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The greatest family musical of all time – The Sound of Music is returning to Newcastle Theatre Royal in September to celebrate the Hollywood film’s 50^th anniversary, so prepare to head for the hills and get ready for one of your favourite things! Running from 1 – 12 September 2015.

Based on the story of the Trapp Family Singers and Baroness Maria von Trapp’s 1949 autobiography, The Sound of Music tells the true story of the world-famous singing family, from their romantic beginnings and search for happiness, to their thrilling escape to freedom as their beloved Austria becomes part of the Third Reich at the start of WWII.

Created as a Broadway musical in 1959 by Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, the unforgettable score features some of the most memorable songs ever performed on stage, including ‘Edelweiss’, ‘My Favorite Things’, ‘Do-Re-Mi’, ‘Climb Ev’ry Mountain’, ‘So Long, Farewell’ and of course, the title song, ‘The Sound of Music’. The musical was adapted into a multi academy-award winning film released in 1965 starring Julie Andrews.  It was an instant hit and went on to break Box Office records in 29 countries, becoming the most successful movie musical in history.

Playing the iconic role of Maria von Trapp in this new production is Danielle Hope, who captured the hearts of the country when she won BBC Television’s Over the Rainbow and made her professional debut as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium. Danielle has since played Eponine in Les Misérables in London’s West End and Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

The role of Captain von Trapp is played by much-loved stage and television star Steven Houghton. Well-known for his longstanding television roles in Coronation Street and London’s Burning, Olivier-Award nominated actor Steven has taken on leading roles in Spend Spend Spend, Blood Brothers, White Christmas, Martin Guerre and Grease.

This wonderfully lavish new staging of the classic musical is produced by Bill Kenwright, directed by Martin Connor, choreographed by Olivier Award winner Bill Deamer and with musical direction by David Steadman. Presented by special arrangement with R&H Theatricals Europe.

Click here to watch the trailer.

The Sound of Music is at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tues 1 until Sat 12 September 2015, playing evenings at 7.30pm, matinees on Wed 2pm (2 Sept only), Thu 2pm and Sat 2.30pm. Tickets from £14.50 (save 50p per ticket online), children £5 off all performances (restrictions apply). Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (all calls are charged at 7p a minute plus your phone company’s access charge, calls from mobiles may vary, please contact your operator for details) or book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Priscilla Queen of the Desert – Sunderland Empire Theatre

September 2, 2015 

For: West End Wilma 

https://www.westendwilma.com/priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-sunderland-empire-theatre/

Priscilla motored in to Sunderland this week with quite an unexpected bang.

Starring Duncan James as disillusioned drag queen Tick (Mitzi), Priscilla (the bus) takes Tick from Sydney to Alice Springs at the request of his estranged wife Marion (Naomi Slights) to meet his 6 year old son Benji (Cameron Lant and Christian Odell-Lowery sharing the role). Tick takes with him recently widowed transexual Bernadette (Simon Green) and fellow drag artist Adam (Felicia) played by Adam Bailey. Picking up mechanic Bob (Philip Childs) along the way.

You know you are in for a fun time when the warning at the beginning of the show tells you take off your wig so the people behind can see. And fun it is, with dancing diva’s descending from the heavens, a myriad of colourful costumes (designed by Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner) and a cheesefest of songs played by the band led by Matthew J Loughran.

Priscilla (the bus) is much more substantial than previous incarnations on the tour but unfortunately for us the motor caused mechanical mayhem and refused to join in during the second half. However, a non working bus didn’t completely spoil the show.

The lack of scenery is a challenge in this show. The vast Australian desert is either a blue background or red curtains and whilst it sets off the array of colourful costumes it doesn’t give any geography to the tale. Equally spoilt in comparison to the film is what should be the awesome Sempre Libera, in the film sung on the back of the bus in a haze of silver, now on a giant sparkly shoe in a piece that no longer makes sense in the tale.

Duncan James is surprisingly good in the role, his Australian accent never wavers and his doubts and worries about the trip make him human beneath the make-up. Another bonus is that he looks good whether in jeans, one piece swimming costume, ball gown or just his tiny y-fronts! Green and Bailey are also a delight to watch, with the former stealing the show and limelight from the other two leads on many an occasion.

Whilst full of glitz and glam, feathers and sequins, at the heart of the show is story of overcoming prejudices whether it be their own or from rednecks and hillbillies they encounter on their travels. And a tale of love; Tick and the love he has for his son, the blossoming romance between Bob and Bernadette and Adam learning to love himself for who and what he is.

Packed with well known numbers like I Will Survive, It’s Raining Men, Don’t Leave Me That Way, Go West and Hot Stuff, you can’t help but tap your feet. But it’s the Pat Benatar classic We Belong that steals the show for me. Showing in one song how to overcome everything life throws at you, it is the rightful final showstopper.

Priscilla is a show to see with your friends on a fun evening out, it doesn’t take itself seriously and neither should you. Its camp and kitsch and feel good from the first spin of the glitterball to the last.

CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR

TONY AWARD-WINNING BROADWAY MUSICAL

IN THE HEIGHTS

RETURNING TO LONDON AT KING’S CROSS THEATRE

FOLLOWING A SELL-OUT RUN AT SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE

Full casting is announced today for Tony Award-winning Broadway musical In The Heights, which returns to London in October following a critically acclaimed sell-out UK premiere at Southwark Playhouse in 2014. The production will transfer to King’s Cross Theatre on 3rd October 2015 and is booking for a limited four week period until 1st November 2015.

Reprising their roles following the run at Southwark Playhouse are David Bedella as Kevin, Josie Benson as Camila, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt as Daniela, Sam Mackay as Usnavi, Sarah Naudi as Carla and Eve Polycarpou as Abuela. They are joined by Jade Ewen as Vanessa, Lily Frazer as Nina, Antoine Murray-Straughan as Graffiti Pete, Joe Aaron Reid as Benny and Cleve September as Sonny. The cast also includes Jocasta Almgill, Courtney-Mae Briggs, Michael Cortez, Gabriela Garcia, Reiss Hinds, Alexandra Sarmiento and Spin.

David Bedella will reprise his performance as Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Show when it returns to the West End in September. David is also known for his Olivier Award winning performance as Satan in Jerry Springer the Opera (National Theatre), with other credits including Sweeney Todd (Twickenham Theatre), Putting It Together (St James Theatre), Road Show (Menier Chocolate Factory) and Chicago (Cambridge Theatre).

Josie Benson’s theatre credits include Sweeney Todd (Chichester Festival Theatre and Adelphi Theatre), The Cradle Will Rock (Arcola Theatre), Porgy and Bess (Savoy Theatre) and The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre).

Victoria Hamilton-Barritt previously starred as Diana in the revival Broadway production of A Chorus Line at the London Palladium, with other credits including Gypsy Rose Lee in Gypsy (Leicester Curve), Alex in Flashdance (Shaftesbury Theatre) and Rizzo in Grease (Piccadilly Theatre).

Sam Mackay’s recent stage credits include Wonder.Land (Manchester International Festival), 5,6,7,8 (Royal Court), Flashdance (Shaftesbury Theatre) and Mamma Mia! (Prince of Wales Theatre). Television credits include Game of Thrones for HBO.

Sarah Naudi has film credits including By The Sea directed by Angelina Jolie, which is due for release later this year. Television credits include Casanova for Amazon Studios.

Eve Polycarpou’s theatre credits include Mother Courage and Her Children (Manchester Library Theatre Company), The Bacchae and Palace of the End (Manchester Royal Exchange), and Threepenny Opera (National Theatre).

Jade Ewen is widely recognised as one third of the multi-million selling pop group Sugababes. Since joining the band in 2009, Jade has toured extensively around the world and had numerous international and UK hits. Jade originally came to prominence in 2009, representing the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s song It’s My Time. More recently, Jade has been seen on stage as Clara in Porgy and Bess at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, and Dee Dee in the 2014 UK Tour of Tonight’s The Night.

Lily Frazer’s recent theatre credits include Demeter in the UK Tour of Cats, the Jesus Christ Superstar Arena Tour and Les Misérables in the West End. Television includes Suzy in E4 series Drifters.

Antoine Murray-Straughan played Rum Tum Tugger in the recent West End revival of Cats at the London Palladium. Other credits include the Jesus Christ Superstar Arena Tour and Britain’s Got Talent.

Joe Aaron Reid’s many Broadway credits include If/Then, Ghost, Catch Me if You Can and Chicago, with regional US credits including On The Town (5th Avenue Theater), Ragtime (Paper Mill Playhouse) and Finian’s Rainbow (City Center Encores). Television credits include NBC’s Smash.

Cleve September recently graduated from Mountview Academy where credits include Curtains, Parade and Fiddler on the Roof. Other work includes Elaine Paige’s 50th Anniversary Tour at the Royal Albert Hall and The Last Days of Troy at the Globe Theatre.

Watch the cast announcement trailer: http://youtu.be/371kkXIUNRo

In The Heights is an uplifting and exhilarating journey into Washington Heights, one of Manhattan’s most vibrant communities – a place where the coffee is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggle can be deciding which traditions to take with you, and which ones to leave behind. With a gripping story and unforgettable Latin and hip-hop infused score, In The Heights is a ground-breaking contemporary musical about what it takes to make a living, what it costs to have a dream, and what it means to be home.

In The Heights opened at Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theatre in 2008 where it was nominated for thirteen Tony Awards, winning four for Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations. It also won the 2009 Grammy Award for its Original Broadway Cast Album and was nominated for the 2009 Pulitzer Prize in Drama.

Lin-Manuel Miranda is the Tony-winning composer-lyricist of In the Heights. He also originated the lead role of Usnavi for which he received a Tony-Award nomination for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. Lin-Manuel is currently starring in the title role in his newest musical Hamilton, which had its world premiere at The Public Theater in January 2015 before transferring to Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theatre in July 2015. The production has so far received a record-breaking 10 Lortel Awards, 3 Outer Critic Circle Awards, 8 Drama Desk Awards, the 2015 New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best New Musical and the 2015 OBIE Award for Best New American Play.

In The Heights is directed by Luke Sheppard whose recent credits include Oliver! (Watermill Theatre), Adrian Mole (Curve Theatre, Leicester), Next Fall (Southwark Playhouse), Peter Pan (Beck Theatre), Mort (Rose Theatre), Bed And Sofa (Finborough Theatre) and Jet Set Go! (Jermyn Street Theatre). Luke is also Associate Director of Matilda in the West End and on Broadway.

It is choreographed by Drew McOnie, who won the 2015 Off West End Award for Best Choreography for his work on In The Heights at Southwark Playhouse. Recent credits include Bugsy Malone (Lyric Hammersmith), Oklahoma! (UK Tour), Chicago (Curve Theatre, Leicester) and Drunk (Bridewell Theatre). Drew is also the Artistic Director of The McOnie Company and an Associate Artist at The Old Vic, for which he is currently creating a new dance-thriller version of Jekyll and Hyde.

Tickets start at £19.50, with a selection of best seats available for Under 25s at a special rate of £15 at every performance.

In The Heights is conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda with Music and Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and a Book by Quiara Alegría Hudes. It is directed by Luke Sheppard with choreography by Drew McOnie, musical supervision by Tom Deering (Made In Dagenham, From Here To Eternity), set design by takis (Chicago, Curve Theatre), costume design by Gabriella Slade (Alice in Wonderland, Oxford Playhouse), lighting design by Howard Hudson (Adrian Mole, Titanic) and sound design by Gareth Owen. Casting is by Will Burton. It is produced in London by Tristan Baker and Charlie Parsons for Runaway Entertainment Ltd and Paul Taylor Mills Ltd.

King’s Cross Theatre is a brand new purpose built theatre at King’s Cross Station. The venue is currently home to The Railway Children which has just extended its run until 3rd January 2015 and will continue to play in rep with In The Heights. King’s Cross Theatre will also be opening a late night bar to coincide with the run of In The Heights, opening an hour before every performance until late, with live music and DJs after certain performances.

Twitter @InTheHeightsLDN

www.intheheightslondon.com

LISTINGS

Saturday 3 October – Sunday 1 November 2015

KING’S CROSS THEATRE

Good’s Way, King’s Cross, London, N1C 4UR

Press Night: Tuesday 13 October, 7.00pm

Performances: Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday 8.00pm, Friday 3.00pm, Saturday 8.30pm, Sunday 6.00pm (except for Sun 4 and Sun 11 October at 2.30pm)

Tickets: From £19.50 (with a guaranteed selection of £15 tickets per performance for U25)

Box Office: 0844 871 7604 | www.intheheightslondon.com

Theo Bosanquet, outgoing Managing Editor of WhatsOnStage.com, will join The Corner Shop PR in October 2015 in the new role of Digital Manager.

The Corner Shop is the UK’s largest specialist theatre and performing arts PR agency, with offices in London and Edinburgh.

Theo joined leading theatre website WhatsOnStage.com in 2008, becoming editor in 2012. During this time the site has grown to monthly page views of 1.5million and a community of over 150,000 followers on social media. Prior to this he worked as a content manager for Bayswater Media and a script reader for Handmade Films. He studied drama at Bristol University, graduating in 2004.

As Digital Manager, Theo will oversee the agency’s growing digital operations, which include online PR campaign work on behalf of its clients, content creation, and The Corner Shop’s own digital platforms.

Clair Chamberlain, Managing Director of The Corner Shop PR, said:
 “As a company we have always worked hard to ensure that the needs of digital media are incorporated into our work as a matter of course. With Theo’s appointment we are realising an ambition to put this at the forefront of our offering to clients, more closely reflecting the contemporary face of the media and feeding its ever-growing hunger for arts coverage.”

Established in 2007 by Ben Chamberlain, Ryan Petersen and Clair Chamberlain, The Corner Shop PR works with a diverse range of clients, spanning multiple art forms on a national and international basis. It has built a reputation for a clear-thinking, creative and strategic approach to campaigns. In 2015 the company opened an office in Edinburgh which runs year-round under the management of Susie Gray. A sister company, The Corner Shop Events, managed by Hannah Osborne, offers event management, general management and production services. www.thecornershoppr.com

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

THE 2015 NATIONAL TOUR OF

TERENCE RATTIGAN’S EPIC WARTIME ROMANCE

FLARE PATH

IN A NEW PRODUCTION DIRECTED BY JUSTIN AUDIBERT

The producers of the forthcoming UK tour of Terence Rattigan’s FLARE PATH, directed by Justin Audibert, are delighted to announce the full cast, headed by the previously announced Leon Ockenden as Peter Kyle, Olivia Hallinan as Patricia Graham and Philip Franks as Squadron Leader Swanson.

They will be joined by Adam Best as Flying Officer Count Skriczevinsky, James Cooney as Percy, Simon Darwen as Sergeant Miller (Dusty), Stephanie Jacob as Mrs Oakes, Shvorne Marks as Mrs Miller (Maudie), Siobhan O’Kelly as Countess Skriczevinsky (Doris), William Reay as Corporal Jones (Wiggy), Holly Smith as Maid and Alastair Whatley as Flight Lieutenant Graham (Teddy).

As previously announced, the FLARE PATH tour will open on 18 August at Devonshire Park Theatre in Eastbourne (national press night, 2 September at Richmond Theatre). FLARE PATH will then tour to Richmond, Bath, Malvern, Exeter, Cambridge, Salisbury, Winchester, Ipswich, Coventry, Liverpool, Southend and Guildford.

Based on Rattigan’s experiences as a tail gunner during World War II, FLARE PATH paints an evocative portrait of life in wartime Britain for the life-and-death existence of the RAF bomber crews, and their wives and sweethearts who were left waiting their return.

Set in 1942 against a backdrop of heartache and quiet bravery, FLARE PATH tells the story of former actress Patricia, the wife of RAF pilot Teddy, whose marriage is tested to the limits by the surprise arrival of Patricia’s ex‐lover and Hollywood idol Peter Kyle. An unexpected and dangerous mission over Germany puts Patricia at the centre of an emotional conflict as unpredictable as the war in the skies.

FLARE PATH combines highly charged drama with a truly authentic taste of the fear, camaraderie and passion experienced by the men and women who fought to save their country, their families and each other.

This new production of FLARE PATH will be directed by Justin Audibert, who is currently directing The Jew of Malta for The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford. Justin is an Artistic Associate for HighTide Festival Theatre and Red Ladder, and his directing credits include productions at Soho Theatre, the Young Vic and West Yorkshire Playhouse.

FLARE PATH will have Set and Costume Design by Hayley Grindle, Lighting Design by Alex Wardle and Sound Design by Dominic Bilkey.

Most recently seen in London’s West End in 2011, in a production directed by Trevor Nunn, this major revival of FLARE PATH comes from the producers behind the current critically-acclaimed and hugely successful touring production of BIRDSONG.

FLARE PATH is produced on tour by Alastair Whatley for The Original Theatre Company and Anne-Marie Woodley and Jon Woodley for Birdsong Productions Ltd.

Official website: www.flarepaththetour.com Twitter: @flarepathtour Facebook: @flarepaththetour

2015 TOUR SCHEDULE

18 – 29 August Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne

www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk 01323 412000

1 – 5 September Richmond Theatre

www.atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre 0844 871 7651

7 – 12 September Theatre Royal, Bath

www.theatreroyal.org.uk 01225 448844

15 – 19 September Festival Theatre, Malvern

www.malvern-theatres.co.uk 01684 892277

22 – 26 September Exeter Northcott Theatre

www.exeternorthcott.co.uk 01392 493 493

28 September – 3 October Cambridge Arts Theatre

www.cambridgeartstheatre.com 01223 503333

5 – 10 October Salisbury Playhouse

www.salisburyplayhouse.com 01722 320 333

12 – 17 October Theatre Royal Winchester

www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk 01962 840440

19 – 24 October The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich

www.wolseytheatre.co.uk 01473 295900

3 – 7 November The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

www.belgrade.co.uk 024 7655 3055

10 – 14 November Liverpool Playhouse

www.everymanplayhouse.com 0151 709 4776

16-21 November The Palace Theatre, Southend

www.southendtheatres.org.uk 01702 351135

23 – 28 November Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford

www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000

Further venues to be announced

WHAT’S THE SCOOP?

Theatre Cloud brings back successful Young Reporters Scheme for the third time to report on Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World at Darlington Civic Theatre.

TheatreCloud.com (www.theatrecloud.com), the interactive digital hub celebrating top-quality UK touring theatre, is launching its third national search for budding young arts journalists.

After successful campaigns centered around two historically set stories – Pat Barker’s World War I-set Regeneration and Arthur Miller’s 1950’s Brooklyn-based A View from the Bridge – Theatre Cloud’s Young Reporters Scheme returns to cover “the future”: Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, set in the year 2540.

Huxley’s ground-breaking dystopian novel bursts into life on stage in a world premiere, first-ever stage adaptation by award-winning playwright Dawn King, directed by Royal & Derngate, Northampton artistic director James Dacre, with original music by post-fun Brit-pop band These New Puritans.

This ‘Brave New World’ has no family, religion or war. Lust and pleasure have replaced love and art. People are safe, healthy and not afraid of death. They get what they want, and they never want what they can’t have. Everyone is happy now. When this stability is threatened, a young woman learns the pain of love as a young man gives into it.

As part of its new Young Reporters Scheme, TheatreCloud is recruiting would-be journalists, aged 17-30 years old, to report on the production’s run at Darlington Civic Theatre from Tuesday 10 to Saturday 14 November.

In the week that Brave New World hits Darlington, Young Reporters will not only see the show, they’ll be granted special access at the Civic Theatre to carry out a variety of Brave New World media assignments, including: interviews with the cast and related experts, video blogs, audience vox pops, crew diaries and backstage tour reports. All articles will be published, with bylines, on TheatreCloud.com.

Theatre Cloud’s Young Reporters Scheme is approved as part of the Arts Council-funded national Arts Award. Participation will prove invaluable for those gaining experience and credits while working towards their bronze, silver or gold level Arts Award.

To apply for scheme consideration, young people should tell Theatre Cloud in no more than 250 words, why they would like to be a Theatre Cloud young reporter, plus give one story idea around Brave New World at their local theatre, along with their name, age, address, twitter handle and contact details to [email protected]. Please note that this is unpaid work experience however a contribution towards expenses will be provided. Deadline for applications: Monday 26th October 2015

Brave New World is produced by the Touring Consortium Theatre Company and co-produced by Northampton Royal & Derngate Theatre.

ON TOUR WITH GILBERT & SULLIVAN

The National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company brings three classic Savoy Operas to Darlington Civic Theatre from Tuesday 15 to Saturday 19 September.

The National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company has embarked on its first major national tour with three brand new productions from Britain’s most famous theatrical partnership. It is the most ambitious professional light opera company tour since the late 1970’s and features three of the best known Gilbert and Sullivan works – The Mikado, The Gondoliers and HMS Pinafore.

Audiences will enjoy the wit and magic of Gilbert and Sullivan performed by many of the country’s leading exponents of the world famous Savoy operas – artistes renowned for their work in these quintessentially British masterpieces.

This year’s programme is directed by John Savournin, recently described as one of the finest G&S actor/directors of the present day. He has assembled an outstanding cast of G&S specialists which includes the experience of Richard Gauntlett, Bruce Graham, Oliver White, and Sylvia Clarke, working alongside the stars of tomorrow including Claire Lees, Amy J Payne, Elinor Moran, Robin Bailey and Kevin Greenlaw. The thirty five strong cast will be supported by the highly acclaimed National Festival Orchestra and the company’s resident conductor, David Steadman.

Ian Smith, Chairman and founder of the National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company is proud and excited of its achievements and growing reputation. “What we offer our audiences are the best Gilbert & Sullivan productions they will see; they are faithful to the original foundations laid down by Gilbert himself; high quality acting and singing; young, enthusiastic and talented chorus; colourful costumes and sets and a fantastic orchestra. And the great thing is these are not just our words but the endorsement of national and regional press, theatre managers and, equally important, theatre goers.”

The Mikado – Tuesday 15 & Wednesday 16 September, 7.30pm

HMS Pinafore – Thursday 17 September, 2pm & 7.30pm

The Gondoliers – Friday 18 September, 7.30pm & Saturday 19 September 2.30pm & 7.30pm Tickets* are £19 to £32

*All ticket prices include a £1 restoration levy.

To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

X Factor star Joe McElderry is to don the dazzling coat of many colours as he takes the title role of Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

The production will embark on a UK tour in 2016 with tour dates and venues to be announced.

Joe McElderry won The X Factor in 2009 and subsequently had a number one single with “The Climb”. He has since released four UK albums, won ITV’s Popstar to Operastar and appeared in a one-off West End gala performance as the lead in The Who’s Tommy.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is the UK’s longest running musical. Retelling the biblical story about Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours, the show includes songs such as “Jacob and Sons”, “Close Every Door” and “Any Dream Will Do”.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is presented by Bill Kenwright and the Really Useful Group and features lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Sonia Friedman Productions presents

JIM BROADBENT as Scrooge in
A Christmas Carol

By PATRICK BARLOW
Inspired by Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas story
Directed by PHELIM MCDERMOTT

Noël Coward Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, London
First performance: Monday 30 November
Final performance: Saturday 30 January

Academy Award-winning actor Jim Broadbent makes his long-awaited return to the stage to play Scrooge in a new version of A Christmas Carol adapted by Patrick Barlow from Charles Dickens’ classic story of greed, grief, ghoulish ghosts and eleventh-hour redemption.

From Scrooge and Tiny Tim to Bob Cratchit and Mrs. Fezziwig, Patrick Barlow’s imaginative adaptation of A Christmas Carol will bring some of Dickens’ most memorable characters to life at the Noël Coward Theatre this winter. Jim Broadbent will be joined by an exciting group of performers, to be announced shortly.

Coming together to create this innovative new work are some of our most loved and mischievous maverick theatre-makers. The play is written by Patrick Barlow (who also wrote the huge, long-running hit The 39 Steps) with whom Jim Broadbent performed for many years in Barlow’s cult comedy troupe The National Theatre of Brent. A Christmas Carol is directed by Olivier award-winning Phelim McDermott, Artistic Director of Improbable, one of Britain’s most inventive theatre companies, who is responsible for the iconic production Shockheaded Peter. McDermott also directed Theatre of Blood at the National Theatre in which Broadbent last appeared on stage. Joining them is the critically-acclaimed designer Tom Pye (The Testament of Mary, The Death of Klinghoffer, The Low Road) andToby Sedgwick (War Horse, The 39 Steps) as Director of Movement, Peter Mumford will design the lighting and Gareth Fry will design sound.

A Christmas Carol and The Mackintosh Foundation are proud to be supporting St Martin-in-the-Fields’ Christmas Appeal by donating 50 pence for each ticket purchased. The appeal raises money to assist homeless people with shelter, food, help and advice. Customers, as part of the purchasing process, will be asked if they would also like to donate 50 pence with each ticket purchased. Registered charity no 1156305/261359.

Listings:

Performances:

Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm (Wednesday 9 December at 7pm)
Matinee performances on Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm

No matinee on Wednesday 2 December or Wednesday 9 December
Additional matinee on Friday 11 December at 2.30pm

Noël Coward Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, London
First performance: Monday 30 November 2015
Final performance: Saturday 30 January 2016
Press Night: Wednesday 9 December 2015, 7pm

Christmas Schedule:

Monday 21 December at 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Tuesday 22 December at 7.30pm
Wednesday 23 December at 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Thursday 24 December at 2.30pm
Friday 25 December NO SHOW
Saturday 26 December NO SHOW
Monday 28 December at 7.30pm
Tuesday 29 December at 7.30pm
Wednesday 30 December at 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Thursday 31 December at 2.30pm
Friday 1 January at 7.30pm
Saturday 2 January at 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Tickets:

From Saturday 30 November to Tuesday 8 December:
£10, £25, £35 and £50

From Wednesday 9 December to Saturday 30 January:
£20, £35, £45 and £60

Front row £10 day seats available for every performance throughout the run. Available to buy in person from the Box Office from 10.30am, limited to two tickets per person.

Website: www.achristmascaroltheplay.com
Box Office: 0844 482 5140
All tickets are subject to a booking fee and restoration levy

St Martin-in-the-Fields Christmas Appeal 2015
A Christmas Carol and The Mackintosh Foundation are proud to be supporting St Martin-in-the-Fields’ Christmas Appeal by donating 50 pence for each ticket purchased. Customers, as part of the purchasing process, will be asked if they would also like to donate 50 pence with each ticket purchased. Registered charity no 1156305/261359.

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