Category: Uncategorized

October 29th – November 21st 2015

London Theatre Workshop

Press Night: November 4th 2015, 7.45pm

First produced in 1965, The Killing of Sister George is a controversial, poignant and darkly funny exploration of emotional dependence and the gap between public perception and private reality. Originally most famous for its undertones of domestic abuse and then-illegal lesbian relationships, Artful Theatre’s 50th Anniversary production now focuses on the ‘behind-the-scenes’ world at the BBC where perception is everything. Recent revelations surrounding Jimmy Saville and national news stories about Jeremy Clarkson’s antics and the sacking of Tom Jones bring this sharply into focus. Was this iconic play an unwitting glimpse into the tawdry, sordid media world of the 1960s as it really was? – AND – Has anything really changed?

The death of a popular soap character is a regular occurrence in 2015, however way back in 1954 when the character of Grace Archer was killed off in a stable fire in the BBC radio serial The Archers there was a national outcry and a healthy boost in the radio drama’s audience figures. Frank Marcus wrote The Killing of Sister George around a very similar scenario for the stage in 1965, which became his most famous play.

The Killing of Sister George was first produced by Ann Pinnington in 1965 – who now produces Roaring Trade at the Park Theatre, which opens on Oct 3rd, starring Nick Moran and her grandson Tim George. She first worked with producer Justin Savage on The King’s Speech, who now produces The Killing of Sister George at London Theatre Workshop.

Cast

Janet Amsden (Madame Xenia)

Sioned Jones (‘Sister George’)

Briony Rawle (‘Childie’)

Sarah Shelton (Mrs Mercy Croft)

Performance Dates

October 29th 2015 – November 21st 2015

Tuesday – Saturday, 7.45pm

Matinees Saturday and Sunday at 3pm

Running Time 2 hrs

Venue

London Theatre Workshop, 65 New Kings Road, London SW6 4SG

Ticket Price £15 (£12 concessions)

Box Office London Theatre Workshop (live.advancedticketing.co.uk)

Links Website (londontheatreworkshop.co.uk)

 

 

LORD OF THE FLIES EXPLODES ONTO THE LYCEUM STAGE NEXT MONTH

 

Regent’s Park Theatre’s critically-acclaimed production of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies comes to the Lyceum Theatre from Tuesday 10 – Saturday 14 November as part of a major UK tour.  The production marks the return of Regent’s Park Theatre to Sheffield following their smash hit production of To Kill a Mockingbird earlier this year.

After a group of schoolboys survive a catastrophic plane crash, what starts as a classic desert island adventure quickly descends into a struggle for survival in a darkly sinister world of superstition and immorality. William Golding’s 20^th century classic explodes onto the stage in this remarkable production direct from London’s award-winning Regent’s Park Theatre.

First published in 1954, Lord of the Flies was William Golding’s debut novel. His other works includeFree Fall, The Spire, Rites of Passage (Booker Prize winner), The Paper Men and Fire Down Below.In 1983 Golding was awarded The Nobel Prize in Literature.

Don’t miss this acclaimed production of William Golding’s 20^th century classic when it explodes onto the Lyceum stage in this gripping adaptation.

 

Lord of the Flies is at the Lyceum Theatre from Tuesday 10 – Saturday 14 November.  Tickets can be purchased from Sheffield Theatres’ Box Office in-person, by phone on 0114 249 6000 or online at http://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/ and are priced from £15.00 – £28.00 (a transaction fee of £1.50 (£1.00 online) applies to all bookings made at the Box Office, excluding cash), and discounts are available.

 

 

The National Theatre’s production of People, Places and Things will transfer to Wyndham’s theatre from March next year.

Duncan Macmillan’s new play opened at the Dorfman Theatre in September to excellent reviews, which heralded a stand-out turn from Denise Gough.

Gough will reprise her role as Emma, an actress whose life has been turned upside down by drink and drug addiction.

People, Places and Things is the latest collaboration between theatre company Headlong and the National Theatre, followingEarthquakes in London and The Effect.

The show, which is directed by Jeremy Herrin, is playing at the National until 4 November and tickets for the West End run go on sale from 22 October.

People, Places and Things opens at Wyndham’s on 15 March and has a press night on 23 March.

Dick Whittington and his trusty cat Tommy return to the heart of London from 1st to 31st December 2015 in the beautifully restored Wilton’s Music Hall.

The oldest surviving grand music hall anywhere in the world, Wilton’s Music Hall will be staging its first traditional family pantomime. Dick will be treading the golden streets of London looking to make his fortune and of course there are dames, baddies, romance, danger and evil rats a-plenty in toe.

For veteran comedian, actor, writer and broadcaster Roy Hudd, it was love at first sight. Having spent decades writing, directing and performing in pantomime, Roy Hudd fell in love with Wilton’s and has written this special version of Dick Whittington especially for the venue itself. The story will take the audience on a magical voyage from London’s docks to a far-off Sultan’s Palace and back.

Roy, an authority on the history of musical hall entertainment, said: “Together with music hall, pantomime is Britain’s great contribution to the world of popular entertainment. To be part of a true family show in the oldest music hall in Europe is a dream come true.”

Directing is Roy’s wife, Debbie Flitcroft, who readily admits that she’s learnt everything she knows about pantomime from her other half whom she met whilst working on her first ever pantomime at The Theatre Royal Nottingham. This will be her 14th year directing pantomime, but her first guiding her old man. Debbie has hand-picked a stellar cast of season panto performers including; Simon Burbage, Gareth Davies, Nicole Davis , Steven Hardcastle, Amelia Rose Morgan , Ian Parkin & Josh Tevendale. Like Roy, Debbie is bowled over to be working with such a terrific cast at the magical venue that is Wilton’s Music Hall.

The spectacular Dick Whittington will be a delight for all the family this Christmas. So if you’re looking for an alternative to busy high street crowds and want that traditional tingly Christmas feeling, come on down to Wilton’s; get cosy and warm the cockles of your heart, enjoy a tiddly wink or warm cup of mulled wine, gorgeous mince pies and mouth-watering food from Bliss Catering. The sheer magical beauty of Wilton’s music hall will truly encapsulate the festive season.

Ticket Information
1-31 December 2015
Matinee show start-time: 2pm
Evening show start-time: 7pm

The West End production of Disney’s The Lion King celebrates its 16th birthday today.

The multi award-winning musical opened at London’s Lyceum Theatre on 19th October 1999 and has since been seen by over twelve million people. It is the fourth longest-running musical currently playing in the West End, behind Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera and Mamma Mia!, and the sixth longest-running West End musical of all time.

The Lion King is the powerful and moving story of Simba – the epic adventure of his journey from wide-eyed cub to his destined role as King of the Pridelands.

Once the Lion Prince Simba is born, his evil uncle Scar is relegated to second in line to the throne. Scar plots to kill both Simba and his father, King Mufasa, before proclaiming himself King. Simba however, survives the plot. He is however, led to believe that his father died because of him and so he decides to flee the kingdom.

The stage musical is based on Disney’s 1994 animated film of the same name and made its world premiere on Broadway in 1997, following a short run at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Director Julie Taymor’s reimagined story features a book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi and Hans Zimmer’s original film score, along with Music by Elton John, Lyrics by Tim Rice and additional songs by Julie Taymor, Mark Mancina and Lebo M, who also produced the choral arrangements. It also has Choreography by Garth Fagan, Scenic Design by Richard Hudson, Lighting Design by Donald Holder, Mask and Puppet Co-Design by Michael Curry and Julie Taymor, Costume Design by Julie Taymor, Hair and Make-Up Design by Michael Ward, Sound Design by Steve Canyon Kennedy and Musical Supervision by Clement Ishmael. It is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions.

The musical features actors in in animal costumes and incorporates the use of puppetry.

The Lion King won six Tony Awards on Broadway, including Best Musical, and the West End production went on to be nominated for eight Lawrence Oliver Awards, winning Best Theatre Choreographer and Best Costume Design. The musical is a global hit and has now been seen by over 75 million people across six continents, having played in such places as Hamburg, Madrid, Tokyo, Paris, Sydney, and many more. The first ever UK tour of the show was launched in 2012.

The West End production overtook Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera last year as the most successful musical of all time, grossing $6.2 million worldwide. In January 2015, Disney released licensed 30-minute and 70-minute school versions of The Lion King for primary and secondary schools.

The current West End cast stars Jonathan Andrew Hume as Simba. The principal line-up also features Ava Brennan as Nala, George Asprey as Scar, Shaun Escoffery as Mufasa, Brown Lindiwe Mkhize as Rafiki, Howard Gossington as Zazu, Richard Frame as Timon, Keith Bookman as Pumbaa, and Nadine Higgin, David Blake and Mark McGee as hyenas Shenzi, Banzai and Ed. The role of Young Simba is shared by Geoffrey Berrisford, Kai Kennan-Felix, Taylor Keenan-Felix and Amir Wilson. The role of Young Nala is shared by India Brown, Indie Gjesdal, Amma Ris, and Kira Spencer Brown.

The Lion King remains one of the best loved West End musicals ever as it enters its record-breaking 17th year in London. Happy 16th birthday to The Lion King! Here’s to many more years to come…

 

The Lion King
Lyceum Theatre
21 Wellington Street
London, WC2E 7RQ
Evenings: Tuesday to Saturday 7.30pm
Matinees: Wednesday, Saturday amd Sunday 2.30pm
Running Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Age Restrictions: The Lion King is recommended for children aged 6 and over. Under 3s will not be admitted.

WICKED, the West End musical that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, welcomed its 7 millionth visitor on Saturday 17th October 2015. Andrew Bell attended the performance with his wife Katie Bell and enjoyed a back stage visit with the cast after the performance.

Wicked is now in its 10th year and around the world, Wicked has been seen by nearly 50 million people in 13 countries and won over 100 international awards. The original Broadway production remains “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster” (The New York Times) after 12 years at the Gershwin Theatre. Wicked won the much coveted 2015 Olivier Audience Award.

Wicked stars: Emma Hatton (Elphaba), Savannah Stevenson (Glinda), Oliver Savile (Fiyero), Liza Sadovy (Madame Morrible), Tom McGowan (The Wizard), Sean Kearns (Doctor Dillamond), Daniel Hope (Boq), Katie Rowley Jones (Nessarose), Natalie Andreou (Standby for Elphaba) and Carina Gillespie (Standby for Glinda).

Based on the international best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire that ingeniously re-imagined the stories and characters created by L. Frank Baum in ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’, Wicked tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two sorcery students. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Wicked has music and lyrics by multi Grammy and Academy Award-winner Stephen Schwartz, a book by Winnie Holzman, musical staging by Wayne Cilento and is directed by two-time Tony Award-winner and Olivier Award nominee Joe Mantello. Wicked is based on the novel ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’ by Gregory Maguire.

Wicked is produced by: Marc Platt, Universal Stage Productions, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone. Executive Producer (UK): Michael McCabe.
Wicked Musical London
Apollo Victoria Theatre
17 Wilton Road, London, SW1V 1LG
Running Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Age Restrictions: Recommended for ages 7 and over (children under 4 not admitted).
Show Opened: 27th September 2006
Evenings: Monday to Saturday 7.30pm
Matinees: Wednesday and Saturday 2.30pm

 

Irving Berlin’s family paid a special visit to watch the show, and to meet the cast and producers Brian Eastman and Christabel Albery, of The Smallest Show on Earth on stage at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester on 8 October 2015

Behind the scenes footage from the ELF Original London Cast Soundtrack recording session.The London premiere of the musical ELF is based on the 2003 New Line Cinema hit starring Will Ferrell.  ELF features a book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, with songs by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin. The cast of the London production is led by Ben Forster, Kimberley Walsh, Joe McGann and Jessica Martin.

 

On Silva Screen Records – release date 23 October 2015