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Darlington Civic Theatre announces Winter 2015 / Spring 2016 Season

Darlington Civic Theatre raises the curtain on another spectacular Winter / Spring Season full to the brim with more delights than a Christmas stocking with something to please everyone!

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a pantomime, and this year we have the greatest pantomime of them all – Cinderella. Starring Britain’s Got Talent winners Ashleigh & Pudsey, Brendan Sheerin from Channel 4’s Coach Trip and X-Factor finalist Niki Evans this promises to be a truly magical experience. You shall go to the ball, between Sat 5 December and Sun 10 January.

On Mon 4 January, we usher in the New Year in style with New Year in Vienna 2016 which will whisk you away to a fairy-tale world as the London Gala Orchestra alongside singers and conductor showcase the very best of popular Viennese music, from waltzes and polkas to uplifting marches.

There’s a musical box of delights in store as we welcome back Beyond The Barricade on Thu 14 January, Steve Steinman’s Vampires Rock Ghost Train on Fri 15 January and stars of the hit film Brassed Off, The Grimethorpe Colliery Band on Sat 16 January.

From Mon 18 to Wed 20 January we welcome talking Scarlet with Alan Ayckbourn’s classic comedy Round and Round the Garden. At times wildly comedic and then deeply poignant, Alan Ayckbourn reveals the secrets, lies and deceptions which simmer beneath the surface of family relationships.

The excitement of a Las Vegas show will warm up those cold January nights and there’s none better than The Rat Pack and Judy on Thu 21 January. The number one Rat Pack tribute act are joined by Britain’s Got Talent star Becky O’Brien to bring us the hits of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Junior, Dean Martin, Judy Garland and many more.

It’s time to sing your hearts out with a double bill of Sing-a-long-a…. all you budding Elsas will be able to Let It Go with Sing-a-long-a Frozen on Sat 23 January at 3pm. In the evening it’s the turn of the adults as we enjoy Sing-a-long-a Dirty Dancing – get ready to have the time of your life.

Music legend Joe Brown along with his five piece band bring you a whole host of musical styles in Joe Brown In Concert on Mon 25 January. Packed with timeless classics and humorous reminiscences, this is a sensational show not to be missed.

We are delighted to welcome The Russian State Ballet & Orchestra of Siberia back to Darlington with three great ballet masterpieces: The Snow Maiden (Thu 28 January), Sleeping Beauty (Fri 29 January) and Swan Lake (Sat 30 & Sun 31 January).

Just because it’s February it doesn’t mean it’s too late for a party! By popular demand, That’ll Be The Day returns with a 30th Anniversary Special for two nights only on Tue 2 & Wed 3 February. This hugely entertaining line-up of solid gold hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s provides both laughs and nostalgia.

Two country music legends are celebrated in Islands In The Stream. Stacked with country music’s greatest hits including Jolene, Ruby, 9 to 5, Lucille, I Will Always Love You, The Gambler and many, many more. The show celebrates the queen and king of country, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, on Thu 4 February.

Surprise! Peppa Pig is on her way to Darlington Civic Theatre along with her family and friends in Peppa Pig’s Surprise on Sat 6 & Sun 7 February. Enjoy fun and games in this charming, colourful new show with life-size puppets.

The world’s favourite murder mystery, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is the longest running show of its kind in the history of theatre with over 26,000 performances. Now it’s your turn to work out ‘who-dunnit’ from Mon 8 to Sat 13 February, starring Louise Jameson.

The Royal Geographical Society returns to the Dolphin Centre on Wed 10 February with Tim Jarvis presenting Safe Return Doubtful: Endurance Retraced recounting the 2013 re-enactment of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s perilous 1916 expedition to South Georgia.

Gilbert O’Sullivan is known worldwide for hit songs including Alone Again (Naturally) and Get Down. He will perform his greatest hits alongside a 10 piece band with songs from his brand new album on Mon 15 February.

Yo-ho-ho, shiver-me-timbers and avast behind! See Jim Hawkins, Old Ben Gunn and of course Long John Silver in the action-packed adventure Treasure Island. Full of shanties, cheering, booing, puppets and colourful costumes it’s a swashbuckling adventure on the high seas (Tue 16 February).

On Thu 18 February we welcome the first of a selection of Strictly Come Dancing stars as Brendan Cole brings his new show A Night To Remember to Darlington. One of Strictly Come Dancing’s most charismatic choreographers, Brendan leads his cast on a journey of music and dance in a spectacular night of theatrical entertainment.

Dust off that long drape jacket, your drainpipe trousers and your crêpe shoes – it’s time to party with Showaddywaddy in Concert (Fri 19 February). Their live show is dynamic and uplifting featuring all of their biggest hits including Under The Moon of Love, Three Steps To Heaven, Pretty Little Angel Eyes and many more.

Ed Byrne…. You know him… the Irish guy. No, not the bald one, the other one. The one Carole from work really likes. Wait, that might be Jason Byrne. Anyway. Funny chap, has a new show. Sat 20 February.

The music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons is as popular today as it was back in the 60s and 70s. New Jersey Nights is a spectacular show direct from the USA and takes the audience on a nostalgic musical journey through the career of one of the biggest selling groups of all time (Thu 25 to Sat 27 February).

From one iconic musical group to the celebrated King of Rock. Direct from London’s West End, Thriller Live features the songs of Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5. Over two hours of non-stop hits as the cast pay homage to Jackson’s legendary live performances and innovative dance moves, this is a show you will never forget. Thriller Live runs at Darlington Civic Theatre from Mon 29 February to Sat 5 March.

Featuring the all original Fury’s Tornados and the uncanny voice of Colin Gold as Billy Fury, Halfway To Paradise is now in its 20th year and features timeless hits including Last Night Was Made For Love, Wondrous Place, I Will, Halfway To Paradise and many, many more. Come and experience Rock ‘n’ Roll heaven on Wed 9 March.

Combining superb, distinctive vocals with flawless musicianship, timeless million-selling hits Could You Be Loved, One Love, No Woman No Cry, Buffalo Soldier and many more come to life in Legend – A Tribute To Bob Marley (Thu 10 March). Prepare for a legendary night of happy vibes.

Following recent productions of To Sir, With Love, Brassed Off, A View From The Bridge and Brave New World, The Touring Consortium Theatre Company presents Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck from Tue 15 to Sat 19 March. Set in America during the Great Depression, this classic play tells the story of George and Lennie, two migrant farm workers, who go in search of new beginnings in the hope of putting enough money together to buy a small piece of land to call home.

Darlington Civic Theatre will play host to the world’s most celebrated divas in Simply The Best Divas (Sun 20 March). X-Factor’s Amelia Lily and Niki Evans perform a brand new concert spectacular featuring the biggest hits from Madonna, Adele, Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Cher and many, many more.

Seville comes to Darlington with the hottest ticket in town. Starring the Romanian international soloist Lisa Kadelnik, Carmen bursts on to stage with a passion and energy unlike any other opera. Sung in French with English surtitles, Carmen is on Mon 21 March.

The nation’s favourite psychic is back and better than ever. Pshychic Sally Morgan comes to Darlington on Tue 22 March with her brand new and most jaw dropping show ever, Psychic Sally – Call Me Psychic Tour.

From psychic phenomena to physical and mental strength as Ray Mears brings Tales of Endurance to the Civic Theatre on Wed 23 March. Have you ever wondered how you might cope faced with impossible odds? Ray explores the topic of what it takes to be a survivor under seemingly impossible circumstances.

Recognised internationally as one of the world’s leading tribute shows, Rumours of Fleetwood Mac bring their show back to Darlington on Sat 26 March. Replicating perfectly the power and subtlety of Fleetwood Mac at their brilliant best the show includes all their biggest hits including Albatross, Go Your Own Way, Little Lies and many, many more.

Who doesn’t like a murder mystery? talking Scarlet bring Frederick Knott’s classic Dial M For Murder to Darlington from Tue 29 March to Sat 2 April. Famously filmed by Alfred Hitchcock, this intense and darkly gripping thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat – and you’ll never want to answer the telephone again!

Strictly Come Dancing’s Pasha Kovalev returns with a new show, Pasha – It’s All About You on Mon 4 April. With his slick moves and brooding good looks, you can expect an evening of spectacular dancing, energy and sparkling costumes.

It’s spring…. So that means plenty of Blue Sky, and if you think Rock ‘n’ Roll Is King then you are in for a treat on Tue 5 April with The ELO Experience. With a sensational band, stunning light show and large screen projection this incredible show accurately reproduces the songs and sounds of ELO.

Star of the West End and silver screen Anita Harris heads the cast in The Good Old Days of Variety on Wed 6 April. She will be joined by comedy legends The Grumbleweeds who, along with a full supporting company and live musicians, will put on a show unlike any other.

If you are searching for a great night out at theatre then look no further than a night with The Searchers in Concert on Thu 7 April. With classic hits including Sweets For My Sweet, Needles And Pins and Don’t Throw Your Love Away The Searchers contributed enormously to establishing the UK as the world’s leading nation in the music industry.

Pull on those Ruby Slippers and tie down your house… we’re off to see The Wizard of Oz on Fri 8 & Sat 9 April. Our wonderful Easter Panto stars comedy legend Bobby Davro as the Scarecrow and Dani Harmer (Tracy Beaker, Strictly Come Dancing) as Dorothy. Packed with well-known pop songs, brilliant dance routines and plenty of laughter for all the family – come and join the fun over the rainbow.

From Tue 12 to Sat 16 April we are transported back to 1942 and the depths of World War II with Terence Rattigan’s Flare Path, an evocative portrait of life in wartime Britain for the RAF bomber crews and their wives and sweethearts, who were left awaiting their safe return.

DarlingtonOS take us to the hallowed halls of Harvard Law School where Elle Woods is determined to win back her man by proving that you can be blonde and smart as they present the high-energy musical Legally Blonde from Wed 20 to Sat 30 April.

The Royal Geographical Society returns to the Dolphin Centre on Mon 25 April as Dr Jago Cooper presents The Lost Kingdoms of Central America where he considers what lessons we can learn from these great civilisations of the past.

In celebration of their 35th year Phoenix Dance Theatre present a triple bill of intense, funny and beautiful works on Wed 4 May featuring choreography from Kate Flatt, Itzik Galili and Caroline Finn.

On Thu 5 May Jodie Prenger returns to the Civic Theatre in the iconic show Tell Me On A Sunday by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black. There will also be an intimate post show chat with Jodie where she will talk about life, love and playing the role of Emma.

Russell Watson is the UK’s best-selling classical crossover artist of all time and he returns to Darlington on Fri 6 May with a stunning collection of his best loved songs. Captivating to watch and enchanting to listen to, Russell never fails to wow an audience with his enigmatic live performances.

It’s time for the best party in town which will have you Dancing In The Streets in celebration of Motown’s greatest hits. On Sat 7 May you can experience the energy and electricity of the motor city in a stunning production packed with hit after hit.

The smash-hit West End and Broadway show Let It Be, celebrating the music of The Beatles, comes to Darlington Civic Theatre from Mon 9 to Sat 14 May. Seen by over one million people worldwide, Let It Be has established itself as one of the West End’s most popular shows and continues to delight audiences across the globe.

From Mon 16 to Sat 21 May you have the opportunity to witness the grace, passion and beauty of the nation’s favourite Strictly Come Dancing stars in their ultimate farewell show. Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace have created their most moving production yet as they prepare to dance in their final ever theatre tour with The Last Tango.

Our season closes with the stage adaptation of David Walliams’ best-selling book Gangsta Granny. It’s Friday night and Ben is off to stay with his Granny and it’s going to be sooooooo boring. What Ben doesn’t know is that Friday nights are about to get more exciting than he could ever imagine. Gangsta Granny runs from Tue 24 to Sat 28 May.

Tickets for the Winter / Spring season are on sale NOW!

For further information about the full Winter / Spring Season programme, pick up one of our brochures located in venues across Darlington including Darlington Civic Theatre Box Office and the

Cornmill Centre Box Office, or contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

 

ENJOY AN ENCHANTING FAMILY TREAT WITH THE NUTCRACKER AT THE LYCEUM   

 

The acclaimed Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet bring their magical production of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker to the Lyceum Theatre from Tuesday 5 – Saturday 9 January as part of their first UK tour.

 

A delightfully festive tale, The Nutcracker is the perfect introduction to ballet.  It’s Christmas Eve and Herr Stahlbaum and his wife have arranged a party.  Their children, Clara and Fritz greet the guests, amongst them the mysterious Dr. Drosselmeyer who brings presents for the children, including a Nutcracker doll.  When the party ends, the guests leave and Clara goes to bed.  But after midnight, the Nutcracker comes to life and Clara’s fairytale adventure begins.

Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score including The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and The Waltz of the Flowers, played by a live orchestra, makes The Nutcracker an unmissable treat for all the family.

The Nutcracker visits the Lyceum Theatre from Tuesday 5 January – Saturday 9 January. Tickets are on sale now, priced from £19.00 – £36.00 and can be purchased in person at Sheffield Theatres’ Box Office, by calling 0114 249 6000 or online at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk. A transaction fee of £1.50 (£1.00 online) applies to all bookings made at the Box Office, excluding cash.

Hosted by Julian Clary, with an introduction by Ian McKellen, the evening of song, speech and music was held to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Ian Charleson Day Centre at the Royal Free Hospital. It included performances by Michael Cashman, Rupert Everett, Anne Reid and Stefan Bednarczyk, the X Factor’s Anton Stephans, mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly, actor Jack Lowden and the London Gay Men’s Choir. Speakers included Nick Partridge, Laurence Isaacson and Sean Mathias.

SKY ARTS and WINGSPAN THEATRICALS PRESENT THE WORLD PREMIERE OF
Beyond the Fence
A NEW MUSICAL and A WORLD FIRST
Arts Theatre    

22 February – 5 March 2016

 

@BeyondTheFence_ #ComputerMusical

TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZzI4sfCFjc

2016. The computer revolution. In a world becoming ever more technologically advanced, and reliant upon computers, machine learning and artificial intelligence are rapidly and fundamentally changing every aspect of human experience. But how does technology affect art and the creative process?

In a world first, Sky Arts and Wingspan Theatricals will explore this question by presenting the premiere of the world’s first ‘computer musical’. Beyond the Fence will play at the Arts Theatre in London’s West End from 22 February – 5 March 2016, directed by Luke Sheppard, choreographed by Cressida Carre and produced by Neil Laidlaw.  Press Night is Friday 26 February, 7pm.

Beyond the Fence is conceived by computer and substantially crafted by computer.  It is modelled on a statistical study of the ‘recipe for success’ in hit musicals. This ground-breaking process is being filmed for a Sky Arts TV series titled ‘Computer Says Show’, chronicling this unique experiment (to be broadcast in spring 2016). In collaboration with leading experts in music, computation and the science of human creativity, composer Benjamin Till and his husband, writer and actor, Nathan Taylor, the award winning team behind ‘Our Gay Wedding: The Musical’ (Channel 4), will bring a whole range of computer-generated material to life, presiding over the creation of an emotionally powerful and exciting West End show which is at the same time the grandest of experiments. That experiment has been designed and co-ordinated by Dr Catherine Gale, who also produces and directs the series.

‘Computer Says Show’ affirms Sky Arts commitment to investing in ambitious new arts ventures. In April 2015, Sky Arts moved up the electronic programme guide (EPG), where it consolidated into a single ‘super channel,’ and increased its overall programming budget by 10%.

“This is a fascinating project that we’re extremely proud to be a part of. At Sky Arts, we’re always excited by innovation and this venture offers an intriguing glimpse into how technology is changing music evolution. Can an algorithm create music with all the humanity, emotion and drama that a person can bring? This question captivates us. We cannot wait to see the result.”

Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts 

 

“The original idea for this project – could computers write a hit musical – came about as ‘an improbable mash-up between two of our recent award-winning shows, ‘Our Gay Wedding-The Musical’ (Channel 4) and ‘The Joy of Logic’ (BBC4).”
Archie Baron, Creative Director, Wingspan Productions

 

Beyond the Fence started as an experiment, with researchers delving into what makes a good musical, from production and story to music and lyrics. Scientists used their findings to fine-tune computational systems which would in turn create brand new musical material.  The question is: can these computer algorithms create something collaboratively with humans that can entertain, touch or inspire them?  We’ll only know once the show, designed to deliver the optimum elements for a success, opens as part of this challenging and magnificent new production.

The show

 

September 1982.  Mary and her daughter George are celebrating one year of living at the Greenham Common peace camp.  The group of women they have joined are all committed to stopping the arrival of US cruise missiles through non-violent protest.  When Mary is faced with losing her child to the authorities, an unlikely ally is found in US Airman Jim Meadow.  How can she continue to do what is best for her daughter while staying true to her ideals?  Beyond the Fence is a powerful new musical about hope, defiance, unity and love.

The science

 

The process began with a predictive, big data analysis of success in musical theatre, conducted by Dr James Robert Lloyd, Dr Alex Davies and Prof Sir David Spiegelhalter (Cambridge University). They interrogated everything from cast size, to backdrop, emotional structure to the importance of someone falling love, dying (or both!) – in more and less successful shows – to create a set of constraints to which the musical had to conform, to theoretically optimise chances of success.

Next, the team visited what’s known as the What-If Machine at Goldsmiths, University of London. With Prof Simon Colton, Dr Maria Teresa Llano and Dr Rose Hepworth at the helm, the machine generated multiple central premises, featuring key characters, for the new show.  The team selected this as the starting point and the original idea for the musical:

What if a wounded soldier had to learn how to understand a child in order to find true love? 

A plot structure for the musical was also generated computationally, thanks to work led by Dr Pablo Gervás (Complutense University of Madrid).  A brand new analysis of musical theatre narratives enabled him to adapt an existing story telling computer system, called PropperWryter, to turn its hand to musicals and build the core narrative arc of the new show.

Taken together, all of the above enabled the precinct for the emerging story to be identified: Greenham Common.  The team then wrote a book and lyrics (with the assistance of some other computational tools) that fitted all these constraints.

Finally, the music material has been provided by Dr Nick Collins (Durham University), who has created a computer composition system he calls Android Lloyd Webber based on a machine listening analysis of musical theatre music, conducted by Dr Bob Sturm (QMUL) and Dr Tillman Weyde (City University).  Additional computer music material will be generated using the FlowComposer system created by Dr Pierre Roy and Dr Francois Pachet (SonyCSL, Paris).

The team

Nathan Taylor has appeared in many West End shows including ‘Mary Poppins’, ‘Spamalot’, ‘Taboo’, ‘Miss Saigon’, ‘Martin Guerre’, ‘The Rocky Horror Show’, ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ and ‘Les Misérables’. As a writer, Nathan supplied additional lyrics for the musical ‘Brass’, by Benjamin Till, he wrote the lyrics for Four Colours, an EP released to support the work of the Kaleidoscope Trust, and most recently was nominated for a BAFTA for co-writing music and lyrics for ‘Our Gay Wedding: The Musical’ (Channel 4), in which he also got married, to Benjamin Till. 

Benjamin Till has had a twenty-year career focused on pioneering the genre of the through-sung musical film documentary. His TV films have been nominated for and won many major awards including Griersons, RTS and Broadcast Awards.  Films include ‘A1: The Road Musical’ (Channel 4), ‘A Symphony for Yorkshire’ (BBC), ‘100 Faces’ (BBC), ‘Tyne and Wear Metro: The Musical’ (BBC) ‘Coventry Market: The Musical’ (BBC), ‘Songs from Hattersley’ (BBC). He is the composer of The London Requiem (a setting of inscriptions from gravestones found across London) and is his most recent stage musical, Brass, won the UK Theatre Award for Best Musical Production. CD recordings include The London Requiem and the forthcoming Pepys Motet (a 20-part acapella setting of Samuel Pepys’ Diary.)  Benjamin and his husband Nathan Taylor were the grooms and writers of the BAFTA-nominated ‘Our Gay Wedding: The Musical’, which won a Grierson Award and the Prix Italia.

Luke Sheppard’s most recent credits include ‘In The Heights’ (Kings Cross Theatre); ‘Oliver!’ (Watermill); ‘Casa Valentina’ (Southwark Playhouse) and ‘The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole: Aged 13 ¾’ (Curve Theatre).

Choreographer Cressida Carré’s most recent credits include ‘Titanic’ (Princess of Wales Theatre, Toronto); Avenue Q (UK Tour); The Grand Tour (Finborough Theatre); The Jungle Book (Citizens Theatre, Glasgow).

Neil Laidlaw is one of the co-producers of ‘Gypsy’ (Savoy Theatre).  His other recent productions include ‘A Doll’s House’ (Duke or York’s and BAM, New York), ‘Jigsy’ (UK Tour) and ‘The Steamie’ (Scottish Tour).

Dr Catherine Gale has credits in both academia (postdoctoral research fellowships in HIV genomics, bioinformatics and computational biomedicine) and television, working on science programmes for BBC2, 4, Channel 4 and PBS.  Recent directing credits include the award-winning ‘The Joy of Logic’ (BBC) and ‘The Brain – What Makes Me’ (PBS).

Beyond the Fence was commissioned by Sky Arts as part of ‘Computer Says Show ’, a forthcoming television series by Wingspan Productions who devised this unique experiment.

Founded and headed by Archie Baron, factual indie Wingspan’s recent award-winning productions include ‘Our Gay Wedding-The Musical’ (C4), ‘The Joy of Stats’, ‘Don’t Panic-The Truth about Population’, ‘The Joy of Logic’ and ‘Ian Hislop: When Bankers Were Good’ (BBC). Musical productions range from ‘The Great American Love Song’ (ITV) to ‘Angelic Voices: The Choristers of Salisbury Cathedral’ (BBC).

Cast to be announced.

LISTINGS INFORMATION
Beyond The Fence
Venue: Arts Theatre, 6-7 Great Newport St, London WC2H 7JB
Dates: 22 February – 5 March 2016
Press Night: Friday 26 February, 7pm
Times: Mon – Sat, 7.30pm; plus Wed and Sat 2.30pm matinees (not Wed 24 February)
Tickets: £12.50 – £49.50
Booking: beyondthefencemusical.com  / 020 7836 8463
Facebook: BeyondTheFenceTheMusical
Twitter: @BeyondTheFence_ #ComputerMusical

TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZzI4sfCFjc

 

 

Thursday 3 – Saturday 5 December 2015

Turning Pages

Turning Pages is an exhilarating selection of new short plays written by young playwrights which opens this week and runs at Live Theatre from Thursday 3 to Saturday 5 December 2015.

 

The six plays will be brought to life in Live Theatre’s Main Theatre by a professional cast that includes Chris Connel (The Pitmen Painters, Wet House), Natalie Jamieson (Michaela’s Mistake) and Donald McBride (The Pitmen Painters, Chalet Lines).

 

Written by talent young writers aged 13 to 15 year olds from Furrowfield School, Gateshead and Red House Academy, Sunderland, Turning Pages promises an eclectic mix of colourful characters and stories with plenty of laughs along the way. The plays include a futuristic warning against vanity, dares and doctors, dolls and diagnoses.

Over a number of weeks the young playwrights worked with established writers including Paddy Campbell (Wet House, Day of the Flymo), Laura Lindow (Your Aunt Fanny) and Lee Mattinson (Chalet Lines, Donna Disco) to help develop their plays throughWrite Stuff, Live Theatre’s acclaimed playwriting programme for young people.

 

Following a sold-out script-in-hand performance in Live Theatre’s Studio Theatre earlier this year, these six selected plays have been further developed and rehearsed with professional actors and directors for full productions in the Main Theatre.

The plays written by students from Furrowfield School in Gateshead are Doctor Death by Lee Harrison, Soulless and Goallessby Leonnie Lartey and Scary House by Reece Weightman. The plays written by students from Red House Academy in Sunderland are Could It Be A Tuna? by Nathan Beckett, Memories Of The Sea by Amy Connor, and Never Never Land by Lauren Dickson.

Zoë Whitby, English Co-ordinator at Furrowfield School said:

 

“Write Stuff is a project that mentally and physically engages young people in the writing process. Writing skills are being developed, confidence is growing and young writers have become totally engaged in a project that they are beginning to drive for themselves. I can’t wait for the end result.”

The Good Review, said about plays developed through the same process by Live Theatre with young writers from Excelsior Academy, Newcastle:

 

“This was a special evening, a sort of artistic epiphany… It shatters the illusion that theatre is inaccessible and offers live art to a brand new, young and exciting audience. What a fabulous initiative and what a marvellous, thrilling night at the theatre.” ★★★★★  The Good Review

Audiences at previous performances said:

“A fantastic evening. The writing and performances were breath-taking.”

 

“Very impressive and entertaining range of drama, comedy and action. Very talented writing on show. It is great to see new and exciting ideas brought to life by Live Theatre.”

 

“Well produced, very good acting, good timing and scripts – excellent opportunity for young writers.”

Turning Pages is at Live Theatre, Newcastle at 7.30pm from Thursday 3 to Saturday 5 December, with two morning performances at 10.30am on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 December.  Tickets cost £8 with £6 concessions and are available from Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232 or online at www.live.org.uk

 

 

 

Listing:

Thursday 4 December – Saturday 6 December
Turning Pages

 

Turning Pages is an exhilarating selection of new short plays written by young playwrights from Furrowfield School in Gateshead and Redhouse Academy in Sunderland. Performed by professional actors Turning Pages promises an eclectic mix of colourful characters and stories with plenty of laughs along the way.

 

DATE: Thursday 4 December – Saturday 6 December

LOCATION: Main Theatre
DURATION: 1hr 45mins
SUITABILITY: 11+

TICKETS: £8, £6 concessions

About Live Theatre

 

Live Theatre is recognised as one of the great new writing theatres on the international stage. Based in Newcastle upon Tyne it is also deeply rooted in its local community.

Live Theatre produces work as varied and diverse as the audiences it engages with. As well as championing the art of writing for stage by producing and presenting new plays, Live Theatres uses theatre to unlock the potential of young people and finds, nurtures and trains creative talent. Through its creative enterprises it is also developing new models of business sustainability and growth.

 

Founded in 1973, the theatre was transformed in 2007.  The result is a beautifully restored and refurbished complex of five Grade II listed buildings with state-of-the-art facilities in a unique historical setting, including a cabaret style theatre, a studio theatre, renovated rehearsal rooms, a series of dedicated writer’s rooms as well as a thriving café and bar.

 

Live Theatre is a national leader in developing new strategies for increasing income and assets for the charity. New developmentLive Works joins The Broad Chare pub, online playwriting course www.beaplaywright.com and The Schoolhouse (an office space for creative and digital businesses), as one of Live Theatre’s capital and digital creative enterprises, increasing its future income through additional new unrestricted funds.

 

For more information see www.live.org.uk

 

Live Theatre is grateful for the support of Arts Council England and the Newcastle Culture Investment Fund through the Community Foundation, and its many other friends and supporters.

 

 

Cait Read

Marketing Manager
Live Theatre
Broad Chare
Quayside
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 3DQ

 

I work Tuesday to Fridays at Live Theatre

Tel: (0191) 229 2378 (direct line)
Fax: (0191) 232 2224
Box Office: (0191) 232 1232
www.live.org.uk  

 

Turning Pages, the newest selection of short plays to emerge from Live Theatre’s acclaimed playwriting initiative Write Stuff is performed at Live Theatre from Thursday 3 – Saturday 5 December. Join us for an eclectic mix of colourful characters and stories with plenty of laughs along the way. 

 

A Viability Study has been published which demonstrates that Brighton Hippodrome has a future as a performance venue.

Seven organisations came together in June this year to identify a use for Brighton Hippodrome following its purchase by Academy Music Group (AMG).

Led by The Theatres Trust, the Stakeholders Group included Brighton and Hove City Council, Historic England, Our Brighton Hippodrome, Brighton HippodromeCIC, the Frank Matcham Society, and Academy Music Group. The Theatres Trust funded the Viability Study with financial contributions from Historic England and Brighton Hippodrome CIC.

Brighton Hippodrome is an exceptionally important Grade II* listed building, designed by renowned theatre architect Frank Matcham, and has headlined The Theatres Trust’s Theatre Buildings at Risk Register since 2009.

Over a six month period the group worked on finding a use for the Hippodrome and commissioned Colliers International to produce a Viability Study. The report was adopted by the Stakeholders Group in November 2015.

The Viability Study concludes that the Hippodrome has a viable future as a live performance venue, if the challenge of raising funds to restore the building can be met. Three main options were proposed and other uses were explored. The preferred option, a Theatre of Varieties would enable the venue to be used flexibly with 900 seats and incorporate a range of performances and other uses for major events such as the Brighton Festival. This option would retain the existing fly tower, the full auditorium and delivery access to the theatre. The projected cost for this option is c.£13 million.

This is less than the cost of restoring it as a full Lyric Theatre (estimated at c.£30 million), but would give more time to raise funds to restore it as a larger Lyric Theatre at a later date. The Viability Study identified that there is a gap in the market in Brighton for a Lyric Theatre.

Brighton Hippodrome CIC, the community interest company set up by Our Brighton Hippodrome, is now leading the project. It is looking to make major grant applications and seek commercial partners to work with them on the acquisition and restoration of the building.

Gavin Henderson CBE, Chairman of Brighton Hippodrome CIC said, “The Viability Study has helped us find a way forward for the Hippodrome, but there is a long way to go from here before we can bring performances back to this wonderful building”.

Academy Music Group will continue to support Brighton Hippodrome CIC but, as agreed following the end of a six month exclusivity period supporting the Stakeholders Group through the Study, will be open to offers for the freehold.

Mhora Samuel, Director of The Theatres Trust said, “We have been very grateful for the six month window provided by AMG. It has allowed us to work closely together as a group of stakeholders and produce a Viability Report which gives us confidence that a revived Brighton Hippodrome has a future as a live performance venue. The challenges ahead are considerable however, and we will continue to campaign for its future and support the CIC with its fundraising.”

The following documents are available to download:

Commentary on the Viability Study by the Stakeholders Group (PDF)
Executive Summary of the Viability Study (PDF)
Press Release: Brighton Hippodrome has a future as a performance venue (PDF)

For further information contact [email protected] or call 020 7836 8591.

The Theatres Trust
Protecting theatres for everyone
T 020 7836 8591
W theatrestrust.org.uk
@theatrestrust

LORD OF THE DANCE: DANGEROUS GAMES

EXTENDS ITS RUN BY THREE WEEKS                               

NOW BOOKING AT LONDON’S PLAYHOUSE THEATRE

UNTIL 24 JANUARY 2016

Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games is extending its run at the Playhouse Theatre for three weeks, now finishing on 24 January 2016.  Tickets for the new period are now on sale.

Michael Flatley said “I am proud of our cast and am delighted that we are continuing at this iconic London theatre.”

Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games stars James Keegan, Morgan Comer and Cathal Keaney, who have all been hand-picked and directed by Michael Flatley.  All three have won multiple World Irish Dancing Championship titles. Rachael O’Connor plays the role of Erin the Goddess.

 

Flatley’s latest show Dangerous Games has exciting and ground-breaking new technology, including holographs, special effects lighting, dancing robots, world champion acrobats and the greatest team of Irish Dancers in the world.  The score is composed by Gerard Fahy.

 

For further details, please visit www.lordofthedance.com.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

 

Until 24 January 2016

Playhouse Theatre

Northumberland Avenue

London

WC2N 5DE

 

Performances:  Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm, Wednesday & Saturday at 2.30pm, Sunday at 3pm

See website for special Christmas schedule of performances

Ticket Prices:  From £25 to £65, with Standing at £15 and Premium at £90 – all prices include a £1.50 Restoration Levy

 

Box Office:  0844 871 7631 / www.atgtickets.com/playhouse

Running Time:  2 hours 10 minutes (including interval)

 

Royal Shakespeare Company announces professional casting for A Midsummer Night’s Dream

The Royal Shakespeare Company today announces the professional actors cast in the national tour of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, leading the RSC’s celebrations for the Shakespeare anniversary year in 2016. This national celebration of Shakespeare will visit each region and nation of the UK. In each area the 18-strong professional company will be joined by local amateur theatre companies who will play the Mechanicals and schoolchildren who will form part of Titania’s fairy train. Playing opposite the 14 amateur Bottoms cast from across the country, Ayesha Dharker will take on the role of Titania, Queen of the Fairies.

This summer Ayesha played the role of Emilia in the RSC’s critically acclaimed production of Othello, having previously played Scheherazade in Arabian Nights. Most recently she appeared in Tanika Gupta’s Anita and Me at The Birmingham Rep and Theatre Royal Stratford East. Her other theatre credits include the Broadway and West End production of Bombay Dreams. Her film credits includeStar Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, The Mistress of Spices, with numerous TV credits including Arabian Nights, Doctor Who, The Indian Doctor and Waterloo Road.

On taking on this role Ayesha said: “I am delighted to be playing Titania for The Dream! I have fallen in love with the RSC because every project I have done with them involves strong women and magical stories with ancient roots – from Scheherazade to Titania. I am looking forward to working with talented actors from all over the country and cannot wait to work with Erica Whyman.”

Ayesha Dharker is joined by Jamie Cameron (Fairy); Lila Clements (Fairy); Lucy Ellinson (Puck);Aimee Gray (Fairy); Peter Hamilton Dyer (Egeus); Laura Harding (Hippolyta); Jack Holden(Lysander); Chris Nayak (Demetrius); Mercy Ojelade (Hermia); Chu Omambala (Oberon); Sam Redford (Theseus); Laura Riseborough (Helena); Isaac Ssebandeke (First Fairy); Alex Tomkins(Fairy) and Jon Trenchard (Philostrate). With further casting to be announced.

Erica Whyman, RSC Deputy Artistic Director, and director of A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation, said: “I am thrilled by the professional acting company and the creative team we have brought together.  They are hugely talented and offer me a wonderfully wide range of expertise so I’m looking forward very much to getting into rehearsals and responding to this magical play. They also all have big hearts and will rise to the unique challenge of this project with skill and generosity.”

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is designed by Tom Piper who is most well-known for his collaboration with Paul Cummins and The Tower of London on the extraordinary commemorative poppy installation ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’. The lighting is designed by Charles Balfour; the composer isSamuel Kenyon (who both worked with Erica Whyman on the 2014 production of The Christmas Truce). Movement is by Siân Williams and the Associate Directors are Kimberley Sykes andSophie Ivatts.

The 84 amateur performers playing the Mechanicals have been taking part in workshops and tasks set by the RSC team in preparation for the start of rehearsals throughout the autumn.

Peter Cockerill, a pub landlord from County Durham and one of our Newcastle Bottoms, said: “From the very first day of auditions I have been really excited about being involved with Dream. Every time we have a session planned with The RSC I feel like a little boy waiting for Christmas and can’t sleep with anticipation! I have found the process so far tremendously rewarding, I have learnt so much and we’ve got months to go yet!”

Sue Downing, a Funeral Director from Kidderminster playing Quince, said: “Being in Dream feels like falling in love and winning Strictly at the same time. The nature of life is you’re doing everyday things and then you suddenly remember you’re in it and it hits you, it’s magical.”

Peta Barker, a West Indies born driver playing Snug in London, said: “It has been such an amazing experience. The voice and movement workshops we have attended have been so helpful and the sessions with the RSC directors are really encouraging – they are so positive with their feedback, which is building up a real feeling of confidence in our abilities.”

You can follow all of their journeys along with the rest of the company via www.dream2016.org.uk

A Midsummer Night’s Dream opens in Stratford-upon-Avon at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in February 2016, before embarking on a nationwide tour and returning to Stratford-upon-Avon with the entire company in June 2016.

The BBC will be capturing all of the action in ‘The Best Bottoms In the Land’ (Title TBC), which will follow the Royal Shakespeare Company’s journey as they put on the production with both amateur and professional actors, during their UK wide tour.

Overseen by BBC Birmingham, nine regional programmes will be produced by the BBC English Regions teams. The 30 minute documentaries will show the pressures and pitfalls of such a project, culminating in the opening night of each region’s local performance.

‘The Best Bottoms in the Land’ will follow individual stories from around the country and will air in spring 2016 on BBC One.

 

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation is a co-production between the Royal Shakespeare Company and amateur theatre companies across the UK. This is an arrangement developed between the RSC and Equity.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation is supported by Arts Council England Cross-Border Touring Fund

AMATEUR GROUPS PERFORMING IN EACH REGION AND BOOKING DETAILS

WEST MIDLANDS: The Nonentities / The Bear Pit
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Wed 17 Feb – Sat 5 Mar 2016
Tickets: www.rsc.org.uk / 01789 403493

NORTH EAST: The Castle Players / The People’s Theatre
Northern Stage, Newcastle Wed 16 – Sat 26 Mar 2016
Tickets www.northernstage.co.uk / 0191 230 5151

SCOTLAND: The Citizens Dream Players
Citizens Theatre, Glasgow Tue 29 Mar – Sat 2 Apr 2016
Tickets citz.co.uk / 0141 429 0022

NORTH WEST: Poulton Drama
Grand Theatre, Blackpool Tue 5 – Sat 9 Apr 2016
Tickets www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk  / 01253 290190

YORKSHIRE: Leeds Arts Centre
Alhambra Theatre, Bradford Tue 12 – Sat 16 Apr 2016
Tickets www.bradford-theatres.co.uk / 01274 432000

SOUTH EAST: The Canterbury Players
Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury Tue 19 – Sat 23 Apr 2016
Tickets www.marlowetheatre.com / 01227 787787

EAST OF ENGLAND: The Common Lot
Theatre Royal, Norwich Tue 26 – Sat 30 Apr 2016
Tickets www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk / 01603 630000

EAST MIDLANDS: Lovelace Theatre Group
Theatre Royal Nottingham, Tue 3 – Sat 7 May 2016
Tickets www.trch.co.uk  / 0115 989 5555

SOUTH WEST: Carnon Downs Drama Group
Hall for Cornwall, Truro Tue 10 – Sat 14 May 2016
Tickets www.hallforcornwall.co.uk / 01872 262466

LONDON: Tower Theatre
Barbican, London Tue 17 – Sat 21 May 2016
Tickets www.barbican.org.uk  / 020 7638 8891

WALES: Everyman Theatre
New Theatre, Cardiff Tue 24 – Sat 28 May 2016
Tickets www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk  / 029 2087 8889

NORTHERN IRELAND: Belvoir Players
Grand Opera House, Belfast Tue 31 May – Sat 4 June 2016
Tickets www.goh.co.uk  / 028 9024 1919

 

Status Quo

plus special guests The Wilko Johnson Band

 

SHEFFIELD ARENA

 

Monday 7^th December 2015

 

Britain’s best-loved rockers Status Quo bring their Accept No Substitute UK Tour 2015 to theSheffield Arena next week on Monday 7th December, with special guests The Wilko Johnson Band featuring Dylan Howe & Norman Watt-Roy.

This tour will see the band returning to their fully electric set up after the huge success of the ‘Aquostic (Stripped Bare)’ and ‘Aquostic! Live At The Roundhouse’ albums and tour. 

Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt, Andy Bown, John ‘Rhino’ Edwards & Leon Cave will plug back in and bring their thunderous electric live show back to the nation’s venues. Packed with hits, both new and old, taken from that unbelievable back catalogue, this is a series of dates not to be missed. 

Francis Rossi said, “We’ve had such a blast with the ‘Aquostic’ style, but for this tour we are going back to the sound that defines us.  I read in the paper that we were breaking up; but we’re not finished yet I can tell you!”  Rick Parfitt added, “I guess the name of the tour speaks for itself, but this is full-throttle no-nonsense Status Quo”.

This tour sees one of Britain’s all-time great bands gearing up to do what they do best. Status Quo are still more than match-fit, and this game is not over – ‘Accept No Substitute’.

This show will be taking place in the Arena’s Steel Hall – an intimate theatre style set up with a 4,000 capacity.

This will be Status Quo’s fifteenth show at the Arena since they first played the venue in 1991, a show that saw Quo enter the Guinness Book of Records when they played four British shows in 11 hours and 11 minutes. The ‘Rock ’Til You Drop’ event playing four UK Arenas in a day started here in Sheffield, then Glasgow, Birmingham & Wembley.

Tickets purchased on-line and through the Arena Ticket Hotline on 0114 256 56 56 are priced £46.75 & £43.45 including booking fee. Tickets purchased in person at the Arena Box Office are priced £44.63 & £41.48 including booking fee.

Tickets are available in person at the Arena Box Office, by phone on 0114 256 5656 or online atwww.sheffieldarena.co.uk. 

  

 

WWE presents NXT UK TakeOver Tour

Sheffield Arena
Saturday 12^th December 

First ever UK tour

For the first time in history, NXT embark on a seven city tour of the United Kingdom, with WWE NXT Tour performing at Sheffield Arena on Saturday 12th December 2015.

“Coming off NXT’s biggest event in history, NXT Takeover: Brooklyn, we are thrilled to announce our first international tour,” said Paul Levesque, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent, Live Events and Creative. “The tour marks a major milestone in the continued expansion of the NXT brand.”

NXT’s tour of the United Kingdom will feature appearances by NXT Champion Finn Bálor, Samoa Joe, Bayley, Tyler Breeze, Dana Brooke, Emma, and more (card subject to change).

“On behalf of all the NXT Superstars and Divas, we are extremely excited at the opportunity to perform for the WWE Universe in the UK,” said NXT Champion Finn Bálor. “I look forward to the opportunity to return to where I started my career, giving fans new memories that they will never forget.”

Tickets for the WWE NXT Tour at Sheffield are priced  £55, £44, £33 (including booking fee) with a very limited number of £110  VIP tickets when booked through the Arena Box Office on 0114 256 56 56 or online at www.sheffieldarena.co.uk.  Tickets are priced £5.250, £42.00, £31.50 (including booking fee) with a limited number of £105 VIP tickets when booked in person from the venue.  VIP tickets include a ringside seat plus an exclusive Meet & Greet with NXT Superstars before the event.

This event will take place in the Arena’s Steel Hall – an intimate theatre style set up with a smaller capacity, bringing the audience closer to the event.