Category: Uncategorized

WICKED, the West End musical that tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz, has announced the opening of its 20th new booking period, on Monday 7th September 2015 at 10.00am, with over 500,000 new tickets going on sale for performances until Saturday 5th November 2016.

“Nine years since it first opened, Wicked still has packed audiences under its spell” (Metro) and, as it flies towards its landmark 10th Anniversary Year, it is set to become the 9th longest-running show in the West End following the final performance of The 39 Steps tomorrow (5 September 2015). Having recently surpassed the run of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),Wicked is also now the 19th longest-running show in West End theatre history. Information verified by The Society of London Theatre.

Acclaimed as “one of the greatest musicals of our time” (Daily Mail) and “one of the West End’s best-loved shows” (OfficialLondonTheatre.com), Wicked has already been seen by nearly 7 million people in London alone and recently played its 3750th performance at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.

Wicked continues to be the top choice of UK theatregoers having won the Olivier Audience Award (twice); the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Night Out; a Visit London Gold Award; and nine What’s On Stage Awards including Best West End Show (twice) and Best Musical. The UK production has also recently been awarded a Certificate of Excellence by Trip Advisor® and is the first ever UK stage production to be Reader Recommended by Good Housekeeping and Cosmopolitan magazines.

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 nearly 12 years at the Gershwin Theatre.

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.

Apollo Victoria Theatre, Wilton Road, London, SW1V 1LG
Official UK website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

Cassidy Janson will join the West End production of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical to play the title role from 30 November 2015. Also joining the cast will beDiane Keen as Genie Klein, King’s mother. Alan Morrissey will continue as King’s husband and song-writing partner Gerry Goffin as well as Lorna Want as song-writer Cynthia Weil, Ian McIntosh as song-writer Barry Mann and Gary Trainor as music publisher and producer Don Kirshner.

The Olivier, Tony and Grammy award-winning Beautiful – The Carole King Musical also announces an extension to the current booking period, having just released over almost 350,000 new tickets taking bookings at the Aldwych Theatre to 26 November 2016.

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical is the untold story of her journey from school girl to superstar; from her relationship with husband and song-writing partner Gerry Goffin, their close friendship and playful rivalry with fellow song-writing duo Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, to her remarkable rise to stardom. Along the way, she became one of the most successful solo acts in music history, and wrote the soundtrack to a generation.

Cassidy Janson was last in the West End playing Ruth in Dessa Rose at the Trafalgar Studios. She has also been seen in Candide andTick Tick Boom for the Menier Chocolate Factory, Blood Wedding at the Courtyard Theatre, Rooms: A Rock Romance at the Finborough, Lend Me a Tenor at the Gielgud Theatre playing the principle role of Maggie, Company at the Southwark Playhouse and played Kate Monster/Lucy the Slut in Avenue Q at the Wyndhams Theatre. Janson was a member of the original London cast of Wicked and played standby Elphaba. On film her credits includeThe Hike, Tail’s End, Day Trip to London, Full Circle and Coma. Janson has recently guested with The Jive Aces performing at Glastonbury and Ronnie Scott’s and her television appearances include Casualty.

Diane Keen starred in the late 70s sitcoms Rings On Their Fingers with Martin Jarvis and You Must be the Husband with Tim Brooke Taylor, both for the BBC. She played the leading role in Foxy Lady and starred opposite David Roper and Lewis Collins in The Cuckoo Waltz, both for Granada. She played Practice Manager Julia Parsons in the BBC daytime soap Doctors from 2003-2012. Her additional television credits include Sandbaggers, September Song, Ruth Rendell Mysteries and Brookside as well as guest appearances in The Professionals, Taggart, Minder, A Touch of Frost, and most recently New Tricks. Her film credits include Sweeney!, Thirteen at Dinner, Silverdream Racer, Judas and Jesus and Nowhere in Africa. As well as a season for the Bristol Old Vic, her theatre credits include tours of Same Time Next Year, Ladybird ,The Vagina Monologues, Small Hand and You’re Never Too Old.

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical is based on the early life and career of legendary singer/ songwriter Carole King and book by Douglas McGrath with words and music by Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil and is directed by Marc Bruni. Choreography is by Josh Prince with set designs by Derek McLane, costume designs by Alejo Viettii, lighting by Peter Kaczorowski and sound by Brian Ronan. Orchestrations and Music Arrangements are by Steve Sidwell.

The cast also includes Gavin Alex, Hannah Jay Allan, Vivien Carter, Dom Hartley Harris, Leo Ihenacho, Matt Nalton, Earl E. Perkins, Jay Perry, Sharon Rose, Tanisha L Spring, Danielle Steers and Joanna Woodward will play iconic musical performers and band members of the era. Ensemble members are Koko Basigara, Ashford Campbell, Matthew Colthart, Rosie Heath and Leigh Lothian. Final casting will be announced shortly.

With a cast of 26 and an orchestra of 12, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical features the Carole King classics including So Far Away, It Might As Well Rain Until September, Take Good Care of my Baby, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, Up on the Roof, Locomotion, One Fine Day, You’ve Got a Friend, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman and I Feel the Earth Move, along with hits like You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling, On Broadway and Uptown from songwriters Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical continues at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre on Broadway and a US tour will commence in September 2015 in Rhode Island. The original Broadway cast recording of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical is available on Ghostlight Records via www.beautifulonbroadway.com/look-listen/music

Producers are Paul Blake, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Jeffrey A. Sine, Richard A. Smith, Mike Bosner, Harriet N. Leve/Elaine Krauss, Terry Schnuck, Orin Wolf, Patty Baker/Good Productions, Roger Faxon, Larry Magid, Kit Seidel, Lawrence S. Toppall, Fakston Productions/Mary Solomon, William Court Cohen, BarLor Productions, Matthew C. Blank, Tim Hogue, Joel Hyatt, Marianne Mills, Michael J. Moritz, Jr., StylesFour Productions, Brunish & Trinchero and Jeremiah J. Harris.

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR

SHEFFIELD THEATRES’ NEW PRODUCTION OF SHOW BOAT

Artistic Director Daniel Evans today announces the full company for his new production of Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II’s musical Show Boat, which sails onto the Crucible stage from Thursday 10 December 2015 until Saturday 16 January 2016.

Spanning 40 pivotal years in American history, this epic musical follows the lives and loves of three generations aboard a show boat as it plies the Mississippi River. One of the most romantic musicals of all time, this lavish new production is directed by Daniel Evans and features classics of musical theatre including Make Believe,Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man, and the landmark Ol’ Man River.

Evans will direct double Oliver Award nominated Michael Xavier (Assassins, Menier Chocolate Factory andThe Pajama Game, Shaftesbury Theatre) as dashing gambler Gaylord Ravenal and West End musical starGina Beck (Wicked – West End and US Tour, Phantom of the Opera – Her Majesty’s, Les Miserables – Queen’s Theatre) as the impressionable Magnolia Hawks who falls for his irresistible charms. They are joined by Lucy Briers (Wolf Hall & Bring Up The Bodies – West End and Broadway) as Parthenia Hawks,Sandra Marvin (City of Angels, Hairspray, Chicago, Kate Bush’s Before Dawn) as Queenie, Emmanuel Kojo (Kiss Me Kate, Scottsboro Boys) as Joe, Rebecca Trehearn (Ghost – UK Tour, City Of Angels) as Julie La Verne and Allan Corduner (Hello Dolly – Regents Park Open Air Theatre, BBC One’s The Musketeers) as Captain Andy Hawks.

The cast will be completed by Ian Carlyle (Charlie), John Coates (Sherrif Ike Vallon), Danny Collins(Frank Schultz), Adam Dutton (Windy), Akintunde Esuruoso (ensemble), Nolan Frederick (Jake), Bob Harms (Steve Baker), Victoria Hinde (ensemble and Dance Captain), Cristina Hoey (ensemble), Linda John-Pierre (ensemble), Linford Johnson (ensemble), Kate Milner-Evans (Mrs O’Brien), Maria Omakinwa (ensemble), Ryan Pidgen  (Pete Gavin ), Kenny Thompson (ensemble), Tosh Wanogho-Maud  (Willy ) and Alex Young (Ellie May Chipley).

Tickets for Show Boat can be purchased from Sheffield Theatres’ Box Office in-person, by phone on 0114 249 6000 or online at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk and are priced from £26.00 (concessions available).  A transaction fee of £1.50 (£1.00 online) applies to all bookings made at the Box Office (excluding cash).

 

Show Boat

Crucible Theatre

Thursday 10 December – Sat 16 January 2016

Press Night: Wednesday 16 December 

Tickets from £26.00, concessions available

Music by Jerome Kern

Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II

Based on the novel by ‘Show Boat’ by Edna Ferber

This Version Originally Produced by Goodspeed Musicals

Michael P. Price, Executive Director

Adapted and Directed by Rob Ruggerio

Presented by special arrangement with R&H Theatricals Europe: www.rnh.com

 

Director  Daniel Evans

Designer  Lez Brotherston

Lighting Designer  David Hersey

Musical Supervisor/Director  David White

Sound Designer  Paul Groothius

Choreographer  Alistair David

Wigs Supervisor  Darren Ware

Casting Director  Jill Green CDG

Modern day treasure hunter Drew Pritchard goes in search of

weird and wonderful objects in…

Salvage Hunters

 

TX: Launches Wednesday 30th September at 9pm on Quest

 

From salvage yards to stately homes, museums to linen mills, even fairground businesses to factories, Drew Pritchard, one of the UK’s leading architectural salvage dealers, returns in a brand new ten-part series to hunt down quirky and unusual antiques to acquire and renovate.

 

Always on the hunt for elusive and rare gems, decorative antique expert Drew’s client list ranges from royalty to Hollywood stars. His track record includes discovering a genuine 10^th Century William Morris collection of stained glass worth over £100,000 – what will he unearth in this series for his team of renovators, wood carvers, upholsters and guilders to restore?

 

The salvage supremo’s antique adventures take him to manor houses across the UK, discovering a design classic in Norfolk that captures his heart; a stunning home in Oxfordshire features a classic exterior hides a quirky interior; a Bristolian mansion visit leads to the discovery of a rare and exciting find and in one of the world’s finest stately homes in Northern Ireland Drew unearths unloved and long forgotten treasures.

 

A thirteen acre reclamation yard in Newcastle offers huge potential as does a two floor antique shop in Edinburgh. A recently closed department store in Uxbridge leads to an almighty antique shopping spree whilst Drew’s knowledge is tested in the world of cycling, motoring, hovercraft and even fairground memorabilia and antiques during his nationwide travels.

 

The series also sees Drew take a trip into Europe in search of Teutonic treasures visiting fairy tale castles to trade with Counts and Barons. But can he persuade his German counterparts to part with their valuable collectibles?

 

Salvage Hunters airs on Quest, Freeview 37, from Wednesday 30th September at 9pm.

 

A LIMITED NUMBER OF £30 TICKETS FOR

ELF THE MUSICAL

AT THE DOMINION THEATRE

ON SALE FROM SUNDAY 6 SEPTEMBER

 

In an unprecedented move, the producers of the smash hit musical ELF, opening at the newly refurbished Dominion Theatre in the heart of London’s West End, have bowed to overwhelming public and social media demand to introduce a more affordable ticket price to broaden the already wide demographic the show is attracting.  The new price brand of £30 for a limited number of tickets through the run becomes available at the Dominion box office by telephone and via the website from Sunday 6 September.

The run, which is limited to 10 weeks only because of its festive content, has seen top price tickets selling first. Recent social and media coverage stating the show had attracted the highest premium price seats ever has meant that the box office quadrupled at its peak during the week commencing 24 August – most of the sales coming from the higher priced tickets.  Nonetheless, the producers acknowledge the show and the West End itself should not exclude families or anyone who cannot afford the higher priced seats, and have therefore used the incredible sales on the higher priced tickets to offset the cost of the new lower priced seats being introduced at all performances, hopefully allaying any concerns that many families would miss out on the festive blockbuster, which previews from 24 October, just before schools break for the autumn half term. The new production, which tried out at Plymouth last year, was built and designed to transfer to the West End. After its sell-out performances last year, it was obvious the musical had a massive public appeal and therefore was confirmed to open at the Dominion Theatre as soon as negotiations were finalised earlier this year.

A charity gala opening night in aid of Alzheimer’s Society will take place on 5 November, when all box office proceeds from that performance will be donated to the charity.  There will be various other fundraising events for Alzheimer’s Society throughout the show’s run at the Dominion, which must end on 2 January 2016.

The cast of ELF at the Dominion Theatre will be led by Ben Forster as Buddy, Kimberley Walsh as Jovie, Joe McGann as Walter Hobbs and Jessica Martin as Emily Hobbs, with Jennie Dale as Deb, Mark McKerracher as Santa and Graham Lappin as Store Manager.  Also in the cast are Katie Bradley, Charlie Bull, Nicola Coates, Alex Fobbester, Anton Fosh, Charlotte Gale, Francis Haugen, Matt Holland, Tash Holway, Paul Hutton, Mark Iles, Ceili O’Connor, Debbie Paul, Joanna Rennie, Barnaby Thompson and Ed White.  Harry Collett, Ilan Galkoff, Noah Key and Ewan Rutherford will alternate the role of Michael.

Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit starring Will Ferrell, ELF is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

ELF features a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), with songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer). The production will feature direction and choreography by Morgan Young (Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), set design and costumes by Olivier Award winner Tim Goodchild, lighting design by Olivier Award winner Tim Lutkin, vocal arrangements by Phil Reno, dance arrangements by David Chase, orchestrations by Doug Besterman, video design by Ian William Galloway and sound design by Clement Rawling.  Musical direction and supervision will be by Stuart Morley.

Michael Rose and U-Live in association with the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin present the Theatre Royal Plymouth production of ELF at the Dominion Theatre, London.

 

LISTINGS INFORMATION

24 October 2015 to 2 January 2016

Dominion Theatre

268-269 Tottenham Court Road

London W1T 7AQ

Performances:  Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm*, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2.30pm**

*7.00pm on Thursday 5 November, no evening performance Thursday 24, Friday 25, Saturday 26, Thursday 31 December & Friday 1 January

**extra 2.30pm matinees on Thursday 29 October, and, in December, on Monday 21st, Tuesday 22nd, Thursday 24th, Monday 28th, Tuesday 29th & Thursday 31st

See website for ticket prices:  www.elfthemusical.co.uk / www.dominiontheatre.com

Box Office:  0845 200 7982

Running Time:  2 hours 25 minutes (including interval)

THE ALMEIDA THEATRE ANNOUNCES
WINTER 2015/16 SEASON

THE ALMEIDA CONTINUES TO REINVIGORATE THE CLASSICS WITH A FRESH TAKE ON TWO OF THE 19TH CENTURY’S GREATEST PLAYWRIGHTS

RICHARD EYRE FOLLOWS HIS CELEBRATED HEDDA GABLER & THE MULTI-AWARD WINNING GHOSTS WITH A NEW TRANSLATION OF IBSEN’S LITTLE EYOLF

AS HIS ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION OF  ORESTEIA TRANSFERS TO THE WEST END, ROBERT ICKE TAKES ON CHEKHOV WITH A NEW VERSION OF UNCLE VANYA

Artistic Director Rupert Goold introduces the new season:

“We follow our Almeida Greeks with a double-header of late nineteenth-century masterpieces by two of the world’s most important and influential playwrights. Written less than five years apart, these plays offer startlingly fresh reflections on our lives and our theatre – and how we can understand them.

First Richard Eyre follows his Hedda Gabler and Ghosts with a new production of Ibsen’s surreal and moving play Little Eyolf. Ibsen’s play is something formally more complex and contemporary than the Victorian naturalism with which he is associated: drawing instead on Norwegian folklore and symbolism, late Ibsen is a stranger, richer playwright than we might expect.

Chekhov hasn’t been performed at the Almeida in over a decade, and though Uncle Vanya was written less than five years after Little Eyolf, its focus on the minutiae of human lives never seems less than surprisingly modern. As his masterful Oresteia transfers to the West End, I’m thrilled that our Associate Director, Robert Icke, will be taking on Chekhov for the first time at the Almeida.”

THE SEASON…

LITTLE EYOLF

Henrik Ibsen
a new version created by Richard Eyre

19 November 2015 – 9 January 2016
Press Night 26 November 7pm

Completing a trilogy of revelatory Ibsens, Richard Eyre returns to the Almeida Theatre with a new version of Little Eyolf.   Jolyon Coy and Lydia Leonard lead a cast which also includes Sam Hazeldine, Eve Ponsonby and Eileen Walsh.

Adapted and directed by Eyre, Little Eyolf follows the success of Ghosts and Hedda Gabler which he also adapted and directed.  Hedda Gabler won great acclaim at the Almeida in 2005 before transferring to the Duke of York’s Theatre in the West End.  Ghosts opened at the Almeida in 2013, transferred to the Trafalgar Studios in the West End and won three Olivier awards including Best Revival.  The production enjoyed a successful run at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York earlier this year.

How is a life well-lived?  Alfred Allmers comes home to his wife, Rita, and makes a decision. Casting aside his writing, he dedicates himself to raising his son.  But one event is about to change his life forever.

Ibsen’s Little Eyolf is a forensic examination of a marriage as it explosively falls apart.

Design is by Tim Hatley with light by Peter Mumford, sound by John Leonard and video by Jon Driscoll. Casting is by Cara Beckinsale.

Richard Eyre’s credits at the Almeida include The Dark Earth and the Light Sky, The Judas Kiss – his first production after leaving the National Theatre where he was Director from 1988 until 1997 –The Novice, Hedda Gabler and Ghosts.  His recent stage credits include The Pajama Game(Chichester Festival Theatre and West End), Quartermaine’s Terms and Stephen Ward The Musical (both West End), Vincent in Brixton and The Reporter (both National Theatre), The Crucible andPrivate Lives (both Broadway) and Mary Poppins (West End, Broadway and upcoming UK Tour).  For television his work includes Changing Stages – a BBC Series on the history of theatre in the 20th century, which he co-wrote with Nicholas Wright and presented – and the BAFTA award-winningTumbledown.  Eyre directed the critically-acclaimed Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, part of The Hollow Crownseason shown on BBC 2, as well as the upcoming screenplay adaptation of The Dresser starring Anthony Hopkins and Ian McKellen, soon to be broadcast by the BBC.  His film credits include Iris, Stage Beauty, Notes on a Scandal and The Other Man.

Jolyon Coy previously worked with Richard Eyre on the BBC’s critically-acclaimed Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, part of The Hollow Crown season.  Previous theatre credits include Creditors (Young Vic), Holy Warriors and Anthony and Cleopatra (both Shakespeare’s Globe), Wendy and Peter Pan (RSC), Our Boys (West End) and Posh (Royal Court and West End). On television, Jolyon’s credits include Mr Selfridge and the BBC’s upcoming War and Peace. His film credits include Disney’s upcomingBeauty and the Beast, Testament of Youth, The Fifth Estate and The Deep Blue Sea.

Lydia Leonard most recently appeared on stage in Wolf Hall & Bring Up the Bodies (RSC, West End and Broadway) earning a Tony Award nomination for her performance as Anne Boleyn. Other theatre credits include Onassis (West End), Electra (Young Vic), Time and the Conways (National Theatre) and Frost/Nixon (Donmar Warehouse and West End). Her television credits include the recent Life in Squares, Ambassadors, Spooks, Whitechapel and Law and Order. On film, Lydia has appeared in The Fifth Estate, Born of War and Archipelago.

UNCLE VANYA
Anton Chekhov
in a new version by Robert Icke

5 February – 26 March 2016
Press Night 12 February 7pm

Following his bold reimagining of Oresteia, currently running in the West End, Almeida Associate Director Robert Icke directs a new production of Chekhov’s greatest play. Paul Rhys makes his Almeida debut in the title role.

Things your life could be:
(1) a farce. (2) a tragedy. (3) pointless. (4) all of the above.

Things you could do about it:
(1) keep living. (2) stop living. (3) stop someone else living. (4) nothing.

Even so, what has your life been worth?

Chekhov’s late masterpiece examines human behaviour in all of its beautiful, terrible, laughable contradiction.

Robert Icke is Associate Director of the Almeida where he most recently directed The Fever, Mr Burns and Oresteia, which is currently running in the West End at the Trafalgar Studios. Other Almeida credits include 1984, a co-production with Headlong and Nottingham Playhouse co-created with Duncan Macmillan, for which he won the 2014 UK Theatre Award.  1984 is currently running at the Playhouse Theatre in the West End, having already enjoyed one successful West End run and two UK tours. Robert was previously Associate Director at Headlong.

Paul Rhys won the Critics’ Circle Award for Best Performance in a Shakespearean Role for the Complicite and National Theatre co-production of Measure for Measure. His work at the National Theatre also includes The Invention of Love and King Lear (for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor). Further stage credits include The Master and Margarita (Barbican Theatre), Hamlet and Long Day’s Journey Into Night (both Young Vic) and Design for Living (Donmar Warehouse). Recent television credits include Casanova, The Assets, Borgia, Being Human, The Queen and Spooks.  On film, Paul has appeared in Deader, The 10 Commandments, Food of Love,From Hell and Chaplin.

Tickets for the new productions will first go on sale to Almeida Members on Tuesday 8 September and to the public on Tuesday 15 September. Box Office: 020 7359 4404 (10am – 7.30pm) Online: almeida.co.uk

NOW AT THE ALMEIDA…

BAKKHAI
Euripides

a new version by Anne Carson
directed by James Macdonald

Until 19 September

James Macdonald directs Anne Carson’s new version of Euripides’ hedonistic, visceral tragedy.  Using three actors and a chorus, this new production echoes the original Ancient Greek performance model.

The cast includes Bertie Carvel, Amiera Darwish, Aruhan Galieva, Eugenia Georgieva, Kaisa Hammarlund, Kevin Harvey, Helen Hobson, Hazel Holder, Melanie La Barrie, Elinor Lawless, Catherine May, Belinda Sykes and Ben Whishaw.

Pentheus has banned the wild, ritualistic worship of the god Dionysos. A stranger arrives to persuade him to change his mind.  Euripides’ electrifying tragedy is a struggle to the death between freedom and restraint, the rational and the irrational, man and god.

Design is by Antony McDonald, with light by Peter Mumford, sound by Paul Arditti, composition byOrlando Gough and musical direction by Lindy Tennent-Brown. Choreography is by Jonathan Burrows and Gillie Kleiman. Casting is by Anne McNulty CDG.

NEXT AT THE ALMEIDA…

MEDEA
Euripides
a new version by Rachel Cusk
directed by Rupert Goold

25 September – 14 November 2015
Press Night 1 October, 7pm

Rupert Goold will direct Euripides’ masterpiece, as one of world drama’s most infamous characters is brought to life in a new version by controversial feminist writer Rachel Cusk.

The cast will include Michele Austin, Guillarmo Bedward, Sarah Belcher, Amanda Boxer,Richard Cant, Ruth Everett, Kate Fleetwood, Georgina Lamb, Emily Mytton, Charlotte Randle, Lukas Rolfe, Justin Salinger, Louis Sayers, Sam Smith, Xavier Moras Spencer, Andy de la Tour and Joseph West.

Medea’s marriage is breaking up. And so is everything else. Testing the limits of revenge and liberty, Euripides’ seminal play cuts to the heart of gender politics and asks what it means to be a woman and a wife.

Design is by Ian MacNeil, costume by Holly Waddington, composition and sound by Adam Corkand choreography by Scott Ambler. Casting is by Julia Horan CDG.

AND ELSEWHERE…

ORESTEIA

Aeschylus
a new version created by Robert Icke

Trafalgar Studios
Until 7 November 2015

The Almeida Theatre’s critically acclaimed, sold out production of Oresteia, by Aeschylus, re-imagined for the modern stage by Almeida Associate Director Robert Icke (The Fever, Mr Burns, 1984) is currently running at the Trafalgar Studios in the West End until 5 September.

Oresteia was acclaimed during its Almeida run as one of the theatre events of the year so far. The contemporary relevance and prescience of the classic piece is brought sharply to life in Icke’s bold and immediate production.

The cast at the Trafalgar Studios will include original cast members Lorna Brown, Jessica Brown Findlay, Annie Firbank, Joshua Higgott, Luke Thompson, Lia Williams, Angus Wright and Hara Yannas.

Oresteia is directed by Robert Icke, designed by Hildegard Bechtler, with light by Natasha Chivers, sound by Tom Gibbons and video by Tim Reid. Casting is by Julia Horan CDG.

The transfer of Oresteia is produced by Almeida Theatre, Sonia Friedman Productions and Ambassador Theatre Group.

KING CHARLES III
A new play by Mike Bartlett
Directed by Rupert Goold with Whitney Mosery

UK Tour
From 4 September 2015

Following critically acclaimed sell-out runs at the Almeida Theatre and in the West End, King Charles III embarks on a UK tour this autumn. Robert Powell takes on the role of King Charles.  The company will also include Penelope Beaumont, Jennifer Bryden, Richard Glaves, Dominic Jephcott, Lucy Phelps, Ben Righton, Giles Taylor, Parth Thakerar, Tim Treloar, Beatrice Walker and Paul Westwood.

Written by Mike Bartlett  and directed by Rupert Goold with Whitney Mosery, King Charles III is designed by Tom Scutt, with music composed by Jocelyn Pook, lighting by Jon Clark and sound by Paul Arditti.

King Charles III opens at Birmingham Repertory Theatre and then visits Richmond Theatre, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Nottingham Theatre Royal, Milton Keynes Theatre, Cambridge Arts Theatre, Canterbury Marlowe Theatre, Malvern Festival Theatre, Guildford Yvonne Arnaud, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Bath Theatre Royal, Chichester Festival Theatre and Plymouth Theatre Royal.

The King Charles III tour is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Stuart Thompson Productions, Tulchin Bartner Productions, Charles Diamond and the Almeida Theatre in association with Birmingham Repertory Theatre and by arrangement with Lee Dean.

KING CHARLES III
A new play by Mike Bartlett
Directed by Rupert Goold 

Music Box Theatre, New York
From 10 October 2015

King Charles III opens on Broadway this October at the Music Box Theatre. Tim Pigott-Smith will reprise the role of Charles as performed at the Almeida Theatre and in the West End, alongsideOliver Chris, Richard Goulding, Adam James, Margot Leicester, Miles Richardson, Tom Robertson, Sally Scott, Tafline Steen and Lydia Wilson.

Written by Mike Bartlett and directed by Rupert Goold, King Charles III is designed by Tom Scutt, with music composed by Jocelyn Pook, lighting by Jon Clark and sound by Paul Arditti.

King Charles III is produced on Broadway by Sonia Friedman Productions and Stuart Thompson Productions.

KING CHARLES III
A new play by Mike Bartlett
Directed by Rupert Goold with Whitney Mosery 

Roslyn Packer Theatre, Sydney
From 31 March 2016

King Charles III opens in Sydney in March 2016 at the Roslyn Packer Theatre. Robert Powell will reprise the role of Charles as performed on the UK Tour.

Written by Mike Bartlett and directed by Rupert Goold with Whitney Mosery, King Charles III is designed by Tom Scutt, with music composed by Jocelyn Pook, lighting by Jon Clark and sound by Paul Arditti.

King Charles III is co-produced in Sydney by Sonia Friedman Productions, Stuart Thompson Productions, Tulchin Bartner Productions, Charles Diamond and the Almeida Theatre in association with Birmingham Repertory and by arrangement with Lee Dean.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Until 19 September 2015
BAKKHAI
Euripides
a new version by Anne Carson
directed by James Macdonald
25 September – 14 November 2015

MEDEA
Euripides
a new version by Rachel Cusk
directed by Rupert Goold
Press Night 1 October, 7pm

19 November 2015 – 9 January 2016
LITTLE EYOLF
Henrik Ibsen
a new version created by Richard Eyre
Press Night 26 November, 7pm

5 February – 26 March 2016
UNCLE VANYA
Anton Chekhov
a new version by Robert Icke
Press Night 12 February, 7pm

Address           Almeida Theatre, Almeida Street, London, N1 1TA

Café Bar          The Almeida Café Bar is open from 11.30am -11.00pm, Monday to Saturday

Box Office       Phone 020 7359 4404 (10am – 7.30pm Monday – Saturday)
                         Online almeida.co.uk
                         In person 10am – 7.30pm, Monday – Saturday (10am – 8pm until 14 November)

Bakkhai performances Monday – Saturday at 8pm
Saturday matinees at 3pm
Wednesday matinee at 3pm on 9 September

Medea performances Monday – Saturday at 8pm

Saturday matinees at 3pm from 3 October
Wednesday matinees at 3pm on 14, 21 & 28 October, 4 November

Little Eyolf performances Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm
Saturday matinees at 2.30pm from 5 December
Wednesday matinees at 2.30pm on 2, 9 & 16 December
Christmas Matinee at 2.30pm on Monday 28 December

Uncle Vanya performances Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm
Saturday matinees at 2.30pm from 20 February
Wednesday matinees at 2.30pm on 17 & 24 February, 2 March

Website           almeida.co.uk

Twitter            @AlmeidaTheatre

Facebook        facebook.com/almeidatheatre

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Access                         Bakkhai Audio Described performance by VocalEyes Saturday 5 September at 3pm, Touch Tour 1.15pm and Friday 11 September at 8pm, Touch Tour 6.15pm.

                        Bakkhai Captioned performance Friday 4 September at 8pm

                        Medea Audio Described performance by VocalEyes Saturday 24 October at 3pm, Touch Tour 1.15pm and Monday 2 November at 8pm, Touch Tour 6.30pm.

                        Medea Captioned performance Monday 26 October at 8pm

                        Little Eyolf Audio Described performance by VocalEyes Saturday 12 December at 2.30pm, Touch Tour 12.45pm and Tuesday 22 December at 7.30pm, Touch Tour 6pm

                        Little Eyolf Captioned performance Friday 11 December

                        Uncle Vanya Audio Described performance by VocalEyes Saturday 12 March at 2.30pm, Touch Tour 12.45pm and Friday 18 March at 7.30pm, Touch Tour 6pm.

                           Uncle Vanya Captioned performance Monday 7 March

Talkback          Post-show discussion with members of the company
                         Free to same day ticket holders
                         Medea Monday 26 October
                         Little Eyolf Monday 21 December
                         Uncle Vanya Monday 7 March

ALMEIDA GREEKS FESTIVAL EVENTS STILL TO COME…

PROAGON: DISCUSSION & DEBATE
“Leave no stone unturned” – Euripides

OEDIPUS EXPLORED
When Sun 6 Sep 3 – 7pm
Where Almeida Theatre
Tickets £15 (£13 concs)
Director Bijan Sheibani (Almeida Theatre, National Theatre, Donmar Warehouse) unpacks the infamous Greek complex. The day will explore where art and psychoanalysis meet, culminating in a reading of the text. Among others, Bijan will be joined by Professor Edith Hall, Department of Classics and Centre for Hellenic Studies at King’s College London.

FROM MEDEA TO MUMSNET
When Thu 15 Oct 6pm
Where Almeida Theatre
Tickets £7 (£5 concs)
“They f*** you up, your mum and dad.” – Philip Larkin
Which is more inviolable—the love between the makers of children or their love for those children? Can you love too much? Do women and men love differently? Is becoming a parent the beginning or end of bravery? As Rachel Cusk reimagines Medea for our stage, she joins this Almeida Questions panel to examine why Medea is such an incendiary figure and what her story asks of contemporary feminism.

FROM ARISTOTLE TO ALBERT SQUARE
When Thu 22 Oct 6pm
Where Almeida Theatre
Tickets £7 (£5 concs)
“Tragedy is like strong acid—it dissolves away all but the very gold of truth.” – D. H. Lawrence
We refer to everything from environmental disaster to sporting failure as a tragedy, but what does it really mean when we use this most disputed word? From Aristotle to Wagner, the idea of tragedy with its mighty action, its awesome pity and its cleansing catharsis, has been the pinnacle of artistic endeavour. What does tragedy, in theory and in life, have to say to us now? This panel will be led by Charlotte Higgins, Guardian chief culture writer and author of It’s All Greek to Me.

DIONYSOS: MUSIC, LIVE ART AND CELEBRATION
“Call upon loud-roaring and revelling Dionysos.” – Orphic Hymn

DICKIE BEAU: MASKING TAPES
When Fri 11 Sept 10.30pm
Where Almeida Theatre
Tickets £15 (£13 concs)
Award-winning drag fabulist and lip-synch maestro Dickie Beau has made his name channelling the voices of others. From a lecture by Peter Sellars to creating LOST in TRANS based on Narcissus and Echo and the responses to that show, Dickie discovered a profound link between his own artistic investigations and the origins of theatre. In this never-before-seen performance ‘lecture’, Dickie shares the story of why he became inspired by the Greek canon and how lip-syncing became his Greek mask.

ORLANDO GOUGH: THAT FEELING
When Sun 13 Sep 4 – 8pm
Where Almeida Theatre
Tickets £25 (£20 concs)
In the spirit of Dionysos, Bakkhai composer Orlando Gough and members of the Bakkhai chorus take over the building for an eclectic day of musical Dionysia. Rising star of Greek folk music Rebetiko, Çiğdem Aslan leads the line-up with wine and feasting to complete the full festival feel.

EARLY OPERA COMPANY: MÉDÉE FURIEUSE
When Sun 4 Oct 7.30pm
Where Almeida Theatre
Tickets £30 (£27 concs)
Throughout history the story of Medea has fascinated composers, never more so than in France in the 17th and 18th centuries. The acclaimed, Olivier-Award nominated Early Opera Company and Christian Curnyn are joined by mezzo-soprano Ciara Hendrick with exerts from Bernier ‘Médée’ and  Charpentier’s magnificent opera of the same name. Join the EOC ensemble of strings, lute and harpsichord on our operatic journey through the French Baroque, taking on this most dangerous of divas.

THE COMEDIES
“Comedy too can sometimes discern what is right. I shall not please, but I shall say what is true.”
– Aristophanes

WASPS
When Fri 18 Sept 5.30pm & Sat 19 Sept 10.30am
Where Almeida Theatre
Tickets £7 (£5 concs)
Director and Guardian journalist Fiona Laird premieres her adaption of Aristophanes’ Wasps.

LYSISTRATA
When Fri 16 Oct 5.30pm & Sat 17 Oct 10.30am
Where Almeida Theatre
Tickets All tickets £7 (£5 concs)
Ramin Gray (ATC Theatre, RSC, Hampstead Theatre) directs a new version of Lysistrata by Richard Bean. In association with Actors’ Touring Company.

LOCAL TEENAGERS TO STAR IN

GARY BARLOW AND TIM FIRTH’S NEW MUSICAL

THE GIRLS

WORLD PREMIERE AT LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

BASED ON THE HUGELY SUCCESSFUL FILM & AWARD-WINNING STAGE PLAY

CALENDAR GIRLS

 

After auditioning over a thousand young people, Gary Barlow and Tim Firth, the creators of the new British musical, THE GIRLS, based on the true story, the film and award-winning play by Tim Firth, Calendar Girls, have finally found their three stars-to-be.  Gary and Tim said, “We knew there was talent ‘up North’, we just didn’t realise how difficult it would be to choose from such a wealth of it.”  We’re delighted to announce that, to play the parts of Danny and Tommo, two Yorkshire lads, will be Ben Hunter and Josh Benson.  Ben is 17 and from Hull.  Josh is 18 and from York.  To play the part of Jenny, the Lancashire girl who moves to Yorkshire and falls in love, is 17 year-old Chloe May Jackson from Blackburn.

Tim Firth went on to say, “This musical is about life in the village, so I very much wanted to include the affect the calendar had on everybody – the characters of Danny and Tommo are sons of two of the Calendar Girls, whereas the character Jenny is the mystery teenager who turns up out of nowhere and affects the boys in her own particular way.”

Since being offered their roles, Ben, Josh and Chloe have been working extensively in London with Barbara Houseman.  It was Barbara who was responsible for training Daniel Radcliffe when he made his stage debut in London’s West End in Equus.

THE GIRLS is inspired by the true story of a group of ladies, who decide to appear nude for a Women’s Institute calendar in order to raise funds to buy a settee for their local hospital, in memory of one of their husbands.  This musical comedy shows life in their Yorkshire village, how it happened, the effect on husbands, sons and daughters, and how a group of ordinary ladies achieved something extraordinary.

 

The world premiere of THE GIRLS is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Saturday 14^th November to Saturday 12^th December

 

Tickets are on sale now priced from £10 to £45

 

Book online at leedsgrandtheatre.com or call box office on 0844 848 2700

THE GIRLS will be directed by Roger Haines and Tim Firth, designed by Robert Jones, with comedy staging by Jos Houben, lighting design by Tim Lutkin and sound design by Terry Jardine and Nick Lidster.

Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research will receive monies from this musical.

THE GIRLS will be produced by David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers and The Shubert Organization.

Website               www.thegirlsmusical.com

Twitter                 @thegirlsmusical

#TheGirlsMusical

Facebook            www.facebook.com/TheGirlsMusical

Instagram            https://instagram.com/TheGirlsMusical/

YouTube              https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrIMklGrxYas5OSgVkSSEZQ

A favourite among young readers, Jacqueline Wilson’s Hetty Feather is now set to captivate children at Newcastle Theatre Royal when the heart-warming story is brought to life in a production packed with acrobatics, circus skills, live music and song.

 

After a sell-out, critically acclaimed West End run in 2014, this Olivier Award nominated production of Hetty Feather comes to the Theatre Royal from 8 – 11 October, as part of a major national tour.

 

Phoebe Thomas reprises the role of Hetty Feather in this tale that sees Hetty escape from the Foundling Hospital and the terrifying Matron Stinking Bottomly and encounter a world of adventure including Tanglefields Travelling Circus and the scary streets of Victorian London in her quest to find her real mother and a true family of her own.

 

Author of the original Hetty Feather book, Jacqueline Wilson, said: “I am so thrilled that Hetty Feather has become a stage play! I’ve written exactly one hundred books but Hetty Feather is my number one favourite character and I’m delighted that she will be back on stage again.

“The team behind the production have done a magnificent job bringing the book to life and I’m so pleased that the forthcoming tour will allow even more people to see this wonderful show.”

 

And Jacqueline Wilson will be paying a visit to Newcastle Theatre Royal herself on Thursday 8 October, when she will be talking about her bestselling books and characters, from Tracy Beaker to Hetty Feather, as she launches her latest Hetty Feather novelLittle Stars. (This event is ticketed separately to the show).

 

Hetty Feather is published by Random House, and the first in a trilogy of books which includes Sapphire Battersea and Emerald Star – the series has been hugely successful not just in the UK, but also internationally. It is currently being adapted as a new 10 part television series for CBBC, due to be aired later this year.

Jacqueline Wilson is one of Britain’s most popular authors, selling over 38 million books in the UK alone. Her most successful and enduring creation is the Tracy Beaker series, which has also been adapted for television and scenes for which were filmed at locations across the North East. In 2002 she was awarded the OBE for services to literacy in schools and in 2008 she became Dame Jacqueline Wilson. In the same year she became the Foundling Museum’s first Coram Foundling Fellow. From 2005 to 2007 she was the Children’s Laureate. Her 100th book Opal Plumstead was published last year.

 

The production team for Hetty Feather includes Emma Reeves (playwright) who has worked with Wilson on a number of projects, most notably writing the television adaptations for the Tracy Beaker series. Producer Sally Cookson is an Associate Artist at Bristol Old Vic, where her productions have included Jane Eyre (transferring to the National Theatre later this year) and her on-going collaboration with Travelling Light Theatre has resulted in her directing over ten productions for the company, including the Olivier Award nominated Cinderella, Boing!

 

Designs are by Katie Sykes, original music and score by Benji Bower with additional composition by Seamas H Carey and Luke Potter, aerial direction by Gwen Hales, lighting design by Aideen Malone, and sound design by Leigh Davies.

 

Hetty Feather appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Thursday 8 – Sunday 11 October 2015. Tickets from £11 (pay 50p less per ticket when you book online). Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge) or book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk.

CLOSE TO YOU
Bacharach Reimagined

CLOSE TO YOU, a new musical featuring Burt Bacharach’s songbook, makes its highly anticipated West End transfer to the Criterion Theatre from 3rd October. Tickets go on sale on Friday 4th September at 10am.

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’.

LISTINGS

CLOSE TO YOU
Bacharach Reimagined

Venue:         Criterion Theatre
Address:       2 Jermyn St, London SW1Y 4XA
Dates:          3 October – 10 January, 2016
Press Night:  15 October at 7pm
Times:          Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat at 7.30pm; Wed, Sat at 3pm; Sun at 2.30pm & 6pm
Box Office:   0844 847 1778
Website:       CloseToYouLondon.com
Facebook:    /CloseToYouLDN
Twitter:       @CloseToYouLDN

The Jewish Legends – Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate 1st – 12th September.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

The Jewish Legends returns to Highgate following a successful run in March – along with most of the audience! As I sat down I was assured by the ladies in front of me that I would love the show and would want to see it again, just like them.

Joanna Lee, Molly Marie Walsh, Martin Neely and Martin Milnes perform a selection of songs made famous by eight Jewish legends: Al Jolson, Sophie Tucker, Fanny Brice, Groucho Marx, Zero Mostel, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler and Burt Bacharach.

In between, and often during, the songs, stories of each performer’s Jewish background, personal life (usually chaotic) and career ups and downs are shared with the audience, along with some fantastic one-liners. Writer Chris Burgess has created a musical version of QI – interesting facts, corny jokes and uplifting music coming together to form a wonderful evening’s entertainment.

Neely and Mills are energetic and playful in their routines – “Lydia the tattooed lady” had some moves that even my dad wouldn’t attempt in public. Lee and Walsh are passionate and flirty, especially singing Sophie Tucker numbers. Lee’s “My Yiddishe Mama” was especially moving.

The humour and energy of Bette Midler’s songs is infectious. “The Rose” is a standout number with Lee’s and Walsh’s voices blending hypnotically.

My only gripe is about the Streisand section – classic songs sung brilliantly and then… Yentl. I know some people love that film, but I’ve never met any of them. Knowing that Yentl is showbiz Marmite, a comedy ending is cleverly signposted when Marsh begins “A piece of sky”, making me feel less guilty when I giggled at the ‘Papa can you hear me?’ part.

Both acts build to big endings. Act one has a superb “Fiddler on the Roof” medley which showcases the vocal talents of the cast superbly. The Burt Bacharach finale is lots of fun. The cast’s voices are perfect for all the whoa whoa harmonies and it’s hard to tell who’s having more fun, them or the audience. It gets a little emotional when Cilla Black’s big hits are performed, but once “What’s new pussycat?” has started you are riding a wave of nostalgia and pure enjoyment.

The wise ladies in the audience were right! The Jewish Legends has the perfect mix of chutzpah and schmaltz to leave you smiling and singing all night.