Category: Uncategorized

Thursday 12 November to Saturday 21 November
Day of the Flymo
Written by Paddy Campbell
Directed by Paul James
Assistant Director Rachel Glover

Designer Phil Green

 

Day of the Flymo is to return to Live Theatre next month (Thursday 12 November to Saturday 21 November) following its sell-out run at Live Theatre earlier this year, when it was awarded four stars by The Guardian.

 

Written by award winning playwright Paddy Campbell (Wet House), Day of the Flymo looks at the chaotic lives of a brother and sister struggling to cover up the cracks and the mechanisms that swing into action when social services step in. It asks what do you do when the state decides it’s going to take over from your Mam?

The same cast returns including talented young actors from Live’s Youth Theatre including Kalem Patterson (age 14, from Ryton), Tezney Mulroy (age 17, from Newcastle), and Sophie Pitches (age 17, from North Shields), once again supported by a professional cast of Jill Dellow (Chalet Lines), a former member of Live’s Youth Theatre, and Akemnji Ndifornyen.

 

Actor, Tezney Mulroy said:

“Performing in Day of the Flymo in April was unbelievably exciting. After all the hard work it was so good to get such a great reaction from the audience. I’m over the moon that the whole cast will be back performing the play again next month at Live Theatre.”

 

Paddy Campbell has been appointed as the inaugural joint Live Theatre & Northumbria University’s writer in residence. Paddymoved to Newcastle from Northern Ireland 13 years ago to study fine art and sculpture at Northumbria University and has comethrough Live Theatre’s writing development programme whilst working in a children’s home, which provided the inspiration forDay of the Flymo.

 

Writer Paddy Campbell, said:

“I am delighted that ‘Day of the Flymo’ is returning to Live Theatre. The audience reaction and having a sell-out run in April was incredible. I’m looking forward to it being back on stage in November during my writer-in-residence year with Live Theatre and Northumbria University.”

Max Roberts, Artistic Director, Live Theatre said:

“Those who saw Paddy’s first play Wet House will be aware of Paddy’s talent. And as we saw in April, he has again created another hard hitting piece about the care system he has known as an insider. For those people not lucky enough to see Day of the Flymo during its first run – it’s political, at times tragic, and is packed with Paddy’s trade mark dark humour.”

 

Paddy Campbell’s first full length play, Wet House, was the winner of three Journal Culture Awards, and voted one of The Guardian’s Top 10 Plays of 2013. After a sell-out run at Live Theatre in 2013, as part of Live Theatre’s 40^th anniversary year,Wet House returned to Live Theatre and toured to Hull Truck Theatre and Soho Theatre in 2014. Day of the Flymo previewed at Live Theatre in April 2015.

 

Day of the Flymo is at Live Theatre, Newcastle from Thursday 12 to Saturday 21 November 2015. A free Meet the Writer event takes place at 6pm before the performance on Friday 13 November, in which writer Paddy Campbell, artistic director Max Roberts, director Paul James will talk about the making of the play and are joined by Dr. Matt Hargrave from Northumbria University to talk about the joint writer in residence. There is also a free Talkback discussion, at 9pm on Tuesday 17 November, (approximately ten minutes after the end of the play) in which the writer, director, actors from the show talk about the process of bringing the show to the stage.

For more information on Day of the Flymo and to buy tickets costing between £18 to £10, over 60s concessions from £16 to £12 and other concessions £10 to £6 call Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232 or see www.live.org.uk.

Opera lovers can expect a season of contrasts this autumn at Newcastle Theatre Royal as Opera North juxtapose delicious comedy The Barber of Seville with tragic and heart-wrenching Jenůfa.  The must-not-miss season runs Tue 3 – Thu 5 November 2015.

 

Rossini’s The Barber of Seville is the prequel to Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro and is a sumptuous farcical comedy full of slapstick.  Rosina is rich, beautiful and in love with a dashing young Count.  However, her elderly guardian, Doctor Bartolo, has designs on her himself, and does everything he can to put obstacles in the way of their happiness.  But with the help of the sharp-witted Figaro, true love finally triumphs.

 

Tuneful and vivacious, Rossini’s score contains one irresistibly catchy number after another, ranging from the fireworks of Figaro’s universally known aria Largo al factotum to the seductive beauty of the Count’s Ecco, ridente. A hit revival by Opera North back in Newcastle following performances at opera houses around the world, this lavish production features handsome period staging and colourfully eccentric 18^th century wigs and costumes.

 

Legendary Welsh baritone Eric Roberts plays Bartolo, while one of the UK’s most distinguished operatic basses, Alastair Miles, last seen at Opera North and the Theatre Royal as Leporello in Don Giovanni (2012), sings Basilio. Three exceptionally engaging young singers continue to develop their careers at Opera North: Katie Bray sings Rosina, Nicholas Watts takes the role of the Count; and Figaro will be sung by Irish baritone Gavan Ring.

 

Janáček’s masterpiece Jenůfa, which has enthralled audiences for more than 100 years, is an intense story of love, jealousy and sacrifice – by turns harrowing, heart-wrenching and starkly tragic.  It took Janáček ten years to complete his first great opera, and in the final year of its composition he witnessed his own daughter’s painful illness and early death.  His soul-piercing score is laced with the suffering caused by this event.

 

A world-class cast includes Susan Bickley, one of the most accomplished mezzo-sopranos of her generation as the Kostelnička and Elizabeth Sikora (who played Salud’s Grandmother in La vida breve which impressed Theatre Royal audiences in the Spring 2015) as Grandmother Buryjkova.  In the title role is the Swedish soprano Ylva Kihlberg, who gave a memorably powerful performance as Emilia Marty in Opera North’s The Makropulos Case which visited in 2012.

 

Opera North are also bringing their critically acclaimed new production of Kiss me, Kate, which will be performed Friday 6 – Saturday 7 November.

 

The Barber of Seville appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal Tue 3 & Thu 5 November 2015 at 7.15pm, and Jenůfa for one performance only on Wed 4 November at 7.15pm. Tickets from £18.50 (save 50p per ticket online). Tickets can be purchased online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge)

 

YOUNG CHEKHOV: THE BIRTH OF A GENIUS
PLATONOV
IVANOV
THE SEAGULL
by Anton Chekhov
in new versions by David Hare
Director Jonathan Kent
Until 14 November
Press Performances: 17 October
Festival Theatre, Chichester

• PRODUCTION IMAGES RELEASED TODAY FOR YOUNG CHEKHOV SEASON AT CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE

• DIRECTED BY JONATHAN KENT AND NEWLY ADAPTED BY DAVID HARE, 23 ACTORS PLAY 50 PARTS ACROSS THREE PLAYS

Production pictures are released today for a major new season of Anton Chekhov’s early works at Chichester Festival Theatre. Newly adapted by David Hare and directed by Jonathan Kent, the productions, which open on 17 October, present a unique theatrical event which will see a repertory cast of 23 actors performing 50 parts in Platonov, Ivanov and The Seagull. For the first time ever on this scale audiences will be given the opportunity to see all three shows in close proximity performed by the same group and with the same creative team.

Currently in previews, the Young Chekhov cast have worked together on the productions for over three months. The cast includes Emma Amos, Nebli Basani, Lucy Briers, Pip Carter, Anna Chancellor, Jonathan Coy, Nicholas Day, Mark Donald, Peter Egan, Col Farrell, Joshua James, Beverley Klein, Adrian Lukis, Des McAleer, James McArdle, Mark Penfold, Brian Pettifer, Nina Sosanya, Sarah Twomey,  David Verrey, Olivia Vinall, Samuel West and Jade Williams.

Each of the three plays can be seen as a single performance or they can be enjoyed as one event, either over different days or as one intense theatrical experience on Trilogy Days. With over 5,000 tickets at £10 available across the Young Chekhov season, audiences can see all three plays for as little as £30.

This season within a season is anchored by a trio of talent – Chekhov himself, playwright David Hare, and director Jonathan Kent, returning to Chichester following his triumphant production of Gypsy in Festival 2014. Young Chekhov reunites Kent and Hare who have previously collaborated on productions for the Almeida Theatre.

These three plays, written when Anton Chekhov was young, offer a new perspective on the dramatist, revealing a youthful anger and romanticism that is very different to his mature, more familiar work.

David Hare’s numerous credits include the world premiere of South Downs at Chichester (also West End), the National Theatre’s trilogy of plays about British institutions, Racing Demon,Murmuring Judges and The Absence of War, adaptations such as The Blue Room (Donmar Warehouse and Broadway), Behind The Beautiful Forevers, also for the National Theatre and his forthcoming new production The Moderate Soprano (Hampstead Theatre). He is also an acclaimed screenwriter and has received Academy Award nominations for The Hours and The Reader.

Director Jonathan Kent returns to Chichester following his acclaimed productions of Gypsy,Private Lives and Sweeney Todd, all of which transferred to the West End. Other credits include Good People (Hampstead Theatre and West End), Oedipus (National Theatre), Don Giovanni and The Fairy Queen (both for Glyndebourne).

Young Chekhov: The Birth of A Genius is sponsored by Wiley. The Seagull is sponsored by De’Longhi.

Events
Writer David Hare and director Jonathan Kent will be in conversation with novelist and CFT biographer Kate Mosse at a pre-show talk on Thursday 15 October at 5.45pm. Tickets are free but booking is essential.

Meet some of the Young Chekhov company at a post-show talk hosted by writer Simon Brett on Wednesday 21 October.

There will be a rehearsed reading of Anton Chekhov’s Swan Song on Saturday 31 October at 11am. This vaudeville piece about an old actor and his prompter was adapted from one of Chekhov’s own stories, and established his reputation in the theatre in 1888.

Join the technical crew and creative team for 90 minutes of insight, demonstration and discussion on the making of the Young Chekhov trilogy at a Schools Theatre Day on Wednesday 4 November at 11am. Tickets £13.50, which includes the matinee performance.

Booking information
The Young Chekhov season is at the Festival Theatre until 14 November. Performance times vary. Tickets from £10. To book, go to cft.org.uk or contact the Box Office on 01243 781312.

Special Prices for 16 – 25s
An allocation of tickets for 16 – 25 year olds priced at just £8.50 for all performances of theYoung Chekhov season are now on sale. These may be booked on 01243 781312, online at cft.org.uk/850 or in person.

 

STRICTLY COME DANCING

THE LIVE TOUR

RETURNS FOR A FAB-U-LOUS NINTH YEAR

SHEFFIELD ARENA

26th & 27th JANUARY 2016

SATURDAYS’ STAR

FRANKIE BRIDGE

IS THE FIRST CELEBRITY ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2016 TOUR

 

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Pop star Frankie Bridge from The Saturdays is the first celebrity contestant confirmed to compete in the 2016 Strictly Come Dancing UK tour, which stops off at Sheffield Arena on Tuesday 26^th & Wednesday 27^th January.

Frankie, a finalist in the 2014 BBC One TV series, was due to appear in this year’s tour, but reluctantly had to step down at the 11th hour on the advice of her doctor when she found out she was pregnant.

Frankie says; “I was so disappointed not to be able to perform in this year’s Strictly Tour, as I’d been so looking forward to continuing my Strictly journey.  But following the birth of my son in August, I’m thrilled to have been asked to join the 2016 tour.  It will be great to get my dancing shoes back on and be part of the Strictly family again. Roll on January!”

Frankie will join the new Strictly tour host Mel Giedroyc and judges Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood (who also directs the tour) and Bruno Tonioli for the 30 date live extravaganza.  They will be joined by celebrities and professional dancers from this year’s ratings winning BBC One show, who will take to the dance floor to recreate their dazzling moves and compete for votes from the judges. More names will be announced over the coming weeks.

Tickets for the 2016 Strictly Come Dancing Live UK Tour, which stops off at Sheffield Arena Tuesday 26^th & Wednesday 27^th January 2016 are now on sale.

Tickets purchased by telephone on 0114 256 5656 or online at www.sheffieldarena.co.uk are priced £38.50 – £71.50 (including booking fee).

Tickets purchased in person at the Arena Box Office are priced £36.75 – £68.25 (including booking fee).

Ends.

STRICTLY COME DANCING THE LIVE TOUR is produced by Stage Entertainment and Phil McIntyre Entertainments, in association with BBC Worldwide. 

 

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS…

MIRACLE ON 34^th STREET

THE CLASSIC CHRISTMAS MUSICAL

RETURNS FOR A UK TOUR

 

Based on one of the most popular and best-loved Christmas films of all time, classic musical MIRACLE ON 34^th STREET will return for a third UK Tour, opening at Croydon’s Fairfield Halls on Thursday 29 October 2015.

 

Based on the 1947 motion picture, Miracle on 34^th Street is the heart-warming story of Susan, a young girl who dreams of a father and brother to make her family whole, and Kris Kringle, a kindly old bearded man who claims he is the real Santa Claus. When employed as a Santa at a department store grotto, Kris quickly spreads a wave of love through New York City, but can he help make Susan’s wish come true? This dazzling musical is an uplifting family tale about what it truly means to believe.

 

“Sparkle and magic lit up the stage”

MAIDENHEAD ADVERTISER

“A beautifully staged production”

EALING GAZETTE

 

Miracle on 34th Street originated as a 1947 motion picture starring Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood and Edmund Gwenn. The film became a perennial Christmas favorite, winning three Academy Awards and nominated for Best Picture. The stage version, originally entitled Here’s Love, opened on Broadway in 1963. A hugely popular remake of the film was also released in 1994 starring Richard Attenborough as Kris Kringle.

 

Miracle on 34^th Street has a book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, best known for writing and composing The Music Man which premiered on Broadway in 1957 and was adapted twice for film in1962 and 2003. It won the 1958 Tony Award for Best Musical and the cast recording won the first ever Grammy Award for Best Original Cast Album. His work for film includes composing the score for Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score.

The cast features Danny Lane as Kris Kringle, Hannah Thompson as Susan Walker, Claire Hawkins as Doris Walker, Carl Lindquist as Fred Gaily, Michael Adams as R.H Macy and Brendan Matthew as Marvin Shellhammer. The cast also includes Joanna Gregory, Emily Barnett-Salter, Charlotte Jay,Jessica Lucy, Kate Hulme, Jack Warren, Frank Derrington, Dann Kharsa, Toby Joyce and David Muscat.

Miracle on 34^th Street is directed by Max Reynolds and choreographed by Russell Smith and Philip Joel, with musical direction by Lee Freeman, musical supervision by Mark Crossland and design by David Shields. It is produced by Paul Taylor-Mills Ltd.

A second production of Miracle on 34^th Street will also open for a festive season at the Madinat Theatre in Dubai from Saturday 19 to Wednesday 30 December 2015.

  

LISTINGS

 

Thursday 29 October 2015

CROYDON Fairfield Halls

Sunday 1 – Monday 2 November 2015

LANCASTER Grand Theatre

Tuesday 3 – Wednesday 4 November 2015

RHYL Pavilion Theatre

Thursday 5 – Saturday 7 November 2015

BILLINGHAM Forum Theatre

Monday 9 – Wednesday 11 November 2015

LINCOLN Theatre Royal

Thursday 12 – Saturday 14 November 2015

NEWCASTLE Tyne Theatre

Tuesday 17 – Wednesday 18 November 2015

TUNBRIDGE WELLS Assembly Halls

Thursday 19 – Saturday 21 November 2015

GLASGOW Kings Theatre

Monday 23 – Wednesday 25 November 2015

MANCHESTER Opera House

Thursday 26 – Saturday 28 November 2015

CHESTERFIELD Winding Wheel

Tuesday 1 – Saturday 5 December 2015

CARDIFF New Theatre

Wednesday 9 – Saturday 12 December 2015

EASTBOURNE Royal Hippodrome

Monday 14 – Thursday 17 December 2015

WORTHING Connaught Theatre

Friday 18 – Saturday 19 December 2015

PETERBOROUGH Broadway Theatre

 

Monday 21- Monday 28 December 2015

WATFORD Colosseum

BIOS

Max Reynolds | Director

Recent credits include Through the Mill (London Theatre Workshop), Ushers: The Front of House Musical (The Arts Theatre), September Tide (Theatre Royal, Windsor), Our House (Orchard Theatre, Dartford), When Midnight Strikes (The Marlowe Studio), The Witches of Eastwick, Zombie Prom and Little Shop of Horrors (The Quarterhouse Theatre) and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (The Tower Theatre).  

Russell Smith | Choreographer

Recent credits include Dirty Dancing – Live on Stage (Paris), Miracle on 34th Street (UK Tour), Ushers: The Front of House Musical (Arts Theatre), The Snow Queen (Nuffield Theatre and Royal & Derngate Theatre), A Little Night Music (Stanwix Theatre), The Marriage of Figaro (King’s Head) and  The Three Musketeers (UK Tour). Russell was also Choreography Supervisor for Dirty Dancing – Live on Stage on K Tour and in the West End.

Philip Joel | Choreographer

Credits include Closer To Heaven (Union Theatre), Ivor Novello and the Great British Musical (St. James Theatre), One Twenty One Guns (Bridewell Theatre), Sweet Charity (Sadler’s Wells), An Evening with David Hasselhoff (indigO2), Aladdin (Milton Keynes Theatre) and Cinderella (Bristol Hippodrome).

Banter Productions in association with Jermyn Street Theatre

presents the world premiere of

DESPERATE MEASURES

A new musical based on Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure

Script by Robin Kingsland

Lyrics by Robin Kingsland & Chris Barton

Music by Chris Barton

Jermyn Street Theatre

24 November – 20 December 2015

Desperate Measures, a freewheeling new musical based on Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure, is set in London in the ‘swinging sixties’ against a backdrop of starchy middle class morality and hypocrisy in a country on the verge of Beatlemania and the sexual and social permissiveness that we know today.

This is the world of Profumo, Christine Keeler & the Kray twins.  Depravity and sexual licence are widespread. Members of parliament rub shoulders with glamour models and  journalists are all too happy to take bribes.

MP, Simon Di Angelo, in an attempt to stop the tide of ‘wickedness’ he sees permeating every corner of life decides to revive the Sexual Congress Act. Pop singer Milo Feather breaks the law by getting his girlfriend pregnant and is condemned to hang under  the new morality laws. His sister Isobel, a novice nun, sets out to rescue him. But she’s about to take holy orders, and the stakes will threaten all that she lives for.

Desperate Measures stars Ellie Nunn as Isobel. Ellie has appeared  in Gatsby (Arts Theatre), Shakespeare in Love (Noel Coward Theatre), Lady Windermere’s Fan (Kings Head Theatre), Bombshells (Jermyn Street Theatre,) and  The Last Laundress of Queensway (the Drayton Arms). Her film credits include ‘The Brief History’, ‘Untimely Death of George III’ and ‘Cracks’.

The cast  includes Harry Al-Adwani, Angharad George-Carey, Emily-Rose Hurdiss, Alice Jay, Jojo Macari, Callum Macdonald, Charlie Merriman, Timothy Patten, Tosin Thompson, and  James Wilson.

Design is by Dee Shulman and the Musical Director  is Jordan Li-Smith.

Robin Kingsland’s writing includes TV, radio, urban pantomimes, plays and musicals for young audiences, stage adaptations as well as the shameless plundering of William Shakespeare’s back catalogue. Pcuk – A Mid$ummer Night’s Remix – a modern idiom, blank verse, street dance reworking of another of Shakepeare’s works, was a critical and audience hit at the 2011 Edinburgh Festival, and Prospero’s Children– a re-invention of The Tempest was toured to great acclaim by Quicksilver Theatre.

Robin’s stage adaptations include Around the World in Eighty Days for the Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, and All Quiet on the Western Front for Nottingham Playhouse. Robin is also an accomplished stage actor, who has appeared in the West End as troubled Rat-Packer Peter Lawford in Rat Pack Confidential, and as Charlie Malloy in Steven Berkoff’s acclaimed production of On The  Waterfront.

Chris Barton has directed for the Royal National Theatre, Watford Palace Theatre, Basingstoke Theatre Royal, California Shakespeare Festival, SNAP Theatre Company, International Theatre Research Group KISS in The Netherlands, and as associate director in the West End and on Broadway, with Ian McKellen’s Richard III and Stephen Daldry’s An Inspector Calls, which he also recreated in Tokyo. He has taught and directed at numerous London Drama Schools, and for several years ran The Contemporary Shakespeare Company, taking tailor-made performance programmes into schools and colleges. Chris is also a musician, writer and actor, and is frequently called upon for his expertise as a deviser of training and entertainment events for corporate clients.

His musical writing credits include More Tales From the Magic Carpet at the Royal National Theatre, andHamlet House of Horror which was a sell-out success at the Old Red Lion in Islington, gaining Critics’ Choice in Time Out, 5 stars in London Theatre Guide and 4 stars in The Daily Mail.

Banter Productions  formed earlier this year to produce Jonathan Lewis’ A Level Playing Field. It premiered at Jermyn Street Theatre to much critical acclaim. Desperate Measures will be the Christmas show at Jermyn Street Theatre.

What the critics said about A Level Playing Field:

“Imagine a co-ed Lord of the Flies with iPhones, Facebook, selfies, sexual banter, gobby contempt for the system and dread of not getting into Oxbridge.” **** The Independent

“The atmosphere is so tense in the pressure-cooker of the third-floor music room, and the performances are so strong… the audience is carried along with the frenetic, carefully plotted action.”  **** The Public Reviews

“Lewis’ skilled writing and pacing resolves into something valuable, angry, and… darkly entertaining.” Libby Purves on Theatre Cat

“An explosive exploration into teenage angst and expectation that … crackles with emotional integrity” The Stage

 

Listings Information:

Theatre: Jermyn Street Theatre, 16b Jermyn Street, SE1Y 6ST

Dates: 24 November to 20 December 2015

PRESS NIGHT: Friday 27^th November 2015 at 7.30pm

Tuesday to Saturday 7.30pm

Sat & Sun matinees at 3.30pm

Tickets £22.00, £18.00

Earlybird offer: all tickets £17.00 if booked before 31^st October

Bookings: 020 7287 2875

www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk

 

Booking period extended to 3 December 2016

The award-winning West End production of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Sam Mendes, will tonight mark its 1000th performance in the West End, since opening in June 2013.

To celebrate this milestone, producers have today announced that the booking period for the show has been extended for a further six months, until 3 December 2016.  The new booking period is on sale now.

The award-winning actor Jonathan Slinger is currently playing the role of Willy Wonka.

Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has quickly become one of the West End’s most popular and successful stage musicals. It won two Olivier awards in April 2014, and has broken records at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where it has been seen by over 1,600,000 people since it opened in June 2013. It is now currently taking bookings until 3 December 2016.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is directed by Sam Mendes. Featuring ingenious stagecraft, the wonder of the original story that has captivated the world for almost 50 years is brought to life with music by Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, a book by award-winning playwright and adaptor David Greig, set and costume designs by Mark Thompson and choreography by Peter Darling.

The Official Cast Recording album is available on Sony Records, on CD and download.

This world premiere musical is produced by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Neal Street Productions and Langley Park Productions.

www.CharlieandtheChocolateFactory.com

Box Office: 0844 858 8877

Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5JF

Booking until 3 December 2016

Civic Theatre, Darlington – 11 October 2015

There is nothing better than a bit of nostalgia on a Sunday evening, mix it in with a lot of sparkle, feathers, fabulous singing and outstanding dancing and you have Puttin’ on the Ritz.

With Strictly stars Robin Windsor and Anya Garnis, 10 dancers and 5 multi-talented singers this was a good old fashioned entertainment at its best.

Some of the very best of Cole Porter, George Gershwin and Irving Berlin made it to a stage full of sheer energy, exuberance and downright determination to entertain.

Solos performance included very talented singer and dancer Simon Schofield, Summertime from Lucy Van Gasse and Ricky Rojas wowed us with Minnie the Moocher.

The ensemble excelled in their mass tap dances to Gershwin’s I’ve Got Rhythm and Berlin’s Puttin’ on the Ritz, both exciting, energetic numbers which contrasted with tamer dances like Easter Bonnet.

The sit-down hand jive on the edge of the stage complete with Mexican-wave arms and legs was excellent.

Although a brilliant show there were niggles, the set didn’t add to the show and a live band would have been so much better than backing music.  But the performers put so much into it and fans of Strictly will love it, so maybe the the bad bits can be glossed over with the good.

In Darlington until Tuesday 13 October and on tour around the UK

Ye Olde Rose and Crown, Walthamstow 6 – 31 October.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

Tim McArthur’s take on A Little Night Music is a sheer delight. The simple, artful staging and swirling choreography draw you into complex love lives immediately with a partner swapping Night Waltz, and the ever present motif of autumn leaves creates a feeling of fading and lost dreams.

The plot revolves around the complex relationships of Desiree, who once had an affair with Frederick and wishes to rekindle their flame. Unfortunately she has a lover, Count Magnus, who says he will tolerate infidelity in his wife, not his lover. Frederick is married to an 18 year old, Anne – still a virgin after nearly a year of marriage – and the secret object of his son’s affections. Things come to a head during a weekend in the country at Desiree’s mother’s mansion, and lives are changed forever.

As Frederick, Alexander McMorran is fantastic, especially in his scenes with Sarah Waddell (Desiree) and Samuel Baker as the Count. The easy playfulness between McMorran and Waddell is in stark contrast to his frustrated longing when with his wife. Waddell resembles Katherine Hepburn both physically and in her comic style, and her Send in the Clowns is well judged and feels emotionally honest. Maria Coyne’s Anne is skittish and insecure, with a laugh that becomes extremely annoying, but suits the character perfectly.

The standout comic moments all involve the Count’s wife Charlotte (Jamie Birkett). Sardonic and desperately in love – and hate – with her husband, Charlotte gets the best lines, and Birkett delivers them brilliantly. A lifted eyebrow, a grimace, and perfect deadpan comic timing make her a joy to watch.

The entire cast are superb, with their voices matching their comic acting abilities. Everyone managed the tricky lyrics without stumbling. Although I must admit I did get distracted every so often by the facial expressions of Desiree’s acting troupe as they watched the other characters – imagine the lovechild of Kenneth Williams and Windsor Davies. Just breathe and relax!

The band – with only 4 musicians – were wonderful and did not drown out the cast in the tiny performance area, showcasing the lyrical beauty of the score and book.

Eileen Atkins has been announced as the recipient of The Gielgud Award at the UK Theatre Awards 2015. She is to receive The Gielgud Award for Excellence in the Dramatic Arts.

Atkins is an award-winning actress whose career has spanned seven decades. She has performed in numerous West End and Broadway productions and has won three Olivier Awards. Following a CBE in 1990, she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2001 for Services to Drama.

The Gielgud Award for Excellence in the Dramatic Arts was established by The Shakespeare Guild in 1994 and previous recipients include Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, Ian McKellen, Christopher Plummer and Patrick Stewart.

The ceremony, which will take place on Sunday 18 October at the Guildhall, London, will be compered by Michael Xavier.