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Announcing Full Cast to Join Jonathan Bailey in Richard II Directed by Nicholas Hytner at the Bridge Theatre

London Theatre Company is delighted to announce the full cast for the brand-new production of Richard II opening 10 February 2025 and running until 10 May 2025 at the Bridge Theatre. Directed by Nicholas Hytner and starring the award-winning screen and stage actor Jonathan Bailey, Richard II will feature a talented cast to illuminate Shakespeare’s powerful work.

The cast features: Royce Pierreson (The Witcher, Judy, Line of Duty) asHenry Bolingbroke, Christopher Osikanlu Colquhoun (Absentia, The Doctor – Duke of York’s Theatre, Comedy of Errors – RSC) as Earl of Northumberland, Olivia Popica (The Wheel of Time, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, The Tattooist of Auschwitz) as Queen Isabel, Amanda Root (Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream,  Macbeth – RSC, Persuasion) as Green and the Duchess of York, Phoenix Di Sebastiani (The Great, Top Boy, Anne Boleyn) as Thomas Mowbray and Groom, and Clive Wood (London’s Burning, The Tempest – Theatre Royal Haymarket, Antony and Cleopatra – Shakespeare’s Globe) as John of Gaunt. Returning to the Bridge Theatre is Michael Simkins (Guys & Dolls – Bridge Theatre, The Crown, Silent Witness) as the Duke of York.

In addition, the cast includes Adam Best (Peaky Blinders, The Crown, Twelfth Night – National Theatre) as Sir John Bagot, Seamus Dillane (Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, The Invention of Love – Hampstead Theatre) as Lord Surrey, Vinnie Heaven (Cowbois –  RSC, A Midsummer Night’s Dream –  Shakespeare’s Globe, Cuckoo – Soho Theatre) as Aumerle, Jordan Kouamé (Wolf Hall 2, The Mirror and the Light –  RSC) as Sir John Bushy and Harry Percy, Gerard Monaco (A Small Family Business, Children of the Sun, The Kitchen – National Theatre, A View from the Bridge – Duke of York’s Theatre) as Sir Stephen Scroop and Keeper, George Taylor (The Lady In The Van, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows) as Fitzwater, and Badria Timimi (Our Girl, My Brilliant Friend – National Theatre)as Abbess of Carlisle.

The understudy cast includes Emma Bown (Romeo and Juliet – Original Shakespeare Co, Sex Education), Martin Carroll (Twelfth Night, Richard III – The Apollo, The Royal Hunt of the Sun – National Theatre) and Stephan Boyce (Aladdin – Lyric Hammersmith, The Coloured Valentino – Arcola Theatre).

Richard II is charismatic, eloquent, and flamboyantly witty. And a disastrous King– dishonest, dangerous, and politically incompetent. Echoing down the centuries is the perennial problem: how to deal with a ruler who has a rock-solid right to rule but is set on wrecking the country he leads. Shakespeare’s subtle, ambiguous, and powerful play revolves round two startlingly modern figures: Richard, an autocrat who believes he is divinely sanctioned, and Henry Bolingbroke, a hard-headed pragmatist who has genuine authority.

Richard II will be designed by Bob Crowley (for the Bridge Theatre: Straight Line Crazy; The Book of Dust – La Belle Sauvage; in the West End: Olivier Award-winning An American in Paris)with Lighting Design by Bruno Poet (for the Bridge Theatre: Julius Caesar; A Midsummer Night’s Dream; in theWest End: Tina – The Tina Turner Musical) and Sound Design by Carolyn Downing (Olivier Award-winning: Chimerica, Summer and Smoke and Life of Pi). Grant Olding (For the Bridge Theatre: The Book of Dust – La Belle Sauvage, A Christmas Carol; Two Ladies; A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Alys, Always and Young Marx) is the Composer. The Casting Director is Robert Sterne (for the Bridge Theatre: Straight Line Crazy; The Southbury Child; for screen: Game of Thrones; The Crown) and Christopher Worral is Casting Associate. Lily Dyble is Associate Director, Jaimie Todd is Associate Designer, Charlie Smith is Associate Sound Designer. Eleanor Dolan is the Costume Supervisor and Lily Mollgaard is the Props Supervisor.

Jonathan Bailey shot to global fame as Lord Anthony in the popular period drama Bridgerton. He has recently starred in the critically acclaimed Showtime series Fellow Travelers. Bailey plays the lead love interest, Fiyero in the highly anticipated Wicked film. Bailey has recently wrapped production on Jurassic World, leading the film alongside Scarlett Johansson. His prolific and acclaimed stage career includes playing Edgar in Ian McKellen’s King Lear and winning an Olivier Award for his portrayal of Jamie in Company.  

For the Bridge Theatre, Nicholas Hytner has directed Young Marx; Julius Caesar; Allelujah!; Alys, Always; A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Two Ladies; Beat the Devil; The Shrine; Bed Among the Lentils; A Christmas Carol; Bach & Sons; The Book of Dust – La Belle Sauvage; Straight Line Crazy; The Southbury Child; John Gabriel Borkman; and Guys & Dolls. Previously he was Director of the National Theatre from 2003 to 2015.

Performances are from 10 February until 10 May 2025.

Tickets on sale: Here

Guys & Dolls is playing at the Bridge Theatre until 04 January 2025.

LISTINGS INFORMATION FOR THE BRIDGE THEATRE

Address: Bridge Theatre, 3 Potters Fields Park, London, SE1 2SG

Box Office: 0333 320 0051 or [email protected]

Access: 0333 320 0051 or [email protected]

Website: www.bridgetheatre.co.uk

Twitter: @_bridgetheatre

Instagram: @_bridgetheatre

Facebook: facebook.com/bridgetheatrelondon

LEAD CASTING ANNOUNCED

FOR ‘SCISSORHANDZ’

A MUSICAL REINVENTED

AT SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE ELEPHANT

FROM 23 JANUARY 2025

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Producers Bradley Bredeweg, Kelley Parker & Brian Pendleton, along with co-producers Lance Bass and Michelle Visage, of SCISSORHANDZ: A Musical Reinvented are delighted to announce Jordan Kai Burnett (Magic Mike Live Las Vegas, Romy & Michele the Musical, Seattle) will star as Scissorhands, a role she originated in the original Los Angeles production, and 4-time Olivier Award nominee, Emma Williams (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Mrs Henderson Presents, Half A Sixpence, Love Story all West End) will star as Peg.

SCISSORHANDZ will open at Southwark Playhouse, Elephant from 23 January 2025 for an exclusive 10-week engagement closing on 29 March. There will be an official opening night on Thursday 30 January. Tickets on sale now!

Jordan & Emma will be joined by Dionne Gipson (original Scissorhandz cast member, Los Angeles Pee Wee’s Big Holiday for Netflix) as The Inventor, Lauren Jones (Ragtime, London) as Kim, Annabelle Terry (Who do ya Love?, London West End, Tales from Hans Cristian Anderson, Guilford) as Esmeralda, Ryan O’Connor (original Scissorhandz cast member, Los Angeles) as Helen, Richard Carson (The Hired Man, MAMMA MIA!, Oklahoma!, all West End) as Jim. The Ensemble will be played by Candida Mosoma (Lion King, UK & Ireland Tour,International Tour & South Africa, Pricilla Queen Of The Desert, Johannesburg & Hong Kong), Luke Cairns (Little Women, London), Grace Towning (Mean Girls, West End, 9 to 5, West End).

Jordan Kai Burnett said “This show may have started as a beautiful pipe dream in a bar in Los Angeles, but it quickly grew into something much more: a safe haven where everyone could come together and celebrate their uniqueness. It’s a space for all of us to be exactly who we are, unapologetically. SCISSORHANDZ has this uncanny way of returning just when the world needs it most, and there couldn’t be a better time for me to join the London cast for our European debut. This cast is absolutely wild, with the most insane talent. I think London audiences are about to lose their minds at just how camp, fierce, and electrifying this show is. We are about to set London on fire!”

Emma Williams “I think like many 80’s babies, Edward Scissorhands was one of my first crushes! The outsider, the sublimely unique, the other from another mother, our beloved hero/weirdo…. how could I do anything but say yes to playing Peg? I am beyond excited to delve into this show. Whether you call it a celebration, a tribute, a musical parody, it’s going to be truly EPIC!”

SCISSORHANDZ is a fresh and funny reinvention of Tim Burton’s cult classic Edward Scissorhands. This pop-musical parody extravaganza is a celebration of those who dare to be different, packed with a killer soundtrack featuring the likes of Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga & Alanis Morissette, plus more iconic hits you know and love. This is more than just a musical; it’s a movement!

After a wildly successful, sold-out run in Hollywood, where it captivated audiences and earned rave reviews, SCISSORHANDZ is set to take London by storm.

Further casting to be announced.

SCISSORHANDZ is written and directed by Bradley Bredeweg with choreography by Alexzandra Sarmiento, musical direction by Gregory Nabours, set design by James Pearse Connelly, costume design by Abby Clarke, lighting design by Adam King, sound design by Yvonne Gilbert, casting by Harry Blumenau Casting, production management by James Anderton and general management by Wildpark Entertainment.

Website: scissorhandzthemusical.com

Instagram: @scissorhandzmusical

TikTok: @scissorhandzmusical                                                   

LISTINGS INFORMATION

23 January – 29 March 2025

Southwark Playhouse Elephant

1 Dante Place,

London,

SE11 4RX

Performances:

Previews all at 7pm

Wednesday, Thursday at 7pm

Fridays at 6pm & 8.30pm

Saturdays at 3pm & 7pm

Sundays at 2pm & 6pm

w/c 24 March

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 7pm

Friday at 6pm & 8.30pm

Saturday at 3pm & 7pm

Sunday No performance

N.B there is an additional performance at 7pm on Tuesday 18 February

Box Office

020 7407 0234 / southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

Box Office opens Mon – Sat, 10am – 6pm.

Tickets

Previews 23 – 29 January | All tickets £20

Standard tickets from £25  

Concessions apply to full time students, patrons over 65, patrons under 16, disabled patrons, and patrons claiming Universal Credit.

Disabled patrons may bring a companion/carer free of charge.

Southwark Playhouse has a group booking rate that offers ten tickets for the price of nine.

Theatre Royal, Windsor – until 16 November 2024

Reviewed by Joanna Huggett

5*****

Around this time of the year, discussion turns to when is it too early to put up the Christmas decorations? Why are the Christmas lights already up and lit in the town centre and when should the Christmas pantomime season really start? So for me, an invitation to go to the Theatre Royal Windsor and watch Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, in early November, was considered maybe a tad early in the calendar.

However, this was an ‘on air’ production and presented as if from the broadcasting studio of a radio show. So despite having a reasonably good appreciation of the story, I was entertained and pleasantly surprised by the novelty factor as well as some clever interpretations along the way.

We are initially presented with a studio of chairs and microphones presented across the front of the stage, and some more interesting apparatus set behind to provide the sound effects, admirably performed throughout by one of the cast.

Then we are joined by the rest of the cast, yellow scripts in hand and dressed in Victorian fancy dress attire to complement the presentation.

Most of the cast performed multiple roles throughout the play, apart from Roy Marsden who played Ebenezer Scrooge from start to finish. He was joined by Jenny Seagrove playing Mrs Cratchit as well as the ghost of Christmas past, Michael Praed playing Bob Cratchit and Master, Robert Duncan playing Marley’s ghost, Fezziwig, and the ghost of Christmas present, Shannon Rewcroft playing Belle, Mrs Dibler and Tiny Tim, Holly Smith playing Mrs Fezziwig and Martha, Ben Stock playing Fred, Young Scrooge and Belle’s husband, and Micheal Workman playing the foley artist, Dibler, and the Ghost of Christmas future.

There’s no need to explain the story, I’m sure we’re all very familiar with the Charles Dickens novel, so beautifully adapted to this “on-air” format, however I have to admit that I’m now just a little more familiar with some of the characters in that book than I was previously, thanks to this format and the entertaining way in which this admirable cast presented it.

It’s a great story, and wonderfully re-told in this charming performance that plants you firmly into the Christmas spirit. And that Christmas spirit is leveraged by Ben Stock to get the whole audience to sing along with a few Christmas carols before the final curtain.

It’s a show that leaves you with a big grin on your face, having enjoyed a good old Christmas classic in an entirely novel format. But be warned, when you leave the theatre, you’ll wonder where are all the Christmas decorations?

Actress, singer and musical theatre star Sandra Marvin sat down with fairypowered to answer 20 questions. Sandra is currently on tour, playing Angelique in the brilliant & Juliet, which can be seen in Leeds from the 18th to the 30th of November.  Tickets can be found here

Let’s start with a few favourites

Favourite show (whether you have been in it or not)? 

Ragtime or &Juliet

Favourite book? 

The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace Vol 1 by Daisaku Ikeda

Favourite theatre? 

Sheffield Crucible or The Donmar

Favourite song? 

Evergreen by Barbra Streisand

Favourite music? 

All sorts soul, jazz, blues, rnb

Favourite food? 

Thai or Japanese 

Favourite drink? 

Crement / champagne atm

What is your favourite role? 

Too hard to say!!! Motormouth Maybelle, Mama Morton, Queenie, Deloris, Becky, Martha Or Angelique?!!’

What was your first role? 

My first role was Playing Miss Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray

And what role would you really like to play? 

I would love to play Bess in Porgy and Bess

If you weren’t a performer what would you be? 

A counsellor or a therapist

What made you decide to be a performer? 

I love how we are able to bring joy to others though performance and the arts

Do you enjoy touring? 

I love bringing amazing productions to regional theatres and seeing the how the different regions react

What advice would you give 16 year old you? 

Don’t be afraid to be unapologetically you! You are enough and the right people will come into your life when you believe it xx

Do you fancy branching out in Producing or Directing? 

I’d love to assist a fabulous director

What was the last stage show you saw and really enjoyed? 

The last show was Guys and Dolls at the Bridge theatre

Favourite line from any show? 

We’re about to go balls out! &Juliet

If you could be anyone else for the day, who would it be? 

Hmmmmm not sure…. me having won the lottery on a beach in the Caribbean with my closest friends and loved ones?

What are the nicest/weirdest things you have ever received from fans? 

Nicest- I’ve had a beautiful enormous cake made specially for the company by a local cake shop!

Can you tell us what you will be up to next? 

Probably going on a long holiday when this finishes!The “Amazing” &Juliet continues its tour around the UK, and I can only advise you to buy a ticket so you don’t miss out.  See the tour details at the website

Lyceum, Sheffield – until 16th November 2024

Reviewed by Alison Beaumont

4****

Grease the Musical is based on the 1978 American musical romantic comedy film starring John Travolta and Oliver Newton John. Grease follows the high school romance between Danny Zuko and Sandy Dumbrowski. During the summer Danny and Sandy fell in love but said their goodbyes and went their separate ways as they didn’t live near each other. However, Sandy then moves to the area and enrolls in Rydell High for her senior year not knowing that Danny also attends the same school. The pair meet up and Sandy is sad to see the Danny she fell in love with on the beach is not the same Danny at Rydell High.

The main characters Danny Zuko and Sandy Dumbrowski are played by Marley Fenton and Hope Dawe who have a very hard act to follow in the footsteps of John Travolta and Oliver Newton John. I particularly liked Hope when she sang the song “It’s raining on Prom Night” and felt that her vocals were better when she sang on her own. Marley had all the fun characteristics of Danny and played the part well.

Some of the scenes had been changed from the original movie and I couldn’t understand why some of these changes had been made, for instance, the dance competition scene when in the movie Danny went with Sandy and then won the competition with Cha Cha (Deena Kapadia) in the stage performance he went with Patty (Phoebe Roberts). I also couldn’t understand why in the cheerleading scene the cheerleaders wore boxing gloves instead of using pom poms.

The hand jive was out of this world and the dancers were all spot on and gave an amazing performance. They certainly had a lot of stamina.

I felt that all the T-birds were stronger as a team in their roles than the pink ladies and that some of the vocals for the females were a bit screechy on the high pitch notes. There were times when the music was a bit too loud to hear the words being sang but if like me you have watched Grease a million times you knew what they were singing anyway.

Ben Nicholas (Kenicie) was really good in the Greased Lightening scene, jumping on and off the car with good vocals too.

Another good song was when Roger (Lewis Day) and Jan (Emerald B) sang “Mooning”, I felt their vocals were good together.

Of course, the musical ended on a high with everyone stood up singing to the remix of songs It was good that everyone managed to respect the show and not sing along to all the favourites that we all know and love.

Hull New Theatre – until 16th November 2024

Reviewed by Dawn Bennett

5*****

I have been lucky to watch a number of Northern Ballet productions and I must say that this is probably the best one yet. It had a brilliant set and costumes. fabulous cast and absolutely amazing dancing.

Based on the novel by Charles Dickens this production was based on an original outline by Christopher Gable and developed jointly by Christoper Gable and Carl Davis. Northern Ballet, under Artistic Director Frederico Bonelli, brought this production to life.

Jacob Marley (Andrew Tomlinson) is dead and Scrooge (Jonathan Hanks) is the only person at his business partners funeral. The story then moves to several years later to London, on Christmas Eve, to the counting house that Ebeneezer Scrooge owns and where the long-suffering Bob Cratchit (Harris Beattie) is working along with his miserable boss. Even when the nephew of Scrooge (Jun Ishii) and his wife (Sarah Chun) and try and instil some Christmas spirit in Ebeneezer nothing works. Bob Cratchit leaves for home and Scrooge returns to his lodgings where he visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley who gives him the warning that unless he changes his ways he will be condemned to a life of torment.

Scrooge is visited by three ghosts, The Ghost of Christmas Past (Saeka Shirai), the Ghost of Christmas Present (Joseph Taylor) and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (Andrew Tomlinson).

The Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge to the home of his first employer and he sees the mistakes that he made as a young man.

The Ghost of Christmas Present takes him to the home of his employee Bob Cratchit and he sees that even with very little money or possessions they are very happy and content with each other.

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come see Scrooge back at the Cratchits house where the family are mourning the loss of their son and brother Tiny Tim (George Vernon).

Scrooge is then in a bedroom and on the bed is a corpse and Scrooge realises when he sees a headstone that the corpse is in fact himself.

Scrooge promises to change and indeed he does, from a bitter and lonely old man to someone who regains his lost humanity and begins to love his fellow man.

With the production and costume design by Lez Brotherston OBE the setting of this production was always going to good but it was really good to watch and to see how the set moved from Scrooges lodgings, to his office, to the Cratchit’s house, to the Fezziwig’s and back again.

This is a stunning production of A Christmas Carol and it is definitely a must see, if it’s the first ballet you have seen or if you have seen lots, you certainly will not be disappointed.

COME FROM AWAY

LOWRY, SALFORD

TUESDAY 3^rd DECEMBER 2024 TO SUNDAY 5^th JANUARY 2025

Welcome to the Rock! The international hit musical Come From Away is landing at Lowry, Salford next month for a 4-week festive run – part of its first ever UK tour.

Winner of Best New Musical awards across the globe, Come From Away shares the incredible real-life story of the 7,000 air passengers from all over the world who were grounded in Canada during the wake of 9/11, and the small Newfoundland community that invited these ‘come from aways’ into their lives.

It runs at Lowry from Tuesday 3^rd December 2024 to Saturday 6^th January 2025.

Steve Cowton, Head of Theatres at Lowry, said: “We are thrilled to be presenting this brilliant feel-good musical this festive season. Come From Away has been a huge hit all over the World and we can’t wait to share it with our audiences.”

Experience the joyous story and soaring music as spirited locals and global passengers come together and forge friendships that will stay with them forever. The first female American Airlines captain, the quick-thinking town mayor, the mother of a New York firefighter and the eager local news reporter are among the many real characters caught at the start of the moment that changed the course of history, and whose stories became a true celebration of hope, humanity, and unity.

The international hit musical has celebrated record-breaking engagements in the West End, on Broadway, in Canada, throughout Australia, and on a 60-city North American Tour.

This critically acclaimed show is on its first ever UK & Ireland tour, direct from the West End where it celebrated over 1,000 performances and played to more than 850,000 people at the Phoenix Theatre.

The Come From Away cast includes Natasha J Barnes (Hex at the National Theatre, The Witches of Eastwick at the Sondheim Theatre) as Janice & others, Daniel Crowder (Mamma Mia UK and International tour, The Mousetrap at St. Martin’s Theatre) as Nick, Doug & others, Mark Dugdale (Previously Come From Away at the Phoenix Theatre in London and Abbey Theatre in Dublin, The Book Thief at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry and Curve in Leicester) as Kevin T, Garth & others, Rosie Glossop (Kinky Boots: The Musical at the Adelphi Theatre and feature film, Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist as part of The Honeybuns) as Bonnie & others, Amanda Henderson (Robyn Miller in BBC’s Casualty, and Oliver! at Theatre Royal Drury Lane) as Beulah & others, Kirsty Hoiles (Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre, Spend, Spend, Spend UK tour) as Diane & others, Oliver Jacobson (The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre and Grease UK tour) as Oz & others, Dale Mathurin (Frankenstein UK tour, Evita at Regents Park Open Air Theatre) as Bob & others, Nicholas Pound (Cats at the formerly named New London Theatreand on UK and international tour, Elf at the Dominion Theatre) as Claude & others, Sara Poyzer (Mamma Mia! Novello Theatre, UK and International tours, Billy Elliot the Musical at the Victoria Palace) as Beverley, Annette & others, Bree Smith (Titanic The Musical UK tour and The Color Purple UK tour) as Hannah & others, Jamal Zulfiqar (Migrations, a Welsh National Opera UK tour and Tiger Bay at the Wales Millennium Centre) as Kevin J, Ali & others, with Angeline Bell (Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre and Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward Theatre), Daniel Cane (The Country Wife at Southwark Playhouse and Spamalot UK tour), Ashleigh Harvey (Mamma Mia! UK and International tour and Heathers at The Other Palace), Alyn Hawke (Disney’s Beauty & the Beast UK tour and 42^nd Street UK tour), Kathryn Pemberton (The Sopranos UK and international tour and Catch Me at Upstairs at the Arts), and Kevin Yates (Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations at the Prince Edward Theatre and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical UK tour).

The Come From Away Creative team include Irene Sankoff and David Hein (Book, Music and Lyrics), Christopher Ashley (Director), Kelly Devine (Musical Staging), Ian Eisendrath (Music Supervision and Arrangements), Beowulf Boritt (Scenic Design), Toni-Leslie James (Costume Design), Howell Binkley (Lighting Design), Gareth Owen (Sound Design), David Brian Brown (Hair Design), August Eriksmoen (Orchestrations), Pippa Ailion CDG and Natalie Gallacher CDG (Casting), Tara Overfield Wilkinson (UK Associate Director), Richard J. Hinds (UK Associate Choreographer), Kirsty Malpass (UK Assistant Director), Alan Berry (UK Musical Supervisor), Andrew Corcoran (UK Musical Director), Zoë Hurwitz (UK Associate Set Designer), Sabrina Cuniberto (UK Costume Supervisor) and Marcus Hall Props (UK Props Supervisor).

Come From Away is produced in the UK by Smith & Brant Theatricals in association with Curve.

‘One of the Best Musicals of the Century’
The Times

Leicester Square Speigeltent, London – until 5 January 2025

Reviewed by Ava Clarkson

4****

The invite to review the 20th Anniversary showing of La Clique in Leicester Squares Speigeltent was much anticipated. Having reviewed this last year, I was looking forward to a night of “Cabaret, Circus, Comedy, Music” Housed inside the “Speigeltent” in the centre of the Leicester Square Christmas market, the atmosphere as you walk inside the big top is amazing and feels like the start of the festive season. A holly decked bar greets you in a pre-show room, as you wait to enter the show. The staff are friendly and welcoming, and the compère invites you to enjoy the show and leave your troubles outside. The big top again feels like Victorian times with music akin to the Greatest Showman and a beautiful burgundy velvet tented ceiling. We are seated circled around a small red centre stage, and at the edge of the tent are saloon style booths.

Twenty years ago, David Bates unveiled La Clique at the 2004 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. It has gone on to become a theatrical phenomenon and has toured the globe. Critics have been unanimous in their praise: “amazing, hilarious, exotic, erotic, stunning, mesmerising, breath-takingly skilled … La Clique is a rare and unmissable treat”. The show is hailed as a 16+ event and we are informed that the line-up could change night by night, but we are guaranteed a brilliant experience in the La Clique Speigeltent.

First up and setting the scene of what is yet to come is Miranda Menzies, in her second season with La Clique. She defies belief as she is attached to the ceiling by her hair and spun round and round at great speed. Her act of ancient hair suspension keeps the audience looking to the skies as we watch her muscular body contort and spin. We see her later in the evening too morphing inside a giant balloon in an alluring nightgown, only to pop out with a loud bang wearing not much more than her pants!

We are treated to various circus style acts over the evening from the likes of Americas Got Talent Semi Finalist Tap Dancer Bayley Graham whose energetic and fast paced routine has us mesmerised by his feet. Cornelius Atkinson hangs from the ceiling on 2 simple ropes – shirtless, tanned and toned, his pure strength and aerial stunts are astonishing – as are his muscles on muscles! Katherine Arnold arrives from the velvet curtains to the music “weirdo”. She climbs into the wooden hoop and expertly spins and whirls around, up and down to the haunting music. Arnold is a regular on the London cabaret scene, performing in iconic venues such as Circus London, Proud Cabaret and The Box. Danik Abishev performs his show on his hands, hopping from one tall pole to another with ease and an air of cheekiness as he strips to his pants. Nathan Price and Isis Clegg-Vinell a roller skating “Dysfunctional Duo” take over the stage and the audience is asked to remain seated. The speed in which they spin around the tiny red stage is truly thrilling.

The audience holds its breath throughout their performance and indeed later in the evening when they are joined by Cornelius Atkinson to become Trio Vertex for a combination of roller skating and aerial stunts you will not want to miss.

The humour is bought to the stage by Florian Brooks and his acrobatic goldfish – Bubbly! Florian spins his goldfish (pretend of course – no animals were hurt during this performance!) around and around in a glass of water on a hoop. He then returns to show off his exceptional juggling skills later in the evening, with a speed of hand I’ve not seen before.

But the performer of the night for me was Asher Treleaven who hilariously performs with a Diablo, raunchily gyrating around his body and chatting away to us as he does. A member of the audience is involved and enthusiastically joins in with Asher’s banter. He flirts with the men and the woman and when he returns to the stage later, he reads to us – you may think “how can this be funny” but the audience is in fits of laughter as he reads a raunchy story with hilarious voices, accents and acting.

Although this is the 20th anniversary opening night which brings high expectation, I do not feel it was as risqué or varied as last year’s show. The circus style acts were outstanding, the danger, strength, and grace of the performers underneath the beautiful Speigeltent roof is a remarkable sight, but in previous years there has been more singers, comedy and variety acts brought out. La Clique does state each evenings line up could be different though… This being said the acts defy gravity and common sense in way that leaves us on the edge of our seats throughout. La Clique is the perfect night out for the festive season.

Royal & Derngate Theatre – Northampton – until 16th November 2024

Review by Amanda Allen

5*****

We all know the story of Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein, probably from childhood, but this reimagined tale by Sean Aydon brought a new perspective to one of the earliest Science Fiction stories we have. Set in 1943 with most of Europe tearing itself apart we are introduced to Victoria Frankenstein (played brilliantly by Emily Jane McNeill) and “Captain” (played with equal brilliance by Basienka Blake) in a small hut at the end of nowhere they are hiding away from the world for what initially appears to be very different reasons. Both women are frightened and untrusting of each other and the wider world around them and it’s here that their tale unfolds.

As the story of Victoria’s creation becomes clear we learn about her past life and work, her relationship with her family and her love interest, Henry (Tawana Dingembira) For me the relationship between Victoria and her lab assistant, Francine, played wonderfully by Brianne Surgeoner was the one I found myself most invested in. Victoria didn’t seem to appreciate the impact her attempts to create the perfect human specimen could possibly have on Francine who described herself as imperfect, the irony seemed lost on Victoria or else she was truly oblivious to Francine’s differences as she saw her simply as her super-efficient Lab assistant, totally overlooking what others would describe as disabilities.

The frightening prospect of the government getting involved in her experiments was brought to the stage by Richter, the representative from the University played by Basienka Blake again. It made you think about many of the atrocities we now know happened during the 2nd World war and about how far medical science has come in the last 80+ years. Victoria’s quest to be able to cure many illnesses and sickness and replace worn parts of bodies is, in the 21st century, fact not fiction. Lydia Whitehead who played Victoria’s sister Elizabeth bought some much needed softness and light to a dark tale offering up her love of her sister and her family and the normality of her life in comparison to the strange darkness of Victoria’s Life.

The creature created by Victoria and Francine is portrayed brilliantly by Andy Cresswell. He gave the monster creation real depth of character. The idea that he could learn to speak, understand, read and function in a world he had no prior knowledge of was a fascinating concept. To have him quoting Shakespear’s Hamlet was a genius touch making him appear empathetic and human whilst at the same time he was possessed of a powerful need to destroy those he thought had wronged him.

Mention must be made of the set, lighting and costume designers (Nicky Bunch, Jason Addison and Tabitha Stock). They created the perfect atmosphere for frightening the audience! I swear I left my seat I jumped so much at the point where the creature came to life, even though I knew it was coming. With dark, moody lighting, fabulous prosthetics, costumes and make-up the creature was truly scary. The story also had a proper ending, leaving, no ends left untied, no questions about what happened next. It made you think about life as we know it and the advances science has brought us. Do not go and see this with young children or if you have a heart condition, but if that’s not you get your tickets quick.

Everyone’s favourite convenience store packs up shop to hit the road as Kim’s Convenience goes on a UK tour March–June 2025

After critically-acclaimed runs at Park Theatre and Riverside Studios,the hit production Kim’s Convenience is packing up and heading on a UK tour. Taking charge as the new patriarchic figure of the family will be star of the CBC and Netflix adaptation James Yi. As well as being known for Kim’s Convenience,Netflix, he has also been seen in The Interview and Gabby Duran & The Unsittables and has played Appa in previous productions.

Well versed in the complex and shifting family dynamics within the story’s narrative, having been involved in both stage and screen,Yi will explore the growing separation between traditional first-generation immigrant values and those of his second-generation children in this heart-warming tale of the Korean-Canadian family. James Yi comments, Kim’s Convenience has literally changed my life. This play continues to open new doors for me, like getting to go all the way to the UK to tour the show with an amazing cast and production team! I feel like I’m in a dream that I never want to wake up from. The award-winning play from

Ins Choi which inspired the CBC and Netflix’s TV comedy adaptation debuted in 2011 at Toronto Fringe festival, where the play won the Best New Play award and the Patron’s Pick. Kim’s Convenience continues to champion East Asian representation and remains a reflective and universal story that resonates with audiences from any culture. Tackling persistent issues surrounding community, family and intergenerational relationships,this production’s rich tapestry of modern life will now be shared with wider UK audiences.

Producer Adam Blanshay comments, We’re delighted that Kim’s Convenience continues to capture the hearts of its audiences and that people around the United Kingdom will get to experience this universally beautiful story, which embraces family, cultural heritage, and the legacies we leave behind.

Park Theatre’s Artistic Director Jez Bond also comments, I am thrilled that after the success of its sell-out run with us and subsequent transfer to Riverside Studios, Kim’s Convenience will be touring the county-enabling audiences in the regions to enjoy this funny, poignant and entertaining show.

Previous praise for Kim’s Convenience:

Masterfully directed by Esther Jun, this is popcorn theatre: we could go on watching and watching – ★★★★ The Guardian

Entertaining, keenly observed piece that believably depicts the experiences of many first-and second-generation immigrants –★★★★ The Stage

Kim’s Convenience is a store of wisdom – ★★★★ Financial Times

The rest of the cast taking this familial story on tour is soon to be announced