Month: October 2022

INTERMISSION YOUTH TO STAGE BRAND-NEW REIMAGINING OF

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM TITLED MSND

Intermission Youth today announces the staging of their new adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, titled MSND. The productionopens on 16 and 17 November at the Chelsea Theatre, with previews from 9 November and its final performance on 3 December.

The timeless quality of Shakespearean dialogue reaches new heights in MSND. Interwoven into the original narrative are themes around identity, relationships and substance abuse. The company combines the mystical narrative of A Midsummer Night’s Dream with a contemporary spin that remains current with London’s young people.

Set up in 2008, Intermission Youth’s aim is to help transform the lives of disadvantaged youth aged between 16 – 25, young people living in deprivation and experiencing high levels of anti-social behaviour, family breakdown, dependency, and criminality. They believe that constant support, nurture, and care in a young person’s life can give them the confidence and believe to make positive choices and change the course of their lives.

Sir Mark Rylance, on the Board of Trustees, said today: “Intermission Youth is a sanctuary for youth. It is a safe place to do unsafe things like express your feelings truly, depend upon others, trust in yourself, and play Shakespeare plays as if they were made for you this morning. 

“Under the genius direction of Darren Raymond, IY has for fifteen years created the most lively, original productions of Shakespeare plays that I have witnessed in London. This is Shakespeare liberated from its time and brought to life in the culture, wit, and wild soul life of London’s young and too often excluded generation. 

“MSND will be a unique theatrical event, kicking with the life of Shakespeare’s original divine comedy and the infectious wit and warmth and honesty of the African Diaspora. You will not be disappointed. In my experience, these productions are always a revelation, a revelation about Shakespeare and a revelation about the young people of London. Don’t miss it.”

Intermission Youth Presents

MSND

Directed by Darren Raymond; Set Design by Delyth Evans; Lighting Design by Julian McCready;Costume Design by Caitlin Clarke

9 November – 3 December 2022

After abusing Titania’s trust, Oberon is refused access to his daughter, Asia. His best friend, Puck, tries to cheer him up and when a new drug hits the street, he sees this as the perfect opportunity. But this isn’t any old drug, this is MSND, once taken, it is believed you inherit special powers, including the ability to speak Shakespeare. Oberon is convinced that with the help of this drug, he can get to Asia, but unbeknown to him, Titania, also stumbles upon MSND, so has powers of her own! The temptation of the drug lures them to the playground, where they take on the role of King and Queen of the fairies. Or maybe they are just high?

Meanwhile, school is out for the summer, Lysander, Demetrius, Theseus and Egeus place some names in hat, whoever they pick out, they must bed, before the showcase tomorrow evening. Things turn ugly, however, when Egeus discovers that his sister, Hermia is in the hat. To win the bet, the boys persuade the girls to follow them into the playground. 

Also rehearsing in the playground are a group of performers, determined to put on a good evening of entertainment for their school showcase, they too stumble upon MSND. 

MSND    

LISTINGS

CHELSEA THEATRE

7 World’s End Place, Chelsea, London SW10 0DR

9 November – 3 December 2022

Wednesday – Saturday at 7:30pm and Saturday at 3:30pm

Box Office: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/IMY

Tickets from £7.50

https://www.intermissionyouththeatre.co.uk/

Twitter: @InterTheatre

Instagram: @weareintermission

The Rose Theatre, Kingston – until 22 October 2022

Reviewed by Bobbi Fenton

5*****

‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’ is a phenomenal play, about war, corruption, and the fight for survival when your life is turned upside down. Despite the play being written by Brecht, and inspired by his time in Germany in the 1920’s and 1930s, it is just as relevant today in the current political climate. Set in a refugee camp with the refugees themselves being tasked to perform, this play within a play excellently addresses the fact that they are performing in a way that breaks down barriers between the actors and the audience. The music within the play is beautifully drawn from many different cultures and perfectly encapsulates the feeling of family found from all over that is at the very centre of the story. The songs are led by the wonderful singer (Zoe West), who’s role is mostly as an unconventional narrator, although the second act does involve more ‘Brechtian’ acting.

When the rich Governors wife (Joanna Kirkland) is forced to flee her home as the revolution starts and her husband is decapitated, in the chaos of everything, her baby Michael, is left behind by everyone. He is later found by one of the palace staff members, Grusha Vashnadez (Carrie Hope Fletcher), who risks her own survival to take the child with her, and raise him, evading capture by the people who wanted the child dead, since he was an heir to the governor. Grusha raises this baby as her own, doing everything she can to ensure both of their survival, including marrying a ‘dying’ man so people didn’t think she had a child out of wedlock. This later causes issues with her fiancé Simon (Nickcolia King-N’da), who returns from the war towards the end of the play. At the end, the corrupt new judge, Azdak (Jonathan Slinger) invents a test, called the chalk circle test, to figure out the child’s true mother, and decide whether Grusha will keep custody of Michael, or whether the Governors wife will get him back. The entire cast are incredibly talented, using a lot of multirole throughout to show the range of really varied characters.

Consisting of many dramatic moments, a multifaceted plot, and some brilliantly timed humour, this play is an absolute masterpiece. There is no possible combination of words that could fully express the true brilliance of ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’.

“MAMMA MIA!”

WINS BEST THEATRE PRODUCTION

IN THE GROUP LEISURE & TRAVEL AWARDS 2022

Producer Judy Craymer was delighted that her global smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! won Best Theatre Production in the 2022 held at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes on 5 October.  Now in its 26^th year, this was Group Leisure & Travel’s first live in-person awards ceremony for three years.  The 2022 ceremony was hosted by footballing legend Kevin Keegan, alongside Group Leisure & Travel publisher Rob Yandell. 

MAMMA MIA! at London’s Novello Theatre is currently bookingto Saturday 30 September 2023, with ticket prices frozen and now on sale.

A new cast joins the production this Monday 10 October.  Mazz Murray (Donna), Josie Benson (Tanya), Gemma Goggin (Rosie) and Stephen Beckett (Bill) will be joined by Norman Bowman (Marius in Les  Misérables, Sky Masterson in Guys & Dolls and Pat Denning in 42nd Street in the West End) as Sam, Christopher Dickins (Witness for the Prosecution, Oklahoma! at Chichester Festival Theatre) as Harry, Meg Hateley (making her West End debut) as Sophie, Miles Henderson (making his West End debut) as Sky, Natasha Heyward (making her UK & West End debut) as Ali, Olivia Lallo (making her West End debut) as Lisa, Lucca Chadwick-Patel (Legally Blonde at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, The Magician’s Elephant for the RSC) as Eddie and Jake Bailey (Jack Smith in Call the Midwife, Matilda the Musical and Oliver! in the West End) as Pepper, with Jennifer Adab (making her West End stage debut) playing Donna at certain performances.

Also continuing in the cast are Gemma Atkins, Natalie Jayne Hall, Jennifer Hepburn, Frankie Jones, Natalie Langston, Michael Storrs and Simon Willmont.  They will be joined by Zac Adlam, Victoria Anderson, Sinéad Courtney, Ellie-Grace Cousins, Lawrence Guntert, David Haydn, Olivia Neville, Annell Odartey, Jessie Odeleye, Callum Rose, Jack Rose, Robert Slatter, Jacob Young, Chloe Way and Dan Wilshire.

As well as freezing all ticket prices for the new booking period, there are other opportunities for ticket buyers to save on costs:  Early Bird Tickets (book 12 weeks out to save £20 on Premium, Band A and Band B tickets for Monday to Friday performances, when booked directly through the theatre); Family Tickets (Bands C and D tickets for a total of £99 for a group of four – a saving of up to £111 – and Bands A and B tickets for a total of £199 for a group of four – a saving of up to £151 – for Monday to Friday performances, excluding peak performances).

Since premiering in London in 1999, the irresistible feelgood musical has captured the hearts of millions around the globe.  The sunny, funny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads on a Greek island idyll, all unfolding to the magic of ABBA’s timeless pop masterpieces, has now been seen live on stage by 65 million people across the world and turned into two record-breaking movies – MAMMA MIA! The Movie and MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again.

To date, MAMMA MIA! has been seen in 50 productions in 16 different languages grossing more than $4 billion at the box office.  In 2011, it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People’s Republic of China.   

20 years after its German debut in Hamburg, MAMMA MIA! will be celebrating its comeback to Northern Germany by opening at the Stage Theater Neue Flora in Hamburg on 11 September 2022.  Tickets are available online via www.musicals.de. 

MAMMA MIA! originally opened in London at the Prince Edward Theatre on 6 April 1999, before transferring to the Prince of Wales Theatre in 2004, and then to the Novello Theatre in 2012.  The London production of MAMMA MIA! has been seen by over 10 million people, played over 9,000 performances and has broken box office records in all three of its London homes.  

Produced by Judy Craymer, MAMMA MIA! The Movie became the highest grossing live action musical film of all time upon its release in 2008.  A second film, MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN, opened in July 2018 and is the most successful live musical movie sequel of all time.

With music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The production is designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce & Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material & arrangements by Martin Koch.

MAMMA MIA! is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East & Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Novello Theatre

Aldwych

London WC2B 4LD

Ticket Prices: from £17.50*

*All prices include a £2.50 per ticket booking fee and £1.50 restoration levy

Early Bird Pricing – anyone booking 12 weeks or more in advance of the performance they are attending (Monday to Friday performances only) will save £20 on Band B, Band A and Premium tickets, but only through Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, either online or by calling the Novello Theatre Box Office.

Family Ticket Rate – £199 for a group of four on Band B or Band A tickets (up to a saving of £151), OR £99 for a group of four on Band D and Band C tickets (up to a saving of £111), for Monday to Friday performances, excluding peak performances, but only through Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, either online or by calling the Novello Theatre Box Office.

Performance Times:

Monday, Wednesdays – Saturdays 7.30pm

Matinees – Thursdays & Saturdays 3.00pm, Sundays 2.30pm*

*Extra 3pm matinee on Monday 2 January 2023; extra 3pm matinee on Wednesday 26 October 2022, Wednesday 15 February, Wednesday 12 April, Wednesday 2 August & Wednesday 16 August 2023; no matinee on Thursday 5 January 2023; no performance on Sunday 9 October 2022.

Christmas 2022/23 Performance Schedule

Monday 19 December                  3.00pm and 7.30pm

Tuesday 20 December                 NO PERFORMANCE

Wednesday 21 December            7.30pm

Thursday 22 December                3.00pm and 7.30pm                      

Friday 23 December                     3.00pm and 7.30pm

Saturday 24 December                 NO PERFORMANCE

Sunday 25 December                   NO PERFORMANCE

Monday 26 December                  7.30pm

Tuesday 27 December                 7.30pm

Wednesday 28 December            3.00pm and 7.30pm

Thursday 29 December                3.00pm and 7.30pm                      

Friday 30 December                     7.30pm

Saturday 31 December                 2.30pm and 7.00pm (please note earlier times)

Sunday 1 January 2023               NO PERFORMANCE

Currently booking to 30 September 2023

The performance lasts 2 hours and 35 minutes (including a 15-minute interval)

Box Office: 0344 482 5151

http://www.mamma-mia.com/

http://www.facebook.com/mammamiamusical

http://twitter.com/MammaMiaMusical  

Full schedule released for Musical Con, the UK’s
first ever musical theatre fan convention
Saturday 22nd – Sunday 23rd October 2022
ExCel London, Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1XL

Musical Con have released the full schedule for their exciting fan convention, which is taking place at ExCeL London later this month. The sold-out event is the first of its kind and brings together 10,000 musical theatre fans and enthusiasts over the weekend for a celebration of musicals

Highlights on the Main Stage include a number of Show Spotlights, such as &Juliet ‘Making A New Musical’ with cast and creatives including Miriam Teak Lee and Tom Francis; Back To The Future with Bob Gale, the writer of the original film and musical and cast members Roger Bart and Ben Joyce; Heathers The Musical with the cast and producer Paul Taylor Mills; Get Up! Stand Up! on bringing Bob Marley’s music to the stage and ‘Celebrating 50 Years of Cameron Macintosh’ with cast and creatives from Les Misérables, Hamilton, Phantom Of The Opera and Mary Poppins

On the Backstage Theatre, fans will see a Disney puppetry demonstration and talk with Gary Jordan, Zazu from The Lion King and Mikayla Jade, Sven from Frozen; a talk on bringing Everybody’s Talking About Jamie from stage to screen with the musical’s theatre and film director Jonathan Butterell; and ‘Writing a Hit Musical’ with the writer of SIX The Musical Toby Marlow. Other Backstage Theatre talks and panels include costume with ‘Behind The Seams’, choreography with ‘Moving A Musical’, ‘Vocal Health’ with the West End’s leading vocal team, ‘Destigmatising Mental Health on the West End’, ‘Why Representation Matters In All Area of Theatre’, ‘The Alternate and Swing Superstars of the West End’, ‘Black Lives Matter West End’ and ‘LGBTQIA+ On The West End’, all with cast and creatives from West End shows

There are a number of show previews where fans will get a sneak peek of forthcoming musicals at various stages of their production, including Cinderella (Hope Mill Theatre) featuring Grace Mouat; new musical Super You featuring Aimie Atkinson; and Footballers Wives featuring Alice Fearn. Special Performances with Q&As include ‘Sondheim and Me’ with Jenna Russell and new music from musical theatre supergroup SVN; as well as epic opening and closing ceremonies featuring Musical Con Ambassadors Alice Fearn, Trevor Dion Nicholas, Aimie Atkinson, Ben Forster, Shanay Holmes and Layton Williams. There is even a gameshow called Show Off where previous cast members of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie go head-to-head with Legally Blonde, and an exciting cast reunion of In The Heights

Pre-booked premium activities, many of which have already sold out, include Stage Door Experiences, which give fans an opportunity to get an autograph or professional photo with over 20 different stage faves including Adam Garcia, Hannah Lowther and Cassidy Janson, and 30 workshops and masterclasses all taught exclusively by West End stars and creatives

It’s not just about the shows and the stars at Musical Con – there is plenty of fan-orientated content too, with hundreds of attendees entering competitions including Cosplay, Lip Sync Battle, and Star Of Musical Con, with the finalists battling it out on the Main Stage. There are Fan Meets for Hamilfans, The Queendom, Corn Nuts, Phans & Rentheads, where fans can find their tribe and share their passion.

All this plus Theatreland featuring exhibitors from across the musical theatre community, from fan art and merchandise stalls, schools and colleges, to West End shows including Frozen, The Lion King, Back To the Future, &Juliet and Moulin Rouge, with more photo opportunities than your Instagram feed can handle

See the full schedule at www.musicalcon.co.uk/schedule

Musical Con is produced by Chris Steward and Shanay Holmes for West End Musical Productions, is supported by the Society Of London Theatre and sponsored by Official London Theatre and Stagecoach. This is for the fans!

MGC today announces the full company for their production of Orlando – joining Emma Corrin, in the title role, are Deborah Findlay (Mrs Grimsditch), Jessica Alade (Virginia, Drunken Tory), Debra Baker (Virginia, Favilla, The Captain), Akuc Bol (Virginia, Euphrosyne, Prue), Lucy Briers (Virginia, Queen Elizabeth, Officer), Richard Cant (Virginia, Harriet, Kitty), Melissa Lowe (Virginia, Drunken Tory), Jodie McNee (Virginia, Marmaduke), Oliver Wickham (Virginia, Clorinda), and Millicent Wong (Virginia, Sasha, Nell). Michael Grandage’s production opens at the Garrick Theatre on 5 December 2022, with previews from 26 November, and runs until 25 February 2023.

The production sees Emma Corrin returning to the London stage as the title role in Orlando, from the novel by Virginia Woolf in a new version by Neil Bartlett. Michael Grandage directs, reuniting him with Corrin, following their recent collaboration on the feature film My Policeman for Amazon.

Continuing their commitment to accessible ticket prices across their productions, MGC will have over 10,000 £10 tickets available across the run.

MGC and Sand and Snow Entertainment present

ORLANDO

FROM THE NOVEL BY VIRGINIA WOOLF

ADAPTED BY NEIL BARTLETT

Cast: Emma Corrin (Orlando), Deborah Findlay (Mrs Grimsditch), Jessica Alade (Virginia, Drunken Tory), Debra Baker (Virginia, Favilla, The Captain), Akuc Bol (Virginia, Euphrosyne, Prue), Lucy Briers (Virginia, Queen Elizabeth, Officer), Richard Cant (Virginia, Harriet, Kitty), Melissa Lowe (Virginia, Drunken Tory), Jodie McNee (Virginia, Marmaduke), Oliver Wickham (Virginia, Clorinda), and Millicent Wong (Virginia, Sasha, Nell)

Direction: Michael Grandage; Set and Costume Design: Peter McKintosh;

Lighting Design: Howard Hudson; Composer and Sound Designer: Alex Baranowski;

Movement: Ben Wright; Associate Director: Anna Girvan; Casting: Jacob Sparrow

26 November 2022 – 25 February 2023

Garrick Theatre

“Nothing is any longer one thing”

Orlando tells a story like no other. Born in the reign of Elizabeth 1st, its hero-heroine journeys through five centuries and a myriad of encounters in search of the answer to just one question; how do any of us find the courage to truly be ourselves?

Michael Grandage directs Emma Corrin in Neil Bartlett’s joyous new adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s modern masterpiece – Orlando. 

Leading an eleven-strong company in a bold new staging, Olivier Award nominee Emma Corrin returns to London’s West End in one of the most surprising stories in the English language.An inspiring vision of all bodies having equal rights to love. 

Orlando opens at the Garrick Theatre this November for a strictly limited season.

Emma Corrin returns to the stage to play Orlando, following their Olivier Award and The Stage Debut Award nominated performance in Anna X (Harold Pinter Theatre).For television, their credits include playing Lady Diana Spencer in the award-winning The Crown -for which they won a Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award, as well as receiving a SAG and Emmy nomination. They will star in the upcoming films My Policeman and Lady Chatterley’s Lover, and limited-series Retreat.

Deborah Findlay plays Mrs Grimsditch. Her extensive theatre work includes Allelujah! (Bridge Theatre), for the Royal Court Theatre – Escaped Alone (also BAM), The Children (also Broadway – Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Play), Top Girls (also Broadway – won OBIE), and Tom and Viv; for the National Theatre – Rules for Living, Timon of Athens, The Mandate, Mother Clap’s Molly House, The Winter’s Tale, Stanley (also NY; Best Supporting Actress Olivier Award, Outstanding Performance NY Drama League); for the Donmar Warehouse – Coriolanus, Moonlight, Madame de Sade (Donmar West End), John Gabriel Borkman, The Cut (Olivier nomination for Best Supporting Actress) and The Vortex (Donmar Warehouse); The Glass Menagerie (Young Vic), The Winslow Boy (The Old Vic), Separate Tables (Chichester Festival Theatre), Like a Fishbone, Keyboard Skills, Commitments (Bush Theatre), Vincent River (59E59, New York), The Threesome, Cinderella and Her Sisters (Lyric Hammersmith), Tongue of a Bird, Hedda Gabler (Almeida Theatre), The Clandestine Marriage, The House of Bernarda Alba (West End), The School for Scandal, The Merchant of Venice, Twelfth Night, The New Inn, Three Sisters (RSC), Macbeth (Nuffield Southampton), and As You Like It and King Lear (Oxford Playhouse and UK tour). For television, her work includes The Split – as series regular Ruth Defoe, The Drowning, Collateral, Lovesick, High and Dry, Lambert, Life in Squares, Kaijser, Coalition, Starlings, Leaving, Torchwood, The Good Samaritan, This Life – 10 Years On, State of Play, Anna Karenina, and Wives and Daughters; and for film, Making Noise Quietly, Hampstead, Jackie, The Lady in the Van, Arthur Christmas, Vanity Fair, The End of the Affair and Truly Madly Deeply.

Jessica Alade plays Virginia, Drunken Tory. Her theatre credits include Hamlet (National Theatre); and for television, Showtrial, Buffering and I Hate Suzie. 

Debra Baker plays Virginia, Favilla, The Captain. For theatre, her work includes SAD (Omnibus Theatre, Clapham), The Witchfinder’s Sister (Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch), Big Guns (Yard Theatre), Home Theatre (Theatre Royal Stratford East), and Radiant Vermin (Soho Theatre and New York).For television, her work includes It’s a Sin, King Gary, Home, Call The Midwife, Sliced, Close to the Enemy, The Five, and Phoneshop; and for film, Re-Awakening, Body of Water, London Road, Lie Low, and Night Bus.

Akuc Bol plays Virginia, Euphrosyne, An Irish Debutante, Prue. Her theatre work includes Peter Pan, Attempts on Her Life, Julius Caesar, Philistines (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland), Mirthidate, Suréna (Conservatoire National Supériuer d’Art Dramatique), Bite Your Tongue (Talawa Theatre Company), Hamlet (RADA Youth Theatre), The Mini Dream, Encourage the Others (Almeida Theatre),and Banana Boys, Fisheress, God is a DJ, and Class of ’09 (Hampstead Theatre).For television, her work includes London Kills, Messiah, and The Dumping Ground; and for film, The Swimmers.

Lucy Briers plays Virginia, Queen Elizabeth, Officer. Her theatre work includes All of Us (National Theatre), Rosmersholm (Duke of York’s Theatre – Winner of Clarence Derwent Award 2019), Wild East (Young Vic), Forty Years On, The Seagull, Ivanov (Chichester Festival Theatre), Wolf Hall, Bring up the Bodies, Ivanov and Top Girls (West End), Bedroom Farce, Miss Julie (Rose Theatre Kingston), Some Kind of Bliss (Trafalgar Studios/Brits Off Broadway), Catch (Royal Court Theatre), The Voysey Inheritance (National Theatre), and Teeth ‘n’ Smiles, Don Juan, and As You Like It (Sheffield Theatres).Her television work includes House of the Dragon, Home, Endeavour, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Pride & Prejudice, Count Arthur Strong, Press, Mrs Wilson, Gentleman Jack, Victoria, The Thick of it, and Twenty Twelve; and for film, My Policeman, Emma, The Show, Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, and Genius.

Richard Cant plays Virginia, Harriet, Kitty. For theatre, his work includes Handbagged, Wife (Kiln Theatre), The Normal Heart, Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear (National Theatre), Talent (Sheffield Theatres), After Edward, Edward the Second (Shakespeare’s Globe), Maydays, Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing (RSC), Saint Joan (Donmar Warehouse), My Night with Reg (Donmar Warehouse/Apollo Theatre), Medea (Almeida Theatre), The Trial (Young Vic), War Horse (New London Theatre), Salome (Headlong), Troilus and Cressida, Cymbeline (Cheek by Jowl), Original Sin, The Country Wife (Sheffield Theatres), Other People (Royal Court Theatre), Pera Palas (Gate Theatre), The Canterbury Tales (Garrick Theatre) and Charley’s Aunt (York Theatre Royal). His television credits include The Crown, It’s a Sin, Silent Witness, Taboo, Outlander, Bleak House and The Way We Live Now; and for film, My Policeman, Mary Queen of Scots, Stan and Ollie, Sparkle, (Past Present Future) Imperfect and The Lawless Heart.

Melissa Lowe plays Virginia, Drunken Tory. Their theatre credits include A Billion Times I Love You (Liverpool Everyman Theatre), Hungry (Soho Theatre/ ROUNDABOUT @ Summerhall – Edinburgh Festival Fringe), Gypsy (Royal Exchange Theatre), A Christmas Carol (Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds), The Importance of Being Earnest (Octagon Theatre Bolton), The Cat in the Hat (Leicester Curve and UK tour) and Me and My Girl (Chichester Festival Theatre). Their television work includes The Midwich Cuckoos.

Jodie McNee plays Virginia, Footman, Marmaduke. Her theatre credits include Adult Children (Donmar Warehouse), Unprecedented: Fear Fatigue, Faustus: The Damned Woman (Headlong), Venice Preserved, Measure for Measure, Written on the Heart (RSC), Anatomy of a Suicide (Royal Court Theatre), Nora: A Doll’s House, The Night Watch, Hamlet, Orpheus Descending, A Taste of Honey (Royal Exchange Theatre), Twelfth Night (Liverpool Everyman), The Oak Tree, Our Country’s Good, Three Winters (National Theatre), and Game (Almeida Theatre). Her television work includes Mrs Sidhu Investigates, Culprits, Hollington Drive, Britannia series 1-3, Anthony, Agatha and the Death of X, Vera, Little Boy Blue, Ripper Street, Criminal Justice 2, Poirot, The Liverpool Nativity; and for film, Judy, Official Secrets, Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool, and The Physician.

Oliver Wickham plays Virginia, Clorinda. Their theatre work includes Macbeth (Queen’s Theatre), Either (Hampstead Theatre), Out of Water (Orange Tree Theatre – Offie Nominated Best Performance), Romeo and Juliet (Cambridge Arts Theatre), and SIX The Musical (Edinburgh Festival Fringe); and for television, Wednesday and Chloe.  

Millicent Wong plays Virginia, Sasha, Nell. Her theatre credits include Henry V (Donmar Warehouse), Athena (Yard Theatre), After Life (National Theatre), The Doctor (The Adelaide Festival), The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Bridge Theatre), The King of Hell’s Palace (Hampstead Theatre) and Pah-La (The Royal Court). Her television credits include Silent Witness, Annika and Dracula.

Neil Bartlett‘s vividly theatrical adaptations, translations and  plays have been staged by the National Theatre (Berenice, The Game of Love and Chance, In Extremis and Or You Could Kiss Me, his collaboration with Handspring Theatre Company, the creators of Warhorse), theRSC ( The Dispute, The Prince of Homburg), the Abbey in Dublin ( The Picture of Dorian Gray), the Royal Exchange, Manchester (Everybody Loves A Winner, Twenty-Four Hours of Peace), Bristol Old Vic (Great Expectations)and the Lyric Hammersmith (Oliver Twist and A Christmas Carol). He has also made work for, amongst others, the Drill Hall, the Glasgow Citizens, the Royal Court Theatre and the Royal Vauxhall Tavern. From 1994 to 2005 Bartlett was Artistic Director of the Lyric Hammersmith, and his work there earned him both an OBE (in 2003) and a nomination for an Olivier Award for Outstanding Theatrical Achievement (in 2000).  In 2008 he was an awarded an honorary degree by Brookes University Oxford in recognition of his pioneering and longstanding commitment to gay culture and civil rights; this year, his fifth and most recent novel, Address Book, has just been longlisted for the Polari Prize. www.neil-bartlett.com

Michael Grandage is Artistic Director of the Michael Grandage Company (MGC) where he most recently directed the film My Policeman (2022) starring Harry Styles, Emma Corrin, Gina McKee, Linus Roache, David Dawson and Rupert Everett which will be released on 21 October 2022. Previously, his other film work for MGC included Genius (2016) starring Colin Firth, Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, and Laura Linney which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival. For MGC in the theatre he has directed Ian McDiarmid in The Lemon Table (UK Tour), Aidan Turner in The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Noël Coward Theatre), Alfred Molina and Alfred Enoch in Red (Wyndham’s Theatre), Nicole Kidman in Photograph 51 (Noël Coward Theatre), Dawn French: 30 Million Minutes (national and international tour and West End), Jude Law in Henry V, David Walliams and Sheridan Smith in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Daniel Radcliffe in The Cripple of Inishmaan, Judi Dench and Ben Whishaw in Peter and Alice and Simon Russell Beale in Privates on Parade as part of the season at the Noël Coward Theatre. In September he directs Dawn French’s new show Dawn French is a Huge Tw*t. His opera work includes Madama Butterfly for Houston Grand Opera and Chicago Lyric Opera, Le Nozzi de Figaro for Glyndebourne and Houston, Don Giovanni for the Met and Billy Budd for San Francisco, Glyndebourne and BAM in New York. He was Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse (2002–2012) and Sheffield Theatres (2000-2005) where his work included Chiwetel Ejiofor in Othello, Frank Langella and Michael Sheen in Frost/Nixon, Derek Jacobi in King Lear, Eddie Redmayne and Alfred Molina in Red (Tony Award for Best Director), Jude Law in Hamlet and Kenneth Branagh in Ivanov. He won three Olivier Awards for his musical productions of Guys and Dolls, Merrily We Roll Along and Grand Hotel. He is President of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. He was appointed CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honors 2011. His book, A Decade At The Donmar, was published by Constable & Robins in 2012. His charity, set up to help young theatre makers, can be found at www.mgcfutures.com. 

www.michaelgrandagecompany.com

Twitter: @michaelgrandage

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ORLANDO

LISTINGS

Garrick Theatre
2 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0HH

Box Office:  0330 333 4811
https://nimaxtheatres.com/

Tickets from £10

Concessions available – please see website

26 November 2022 – 25 February 2023

Dates of access performances will be announced shortly

FULL CAST REVEALED FOR NEW VERSION OF MASQUERADE

COMING TO LIVERPOOL’S EPSTEIN THEATRE

Powerful tale of love, loss, freedom and friendship set in city’s iconic 1980s gay club

A powerful and poignant tale of love, loss, freedom and friendship among Liverpool’s LGBT+ community comes to the city’s Epstein Theatre next month.

The electrifying new and reimagined production of Masquerade, written by Laura Lees with additional material by Tom Lloyd and James Baker is set in Liverpool’s iconic gay club in the 1980s and features a heavenly disco soundtrack. The play runs at the Hanover Street theatre from Tuesday 22 to Saturday 26 November and the full cast has now been announced.

Mike loves Tony (but not like that). He’s his best mate. To be confident, outgoing, and open is a big deal in a city like Liverpool in 1986 especially during the Aids crisis. When they discover The Masquerade Club, Mike gets a taste of the life he could and should be living.

He is welcomed with open arms, soon becoming the resident DJ in a club that becomes the centre of his universe. Outside of the club walls he needs to find the courage to tell his parents that he is not the son they want him to be. Will he find the strength to stand up for himself especially when tragedy strikes?

Jamie Peacock returns to the role of Mike after playing him in the original production of the play which was staged at the Royal Court Studio in 2019, while Joe Owens plays Tony.

The cast is completed by Neil MacDonald as club owner Frank, Catherine Rice as barmaid Norma, Michael Bailey who plays the role of Stuart and his alter ego resident drag queen Judy, and Leah Gould as Leanne and ensemble female roles.

Jamie Peacock was born and bred in Liverpool and studied at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), graduating this summer. His roles while studying included Doctor Joseph Cardin in The Children’s Hour by Lilian Hellmann. Jamie played Mike in the original production of Masquerade at the Royal Court Studio, and recently also appeared at the theatre as Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night.

Joe Owens is a Liverpool based actor born and raised on Merseyside. His training includes the BA Acting course and Foundation Certificate at LIPA, as well numerous years spent with the Young Everyman and Playhouse (YEP) company. His list of credits includes T in DOGS directed by Nathan Powell, Longaville in Love’s Labour’s Lost directed by Conor Wray and George Balfour in Posh, directed by Francesca Goodridge. 

Neil MacDonald returned to acting following a successful career as a singer/frontman in several bands in Liverpool.His stage credits include playing Cilla’s dad in the nationwide tour of Cilla The Musical, Scott Murphy’s Closing Time in Liverpool, on tour and at the Edinburgh Fringe, Second Chance Saloon, Good Education, Millionaire’s Anonymous, Shake It Up Baby and Ashes to Ashes.

Catherine Rice is a Liverpool-based actress, comedian and writer. She has performed in many theatres tours up and down the country, and at the Liverpool Theatre Festival, Playhouse and the Royal Court. She has also appeared in numerous TV and film projects. Her recent stage credits include Making It, a spin off from her award-winning one-woman show and web series Our Bev, and which is now in early development for a TV comedy series, Irish Annie’s, Smigger’s Wrecked Head, Lost Soul 2 and Broken Biscuits. She also performs in improv and comedy stand up nights including creating Ya Nan’s Big Quiz.

Michael Bailey trained at Liverpool Theatre School. Since graduating in 2011 he has worked extensively on stage, film and theatre in education. Career highlights include dancing in the first ever Dance Prom at the Royal Albert Hall, appearing as part of the original cast of new musical Liver Birdsong, and co-writing and starring in his own musical Twice Nightly at Liverpool Theatre Festival. He has been the resident comic at the Gladstone Theatre since 2017, appearing in several pantomimes, and this month he plays the Lion in The Wizard of Oz at the Epstein Theatre.

Leah Gould is a Liverpool-born actress whose love of performing was sparked at an early age. She is a former member of the Young Everyman Playhouse (YEP) company and was also a member of the Everyman Rep company in 2018 where she played the role of Bianca in Othello. She went on to study at LIPA, graduating in 2021.

Masquerade is produced by Bill Elms (Something About George/Simon, Swan Song, The Ruby Slippers), and directed by James Baker (Cherry Jezebel, Yank, Parade). Most recently, Bill and James worked together on productions Jerry Springer The Opera and 2Gorgeous4U.

The new production includes additional material by dramaturg Tom Lloyd and additional script development and dialogue by James Baker, while Joey Colasante is assistant director and movement.

The production is designed by Ellie Light, with sound design by Daniel Mawson, and lighting design from Doug Kurht.

The play tells a fictional story based around the now demolished iconic Cases Street venue, affectionately known as The Mazzie, which was frequented at the time by famous faces including Holly Johnson, Paul O’Grady, Paul Rutherford, and Margi Clarke. The Mazzie became a safe haven in a political and cultural period where being gay was demonised. It offered many gay people an alternative family who provided them with the love and care that was ripped away from their relatives.

Director James Baker says: “Building the right team for this production has been crucial; it’s important that it represents Liverpool and those this story is about. We’ve found an exceptional cast who are going to champion this story with real heart. I’m proud that I get to steer this masquerade of talent.”

Producer Bill Elms of Bill Elms Productions Ltd and Artistic Director of Epstein Theatre continues: “I’m really pleased to be able to reveal such a fantastic cast for this brand-new version of Masquerade, which was a huge hit and struck a real chord when it was first staged at the Royal Court Studio three years ago. After months of development and planning by a fantastic creative team I can’t wait to present the new full-scale production and I’m delighted that Jamie Peacock is able to return to reprise the role of Mike along with a hugely talented cast.

“I know Masquerade will be one of the highlights of the autumn when it’s performed on the Epstein Theatre stage in November.”

The Epstein Theatre is Grade II Listed and located in the heart of Liverpool city centre, it was named after the legendary gay Beatles’ manager and ‘Fifth Beatle’ Brian Epstein.

In October 2021, a new team took the helm at the historic venue. Epstein Entertainments Ltd is a joint venture between Liverpool producers Bill Elms, Artistic and Communications Director; Chantelle Nolan, Artistic and Operations Director; and Regal Entertainments Ltd Company Director Jane Joseph.

Follow the Epstein Theatre on social media channels:

Facebook: /EpsteinTheatre

Twitter: @EpsteinTheatre

Instagram: @EpsteinTheatre

SHOW LISTING

MASQUERADE

Tuesday 22 – Saturday 26 November 2022

Epstein Theatre, 85 Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DZ

Tickets from £20

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

Tuesday 22 November – 7.30pm – Preview

Wednesday 23 November – 7.30pm – Press Night

Thursday 24 November – 2.30pm

Thursday 24 November – 7.30pm

Friday 25 November – 5pm

Friday 25 November – 8.30pm

Saturday 26 November – 2.30pm

Saturday 26 November – 7.30pm

HOW TO BOOK

Book online: www.epsteintheatre.co.uk 24/7

Telephone bookings: 0344 7360151

In person: The Epstein Theatre Box Office is open two hours prior to the performance time and from 12-6pm on Saturday. Please note there is a £1 per ticket transaction fee when booking in person at the box office.

VENUE DETAILS:

The Epstein Theatre

85 Hanover Street

Liverpool

L1 3DZ

Reminding audiences to live in the moment,
Out, Out! comes to Alphabetti Theatre
Alphabetti Theatre, St James’ Boulevard, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4HP
Tuesday 18th October – Saturday 5th November 2022, 7:30pm

As part of Alphabetti Theatre’s Reaction Artist programme, Joana Geronimo’s Out, Out! will unite audiences as they join her on a journey of self-discovery into social media. This joyous and lyrical production will explore societies dependency on social media, our individual intake and the ways in which we choose to portray ourselves online. Based in Newcastle, Joana Geronimo (From the Sky to Your Hands, May 2022; The Space Between Us, Open Clasp) will star in this wonderous one-woman show, directed by Wambui Hardcastle (Winner of the Young Northern Writer Award, 2020).

Joanna is getting ready to hit the town – her boots are on, her phone is charged and she is ready to dance until dawn! She isn’t going to think about how good a picture this would be, how happy everyone would be if she shared it or how she can prove she was there. Joanna’s life stretches across two worlds, the old and the new and sometimes she struggles to tell the two apart. But just for tonight, the phone is going down, her hands are going up and she wants you to join her!

Out-Out! will create an open conversation with audiences about navigating life in the ‘real’ and online world, to challenge the absence of the internet in live theatre and use this as a method for audiences to create and play alongside an actor. Geronimo will delve into these moments, by sharing stories of her favourite memories growing up and her relationship, or rather lack of, with the internet when living in Angola.

This celebration of life will showcase how even the tiniest of moments, can result in the most joy, as audiences are invited to dance and interact with the performance. The staging will be supported by AV projection that will act as the set of the show, alongside more minimal props of pebbles and chalk.

Performer Joana Geronimo comments, It is good to be on social media sometimes, as long as we use it and don’t let it use us, because there is a war, and you know what the prize is? The soul!

Producer Eilis McGowan comments, Joana is inviting the audience to create a special moment with her, and I think audiences are really going to love it.

CURVE ANNOUNCES FULL CAST OF CHRISTMAS MUSICAL

THE WIZARD OF OZ

19 NOVEMBER 2022 – 8 JANUARY 2023

Joining Georgina Onuorah as Dorothy:

Christina Bianco as Glinda

Jonny Fines as Scarecrow

Paul French as Tin Man

Charlotte Jaconelli as The Wicked Witch of the West

Mark Peachey as Professor Marvel and The Wizard

Giovanni Spanó as Lion

Ben Thompson as Toto

There’s no place like Curve this Christmas as the theatre reveals the full cast of its festive musical The Wizard of Oz.

Running in Leicester Saturday 19 November 2022 to Sunday 8 January 2023, the previously announced Georgina Onuorah (Dorothy) will be joined by Leicestershire’s Jonny Fines (Curve’s My Beautiful Laundrette and An Officer and a Gentleman) as Scarecrow, Paul French (Curve’s Grease, Dominion Theatre) as Tin Man and Giovanni Spanó (Bat Out Of Hell, London Coliseum) as Lion. Ben Thompson (101 Dalmatians, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) will take on the role of Dorothy’s canine companion Toto, brought to life on stage using puppetry.

Stage, screen and YouTube sensation Christina Bianco will play Glinda, while Charlotte Jaconelli (Heathers the Musical, Theatre Royal Haymarket and Britain’s Got Talent runner-up) will join as the Wicked Witch of the West. Leicester actor Mark Peachey, who first made his Curve debut in the theatre’s community production of Richard III and has recently appeared in Dear Evan Hansen in the West End, will take on the role of Professor Marvel and the Wizard.

Dorothy’s Aunt Em will be played by Jacqui Dubois (Bedknobs and Broomsticks, UK tour) and Uncle Henry will be played by Geoffrey Aymer, who was last seen on Curve’s stage in the WhatsOnStage Award-winning Made at Curve production of The Color Purple.

The cast is completed by Andrew Dillon, Jonathan Dryden Taylor, Martin McCarthy, Ellie Mitchell, Natasha Mould, Mervin Noronha, Amy Oxley, Andrew Patrick-Walker, Christina Shand, Charlotte St. Croix, Tom Watson and Daisy West.

The Made at Curve production of The Wizard of Oz will be directed by Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster, whose recent productions have included the acclaimed Billy Elliot the Musical, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, A Chorus Line and Grease, which is currently running at the Dominion Theatre.

This production of The Wizard of Oz marks the regional premiere of the musical which features additional songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, as well as Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg’s iconic songs from the original MGM film, including ‘Over the Rainbow’, ‘Follow the Yellow Brick Road’ and ‘We’re Off to see the Wizard’.

The production will be choreographed by Shay Barclay,with George Dyer as Musical Director and Musical Supervisor. The spectacular world of Oz will be created on Curve’s stage by set designer Colin Richmond, with projection designs by Douglas O’Connell, costume and puppet design by Rachael Canning, lighting design by Curve Associate Ben Cracknell and sound design by Adam Fisher.

The company has been assembled by Curve Associate Casting Director Kay Magson CDG and the production team also includes Magic Consultant Scott Penrose, Props Supervisor Marcus Hall Props, Costume Supervisor Anna Josephs, Wigs, Hair and Make-Up Designer Elizabeth Marini, Production Manager Patrick Molony, Associate Director Christopher Key, Associate Choreographer Kate Ivory-Jordan and RTYDS Resident Assistant Director Lilac Yosiphon.

Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster said:

“Joining our extraordinary Dorothy, Georgina Onuorah, on the glorious yellow brick road, a company of musical theatre’s finest. Jonny Fines, Paul French and Giovanni Spano will raise the roof as Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion respectively. Christina Bianco and Charlotte Jaconelli ignite the Emerald City with Glinda and the Wicked Witch. We are thrilled to welcome them all, alongside a phenomenally talented company of actors, who will bring this magical musical to life. Christmas at Curve is always a special time of the year, but this year promises to be extra special with families and children of all ages coming together to share this much loved musical adventure with magnificent actors, all born to play these iconic roles. There’s no place like Curve this Christmas!”

Click your heels together three times and say, ‘there’s no place like Curve this Christmas’.

Join Dorothy and Toto as they are swept up from sepia-soaked Kansas and transported over the rainbow to the technicolour wonderland of Oz.

On her adventure down the Yellow Brick Road Dorothy meets new friends Scarecrow, Tinman and Lion who help her on her way, but the villainous and frightfully glamourous Wicked Witch has other plans for Dorothy, and in Oz – nothing is quite as it seems.

Through the deep Dark Forest to the bright neon lights of Emerald City, Dorothy and her friends search for the powerful and mysterious Wizard of Oz, the only person who can grant their hearts desires, and maybe even a way home.

Tickets for The Wizard of Oz at Curve are on sale now. To find out more and book, visit www.curveonline.co.uk, call 0116 242 3595 or visit Curve’s Box Office in-person.

THE AWARD WINNING MUSICAL

SETS FINAL PERFORMANCE DATE

IN THE WEST END

Multiple Olivier Award-winning show opened in Manchester in October 2019, before transferring to the Shaftesbury Theatre in November 2019

Final performance set for Saturday 25 March 2023

at Shaftesbury Theatre, London

New productions to open in New York and Melbourne, with a UK Tour and European production to be announced soon

www.andjulietthemusical.co.uk

& JULIET, the award-winning musical which has been thrilling audiences in London since opening in 2019, will play its final performance at the Shaftesbury Theatre on Saturday 25 March 2023.

& Juliet first opened at the Manchester Opera House in October 2019. It transferred to London the following month and ever since has played to nightly standing ovations. As well as three Olivier Awards, & Juliet also won 6 Whatsonstage Awards – the most of any production in 2020 – and won further awards at The Black Theatre Awards and The Mousetrap Theatre Awards.

New productions of & Juliet have been announced for the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in New York and the Regent Theatre in Melbourne. Earlier this year the show played a season in Toronto, and a UK Tour and European production will also be announced soon.

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.

& 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.

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.

York Theatre Royal – until Saturday 8th October 2022

Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

4****

The Original Theatre Company is currently touring with a new adaption, by Rachel Wagstaff, of The Mirror Crack’d, from Agatha Christie’s 1962 novel, The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side. It is a classic whodunit from one of the best crime writers, with one of her best-known characters, Miss Marple.

The Mirror Crack’d follows the story of the death Heather Leigh (Jules Melvin) whilst attending a party at Gossington Hall, the new home of Hollywood actress Marina Gregg (Sophie Ward) and her director husband Jason Rudd (Joe McFadden). Chief Inspector Craddock (Oliver Boot) is brought in to solve the case. When he visits his aunt, Miss Jane Marple (Susie Blake), who is holed up at her cosy cottage in the supposedly sleepy village of St Mary Mead, after suffering an injury to her ankle, she can’t resist the pull of the mystery and becomes involved in the case.

Susie Blake is fabulous as Miss Marple, with a twinkle in her eye and sharp as a whip. Her interactions with the poor old Chief Inspector and her good friend Dolly Bantry (the wonderful Veronica Roberts), are delightfully comical and so fresh and witty. With comments about the nearby development of houses and the building of dreadful supermarkets, you can’t help but laugh at the snobbery.

The set, designed by Adrian Linford, is quite basic, but is very creative and effective. Mostly set in Miss Marple’s drawing room, there is a mirrored movable structure behind. This is used as an avenue for the cast to appear on the stage and depicts different locations, being moved into various positions by the cast as the show evolves.

The talented cast really made a delight of a show, a show I have not seen before on stage or screen. I was eager to see if I could guess whodunit, I didn’t, my guess was way off, which was a bonus. Agatha Christie was a prolific writer, and her work has certainly stood the test of time, with adaptations of a wide variety of her work on stage, television, and film, still being made to this day. This classic show was as fresh and relevant today as it was back when written. On a rainy blustery Tuesday, the people of York certainly agreed with this, it was great to see the theatre packed out, what a great atmosphere.

Under the direction of Philip Franks, The Mirror Crack’d is now showing at York Theatre Royal, before continuing the rest of its tour around the UK. An excellent whodunit, you won’t be disappointed.