McQUEEN West End Transfer

newsMcQUEEN

TO TRANSFER TO

THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET

FROM 13 AUGUST TO 7 NOVEMBER

McQUEEN, which received its world premiere in May at St. James Theatre, where it broke box office records, will transfer to London’s West End, opening at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on Thursday 27 August, following previews from 13 August, for a strictly limited season until 7 November.

Stephen Wight as Lee in McQueen credit SpecularWritten by James Phillips and directed by John Caird, the production stars award-winning actor Stephen Wight in the title role. Janet McQueen, one of Lee Alexander McQueen’s sisters, said of the play and the production at St. James Theatre, “It was as though the play and Stephen’s performance brought Lee back to me again.  I felt as though he was real again for me.” Gary McQueen, Lee’s nephew, added, “It does really hit something in your heart.”

Carly BawdenJoining Stephen in the West End run will be Carly Bawden in the role of Dahlia. The role was originated by Dianna Agron who is not participating in the transfer due to filming commitments. Reprising their roles as Isabella Blow and Arabella will be Tracy-Ann Oberman and Laura Rees respectively. Michael Bertenshaw will be joining the cast as Mr Hitchcock. Further casting for the West End transfer to be announced. 

Tracy-Ann Oberman as Isabella Blow and Stephen Wight as Lee in McQueen credit SpecularFor the transfer to the West End, scenes have been rewritten and an interval has been added. James Phillips said, “I’m so delighted to haveMcQueen in the West End, and to take this opportunity to refine some things from the original production.  For me, it’s also thrilling that we’re going into the Theatre Royal Haymarket, as it was in this theatre that I had my first ever professional job, a few months after leaving college. I was a peasant – a silent role! – in Miss Julie starring Christopher Eccleston, Aisling O’Sullivan and Maxine Peake that Thelma Holt produced. It really is one of the most beautiful theatres I’ve ever been in.”

McQUEEN is a journey into the visionary imagination and dream world of Alexander McQueen, fashion’s greatest contemporary artist. Set on a single London night, it is more than a bio-play.  It is stepping into the fairy story landscape of McQueen’s mind, the landscape seen in his immortal shows, where with a dress an urchin can become an Amazon, where beauty might just help us survive the night.  A girl has watched McQueen’s Mayfair house for eleven consecutive days. Tonight she climbs down from her watching tree and breaks into his house, to steal a dress, to become someone special. He catches her, but, instead of calling the police, they embark together on a journey through London and into his heart.

Lee Alexander McQueen died on 11 February 2010 aged 40. Born in Lewisham and raised in Stratford, East London, at 16 he served an apprenticeship with Savile Row tailors Anderson & Sheppard. Later, he studied at Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design and his graduation collection was bought in its entirety by influential fashion stylist Isabella Blow. He was appointed head designer at Givenchy in 1996, where he remained until 2001. He founded his own Alexander McQueen label, and the Gucci Group acquired 51% of his company in 2000, with McQueen serving as Creative Director. McQueen achieved the title British Designer of the Year four times between 1996 and 2003, and was also awarded the CBE and named International Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers in 2003. New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art hosted a posthumous exhibition of McQueen’s work in 2011 titled Savage Beauty. The exhibition is currently being shown at the V&A until 2 August.

Stephen Wright was named Outstanding Newcomer at the Evening Standard Awards for his performances in Michael Grandage’s production of Don Juan in Soho and Samuel West’s production of Dealer’s Choice. Other theatre includes Nicholas Hytner’s production of The Habit of Art at the National and Sean Foley’s production of The Ladykillers in the West End. On television, he has played Simon in Bluestone 42(BBC 3), Sam in The Paradise (BBC 1), Mitch in Threesome (Comedy Central), Fletcher in Sherlock and Charles in the BBC mini-seriesFingersmith. His films include WildernessHighlander: The SourceWeekender with Jack O’Connell, Henry Lloyd-Hughes and Zawe Ashton and Ashes with Jim Sturgess and Ray Winstone.

Carly Bawden’s theatre credits include Assassins (Menier Chocolate Factory), Dead Dog in a SuitcaseTristan & Yseult and The Beggar’s Opera for Kneehigh, My Fair Lady with Dominic West (Sheffield Crucible), Pippin (Menier Chocolate Factory), The Umbrellas of Cherbourg(Leicester Curve and Gielgud Theatre), and the tours of Whistle Down the Wind and Evita, for which she was nominated for TMA Award for Best Supporting Actress 2009.

Tracy-Ann Oberman played Chrissie in EastEnders, Yvonne Hartman in Doctor Who, Lizzie Clapham in Monroe, Aunty Val in Friday Night Dinner, Mrs Purchase in Toast of London and Diana in the film Filth starring James McAvoy and Jamie Bell. In theatre, she has acted with the Royal Shakespeare Company and at the National, including playing opposite Kenneth Branagh in Edmond

Laura Rees’s theatre credits include Ophelia in Ninagawa’s Hamlet at the Barbican, Christopher Luscombe’s Comedy of Errors, Lucy Bailey’sTitus Andronicus and Kathryn Hunter’s Pericles at Shakespeare’s Globe, and Rupert Gould’s Macbeth and Philip Franks’s Twelfth Night at Chichester. 

Michael Bertenshaw’s recent theatre credits include The Merchant of VeniceThe Taming of the ShrewAll’s Well That Ends Well and Anne Boleyn, all for Shakespeare’s Globe. His many television credits include playing Ralph Miliband in the documentary drama Miliband of Brothers, two three-part thrillers Murderland and Oktober, and regular appearances in the drama series Seaforth and in the children’s drama series C.A.B.

James Phillips’s first staged play, The Little Fir Tree, was commissioned by and performed, under his direction, at the Sheffield Crucible in 2004. He wrote and directed The Rubinstein Kiss at Hampstead Theatre in 2005.  His most recent plays were Hidden in the Sand, which opened at the Trafalgar Studios in 2013, and City Stories, which was staged at the St. James Theatre Studio during the run of McQueen.

John Caird is an Honorary Associate Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, where his work includes over 20 productions of classic and new plays including co-productions with Trevor Nunn of Nicholas Nickleby, Peter Pan and Les Misérables.  His National Theatre productions include Hamlet and Humble Boy, both with Simon Russell Beale, Stanley with Antony Sher, and his own new version of Bernstein’sCandide for which he won a Laurence Olivier Award.  

McQUEEN has production design by David Farley, choreography by Christopher Marney, video design by Tim Bird, lighting design by David Howe, sound design by John Leonard, wigs designed by Linda McKnight and casting by Kate Plantin CDG & Jayne Collins CDG.

McQUEEN is produced at the Theatre Royal Haymarket by Robert Mackintosh, AMIR Ltd, Hilary A. Williams, Deborah Negri, with Julian Stoneman as executive producer, for and on behalf of McQ Productions Ltd.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

13 August to 7 November 2015

 

Theatre Royal Haymarket

18 Suffolk Street

London SW1Y 4HT

 

Box Office: 020 7930 8800

 

Performances:  Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm*, Thursdays and Saturdays at 3.00pm**

*7.00pm on Thursday 27 August

**No 3.00pm performances on Thursday 13, 20 and 27 August

 

Ticket Prices:  £15 – £65 (including booking fees); Premium Seats £85; Previews:  £15 – £45

Running Time:  2 hours, including interval

Website:  www.mcqueentheplay.com

Facebook:  facebook.com/McQueenThePlay

Twitter:  @McQueenThePlay

 

UK tour of the TNN production of TOM A STORY OF TOM JONES THE MUSICAL

tom275Theatre na nÓg are delighted to present the UK tour of the TNN production of “TOM. A STORY OF TOM JONES. THE MUSICAL”, opening on Monday 7th March 2016 at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff. The tour schedule is below with further dates to be announced.

Step back in time to the dance halls, working men’s clubs and recording studios of the ‘60s where the legend of Tom Jones was born: a Valleys boy with a heart-stopping voice who dreamed of making the big time, no matter what it took.

This inspirational story of self-belief and determination is performed live on stage by a phenomenal cast of actors and musicians, celebrating an ordinary man with an extraordinary talent who became a superstar on a world stage.

Featuring hits of the era including ‘Ghost Riders in the Sky’, ‘Spanish Harlem’ and ‘Lucille’, we track Tom’s climb to stardom. Ending with some the hits that made him one of the most charismatic stars of the day: ‘It’s Not Unusual’, ‘Delilah’, ‘Green, Green Grass of Home’, ‘What’s New Pussycat’ and more.

“TOM. A STORY OF TOM JONES. THE MUSICAL” is Written by Mike James and Directed by Geinor Styles, with Musical Direction by Ben Goddard, Set Design by Sean Crowley and Sound Design by Mike Beer.

Director Geinor Styles said: “Just very occasionally an opportunity comes along that has the words ’perfect fit’ written all the way through it like a stick of rock. In this case it’s rock and roll and the compelling story of the early days of this county’s most famous son – the living legend that is Sir Tom Jones.

The development of this production has been supported by the Arts Council of Wales, Welsh Government, RCT, NPT Theatres and Wales Millennium Centre.

“TOM. A STORY OF TOM JONES. THE MUSICAL” UK TOUR DATES 2016
www.tomthemusical.co.uk

MONDAY 7 MARCH – SATURDAY 12 MARCH 2016
WALES MILLENIUM CENTRE – www.wmc.org.uk
ON SALE 31 JULY 2015

TUESDAY 15 MARCH – SATURDAY 19 MARCH 2016
FESTIVAL THEATRE EDINBURGH – www.edtheatres.com
ON SALE 7 SEPTEMBER 2015

WEDNESDAY 30 MARCH – SATURDAY 2 APRIL 2016
LEICESTER CURVE – www.curveonline.co.uk
ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 12 APRIL – SATURDAY 16 APRIL 2016
SHEFFIELD LYCEUM – www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 19 APRIL – SATURDAY 23 APRIL 2016
BRADFORD ALHAMBRA – www.bradford-theatres.co.uk
ON SALE 24 AUGUST 2015

WEDNESDAY 25 MAY – SATURDAY 28 MAY 2016
THE LOWRY – www.thelowry.com
ON SALE 31 JULY 2015

New casting announced for Wicked

-30595New casting has been announced for Wicked at the Apollo Victoria, with Emma Hatton (Elphaba) and Savannah Stevenson (Glinda) both extending their contracts into 2016.

Joining them from Monday 21 September 2015 will be Oliver Savile (The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Cats) as Fiyero, Sean Kearns (The Commitments, The 39 Steps, Billy Elliot The Musical) as Doctor Dillamond, current West End ensemble cast member Daniel Hope as Boq and Carina Gillespie, who played Nessarose on Wicked‘s UK & Ireland Tour, as Standby for Glinda.

Also continuing with the show are current cast members Liza Sadovy (Madame Morrible), Katie Rowley Jones (Nessarose) and Natalie Andreou (Standby for Elphaba). Further casting to be announced.

Jeremy Taylor (Fiyero), Martyn Ellis (The Wizard), Steven Pinder (Doctor Dillamond), Sam Lupton (Boq) and Sophie Linder-Lee (Standby for Glinda) will all play their final performances on Saturday 19 September 2015.

With music and lyrics by Academy Award-winner Stephen Schwartz, a book by Winnie Holzman, Wicked is based on the novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire.

 

The Royal Court Theatre Autumn Season Casting Announcement

ROYAL COURT THEATRE AUTUMN SEASON CASTING ANNOUCEMENT

 

·         DAVID MUMENI and KATIE WEST cast in Lela & Co. by Cordelia Lynn.

·         JOSEF DAVIES, JAMES DRYDEN, JOHNNY FLYNN, GRAEME HAWLEY, RALPH INESON, BRONWYN JAMES, DAVID MORRISSEY, RYAN POPE, SALLY ROGERS, SIMON ROUSE andREECE SHEARSMITH cast in Hangmen by Martin McDonagh.

·         KIM CATTRALL cast in Linda by Penelope Skinner.

·         GEORGINA CAMPBELL to appear in Speech Debelle’s live performance and short film, a collaboration between the Royal Court Theatre, Speech Debelle and director Ed Sayers.

 

download (13)Lela & Co.

By Cordelia Lynn

Directed by Jude Christian

Jerwood Theatre Upstairs
Thursday 3 September – Saturday 3 October 2015

David Mumeni and Katie West have been cast in Lela & Co. by Cordelia Lynn.

Full listings information below.

__________________________________________________________________

download (8)Hangmen

By Martin McDonagh
Directed by Matthew Dunster
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs

Thursday 10 September – Saturday 10 October 2015

Josef Davies, James Dryden, Johnny Flynn, Graeme Hawley, Ralph Ineson, Bronwyn James, David Morrissey, Ryan Pope, Sally Rogers, Simon Rouse and Reece Shearsmith have been cast in Hangmenby Martin McDonagh.

Further casting to be announced.


Full listings information below.

 

 

download (9)Linda

By Penelope Skinner

Directed by Michael Longhurst

Jerwood Theatre Downstairs
Wednesday 25 November 2015 – Saturday 9 January 2016


Kim Cattrall has been cast in Linda by Penelope Skinner.

Further casting to be announced.

Full listings information below.

 

Speech Debelle Live

Jerwood Theatre Downstairs
Friday 31 July 2015 8pm

Georgina Campbell has been cast to appear in Speech Debelle’s live performance and short film, a collaboration between the Royal Court Theatre, Speech Debelle and director Ed Sayers.

Full listings information below.

Listings Information:

download (13)Lela & Co.

By Cordelia Lynn
Directed by Jude
Christian
Thursday 3 September – Saturday 3 October 2015

Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, SW1W 8AS
Monday – Saturday
7.45pm
Saturday matinees (from 12 September) 3pm
Thursday matinees (from 17 September) 3pm
Captioned Performance Friday 2 October 7.45pm
Press Night Wednesday 9 September 7pm
Age Guidance 14+
Tickets £20. Monday’s all seats £10 (available on the day of performance 9am online)
Concessions £15* (available in advance until 12 September, and all matinees. For all other performances, available on a standby basis on the day)
Access £12 (plus a companion at the same rate)
*ID required. All discounts subject to availability.

Conceived by and developed with Desara Bosjna and 1989 Productions.

David Mumeni’s theatre credits include True Brits (High Tide), Mush and Me (Bush), The Machine(Donmar/Manchester Festival/Broadway), ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore (Cheek by Jowl/Barbican/tour). Product Placement (Watford Palace/Nabokov), TS Eliot US/UK Exchange (Vineyard/New York/Old Vic) and Woosa: 24 Hour Plays (Old Vic). His television credits include Finding Jesus, The Last Hours of Laura K, Phoneshop, Cuckoo, Confessions from the Underground, Fresh Meat, Doctors and Whitechapel.

David’s film credits include The Huntsman, Noble and The Inbetweeners Movie.

 

Katie West’s theatre includes Carmen Disruption (Almedia), Hamlet, Blind-Sided, Blithe Spirit (all Royal Exchange Manchester), Macbeth (Manchester International Festival/Park Avenue Armory, New York), The Thrill of Love (New Vic), A Taste of Honey (Sheffield Crucible), 65 Miles (Hull Truck), Vote of Confidence(Theatre 503), Punk Rock (Lyric Hammersmith/Royal Exchange Manchester) and Sense (Southwark Playhouse). Katie’s television credits include Doctors, Without You and United. Katie’s film credits includeCinderella.

 

 

 

Hangmen
By Martin McDonagh
Directed by Matthew Dunster
Thursday 10 September – Saturday 10 October 2015

Jerwood Theatre Downstairs , Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, SW1W 8AS
Monday – Saturday
7.30pm
Saturday matinees (from 19 September) 2.30pm
Thursday matinees (from 24 September) 2.30pm
Captioned Performance
Wednesday 7 October, 7.30pm
Touch Tour Saturday 10 October, 1pm Audio Described Saturday 10 October, 2.30pm
Press Night Friday 18 September 7pm
Age Guidance 14+
Tickets £35, £25, £16, £12. Mondays all seats £10 (available in advance to Friends and Supporters subject to availability. For general public available on day of performance from 9am online).
Concessions £5 off top two prices (available in advance until 19 September, and all matinees. For all other performances, available on a standby basis on the day). 25s and under £12 (limited availability).
Access £12 (plus a companion at the same rate)
*ID required. All discounts subject to availability.

 

Josef Davies trained at LAMDA and graduated in July 2015.  He makes his professional debut in Hangmen.

James Dryden’s theatre credits include Beached (Soho), Teechers (Theatre Royal Wakefield) and The History Boys (Mercury). His television credits include Close to the Enemy, Serial – Angel of Decay andFather Brown. His film credits include Tulip Fever and Mr Turner.

Johnny Flynn’s credits for the Royal Court include Jerusalem, The Low Road and The Heretic. Other theatre includes Richard III, Twelfth Night (Globe/Apollo), Jerusalem (Apollo) and Twelfth Night/ Taming of The Shrew(Old Vic/Tour). Johnny’s television credits include A Devotee of Art, Brotherhood, Detectorists, Scrotal Recall, Kingdom, Holby City and Murder in Suburbia. His film credits include Small Holding, Love is Thicker than Water, Clouds of Sils Maria, Song One, Apres Mai, Lotus Eaters and Crusade in Jeans.

Graeme Hawley’s theatre includes The Seagull (Lowry), The Guinea Pig Club (York Royal), The York Mystery Plays (York Royal/Abbey Ruins), Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (Manchester Royal Exchange), Rock N’ Roll, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Schweyk in the Second World WarMeasure for Measure (all Library), Love and Money (Royal Exchange/ Young Vic), Cloud: Burst, Street Trilogy, Raw (Theatre Absolute), Little Malcolm and His Struggle Against the Eunuchs (Bolton Octagon), Traffic and Weather, Hidden Markings (Library Theatre Manchester/Homegrown), Howie The Rookie(Rocket) and Romeo and Juliet (Suffolk Eye). His television credits include Home Fires, Moving On, Casualty, Love and Marriage, Coronation Street, Doctors, Shameless, Legless, Emmerdale, The Stepfather, The Royal, Heartbeat, To Kidnap a Princess, Born and Bred, Strumpet, The Forsyte Saga, Always and Everyone, A Touch of Frost, The Cops I and Bernard’s Watch.

Ralph Ineson’s theatre includes York Mystery Plays (Theatre Royal), Jackets (NCO), Excalibur, Angel(Red Rose Theatre Co.) and Jack’s House, Gravity & The Holy Ghost (Interference Theatre Co.). Ralph’s television credits include Prey, Drunk History, Bluestone 42, The Interceptor, New Worlds, George Gently, Our Men, Count Arthur Strong, Vera, Scott and Bailey, Secret State, Case Sensitive, Game of Thrones, The Body Farm, The Titanic, Merlin, The IT Crowd, Waterloo Road, The Bill, Casualty, New Tricks, Waking the Dead, Lead Balloon, Magnolia, Losing It, Dalziel and Pascoe, Suburban Shootout, Coronation Street, Elizabeth – The Virgin Queen, Missing, ShakespeaRE-Told, Murder in Suburbia, The Walk, Blue Murder, Between the Sheets, The Office Christmas Special, The Real Arnie Griffin, In Deep, Strange, Doctors, Where the Heart Is, Holby City, Spooks, A&E, A Line in the Sand, The Office, Thursday the Twelfth, Playing the Field, Bostock’s Cup, Touching Evil III, Dangerfield, Children of the New Forest, Kavanagh QC, Kiss and Tell, Bugs, This Life, Goodnight Sweetheart, Cardiac Arrest, Heartbeat, Chandler & Co, Christmas, Out of the Blue, Harry II, After Martin, The Cinder Path, Oh Mary This Is London, 99-1, All Quiet on the Preston Front, A Pinch of Snuff and Spender. Film credits include The Huntsman, The Witch, Kingsman: The Secret Service, Guardians of the Galaxy, Selfish Giant, Great Expectations, Intruders, Another Year, Robin Hood,Sex and Drugs and Rock ‘N’ Roll, The Damned United, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Is Anybody There?, Shoot On Sight, South West Nine, From Hell, Shooting Fish, First Knight, Boom Boom, Royce,Syrup and Shopping.

 

Bronwyn James trained at ALRA and graduated in July 2015. She makes her professional theatre debut inHangmen.

David Morrissey’s theatre includes In a Dark House (Almeida) Macbeth (Liverpool Everyman), Much Ado About Nothing (Queen) and Peer Gynt (National). His television credits include The Driver, Red Riding, Field of Blood, South Riding, The Walking Dead, Extant, The 7.39, True Love, Our Mutual Friend, Clocking Off,Holding On, State of Play, The Deal, Viva Blackpool and Blackpool. Film credits include Richard II,Sleepyhead, Scaredy Cat, Welcome to the Punch, Hilary & Jackie, Some Voices, Born Romantic, Captain Correlli’s Mandolin, Derailed, Stoned, The Reaping, The Waterhorse: Legend of the Deep, The Other Boleyn Girl, Centurion, Nowhere Boy, Welcome to the Punch and Earthbound. Awards include Arena Awards for Best Television Actor (Viva Blackpool).

Ryan Pope’s previously appeared in Breathing Corpses at the Royal Court.

Other theatre credits include To Kill A Mockingbird (Regent’s Park Open Air /Tour), Saturday Night, Sunday Morning (Royal Exchange Manchester), Watching The Detectives (Library Manchester), Once Upon A Time in Wigan (Contact Manchester/National Tour), Parting Shots (Stephen Joseph Scarborough), The Arbour(Sheffield Crucible), Meat (Theatre Royal Plymouth), The Taming of The Shrew, Bad Weather and The Two Gentlemen of Verona (RSC). His television credits include Casualty, Coronation Street, Stepping Up, Holby City, Doctors, The Midnight Beast, Ideal, Bodyfarm and Sharpes Peril. His film credits include United We Fall, A Field in England, Looking for Eric and Velvet Goldmine.

Sally Rogers’ credits for the Royal Court include The People are Friendly, Uganda and Killing the Cat. Other theatre includes Children’s Children (Almeida),The Duchess of Malfi, Billy Liar, Murmuring Judges, Arturo Uiand Black Snow (all National), Rita Sue & Bob Too/ A State of Affair, Some Explicit Polaroids, Our Country’s Good, Blue Heart (all Out of Joint), Blithe Spirit (Old Vic) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Chester Gateway). Sally’s television credits include Siblings, The Dumping Ground, The Syndicate II, Holby, Come Fly With Me, Little Britain Christmas Special, Little Britain, The Bill, Messiah III, Swiss Toni II, Holby City, Pepys, Murphy’s Law, Attachments, Playing the Field, Out of Hours, The Lakes, Casualty, Beyond Fear, London Bridge, A Touch of Frost, Dangerfield, Seaforth, Paul Calf’s Video Diary, 3 Fights, 2 Weddings and a Funeral, Eastenders, The Bill and Causeway.

Her film credits include Top Dog, A Demon in my View and A Short History of Ten Pin Bowling.

Writing credits include Good and Honest Man (Royal Court) and Showing Off (Soho).

Simon Rouse’s credits for the Royal Court include The Changing Room, Runaway and The Sea. His other theatre credits include Anything Goes (Sheffied Crucible / UK tour), The Full Monty (Noel Coward), The Bomb, Tactical Questioning (both Tricycle), When We Are Married (Garrick), Jack and the Beanstalk(Richmond), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (London Festival), Ghosts (Alhambra), Black Angel (Kings Head),The Daughter In Law (Nottingham Playhouse), Fishing, Under Arm Bowling (New End), Rat in the Skull(Plymouth), Way of the World (tour), ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, Lorenzaccio, Coriolanus, Anthony and Cleopatra, Titus Andronicus (all RSC), Sons of Light (Other Place), The Caretaker (Shaw), Widower’s Houses (Tyneside), Loonies (Hampstead) Lenz (Almost Free) and Sweet Bird of Youth (Theatre Royal Haymarket). His television credits include The Dumping Ground, Casualty, Coronation Street, Broadchurch, Soko Leipzig, The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, The Bill, Dead Romantic, Minder, Sheppey, St Joan, The Master Builder, Casualty, Blood Royal: William the Conqueror, Coronation St, Boon, Dramarama, Bread, C.A.T.S Eyes, Operation Julie, Albion Market, Robin of Sherwood, Juliet Bravo, Grace Kelly, Radio Phoenix, Play for Today, Smuggler, Doctor Who, The Manions of America, Dick Turpin, Even Solomon, One Bummer Newsday, Wednesday Love, The Professionals, Crime and Punishment, Life of Shakespeare, We Never Do What They Want, It’s Only Rock and Roll, Sam and Softly Softly. His film credits include Butley, Pop Pirates, The White Bird, Parker and The Ragman’s Daughter.

Reece Shearsmith’s theatre credits include Absent Friends (Harold Pinter), Betty Blue Eyes (Novello),Ghost Stories (Duke of York’s), Comedians (Lyric Hammersmith), The Common Pursuit (Menier Chocolate Factory), The Producers (Theatre Royal), As You Like It (Wyndams), Art (Whitehall) and A Local Show for Local People (Tour). Reece’s television credits include Stag, Hunderby, Peter Kay’s Car Share, Inside Number 9, Mid-Morning Matters with Alan Partridge, Chasing Shadows, The Widower, An Adventure in Space and Time, The Hollow Crown – Henry IV Part 2, Bad Sugar, Psychoville, Eric & Ernie, Chekhov Shorts‘The Bear’, The First Men in the Moon, Coming Up, New Tricks, Christmas at the Riviera, Ladies and Gentlemen, Marple: Ordeal by Innocence, The Abbey, Max & Paddy’s Road to Nowhere, Catterick, Tic,The League of Gentlemen, Randall & Hopkirk Deceased and Spaced. Film credits include High Rise, A Field in England, The World’s End, Burke & Hare, The Cottage, The League of Gentlemen’s Apocalypse, Shaun of the Dead and Birthday Girl. Awards include Royal Television Society Award for Comedy Performance (Inside Number 9), British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Drama (Psychoville), British Comedy Award for Best New TV Comedy (Psychoville), South Bank Show Award for Best Comedy (The League of Gentlemen), NME Award for Best Television Programme (The League of Gentlemen), BAFTA Award for Best Comedy (The League of Gentlemen), Golden Rose of Montreux (The League of Gentlemen), RTS Award for Best Entertainment (The League of Gentlemen), Perrier Award (The League of Gentlemen) and Sony Silver Award (On the Town with The League of Gentlemen).

 

download (10)Plaques and Tangles

By Nicola Wilson

Directed by Lucy Morrison

Wednesday 14 October – Saturday 21 November 2015
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, SW1W 8AS
Monday – Saturday
7.45pm
Saturday matinees (from 24 October) 3pm
Thursday matinees (from 22 October) 3pm
Captioned Performance Friday 6 November 7.45pm
Press Night Tuesday 20 October 7pm
Age Guidance 14+
Tickets £20. Mondays all seats £10 (available on day of performance from 9am online).
Concessions £15* (available in advance until 24 October, and all matinees. For all other performances, available on a standby basis on the day)
Access £12 (plus a companion at the same rate)
*ID required. All discounts subject to availability.

 

 

the TEAM’s

download (11)RoosevElvis

Created by Rachel Chavkin, Libby King, Jake Margolin, and Kristen Sieh, with Matt Hubbs, Andrew Schneider, and Nick Vaughan

Directed by Rachel Chavkin
Wednesday 21 October – Saturday 14 November 2015

Jerwood Theatre Upstairs , Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, SW1W 8AS 
Monday  Saturday
 7.30pm 
Saturday matinees (from 24 October) 2.30pm 
Captioned Performance** Wednesday 11 November 7.30pm
Audio Described Saturday 14 November, 2.30pm Touch Tour Saturday 14 November 1pm

Press Night Monday 26 October 7pm
Age Guidance 14+
Tickets £25, £20, £16, £12 Mondays all seats £10 (available in advance to Friends and Supporters subject to availability. For general public available on day of performance from 9am online).
Concessions £5 off top two ticket prices* (available in advance until 31 October, and all matinees. For all other performances, available on a standby basis on the day) 
Access £12 (plus a companion at the same rate) 
*ID required. All discounts subject to availability.

 

 

 

download (9)Linda
By Penelope Skinner

Directed by Michael Longhurst
Wednesday 25 November 2015 – Saturday 9 January 2016

Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, SW1W 8AS
Monday – Saturday
7.30pm
Saturday matinees (from 5 December) 2.30pm
Thursday matinees from (3 December) 2.30pm
Captioned Performance Tuesday 5 January 2016
Audio Described Saturday 9 January, 2.30pm Touch Tour Saturday 9 January, 1pm

Relaxed Performance* Saturday 19 December, 2.30pm
Press Night
Tuesday 1 December 7pm
Age Guidance 14+
Tickets £35, £25, £16, £12. Mondays all seats £10 (available in advance to Friends and Supporters subject to availability. For general public available on day of performance from 9am online).
Concessions £5 off top two ticket prices* (available in advance until 5 December, and all matinees. For all other performances, available on a standby basis on the day)
Access £12 (plus a companion at the same rate)
*ID required. All discounts subject to availability.

 

Kim Cattrall’s theatre credits include Sweet Bird of Youth (Old Vic), Anthony and Cleopatra(Everyman/Chichester) and Private Lives (Vaudeville, Broadway).

Television credits include Ruby Robinson, Sensitive Skin, The Boomer List, Shakespeare Uncovered, Any Human Heart and Sex and the City. Kim’s film credits include Meet Monica Velour, The Ghost Writer, Sex and the City 2 and Sex and the City. Awards include Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress (Sex and the City), two Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (Sex and the City).

 

 

 

download (12)You For Me For You

By Mia Chung

Directed by Richard Twyman
Thursday 3 December 2015 –
Saturday 9 January 2016
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, SW1W 8AS
Monday – Saturday
7.45pm
Saturday matinees (from 12 December) 3pm
Thursday matinees from 10 December) 3pm
Captioned Performance 6 January 7.45pm
Press Night Tuesday 8 December 7pm
Age Guidance 14+
Tickets £20. Mondays all seats £10 (available on day of performance from 9am online).
Concessions £15* (available in advance until 12 December, and all matinees. For all other performances, available on a standby basis on the day) 25s and under £12 (limited availability).
Access £12 (plus a companion at the same rate)
*ID required. All discounts subject to availability

 

 

Speech Debelle Live

Jerwood Theatre Downstairs
Friday 31 July 2015 8pm

Age Guidance 14+

Tickets £25, £20 £15, £12

Georgina Campbell’s television credits include Murdered By My Boyfriend, One Night, The Ark and Ice Cream Girls. Awards include BAFTA Award for Best Leading Actress (Murdered by My Boyfriend).

 

Matt Cardle and Beverley Knight in MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL

MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL

STARRING BEVERLEY KNIGHT AND MATT CARDLE

NEW PRODUCTION IMAGES RELEASED

 

MEMPHISNew production images for MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL have been released, now featuring multi-platinum selling recording artist and songwriter Matt Cardle as radio DJ ‘Huey Calhoun’ and Queen of British Soul Beverley Knight as ‘Felicia Farrell’, the role she originated in the West End.

Booking for MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL at the Shaftesbury Theatre continues through to the end of its scheduled run in the West End on 31 October 2015.

Memphis, 2014, Credit: Johan Persson/Written by Grammy® Award-winning David Bryan, a founding member of Bon Jovi, and Joe DiPietro,MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL continues to star Rolan Bell as ‘Delray’, Tyrone Huntley as ‘Gator’, Claire Machin as ‘Gladys’, Jason Pennycooke as ‘Bobby’ and Mark Roper as ‘Mr. Simmons’, with Keisha Atwell, Arielle Campbell, Mark Carroll, Joseph Davenport, Momar Diagne, Carly Mercedes Dyer, Kimmy Edwards, Hillary Elk, Laura Ellis, Charlotte Gorton, Yasmin Harrison, Benjamin Harrold, Waylon Jacobs, Rachel John, Dean Maynard, Devon McKenzie-Smith, Tim Newman, Simon Ray-Harvey, Jon Robyns, Ashley Rumble, Kyle Seeley, Helen Siveter, Dawnita Smith, and Alex Thomas.

Inspired by true events from the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL follows the fame and forbidden love of a radio DJ who wants to change the world and a club singer who is ready for her big break.

MEMPHISOlivier and Tony® Award-winning MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL, which opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre to huge audience and critical acclaim in October last year, is Directed by Christopher Ashley with Olivier Award-winning Choreography by Sergio Trujillo, Scenic Design by David Gallo, Costume Design by Paul Tazewell, Lighting Design by Howell Binkley, Sound Design by the Olivier Award-winning Gareth Owenand Musical Direction by Tim Sutton.

MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL is produced in London by Junkyard Dog Productions, Marleen and Kenny Alhadeff, Barbara Freitag, Joseph Smith and John Brant.

Listings

Where                    Shaftesbury Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8DP

Performances           Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm

Wednesday & Saturday at 2.30pm

Ticket Prices           £20 to £67.50

Box Office               0207 379 5399

Website                  memphisthemusical.com

Twitter                   twitter.com/memphismusical

Facebook                facebook.com/memphisthemusical

Groups information

10+ Best Available £39.50

20+ Best Available £35.00
Group rates valid for all performances.

Education information

10+ Best Available £25.00
Plus 1 Free Teacher Per 10 Paid Pupils (11th ticket is free)
Valid Monday – Thursday performances at 7.30PM
and Wednesday matinees at 2.30PM

During term time

Download FREE production resources, specially developed with teachers for upper KS3, KS4 & KS5 pupils! Each interactive and easy-to-use pack contains resources and lesson plans to help enhance students’ learning, plus additional resources to support classroom activities and provide inspiration for students’ work.

Visit http://www.memphisthemusical.com/schools.asp for more information.

 

Discovery Channel – SHARK WEEK RETURNS TO DISCOVERY CHANNEL THIS AUGUST

image001 (4)SHARK WEEK RETURNS TO DISCOVERY CHANNEL THIS AUGUST

 

SHARK WEEK to premiere on Discovery Channel in the UK from Sunday 2nd – Saturday 8th August

 

 

SHARK WEEK, Discovery Channel’s must see summer event returns to Discovery Channel on Sunday 2nd August. Uncharted technology will capture all-new shark images and behaviour, while also drawing attention to these incredible animals and their evolving habitats.

Programme highlights for 2015 include;

 

SHARK TREK featuring Dr. Greg Skomal, Massachusetts’ senior marine fisheries marine biologist, as he tags Great White sharks off the coast of Cape Cod and attempts to determine their swim patterns once they leave the Massachusetts coast. As patterns point to the southern U.S., Dr. Skomal tries to determine why the Florida coast is the new Great White shark hotspot in the Atlantic.

LAIR OF THE MEGA SHARK, which sees shark experts Jeff Kerr and Andy Casagrande head to New Zealand to investigate the sightings of a 20 foot Great White Shark. The team explore the nocturnal feeding ground of the modern day legend, in the hope of coming face to face with the legendary Great White.

MONSTER MAKO; Mako sharks are the fastest of all species of sharks in the world however little more is known about this particular breed. MONSTER MAKO explores this area as scientists fit a Mako shark with cameras in order to unlock and reveal the mysteries of their swift, immediate and unseen world. And a rare sighting is caught on film as a Mako shark breaches the waters during the expedition.

Additional SHARK WEEK 2015 programming will include SPAWN OF JAWS: THE BIRTH featuring Dr. Michael Domeier as he continues on his quest to unlock one of the greatest shark mysteries: the location of great white pupping grounds. This two year mission follows the journey of a pregnant great white called Gil Rakers as she prepares to give birth; BRIDE OF JAWS which searches for Joan of Shark, the largest female Great White ever tagged and NINJA SHARKS which explores six sharks with unique adaptations that have evolved over millions of years making them the most lethal hunters in the sea.

 

SHARK WEEK will premiere in the UK from Sunday 2nd August – Saturday 8th August on Discovery Channel

(Sky 520 / Virgin 211 / BT TV 322 / TalkTalk 322)

Military WAGS Choir Review

Town Hall, Richmond – 16 July 2015

Its 5 years since the Military WAGS Choir was formed in Catterick Garrison.  With very few members still there from the beginning due to the transient nature of the forces, the choir is always changing and evolving.  Made up of Wives, Affiliates, Girlfriends and Serving Soldiers these are ordinary women with extraordinary voices.

With some outstanding harmonies and sharp vocals these are very talented women.  You felt every word they sang, particularly during a stunning arrangement of Coldplay’s Fix You. They sang as one voice.

We were treated to a flute solo during Annies Song by the very accomplished Hannah and a sublime solo of Gershwin’s Summertime by serving soldier Victoria.  There were some tears by both singers and audience during a beautiful rendition of Wherever You Go, the number one best selling song.

From the Beatles to Andrew Lloyd Webber, they sang with enthusiasm and flair.  The Rhythm of Life being particularly rhapsodic

With Gillian on the piano and conducted by Carol this was a masterly example of how singing for pleasure can be a pleasure for all

York Stage Musicals present Legally Blonde

York Stage Musicals present

 

Oh My God You Guys!

LEGALLY BLONDE

Grand Opera House York

Monday 7 – Saturday 12 September

Elle Woods is back in a brand new production for 2015 Elle is the girl who has it all, but when her seemingly perfect boyfriend dumps her for being more Marilyn Monroe than Jacqui Kennedy, she decides the only way to win him back is to follow him to Harvard Law School. Once there she quickly learns she is far removed from her Malibu home and is once again left longing for her love’s approval. With the help of her new friends Paulette, a lovable beautician, geeky graduate Emmett Forrest and of course her faithful Chihuahua Bruiser, Elle proves there is something very special about being Legally Blonde!

From the producers of the acclaimed Hairspray and Sister Act this hilarious yet poignant show is set to be another unmissable spectacle! Filled with catchy numbers such as ‘Oh My God You Guys’, ‘Chip On My Shoulder’, ‘So Much Better’ and the hilarious ‘Gay or European?’ Legally Blonde is the ultimate feel good, girl power, musical for you and you sorority sisters. So book your tickets now to join Elle and the Delta Nu’s with your ‘Bend and Snap’ at the ready this September.

 

Quotes from the press

‘York Stage Musicals have raised the bar… again’- acclaim for a previous production

‘… other productions will have to go a long way to beat York Stage Musicals knock out show’-acclaim for a previous production

‘Electrifying’- acclaim for a previous production

 

Tickets: £10, £17, £19, £20, £22, £24

Box Office: 0844 871 3024

Online Booking: www.atgtickets.com/york

 

It’s A Wonderful Life in York

James Seabright and Climar Productions for Radio Stage Limited present the Bridge House production

It’s A Wonderful Life

Grand Opera House York

Monday 9 November at 7:30pm

Adapted from the Frank Capra film by Tony Palermo – Directed by Guy Retallack

ITS_A_WONDERFUL_LIFE_8438

The iconic story of idealist George Bailey, whose dreams look set to be dashed by small-town scandal and big business. Alone on a bridge, he decides that everyone would be better off without him… or would they? It falls to hapless guardian angel, Clarence, to try and save him.

ITS_A_WONDERFUL_LIFE_8279

In a new production that premiered to excellent reviews in London last year, the magical story of Frank Capra’s iconic film is retold as a radio play, complete with sound effects created live on stage. This loving tribute to the golden era of the wireless is a fresh take on a heart-warming and timely classic.

‘Inspired! A lovely adaptation that’s both cleverly witty and movingly heartfelt.’ **** The Stage

‘Critic’s Choice’ – The Guardian Guide

‘Deftly directed by Guy Retallack… sensationally executed.’ **** The Londonist

‘Glorious, entertaining and heart-warming. An absolute winner.’ ***** South London Press

Tickets: £20, £25, £30

Box Office: 0844 871 3024

Online Booking: www.atgtickets.com/york

DRESSED BY ANGELS / The Old Truman Brewery, October 2015

ExhibiTours in association with The Exhibition Hub Ltd presents

 

DRESSED BY ANGELS

 

The Old Truman Brewery from 2nd October 2015

Featuring iconic costumes from the worlds of film, TV and theatre

Dressed by Angels will open at The Old Truman Brewery on 2nd October 2015. This brand new interactive exhibition tells the story behind the world’s greatest costume house, presenting visitors with an irresistible mix of costumes, drama and history. Angels Costumiers has been dressing the world for 175 years, including countless Oscar and BAFTA Award winning films, and Olivier and Tony Award winning theatre. Over seven generations of one family, Angels has become the premiere costumier to the world. This is their story – in costumes. Tickets go on sale this Friday 17th July from dressedbyangels.co.uk.

From Lawrence of Arabia to Titanic, Dickens to Lillie Langtry, and from Military to Royalty: you know it, Angels has dressed it. Visitors will get exclusive access to costumes from films including: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Star Wars,The Iron Lady and The Grand Budapest Hotel; TV shows Morecambe and Wise, Dr Who, Only Fools & Horses andDownton Abbey; and the blockbuster musical Wicked.

Over 100 costumes have been carefully selected from Angel’s illustrious back catalogue for display. Visitors will see bespoke costumes made for Fred Astaire, Noel Coward, Laurence Olivier, Tom Baker, Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett and Meryl Streep, to name just a few. Alongside the costumes will be photographs and fascinating letters and artefacts, providing an insight into showbiz history.

Dressed by Angels will be launched exclusively in London, using costumes to take visitors on a journey through Victorian London up to the present day. The exhibition will feature many interactive elements to allow the visitor a hands-on experience which will include digital games, measurement tapes and forms and how to use them,  interactive media displays and a workshop room where people can learn the intricate craft of costume progress from design to finished product. This is an exhibition that will appeal to all ages, and the whole family as you journey through Angels’ history.
THE EXHIBIT

Beginning in the sooty, fog bound London of the early Victorian era, where Covent Garden’s Seven Dials was focus of a vast number of immigrants all plying their trade, visitors will be introduced to Charles Dickens and his most memorable characters. During this time, London’s theatre and dance halls started to flourish – all of whom needed costumes… Enter Daniel Angel. Founder of Angels, Daniel had come to England as a tailor by trade. He got his start by acquiring clothes from the estates of the deceased and hiring them out to Londoners. The rest, as they say, is history!

Visitors will then travel through the dance hall days into the early 20th century and with it a diversification into military uniforms for the two World Wars. On into rooms highlighting the Ealing Comedy years, the Swinging Sixties and the musical blockbuster explosion of the 1980s alongside many iconic costumes from television from the 1979s to the present day.

The centre point of the Exhibition will be instantly recognisable costumes from Titanic, Indiana Jones and Cate Blanchett’s Queen Elizabeth I to name just a few.

The exhibition finishes with a look into the world of fancy dress and how so many of these costumes have their beginnings in the elaborate original film and theatre originals.

A variety of workshops led by industry experts will be scheduled for evenings throughout the run and will go on sale in September (more details to be announced in due course). Topics will include: Special Effects Make Up; The Inside Story: Anecdotes from the Industry; Costume for Large Events and From Design to Reality.

Exhibition tickets go will be on general sale from Friday 17th July from dressedbyangels.co.uk / 0203 773 8995

LISTINGS INFORMATION
Dressed by Angels
Venue:
The Old Truman Brewery, Loading Bay, Ely’s Yard, 15 Hanbury St, London E1 6QR
Dates:
2nd October 2015 – 3rd January 2015
Times:
Mon, Tue, Wed 10am – 6pm; Thu 10am – 8pm; Fri, Sat 10am – 7pm; Sun 10am – 6pm
(Please note: Last entry 90 minutes before closing)
Tickets: Adults £16.00 / Children (to 16) £9.00 / Concession (seniors, students, disabled passes) £13.50 / Family (4): £45.00 / Family (5) £54.00
Groups: (8+) £12.50 / (School groups) £8.00
Box Office: dressedbyangels.co.uk / 0203 773 8995