The King’s Head Theatre present their October season:
NOBODY’S BUSINESS
30 September – 24 October, 7pm Tues-Sat
5 GUYS CHILLIN’
1 October – 24 October, 9.30pm Tues-Sat (3pm and 7pm Sun)
Ex-Doctor Who assistant Katy Manning stars in new play Nobody’s Business, directed by John Adams, founding Artistic Director of Paines Plough.
Sybil, much-married caretaker of a business centre, is full of ideas for escaping from her situation. When Hugo, a manipulative adventurer, launches a new business, she inveigles her way in, getting herself appointed director of a company set up for Perkins, an inventor, along with Hugo’s long-suffering artist girlfriend Imogen and Howard, the manager of the centre, whose significant other is his dog. With a woman in a kangaroo suit trying to sell an uncontrollable invention and a dog on the company board, what happens next is nobody’s business.
Katy Manning (Sybil) is probably most famous for her TV work (including a three year stint as Doctor Who’s assistant), but has also performed numerous stage roles, ranging from work at Sydney Opera House through to the Young Vic.
Playwright Sylvia Freedman has had a wide-ranging, critically acclaimed career, and has presented new work at Watford Palace Theatre, the Orange Tree, Lyric Hammersmith and the King’s Head Theatre.
Director John Adams co-founded Paines Plough, Britain’s leading independent new writing company, with the writer David Pownall, being its Artistic Director for 6 years. John has since been Artistic Director of three regional theatre companies: the Octagon Bolton, the Birmingham Rep, and the Haymarket Basingstoke. He has directed first productions of plays by Anthony Minghella, Stephen Jeffreys, Terry Johnson, David Lodge and Derek Lister, and new musical Tomorrowland at the Noviy Opera in Moscow. Other musical productions include Sylvia Freedman’s Rough Music at the King’s Head, Carmen for Clonter Opera, and Wallop Mrs Cox at the Birmingham Hippodrome.
He says: “Directing any good comedy is a challenge and a joy – fun for the actors, and for the audience. But to direct a new comedy (and a very funny one too) as part of the richly diverse King’s Head programme in what is now one of Britain’s most exciting and dynamic theatre spaces is an absolute delight.”
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Alongside, Em-Lou Productions present Peter Darney’s 5 Guys Chillin’: a graphic, gripping, funny and frank verbatim drama exposing the gay Chill-Out scene.
“Wanna pair of shorts? Shot of G? Line of Meth?”
From surgeons to students, couples to kink; guys that love it and lost guys longing to be loved. An original look into a drug-fuelled, hedonistic, highly secret world of Chem-Sex, Grindr and instant gratification.
Taken from over 50 hours of interviews from guys found through Grindr and other social media, this is an important look at the relatively new scene that social media apps have been fundamental in creating. 5 Guys Chillin’ looks at changing attitudes to sex, relationships, dating, HIV and to our perception of what sexual relations can and should be. 5 Guys Chillin’ come direct from its sell-out run at this year’s Brighton Fringe.
***** “Interesting and complex; it’s certainly not preachy and shows the thrills and the rush of modern sex parties” G-Scene
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Now in its 45th year, The King’s Head Theatre is celebrating this anniversary with an exciting new artistic policy after the departure of OperaUpClose, becoming a crucible for new writing and critical rediscoveries. Work from Irvine Welsh, Richard Cameron, Richard O’Brien and Arthur Miller, as well as Mike Bradwell directing for the first time since the 1970s, guarantees that if it’s on here, you won’t see it anywhere else. Led by Adam Spreadbury-Maher, second artistic director following Dan Crawford (who set up the King’s Head as the first pub theatre in 1970), the theatre is the first unfunded venue to have an Equity agreement to pay theatre-makers fair wages since 2011, and continues to do so despite receiving no public funding.
The music of the legend that is Robbie Williams comes to Darlington Civic Theatre on Tuesday 22 September with Let Me Entertain You.
Let Me Entertain You is a rollercoaster ride spanning the 25-year career of the legend that is Robbie Williams.
Featuring an amazing live band and the Robbie Williams Experience Dancers, this action-packed show features all of Robbie’s hits, including; Rock DJ, Angels, Let Me Entertain You, Come Undone, She’s The
One, No Regrets, Feel, and some of his most recent hits, including; Go Gentle, You Know Me and Candy.
Starring Hollyoaks heart-throb Tom Vaughan, who has performed as Robbie Williams throughout Europe to audiences as large as 20,000 people! His reputation as one of the world’s best Robbie Williams tributes is guaranteed to ‘Relight Your Fire!’
He looks like Robbie, he moves like Robbie. An absolute must for all fans of the Robster.
Let Me Entertain You is at Darlington Civic Theatre on Tuesday 22 September. Tickets* are £17 and £18.50. Groups10+ 1 free.
*All ticket prices include a £1 restoration levy.
To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk
It’s not every show where you are treated to a performance that warrants not one but three separate standing ovations, but Jersey Boys delivers just that.
Telling the story of the Four Seasons, each band member gets a season to tell his tale. But as they say in the show “take four different men and you’ll get four different versions”. It turns out there was a lot more to the Jersey boys than close vocal harmonies and hit records, their colourful story – of ducking and diving, wise guys and hustles, failed relationships, rows, retribution and eventual redemption – makes this a jukebox musical with real story to tell.
We start with Tommy Devito’s Spring. Unfortunately Stephen Webb was indisposed so Henry Davis stepped into the dance shoes admirably. A petty criminal, with a criminal record a mile long, but with a musical talent and a dream to escape. He put together a band with his brother Nick and Nick Massi (Lewis Griffiths) and gave Francis Castelluccio the big break that turned him into Frankie Valli (Matt Corner). With a few stints in prison, and brother Nick not coming out of jail for a long time, the band begins.
With the joining of Bob Gaudio (Sam Ferriday) and the name The Four Seasons taken from the local bowling alley, the band hits big and Bob gives us his Summer.
A chance meeting with Bob Crew (Joel Elferink) gives them the recording contract they desire and with Gaudio’s writing talent, a slew of hits appear. From Sherrie, to our first ovation of the night Walk Like A Man. But as the hits keep coming DeVito’s spending gets worse and by the end of the first half the boys are in a million dollars worth of debt to the tax and the Mob.
Nick Massi’s Fall comes next, followed by Valli’s winter including the tragic death of his daughter. But the hits continue and the second ovation is for Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You, the song none of the record producers wanted to touch but was a huge commercial success.
With all the debts cleared, it ends with the band’s entrance into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the first time the original four have seen and spoken to each other in 25 years. It’s a bittersweet story. Valli’s immediately recognisable distinctive voice gives rise to some amazing vocals during the show.
It would be all too easy to put this show on the road as another jukebox musical, a limp through the history of a household name, but the narrative is as strong as the score and really packs a punch in the emotional moments. Klara Zieglerova’s restrained design, a framework of scaffolding encloses the action. At the back of the stage, huge Roy Lichtenstein-style cartoons show comic-strip girls with pony tails, huge tears and speech bubbles, while against the oranges and reds of what seems to be a perpetual sunset, is an industrial silhouette of chimneys and pylons.
The band are fabulous, led by Gareth Weedon with Ed Bussey, Carrie Grant, Bryan Smith, Frank Dawkins, Mat Elliott, Stuart Roberts, Jon Shenoy, Nathan Hawken and Rob Greenwood. Plus every show should have a motorised drum set that travels the stage
Jersey Boys is jam packed with more than 30 hits and as you sit back and listen, it’s easy to forget just how many top songs this quartet produced over the years.
Throughout the whole show there were people singing along to every word and the audience couldn’t help but tap their feet to the rhythm of the music as it’s so uplifting and infectious. This is a feel good show guaranteed to lift the spirits and well worth a visit or return visit to enjoy its true gloriousness.
OOMPA-LOOMPAS ON THE LOOSE TO CELEBRATE ROALD DAHL DAY
Roald Dahl Day is 13th September and marks Dahl’s 99th birthday
The hit West End musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, based on the book by Roald Dahl, and directed by Sam Mendes, is marking Roald Dahl Day on 13 September by releasing new pictures of the Oompa-Loompas on the loose at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
The photographs are by Matt Crockett.
Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has quickly become one of the West End’s most popular and successful stage musicals. It has broken multiple records at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where it has been seen by over more than 1.25 million people since it opened in June 2013. It is currently taking bookings until 4 June 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 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.
The stars of Cinderella, Brendan Sheerin, Niki Evans and Ashleigh and Pudsey were in Darlington recently to help launch this year’s Pantomime.
Hello, and welcome to Darlington. Have you been here before?
B – No, this is my first time. But I’ve had a walk round and it looks like a great town. The people have all been very friendly and welcoming.
N – Yes, I’ve been here many times and I have some good friends close by who I am hoping to see and have a game of snooker with.
A – No, I’ve not been here before but I’m looking forward to exploring
You are all classed as “Reality” stars, did you ever expect to end up where you are?
B – No, I’ve been a tour operator for over 30 years. Then Coach Trip came along. I’ve been on there for 10 years and we get 2.2 million viewers. I’m very grateful for all the new opportunities.
N – No, I didn’t expect to get through the first audition for X-Factor never mind come 4th. It all just snowballed.
A – No, I thought it would be fun, but it’s been an incredible journey
Would you ever do any other “Reality” shows?
B – I’ve been offered a few things but I owe so much to Coach Trip that will always come first
N – I’m a vegetarian so I wouldn’t like to do I’m a Celebrity, but maybe Big Brother or Strictly
A – I’m not sure Pudsey would enjoy the jungle, but we could do some serious dance moves on Strictly
Have you been done Panto before?
B – Yes, a few times now. I love it, meeting with the families and having fun
N – Yes, I’ve done loads. I really enjoy it
A – Yes, this is the first time I’ve been CInderella, I’ve been Alice in Dick Whittington for the last few years
So, would you like to play a baddie rather than a goodie?
B – I was a Herman The Henchman once but I think I enjoy the cheers and not the boo’s
N – I’ve done both and I really enjoy being both a goodie and a baddie
A – I’m not sure, I think Pudsey is too cute to be evil
What are you planning to do in your time off from the show?
B – I want to vist the Railway Museum, and I plan on exploring the countryside around here, and fish and chips in Whitby.
N – I’m going to see my friends. And my plan is to swim everyday. I’m going to get up early and go to the Dolphin Centre every day
A – Eat, sleep and take Pudsey for long walks
What can you tell us about Cinderella?
B – It’s going to be brilliant, we have all met today and we are going to get along brilliantly.
N – Its classic pantomime and you’ll be in for a treat of a show
A – Fabulous fun for all the family, you’ll be daft to miss it
Cinderella runs at Darlington Civic Theatre from Saturday 5 December 2015 to Sunday 10 January 2016. For tickets and more information visit darlingtoncivic.co.uk or call 01325 486555
Jermyn Street Theatre, 8th September – 3rd October. Reviewed by Claire Roderick
Based on 3 short stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, Michael John LaChiusa’s wonderful musical challenges the audience with the meaning of truth. Is it possible to see the whole truth, or does our perspective alter our understanding of the truth?
Both acts open with the story of Kesa and Morito, and the same haunting song sung in turn by two lovers in medieval Japan, each planning drastic measures to end their relationship.
Act one centres on R Shomon – the story of a death in Central Park in 1951. Three different versions of the event are given by the protagonists, all claiming to have killed the victim. We watch the characters tell their tales from their perspectives – the victim using a medium, and hear the changing testimony of a witness to the crime. The character’s versions of the truth are all coloured by their past experiences and they all sing that “I see what I wanna see”.
The second act story, Gloryday, is about a priest in 2002 who has lost his faith after “the tragedy” that hit New York. He dreams up the promise of a miracle that will happen in Central Park to demonstrate that there is no God. This story is much lighter and funnier on the surface , but asks deep questions about faith and truth. The characters the priest meets in the lead up to the miracle are all looking for answers and reasons for their fate. On the day of the miracle, the priest finds redemption “The lie was for everyone, but the truth was only for me.”
Now this all sounds like a hard slog for a musical, but the expertly crafted writing and music and the captivating performances sweep you along. The set is simple – a nod to the origin of the stories in a Japanese style woven bamboo backdrop – the only things on stage are a table and two chairs in the first act, and a single church chair in the second. The lighting and score are not so simple. LaChuisa’s music is influenced by many styles, and he has blended them together to create a beautiful and memorable score. In some musicals, at times the music is at odds with the story being told, but here they are as one. Trills and runs, together with perfectly timed lighting effects and artful choreography, enhance the impact of the performances brilliantly.
The cast give passionate performances and have no room to hide on that tiny stage, so close to the audience. Marc Elliot is cocky, slick and menacing as the thief, and haunted (oh his eyes!) as the reporter. Sarah Ingram gets to chew the scenery in both stories as the medium and Aunt Monica – before showing a delicate vulnerability in “There will be a miracle”. As the husband, Marc Goldthorp dies with panache, over and over again, and gets to show a wilder side as the CPA. That man can sing! Cassie Compton is a firebrand as the wife – her powerful version of ”No more” was a highlight of the show; in act two as the lost and conflicted actress she was full of yearning. Jonathan Butterell is a wheedling, jumpy janitor in act one. In act two he gives an spellbinding performance as the priest, taking us on a journey through his loss of faith to his ultimate redemption.
See What I Wanna See is thought provoking, beautiful and a sublime piece of theatre. Hopefully this superb production will make it much better known in the UK.
Theatre Cloud teams up with London Futurists on #iPredict video challenge, coinciding with major new stage adaptation of BRAVE NEW WORLD.
As reviews roll in for Brave New World, Dawn King’s world premiere adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s dystopian masterpiece, which opened this week in Northampton, Theatre Cloud (www.theatrecloud.com) challenges the public to make their own future predictions…
Writing in 1931, Huxley set his classic novel in London in 2540. And yet in 2015, many of the social and technological developments he predicted – including IVF, anti-depressants, globalisation and mass consumption – have already come to pass.
What next? Theatre Cloud has teamed up with show producers at the Touring Consortium Theatre Company and the London Futurists on a video diary project aimed at generating public debate about the future.
For the #iPredict competition, participants are asked to film their answers to the following questions:
“What do you think the future holds, for the UK and the rest of the world, in 5, 15 or 50 years, let alone 500 years? Are you optimistic or pessimistic about what’s to come?”
Videos should be uploaded to www.theatrecloud.com/ipredict by 20th November 2015. Every week of the tour of Brave New World – which starts performances on 4 September at Royal & Derngate, Northampton – a member of the cast, led by Sophie Ward, will film their personal #iPredict response.
All #iPredict entrants will receive a special discount code to see Brave New World at their local theatre for just £10. In addition, there will be awards for:
* First Prize – The maker of the Most Compelling video – as decided by a London Futurists judging panel led by chair David Wood – will win a new (essential vlogging tool) Zoom H2n Audio Recorder, which they’ll be able to collect on their VIP trip for two to attend Brave New World’s last night at the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford on 5 December
* Runners-up Prizes – Makers of the five videos most popular with Theatre Cloud visitors will win souvenir Brave New World t-shirts.
London Futurists Chair David Wood commented: “Touring Consortium Theatre Company’s gripping production of Brave New World is a timely stimulus for a fresh new conversation about near-future possibilities. The #iPredict contest challenges all of us to reflect on hidden opportunities and risks that may lie ahead, making it less likely that we’ll collectively sleepwalk into a future that we realise, too late, that we dislike. I look forward to reviewing the compelling, thought-provoking videos that I’m sure contestants will be uploading.”
Jenny King, producer of Brave New World, commented: “Join in the debate and have fun sharing your dreams and fears…. Maybe together we can create our own better brave new world?”
Following Northampton, Brave New World visits Edinburgh, Oxford, Nottingham, Cheltenham, Wolverhampton, Darlington, Blackpool and Bradford. Details on all Creative Projects, full learning and other behind-the-scenes resources on Brave New World are available at theatrecloud.com/brave-new-world .
New Adventures have announced the full cast and further tour dates for the first revival of Matthew Bourne’s “SLEEPING BEAUTY” opening at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth on Saturday 17 October 2015 with an eight week Christmas season at Sadler’s Wells from Tuesday 1 December 2015 to Saturday 24 January 2016. (Press night on Wednesday 9 December 2015). In total, the production will play 18 venues.
Matthew Bourne’s SLEEPING BEAUTY is a gothic tale for all ages; the traditional tale of good vs. evil and rebirth is turned upside-down, creating a supernatural love story that even the passage of time itself cannot hinder
Bourne’s new scenario introduced several characters not seen in Petipa’s famous Ballet or Grimm’s fairy tale. This imaginary kingdom is ruled over by King Benedict and Queen Eleanor. Princess Aurora’s romantic interest is not a Prince, but the royal gamekeeper, Leo. Representing the central forces of good and evil are Count Lilac (“the King of the Fairies”) and the Dark Fairy Carabosse. Bourne has also created the character of Caradoc, the sinister but charming son of Carabosse. Princess Aurora’s Fairy Godparents are characterised by their names – Ardor, Hibernia, Autumnus, Feral and Tantrum.
MATTHEW BOURNE’S SLEEPING BEAUTY
Returning to the central role of Aurora in this first revival is rising star Ashley Shaw. Ashley recently played Lana in the triumphant revival of The Car Man, and has also played Kim in Edward Scissorhands, Sugar in Nutcracker! and the title role in Cinderella. Cordelia Braithwaite made her debut with New Adventures in Swan Lake in 2013 and has since featured in this years revival of The Car Man, covering the role of Lana. Cordelia makes her debut as Aurora this season; her first Principal role with New Adventures.
The leading role of Leo will once again be played by Dominic North and Chris Trenfield who co-created the role in 2012. Dominic holds the distinction of appearing in more New Adventures productions than any other dancer and was most recently seen as Angelo in The Car Man (Seen also in the filmed version for SkyArts). He was nominated as “Outstanding Male Dancer” at The National Dance Awards for his performance as Edward Scissorhands which he re-created to much acclaim earlier this year. Chris has this year been seen as Luca in The Car Man and played the role in the SkyArts TV broadcast in August. One of New Adventures most versatile leading men, he has also been seen as Tony in Play Without Words, the title role in Nutcracker! and The Swan/Stranger in Bourne’s Swan Lake which he also danced at the Music Centre of Los Angeles 50th Anniversary Gala last year.
Count Lilac will be portrayed once again by one of New Adventures most accomplished performers Christopher Marney, and in his third Principal role for New Adventures this year, Liam Mower. Christopher was been seen in the highly successful Triple Bill, Early Adventures, as Cyril Vane in Dorian Gray (Created role), The Prince in Swan Lake and The Angel in Bourne’s Cinderella in 2010. Most recently he has had a big personal success as the choreographer of the West End hit play, McQueen. Liam Mower is the Olivier award-winning original star of the West End hit Billy Elliot. Joining New Adventures in 2011 to appear in Nutcracker!, he has also appeared in Play Without Words, as The Prince in Swan Lake (a role that he danced with the Royal Ballet’s Edward Watson at last years Ignite Festival) and his critically acclaimed portrayal of Edward Scissorhands earlier this year.
The twin roles of Carabosse and Caradoc will be shared by two charismatic New Adventures performers; Adam Maskell who co-created the role in 2012 returns to the Company having previously featured in Dorian Gray, Nutcracker! (title role), Play Without Words and as The Angel in Cinderella. Tom Clark makes his debut in a Principal role with New Adventures following roles in Swan Lake, The Car Man and as Jim Upton in Edward Scissorhands.
King Benedict will be played by Will Bozier (Edward Scissorhands) Glenn Graham (Swan Lake, The Angel in Cinderella and The Car Man) and Chris Trenfield. Queen Eleanor by Pia Driver (Swan Lake, The Car Man, Edward Scissorhands), Nicole Kabera (Edward Scissorhands, Nutcracker!, The Car Man, Swan Lake) and Katie Webb (Swan Lake, The Car Man).
Completing the SLEEPING BEAUTY Company are: Daniel Collins, Jack Jones, Mari Kamata, Phil King, Dominic Lamb, Dena Lague, Katy Lowenhoff, Katrina Lyndon, Kate Lyons, Andrew Monaghan, Leon Moran and Danny Reubens
“SLEEPING BEAUTY” is directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne working again with three of his regular collaborators and New Adventures Associate Artists; Lez Brotherston (Set and Costumes), Paule Constable (Lighting) and Paul Groothuis (Sound Design). The 2015 Revival will be Directed by Matthew Bourne, Staged by Associate Director Etta Murfitt and the Resident Director is Neil Westmoreland.
Matthew Bourne’s “SLEEPING BEAUTY” premiered in 2012, and was the fastest selling production in the company’s history. “SLEEPING BEAUTY” was created for New Adventures 25th birthday celebrations and completed Matthew Bourne’s trio of re-imagined Tchaikovsky ballet masterworks that started in 1992 with Nutcracker! and, most famously, in 1995, with the international hit Swan Lake. This dazzling production has won the hearts of thousands and smashed box office records across the UK and at Sadler’s Wells. Its USA premiere in 2013 prompted Joan Acolella of The New Yorker to hail Bourne as “the most popular choreographer of theatrical dance in the Western world” and The New York Times said: “This is Bourne at his best – a masterful storyteller.” The production also won three Los Angeles Drama Critic Awards and the Ovation Award for “Best Production”.
Perrault’s timeless fairy tale, about a young girl cursed to sleep for one hundred years, was turned into a legendary ballet by Tchaikovsky and choreographer, Marius Petipa, in 1890. Bourne takes this date as his starting point, setting the Christening of Aurora, the story’s heroine, in the year of the ballet’s first performance; the height of the Fin-de-Siecle period when fairies, vampires and decadent opulence fed the gothic imagination. As Aurora grows into a young woman, we move forwards in time to the more rigid, uptight Edwardian era; a mythical golden age of long Summer afternoons, croquet on the lawn and new dance crazes. Years later, awakening from her century long slumber, Aurora finds herself in the modern day; a world more mysterious than any Fairy story! http://new-adventures.net/sleeping-beauty
MATTHEW BOURNE’S SLEEPING BEAUTY 2015/16 NATIONAL TOUR
2015
SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER
THEATRE ROYAL, PLYMOUTH www.theatreroyal.com
WEDNESDAY 28 OCTOBER – SUNDAY 1 NOVEMBER
CURVE, LEICESTER www.curveonline.co.uk
TUESDAY 10 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 14 NOVEMBER
BORD GÁIS ENERGY THEATRE, DUBLIN www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie/
TUESDAY 17 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER
THEATRE ROYAL GLASGOW www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-glasgow
TUESDAY 24 NOVEMBER – 28 NOVEMBER
THE LOWRY, SALFORD www.thelowry.com
TUESDAY 1 DECEMBER 2015 – SATURDAY 24 JANUARY 2016
SADLER’S WELLS www.sadlerswells.com
2016
TUESDAY 26 JANUARY – SATURDAY 30 JANUARY
MILTON KEYNES THEATRE www.atgtickets.com/MiltonKeynes
TUESDAY 2 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 6 FEBRUARY
WOKING NEW VICTORIA THEATRE www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre
TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 13 FEBRUARY
BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME www.birminghamhippodrome.com
TUESDAY 16 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 20 FEBRUARY
LIVERPOOL EMPIRE www.liverpoolempire.org.uk
TUESDAY 23 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 27 FEBRUARY
BRADFORD ALHAMBRA THEATRE www.bradford-theatres.co.uk
TUESDAY 1 MARCH – SATRUDAY 5 MARCH
BRISTOL HIPPODROME www.bristolhippodrome.org.uk
TUESDAY 8 MARCH – SATURDAY 12 MARCH
NORWICH THEATRE ROYAL www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk
TUESDAY 15 MARCH – SATURDAY 19 MARCH
THE MAYFLOWER, SOUTHAMPTON – www.mayflower.org.uk
TUESDAY 22 MARCH – SATURDAY 26 MARCH
NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre
TUESDAY 5 APRIL – SATURDAY 16 APRIL
NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL www.theatreroyal.co.uk
TUESDAY 19 APRIL – SATURDAY 23 APRIL
NOTTINGHAM THEATRE ROYAL www.royalcentre-nottingham.co.uk
TUESDAY 26 APRIL – SATURDAY 30 APRIL
WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE www.wmc.org.uk
It’s not every show where you are treat to a performance that warrants not one but three separate standing ovations, but Jersey Boys delivers just that.
Telling the story of the Four Season, each band member gets a season to tell his tale. But as they say in the show “take four different men and you’ll get four different versions”. It turns out there was a lot more to the Jersey boys than close vocal harmonies and hit records, their colourful story – of ducking and diving, wise guys and hustles, failed relationships, rows, retribution and eventual redemption – makes this a jukebox musical with real story to tell.
We start with Tommy DeVito’s Spring. Unfortunately Stephen Webb was indisposed so Henry Davis stepped into the dance shoes admirably. A petty criminal, with a criminal record a mile long, but with a musical talent and a dream to escape. He put together a band with his brother Nick and Nick Massi (Lewis Griffiths) and gave Francis Castelluccio the big break that turned him into Frankie Valli (Matt Corner). With a few stints in prison, and brother Nick not coming out of jail for a long time, the band begins.
With the joining of Bob Gaudio (Sam Ferriday) and the name The Four Seasons taken from the local bowling alley, the band hits big and Bob gives us his Summer.
A chance meeting with Bob Crew (Joel Elferink) gives them the recording contract they desire and with Gaudio’s writing talent a slew of hits appear from Sherrie, to our first ovation of the night Walk Like A Man. But as the hits keep coming DeVito’s spending gets worse and by the end of the first half the boys are in a million dollars worth of debt to the tax and the Mob.
Nick Massi’s Fall comes next, followed by Valli’s winter including the tragic death of his daughter.
But the hits continue and the second ovation is for Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You, the song none of the record producers wanted to touch but was a huge commercial success.
With all the debts cleared, it ends with the band’s entrance into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the first time the original four have seen and spoken to each other in 25 years.
It’s a bittersweet story. Valli’s immediately recognisable distinctive voice gives rise to some amazing vocals during the show.
It would be all too easy to put this show on the road as another jukebox musical, a limp through the history of a household name, but the narrative is as strong as the score and really packs a punch in the emotional moments. Klara Zieglerova’s restrained design, a framework of scaffolding encloses the action. At the back of the stage, huge Roy Lichtenstein-style cartoons show comic-strip girls with pony tails, huge tears and speech bubbles, while against the oranges and reds of what seems to be a perpetual sunset is an industrial silhouette of chimneys and pylons.
The band are fabulous led by Gareth Weedon with Ed Bussey, Carrie Grant, Bryan Smith, Frank Dawkins, Mat Elliott, Stuart Roberts, Jon Shenoy, Nathan Hawken and Rob Greenwood. Plus every show should have a motorised drum set that travels the stage
Jersey Boys is jam packed with more than 30 hits and as you sit back and listen it’s easy to forget just how many top songs this quartet produced over the years.
Throughout the whole show there were people singing along to every word and the audience couldn’t help but tap their feet to the rhythm of the music as it’s so uplifting and infectious. This is a feel good show guaranteed to lift the spirits and well worth a visit or return visit to enjoy its true gloriousness.
In Sunderland until 19 September and on tour around the UK
Brand new production images and teaser released for CLOSE TO YOU, a new musical featuring Burt Bacharach’s songbook, which will make its highly anticipated West End transfer to the Criterion Theatre from 3rd October.
Performed by a young, multi-talented cast led by the visionary musician and performer Kyle Riabko, the show features Riabko’s thrillingly new yet beautifully faithful interpretations of Bacharach’s classics. Blending nostalgia and innovation, generations old and new can now revel in all the hits as if for the very first time. The show redefines the songbook musical by fusing this extraordinary reinterpretation of over 30 timeless Bacharach melodies with innovative choreography, taking the audience on an emotional and exhilarating journey.
Burt Bacharach has given the show his wholehearted and enthusiastic support, exclaiming, “It’s brilliant. Kyle has done something truly unique with my music. I loved it!”
The show, newly renamed CLOSE TO YOU, premiered to critical acclaim and was a smash hit at New York Theatre Workshop, original home of both Once and Rent, becoming the longest running show in the history of that theatre, followed recently by a sold out and highly acclaimed run at The Menier Chocolate Factory.
Directed by Olivier Award winner Steven Hoggett, best known for his iconic movement for such hits as Once, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Black Watch, Riabko leads an incredibly talented group of singers and musicians from both sides of the Atlantic through Bacharach’s greatest hits.
CLOSE TO YOU will make hearts sing and spirits soar with such classics as Alfie, Anyone Who Had a Heart, I Say a Little Prayer, Magic Moments, The Look of Love, Walk on By, Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head, I’ll Never Fall in Love Again, What’s New Pussycat, I Just Don’t Know What to Do with Myself, This Guy’s in Love With You, What the World Needs Now is Love and, of course, Close to You.
The New York Theater Workshop / Menier Chocolate Factory production of CLOSE TO YOU is presented in the West End by David Lane Seltzer for Entertainment 360, the producing arm of Management 360, also responsible for the blockbuster TV series Game of Thrones and the upcoming, highly anticipated Danny Boyle-directed Steve Jobs biopic.
CLOSE TO YOU features Music by Burt Bacharach and Lyrics by Hal David and others, with Musical Arrangements by Kyle Riabko who also conceived the show with Seltzer, and is Directed by Steven Hoggett, with Set Design by Christine Jones and Brett Banakis, Costume Design byMatthew Wright, Lighting Design by Tim Lutkin, and Sound Design by Richard Brooker.
Kyle Riabko will be opening the main stage at OnBlackheath Festival on Saturday 12thSeptember at 1.30pm. Also appearing at the Festival are Elbow and Manic Street Preachers. Tickets are available at: www.OnBlackheath.com.
Festival promoter Harvey Goldsmith said: ‘I caught Kyle in the show and was blown away by his performance. Booking him for the main stage for OnBlackheath made perfect sense. He will make a fantastic addition to the festival line-up’.
Ex-Doctor Who assistant Katy Manning stars in new play Nobody’s Business, directed by John Adams, founding Artistic Director of Paines Plough.
Alongside, Em-Lou Productions present Peter Darney’s 5 Guys Chillin’: a graphic, gripping, funny and frank verbatim drama exposing the gay Chill-Out scene.
