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/magical-merlin/fortune-theatre/. 

-LISTINGS- 

Type: theatre, musical theatre, family shows, half term 

Show: Magical Merlin 

Venue: The Fortune Theatre, Russell St, London WC2B 5HH (Covent Garden) 

Dates: Monday 24 – Sunday 30 October 2022 

Times: Monday (2pm, 4pm), Tuesday (11am), Wednesday (11am, 1.30pm, 4pm), Thursday (11am), Friday (11am, 1.30pm, 4pm), Saturday (10am, 12.30pm), Sunday (10am, 12pm, 2.30pm, 4.30pm) 

Running Time: 1 hour. This show does not have an interval. 

Box Office: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/magical-merlin/fortune-theatre/. For Access bookings, please call 0800 912 6971. 

Tickets: Tickets available from £17.50 subject to a transaction fee of £3.80. Groups offer – 6 tickets for the price of 5.  

BSL performance: Sunday 30 October at 10am   

Age guidance: suitable for children 3+. 

Contains small pyrotechnic effects and some flashing lights, plus the use of smoke and haze 

CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE OF WICKIES: THE VANISHING MEN OF EILEAN MOR.

●       BASED ON A TRUE STORY, THIS GRIPPING SUPERNATURAL DRAMA IS THE PERFECT FESTIVE THRILLER THIS CHRISTMAS.

Paul Morrissey, Christopher Wheeler, and Molly Morris in association with Park Theatre are pleased to announce the cast for the World Premiere of Wickies: The Vanishing Men of Eilean Mor.

Wickies: The Vanishing Men of Eilean Mor is based on the true story of James Ducat, Thomas Marshall, and Donald MacArthur: a supernatural thriller that seeks to unravel the enduring mystery of thelighthouse keepers who, on December 15, 1900, disappeared without a trace.

The Producers — who brought the critically acclaimed production of When Darkness Falls (‘Eerie tales told with relish’ The Stage) to Park Theatre – are delighted to be returning to the Finsbury Park venue this festive season, with a gripping, original thriller.

Written by Paul Morrissey, Wickies: The Vanishing Men of Eilean Mor opens at the Park Theatre on Wednesday 30^th November 2022 and runs until Saturday 31^st December 2022.

Writer and Producer, Paul Morrissey said, “I have always been fascinated by eerie islands. The isolation. The myths. The legends. The folklore. Maybe it’s because I grew up on one myself. And whilst my island home, I guess, isn’t that eerie, the folklore and stories passed down from generation to generation, most definitely are. The story of the vanishing men of Eilean Mor takes that to a whole new level. The ingredients are a gift for any writer. A lighthouse. Frequent and violent storms. Three very different men confined to a small building with the same aim: to guide and protect. To light the way. But something happened. The men seemingly vanished without a trace. Did one of them go mad and kill the other two? Were they taken by a freak wave? Or perhaps they were kidnapped by Pirates? Whatever the reason, what is true, is that they’ve never been seen since. The question I started with was, where was the light that night?”

Directed by Shilpa T-Hyland, Wickies: The Vanishing Men of Eilean Mor will star Ewan Stewart (Titanic, Witness for the Prosecution, River City) as James Ducat, Jamie Quinn (BBC’s Two Doors Down, The Lieutenant of Inishmore) as Thomas Marshall and Graeme Dalling (Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Let the Right One In) as Donald MacArthur.

These three celebrated Scottish actors — along with a Scottish led creative team — will not only bring the dramatic and eerie landscape of Eilean Mor to life as they tell tale of this mysterious highland legend, but also explore the devastating mental health ramifications of loneliness and isolation imposed by such a remote island.

Director, Shilpa T-Hyland, said “A tale of pressure and isolation bringing out the best and worst, and our fascination and horror of unexplainable events. I’ve never quite believed in ghosts but always been convinced of the power of the mind in an eerie spot where the walls have history. That’s real enough for me.”

On 26th December 1900, a small ship was making its way to the Flannan Islands in the remote Outer Hebrides.

Its destination was the lighthouse at Eilean Mor; a remote island, uninhabited apart from its lighthouse keepers – James Ducat, Thomas Marshall, and Donald MacArthur.

When the ship arrived on the island, the lighthouse was unlocked and two of three oil skinned coats belonging to the men were missing. The fire was out – and had been for some days – the kitchen area had half eaten food, the chairs were overturned, and the clock had stopped. More importantly, the lighthouse lamp was out. The three men had vanished.

Wickies: The Vanishing Men of Eilean Mor features music by Niall Bailey, set and costume design by Zoe Hurwitz, lighting design by Bethany Gupwell and sound design by Nik Paget-Tomlinson. 

On sale now and inspired by real life events this chilling ghost tale offers an intriguing festive treat for those brave enough!

Wickies: The Vanishing Men of Eilean Mor at the Park Theatre will run from Wednesday 30th November 2022 until Saturday 31st December 2022.

The Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, Penzance, Cornwall – until 6 October 2022

Reviewed by Kerry Gilbert

5*****

“A classic novel retold will have the audience unfold with laughter!”

What could be better than enjoying a production of Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) at the spectacular Minack, open air theatre perched upon the Cornish cliffs?

This is a laugh out loud show that’s been cleverly created from an all-time classic!

The show is straight from the West End and Directed by Isobel McArthur and Simon Harvey, it will simply bowl you over and leave you with that ‘feel good’ feeling like you’ve just watched something unique that you’ll not have seen before or will likely see again.

The cast of five take on all the parts, Isobel McArthur is a wonderful Darcy. In addition, she plays an even more coarse than usual Mrs Bennet. Also in the cast are Olivier Award nominated Tori Burgess as Lydia and Mr Collins; Olivier Award nominated Christina Gordon as Lady Catherine de Bough and Jane; Award winner and Stage Debut Awards nominee Hannah Jarrett-Scott as Charlotte Lucas and Charles Bingley and Leah Jamieson as Elizabeth Bennet.

The audience were engaged with laughing almost every minute of the performance which also features a string of pop classics. So, clutching handheld microphones, Jane croons “At last” while on her way to Netherfield, Elizabeth taunts Mr Darcy with “You’re So Vain”, Jane and Bingley wonder “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”, and the Bennet women are “Holding Out for a Hero”. There’s also a perfectly groan-worthy Chris de Burgh gag.

This is a faithful staging of the novel, albeit one with more 21st century language, including a lot of swearing: Darcy is described as a ‘tw*t’ (and that’s one of the milder insults). Mrs Bennet calls Elizabeth “a f***ing smart a*se” – and there are contemporary touches like the sisters stomping around in Doc Martens or drinking Irn-Bru.

I particularly liked the moment when Elizabeth looks at a painting of Darcy and Isobel McArthur slides behind the empty frame to pose as the portrait, whose eyes then follow Lizzie round the room.

This show would appear to a wide range of ages and is admirably accessible – retelling of a classic novel with humour, music, dancing, great audience interaction and a superb clearly written storyline. My 18-year-old daughter enjoyed it as much a me, without having read the book.

This is a light-hearted play that will cheer you up – I’d highly recommend going to see it whilst it’s at the wonderful Minack!