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EGGS-TRA! EGGS-TRA!

AMBASSADOR THEATRE GROUP PRODUCTIONS
PROUDLY PRESENT
A UK AND IRELAND TOUR OF
MOTHER GOOSE

THE NATION’S PANTOMIME

STARRING
IAN McKELLEN, JOHN BISHOP,
MEL GIEDROYC

WRITTEN BY JONATHAN HARVEY
DIRECTED BY CAL McCRYSTAL

OPENING AT THEATRE ROYAL BRIGHTON ON 3 DECEMBER 2022
BEFORE A SEASON IN THE WEST END AT
THE DUKE OF YORK’S THEATRE

FROM 15 DECEMBER 2022 TO 29 JANUARY 2023

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Ambassador Theatre Group Productions are delighted to announce a UK and Ireland Tour of the pantomime MOTHER GOOSE. The first of its kind to tour the country and play all the way to Easter! www.mothergooseshow.co.uk

Starring Ian McKellen as Mother Goose, John Bishop as Vic Goose and Mel Giedroyc as the Goose, the show will play at the Theatre Royal Brighton from 3 – 11 December 2022, before a season at the Duke of York’s Theatre in London’s West End (15 December 2022 – 29 January 2023). It will then play Chichester Festival Theatre (7 – 11 February 2023), Sheffield Lyceum (14 – 18 February 2023), Wolverhampton Grand (22 – 26 February 2023), Liverpool Empire (28 February – 4 March 2023), Oxford New Theatre (7 – 11 March 2023), Bord Gais Energy Theatre Dublin (22 – 26 March 2023), and Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff (28 March – 1 April 2023) with further venues to be announced soon.

This very special pantomime is written by Jonathan Harvey (Coronation Street, Gimme Gimme Gimme) and directed by award-winning director Cal McCrystal. Set and Costume design is by Liz Ascroft, Choreography by Lizzi Gee, Lighting design by Prema Mehta, Sound design by Ben Harrison andPuppet Design and Creation by Chris Barlow. Casting is by Anne Vosser and the Production Manager is Ben Arkell.

The show will also star Oscar Conlon-Morrey as Jack, Simbi Akande as Jill, Sharon Ballard as Evil Fairy Malignia and Karen Mavundukure as Good Fairy Encanta. The cast also includes Adam Brown, Gabriel Fleary, Richard Leeming and Genevieve Nicole. Further casting to be announced soon.

Mother Goose (McKellen) and her husband Vic (Bishop) run an Animal Sanctuary for waifs and strays and live a wholesome life inside an abandoned Debenhams. But when a goose (Giedroyc) flies in, will fame and fortune get the better of them?! Will Ma’s feathers be seriously ruffled? Will Pa tell everyone to get stuffed?! And is their fair life about to turn fowl? Get ready for fairies with hefty vocal chords, puppets with tap dance qualifications and impeccably constructed mayhem that will quack up the whole family. This hilarious family-friendly mother of all pantos is the ultimate theatrical feast full of fun, farce and more than a couple of surprises that will make you honk out loud.

Mother Goose is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, Hunter Arnold, Seaview, Wessex Grove, Richard Winkler & Dawn Smalberg, Caiola Productions and George Waud for Groove International.

The Londoner is the official hotel partner of Mother Goose.

For further press information please contact Simon Raw, Emily Webb, Daniel O’Carroll on

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected] or 020 3829 0930

MOTHER GOOSE – LISTINGS 2022/23

www.mothergooseshow.co.uk

For show information follow

www.twitter.com/mothergooseshow

www.facebook.com/mothergooseshow

www.instagram.com/mothergooseshow

www.tiktok.com/mothergooseshow

Saturday 3 December – Sunday 11 December 2022

Brighton Theatre Royal

www.atgtickets.com/theatre-royal-brighton

Thursday 15 December 2022 – Sunday 29 January 2023

London, Duke of York’s Theatre

www.atgtickets.com/duke-of-yorks-theatre

Tuesday 7 February – Saturday 11 February 2023

Chichester Festival Theatre

www.cft.org.uk

Tuesday 14 February – Saturday 18 February 2023

Sheffield Lyceum

www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

Wednesday 22 February – Sunday 26 February 2023

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

www.grandtheatre.co.uk

Tuesday 28 February – Saturday 4 March 2023

Liverpool Empire

www.atgtickets.com/liverpool-empire

Tuesday 7 March – Saturday 11 March 2023

Oxford, New Theatre

www.atgtickets.com/new-theatre-oxford

Wednesday 22 March – Sunday 26 March 2023

Dublin, Bord GáisEnergy Theatre

www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie

Tuesday 28 March – Saturday 1 April 2023

Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre

www.wmc.org.uk

FURTHER VENUES TO BE ANNOUNCED

Theatr Clwyd, Yr Wyddgrug – until Saturday 15th October 2022

Reviewed by Julie Noller

4****

Enid Blyton wrote The Famous Five series of books about her mystery solving family of young teens in a post war Britain, that’s over 60 years ago! They were my introduction to crime novels from an early age, a joy of reading that spans over 40 years. Enid Blyton is an institution as British as Afternoon Tea; it would take an extremely brave team to not only bring her work to the stage but to totally refresh it with a modern twist.

A collaboration between Chichester Festival Theatre and Theatr Clwyd brings a fresh vibe that sees writer Elinor Cook and Director Tamara Harvey concentrate on family relationships and climate crisis as opposed to spies.

On entering the theatre to make our way to our seats I was delighted to see the stage used as a warm up set with puppet hares, light up model tents, cottage and a derelict castle. I’ve got to say I was in awe of the musicians, Elisa Boyd, Claire Shaw and Benedict Wood; the ease and warmth in which they played drew you into the stage as a front cover of a book can call to you.

The simple stage set up was perfect it allowed your imagination to flow, adding details to the story unfolding before your eyes. Every now and then the lighting would shift and allow you to see the band at work behind the scenes a gentle nod to how a film changes pace or altering storylines and plot twists develop.

What would a mystery be without trap doors and tunnels they were great to see on stage, equally what would a mystery be without a villain one who appears in a cloak which felt like watching a Scooby Doo cartoon then in the final scenes appears in a James Bond-esq white suit, I felt this was a gentle touch of brilliance by the Design team led by Lucy Osborne.

You do wonder how the combination of Enid Blyton and Musical is actually going to work but it really does, at just over 2 hours it really packs in the songs which at times leave you breathless. Each character has their time in the limelight, quite often with muscial’s certain characters shy away from singing after all we are not all made to raise the roof but each and every song works really well adding dimensions and pushing the story along with lines being able to be plucked out by the audience ‘lashings of ginger beer’ being one that really struck me.

With a modern retake comes a modern feel and it works extremely well to hi-light how well each character is written, there is a depth to each that I would never have considered, perhaps without sounding too negative they weren’t the characters I remember but challenging your preconceptions isn’t a bad thing. This musical takes each individual and assesses how they interact with each other, how a family bond can work in terms of friendship.

I haven’t mentioned specific characters there is Ailsa Dallin who received the biggest cheer or perhaps her character Timmy the dog did, her pupperteering is fantastic, she appeared to know Timmy inside out I believed I was looking at a dog with his quirky sniffing and wagging tail. Maria Goodman delivers a great performance of wayward teen George aka Georgina a tomboy at heart rebelling against her attention neglective Father Quentin (David Ricardo-Pearce) Lara Denning brings us the maternal softer side of family life as Fanny with her joy of cooking and secret book writing, twisting at the end with a book published quite possibly saving the family home, that’s girl power. Our three siblings chucked into poor Georges life whilst seeking adventure (who doesn’t love adventure?) Jullian (Dewi Wykes) Dick (Louis Suc) and Anne (Isabelle Methven) each ticks certain personality criteria. Jullian who wasn’t quite as strong and forthright as my memory recalls but is a 14 year old growing up with the weight of his family resting on his shoulders for he is the eldest pushed to act accordingly and yet quite possibly the most vulnerable. Dick quite easily the most fun sibling always hungry always playing jokes and getting into scrapes; dare I say middle child syndrome? Anne I remember being quiet but intelligent the one to suggest but on stage she struggled to be heard. Being the youngest and a girl, yes times have changed I struggled to move beyond that and I believe this production did too for a time having her arguing with her brothers instead of being the peacekeeper. I’m glad to see Anne brought back into the fold with her illustrating her Aunt Fannys book. There are only 2 other characters but they are quite important to the plot. Sam Harrison is Bobby a sort of one size fits all character, he is funny, camp and quirky and quite possibly the character to cross all the decades. He is helpful, imformative and yet kidnapper all in one. Kibong Tanji is Roweena a dastardly villian who I very almostly hissed at – ok I booed inside. She has the most amazing voice reaching those high pitches easily.

All in all The Famous Five is a great introduction to the genre of mystery drama. It even answers the age old question of why are they The Famous Five to find out you’ll have to go see it.

MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY ANNOUNCES FULL CASTING FOR THE WORLD PREMIÈRE OF

TERRY JOHNSON’S THE SEX PARTY

PUBLIC BOOKING OPENS AT 10AM TODAY

The Menier Chocolate Factory today announces the full casting for the world première of Terry Johnson’s The Sex Party – Johnson directs Will Barton (Tim), Amanda Donohoe (Magdalena), Lisa Dwan (Gilly), John Hopkins (Jake), Timothy Hutton (Jeff), Jason Merrells (Alex), Pooya Mohseni (Lucy), Molly Osborne (Hetty) and Kelly Price (Camilla).

The production opens on 15 November, with previews from 4 November, and runs until 7 January 2023.

The world première of

THE SEX PARTY

Written and Directed by Terry Johnson

4 November 2022 – 7 January 2023

Cast: Will Barton (Tim), Amanda Donohoe (Magdalena), Lisa Dwan (Gilly), John Hopkins (Jake), Timothy Hutton (Jeff), Jason Merrells (Alex), Pooya Mohseni (Lucy), Molly Osborne (Hetty) and Kelly Price (Camilla)

Designer: Tim Shortall;Lighting: Ben Ormerod; Sound: John Leonard

Four couples gather in a suburban London home for an evening of wine, cheese, and more intimate pleasures. Some are curious, some are more familiar, and one is rather unexpected. Thus a promising evening is poised to go beyond anyone’s expectations.

The world première of this play by Terry Johnson similarly promises to surprise, perhaps shock, and most certainly entertain!

Will Barton plays Tim. His theatre work includes The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson (Park Theatre and Edinburgh Fringe), The Libertine (Theatre Royal Bath, Theatre Royal Haymarket), Toast (Park Theatre, UK tour and 59E59 Theatres, New York), Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Joking Apart (Nottingham Playhouse and Salisbury Playhouse), The Boy on the Swing (Arcola Theatre), The Bowmans (The Watermill Theatre), and Festen (Almeida Theatre tour). For television, his work includes A Confession, There She Goes, Vanity Fair, Theresa Vs Boris: The Battle to be PM, Switch, New Tricks, How Do You Want Me and Barking; and for film, Official Secrets, Ilkley, The Theory of Everything, City Slacker, and Oscar and Lucinda.

Amanda Donohoe plays Magdalena. Her theatre credits include Star Quality (UK tour), Teeth ‘n’ Smiles (Sheffield Theatres), Hedda Gabler, Miss Julie, The Admirable Crichton, Great Expectations (Royal Exchange Theatre), The Graduate, HRH (West End), and Uncle Vanya (Broadway – Outer Critics’ Circle Award for Best Broadway Debut by an Actress). For television, her work includes

LA Law – as series regular Cara Jean ‘C.J.’ Lamb (Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Mini Series or Motion Picture for Television), Emmerdale – as series regular Natasha Wylde, Bad Girls – as series regular Lou Stoke, Toast of London, Pramface, Air Force One is Down, Murder City, Lucky Day, In the Beginning, Bob Martin, Frasier, Ally McBeal, Deep Secrets, The Thorn Birds, Murder Most Horrid, A Woman’s Guide to Adultery, Briefest Encounter, Shame, Hidden Room, Laughter of God, An Affair of the Mind, and Game Set and Match; and for film, Castaway, The Lair of the White Worm, The Rainbow, The Madness of King George, The Princess Switch, Blue Iguana, The Swing of It, Trafficker, The Calling, Starship Trooper 3, Wild About Harry, Circus, Writer’s Block, Liar Liar, One Night Standard, The Substitute, Dark Obsession and Paper Mask (Variety Club of Great Britain Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture).  

Lisa Dwan plays Gilly. Her theatre work includes Happy Days (Riverside Studios), The Love and The Collection (Shakespeare Theatre Company, Lansburg), No’s Knife (The Old Vic), Shining City (Irish Repertory Theatre, New York), Not I/Footfall (Royal Court Theatre, Old Vic, UK tour), Illusions (Bush Theatre), Goran Bregovic: Margot, Diary of an Unhappy Queen (Barbican), Beside the Sea (South Bank Centre), Not I (South Bank Centrem Enniskillen International Beckett Festival, Battersea Arts Centre), Whiskey in the Jar (Soho Theatre), The Importance of Being Earnest, Silence (Town Hall Theatre Company), History of the World at 3am (Andrews Lane Theatre), An Bacchae (Taibhdhearc Theatre) and The Old Law, As You Like It (Nun’s Island Theatre). For television, her work includes Bloodlands, Pale Sister, Top Boy – as series regular Lizzie, Trust, Rock Rivals, Fair City, The Big Bow Wow, Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog and The Morbegs; and for film, Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain, The Tailor of Panama, The Ones, Moving Target, Oliver Twist and Lord Lucan.

John Hopkins returns to the Menier to play Jake – he previously appeared in The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ – The Musical. His theatre work includes The Boys in the Band (Park Theatre and Vaudeville Theatre), Ross (Chichester Festival Theatre), Ben Hur (Tricycle Theatre), Holy Warriors (Shakespeare’s Globe), Private Lives (Edinburgh Lyceum), A Mad World My Masters, Titus Andronicus, Candide, Antony and Cleopatra, The Tempest, Venus and Adonis, King John, Julius Caesar, Love In A Wood (all RSC), Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? (Sheffield Crucible), The Deep Blue Sea (Chichester Festival Theatre) and The 39 Steps (Criterion Theatre). For television, his work includes Poldark, Endeavour, The Lodge, Stan Lee’s Lucky Man, Catastrophe, Dancing On The Edge, Hacks, Secret Diary Of A Call Girl, Merlin, Identity, Wire In The Blood, Robin Hood, The Path to 9/11, Nicholas Nickleby, Love In A Cold Climate, and two series as Detective Sergeant Scott in Midsomer Murders; and for film, The Face Of An Angel, Alice In Wonderland, The Experiment and The Pool.

Timothy Hutton plays Jeff.  Hutton started his career winning an Academy Award and Golden Globe award for his performance in Robert Redford’s Ordinary People. His other film credits include John Schlesinger’s The Falcon & The Snowman; Harold Becker’s Taps; Alan Rudolph’s Made in Heaven; Fred Schepisi’s Iceman; Sidney Lumet’s Daniel and Q&A; Roman Polanski’s The Ghost Writer; Robert De Niro’s The Good Shepherd; John Krasinski’s directorial debut, Brief Interviews with Hideous Men; Bill Condon’s Kinsey; John Sayle’s Sunshine State; Ted Demme’s Beautiful Girls; also Beautiful Boy, Serious Moonlight,  Lymelife, Off the Black, Secret Window, The General’s Daughter; and, most recently Julie Taymor’s The Glorias.On stage, as a member of New York’s Circle Repertory, he originated the lead role in the Broadway production of Craig Lucas’ Prelude to a Kiss and also starred in Babylon Gardens directed by Joe Mantello. He additionally appeared in the Los Angeles stage production of The Oldest Living Graduate, a role he later reprised for a live broadcast on NBC television. He also directed Nicole Burdette’s Busted for the New York-based theatre company Naked Angels. On television, he appeared in the critically acclaimed The Haunting of Hill House for Netflix and Jack Ryan for Amazon.  Prior to that he starred in American Crime, for which he received an Emmy nomination.  Other television credits include Nero Wolfe (for which he also served as executive producer, director and music supervisor), A Long Way Home (Golden Globe nomination) and Mr & Mrs Loving (which he developed and produced). Behind the camera, he has directed a number of music videos, including “Drive” by the Cars, “Not Enough Love” by Don Henley and the Neil Young concert film Freedom.  He also directed Grandpa’s Ghost, an episode of Steven Spielberg’s Amazing Stories based on a story he wrote. His feature film directing debut, Digging to China, starring Kevin Bacon, premièred at the Sundance Film Festival to standing ovations.

Jason Merrells plays Alex. His theatre work includes How The Other Half Loves (Theatre Royal Haymarket), Five Finger Exercise (Coronet Theatre), Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors (RSC),

A Christmas Carol (Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple), Uncle Vanya (HOME), Twitstorm (Park Theatre),   Twelve Angry Men (UK tour), The Pleasureman (Citizens Theatre, Glasgow), Chekhov (National Theatre Studio) and Saved (Bolton Octagon (Manchester Evening News Saward for Best Actor in a Supporting Role). His television work includes Happy Valley, Finding Alice, I Knew Jesus, Agatha Raisin – as series regular Sir Charles Fraith, Legends of Tomorrow, Safe House, Death in Paradise, Emmerdale – as series regular Declan Macey, Lark Rise to Candleford, Waterloo Road – as series regular Jack Rimmer, The Hitch, Cutting It – as series regular Gavin Ferraday, and Clocking Off; and for film, The Jealous God, Do Not Disturb and A Small Obsession.

Pooya Mohseni plays Lucy. She is an award-winning Iranian American actor, writer, filmmaker and transgender activist. She recently appeared in the world premiere of the Lucille Lortel-winning play English (Atlantic Theater Company). Her other stage performances include Hamlet (Play On Shakespeare Festival), Comedy of Errors (Play On Shakespeare Festival), One Woman (United Solo), She,He,Me (National Queer Theater), Our Town (Pride Plays), Galatea (The WP Project), The Good Muslim (EST), White Snake (Baltimore Center Stage), an audible production of Chonburi Hotel & The Butterfly Club (Williamstown Theater Festival). Her film and television credits include Law & Order: SVU, Big Dogs, Falling Water, Madam Secretary, Terrifier and See You Then, streaming on all digitalplatforms.

Molly Osborne returns to the Menier Chocolate Factory to play Hetty. She previously appeared in Indecent and Fiddler on the Roof (also Playhouse Theatre). Her television work includes Call the Midwife.

Kelly Price returns to the Menier to play Camilla. She previously appeared in The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ – The Musical and A Little Night Music (also Garrick Theatre – Olivier Award nomination for Best Supporting Performance in a Musical). Her other theatre work includes The Woman in White (Palace Theatre), Mamma Mia (Prince Edward Theatre), It’s a Wonderful Life (Avalon), Guys and Dolls (Piccadilly Theatre), Desperately Seeking Susan (Novello Theatre), Chicago (Cambridge Theatre), The Misanthrope (Comedy Theatre), Zack, That Day We Sang, Little Shop of Horrors (Royal Exchange Manchester), Stepping Out (Salisbury Playhouse), Boeing Boeing, Company (Sheffield Crucible), Perchance to Dream (Finborough Theatre), One Man Two Guvnors (National Theatre tour), All the Angels: Handel and the First Messiah (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre), Aspects of Love, Passion (Hope Mill Theatre), Othello (ETT), Peter Pan (Troubadour Theatre), and What’s New Pussycat? (Birmingham Rep). Her television work includes Granchester, The English Game, Endeavour, Waterloo Road, Accused – Helen’s Story, Massive and Kombat Opera; and for film, The Sense of An Ending and A Bunch of Amateurs.

As a playwright, Terry Johnson’s work includes Dead Funny, Prism and Ken (Hampstead Theatre), Insignificance, Cries from the Mammal House, Hysteria (Olivier Award for Best Comedy), Piano/Forte, Hitchcock Blonde (Royal Court Theatre), The Graduate (West End and Broadway), Mrs Henderson Presents (West End and Toronto), Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick (Olivier Award for Best Comedy) and The London Cuckolds (National Theatre). His directing credits include La Cage aux Folles (Menier, West End and Broadway; Tony Awards for Best Director of a Musical and Best Revival of a Musical; Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival and Critics’ Circle Best Musical Award); Rookery Nook (Menier);  Oh! What a Lovely War, Fings Ain’t What They Used T’Be (Theatre Royal Stratford East; marking the 50th Anniversary of Joan Littlewood’s Theatre Workshop), The Libertine (West End and Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago) and Dumb Show (Royal Court Theatre). West End and Broadway directing credits also include The Duck House, End of the Rainbow, The Prisoner of Second Avenue, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Rain Man, Whipping It Up, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Entertaining Mr Sloane and Elton John’s Glasses. His work for television includes Not Only But Always (Channel 4, which won five International Award nominations, Best Film at Banff and the Best Actor Bafta for Rhys Ifans), The Man Who Lost His Head (ITV), Cor, Blimey! (ITV) and The Bite for the BBC and ABC Australia. Nicholas Roeg’s film of Insignificance was the official British Entry at Cannes in 1985. His plays have won him  the Playwright of the Year Award 1995, Critics’ Circle Best New Play Award 1995, The League of American Theatres and Producers Best Touring Play Awards 2001, plus two Evening Standard Theatre Awards, two Writers Guild Best Play Awards, Time Out Best Play Award, the Mayer-Whitworth Award and the John Whiting Award. 

LISTINGS INFORMATION 

MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY

53 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1RU

THE SEX PARTY

4 November 2022 – 7 January 2023

Evening performances at 7.30pm, matinees at 3pm

ALEX EDELMAN – JUST FOR US

11 January – 26 February

Evening performances at 8pm, matinees at 3pm

MARJORIE PRIME

9 March – 6 May

Evening performances at 8pm, matinees at 3pm

Box Office:                         020 7378 1713 (£2.50 transaction fee per booking)

Website:                             www.menierchocolatefactory.com (£1.50 transaction fee per booking)

Tickets:                               Prices vary, as below from discounted preview tickets to premier seats. With the emphasis on ‘the sooner you book, the better the price’:

Please note at this time the restaurant is unable to open due to circumstances beyond the company’s control.

www.menierchocolatefactory.com

Twitter: @MenChocFactory

Instagram: @menierchocolatefactory

New West End cast and a new booking period for the hit musical SIX

A new quintet of cast members will soon become the newest wives of Henry VIII in hit West End musical, SIX, as the show extends its run at the Vaudeville Theatre with tickets now on sale up to October 2023.

Joining the principal line-up are Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky as Catherine of Aragon, Baylie Carson as Anne Boleyn and Koko Basigara as Katherine Howard with Monique Ashe-Palmer as Alternate Aragon/Cleves and Leah Vassell as Alternate Seymour/Parr.  

The new cast met together for the first time earlier this month, swapping the stage for boards of a different kind, playing the immersive challenge attraction of the much-loved Hasbro boardgame Monopoly Lifesized. Located in the heart of London, Monopoly Lifesized, is an immersive, on-your-feet version of the world’s favourite family board game, with real-life characters of the legendary board game tokens as their guides.

The new cast members’ first performance will be on Tuesday 18 October when they join current cast members Claudia Kariuki, Dionne Ward-Anderson and Roxanne Couch as Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves and Catherine Parr respectively.

Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky (Catherine of Aragon) made her professional debut in ‘The Book of Mormon’ at the Prince of Wales Theatre and appeared in ‘Bat Out of Hell’ at the Dominion Theatre. She starred as Rizzo in the UK Tour of ‘Grease’ and most recently played Alline Bullock in ‘Tina: The Tina Turner Musical’ at the Aldwych.  

Baylie Carson (Anne Boleyn) trained at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts before making their professional debut in ‘Dusty’, with further roles in ‘Bring it On’, ‘Lazarus’ and ‘The Boy From Oz’. Baylie joins SIX direct from the Australian tour of Alanis Morissette musical, ‘Jagged Little Pill’.  

Koko Basigara (Katherine Howard) joins the company from recently appearing as Lorraine in the revival of ‘Jersey Boys’. She has also appeared in the West End productions of ‘Beautiful – the Carole King Musical’, ‘Les Misérables’ and appeared in the live-action Disney films ‘Aladdin’ and ‘Beauty & the Beast’.  

Monique Ashe-Palmer made her West End debut in ‘Waitress’ at the Adelphi Theatre and joins SIX from its most recent UK Tour.

Having recently graduated from Arts Ed, Leah Vassell also appeared in ‘West Side Story’ at the 70th Annual Ljubljana Festival.  

Claudia Kariuki and Dionne Ward-Anderson continue their roles as Jane Seymour and Anna of Cleves, with Roxanne Couch joining the principal line-up as Catherine Parr having previously appeared regularly as Alternate Jane Seymour and Catherine Parr. Danielle Rose (Alternate Boleyn/Howard) and Super Swings Rachel Rawlinson and Esme Rothero also continue their roles.  

Since joining SIX the current West End cast have appeared on Dancing on Ice, the Women in Film and Television Awards and This Morning, collected the award for Best West End Show at the 2022 WhatsonStage Awards and appeared in the television broadcast of Party at the Palace as part of the late HRH Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.  

The current cast will continue their roles at the Vaudeville Theatre, playing their final performances on Sunday 16 October, with the new cast beginning performances from Tuesday 18 October, with the show booking until Sunday 29 October 2023.  

In addition to its usual performance schedule, the new booking period includes various access performances, and another Sing-along performance on Sunday 14 May 2023.

Since its debut outing at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2017, SIX has solidified its global reputation as a musical theatre phenomenon. In addition to the West End production, the show is currently touring across the UK, Australia and New Zealand, with two concurrent productions travelling across North America. The show also continues on Broadway, where it won 2 Tony Awards, 4 Drama Desk Awards, and 3 Outer Critics Circle Awards including Outstanding New Musical earlier this year.  

In June 2022, producers of SIX reunited the original West End cast and the production played three open-air performances at Hampton Court Palace in front of a total audience of 10,000 people, with the production also being recorded at the Vaudeville Theatre for a future release date.  

The global success of the show’s score also continues, having amassed over 500 million streams and 3 billion views on TikTok, with the Original Studio Cast Recording achieving Gold status, and a Broadway album, recorded live on their opening night.

SIX is co-directed by Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage, featuring choreography by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille. The design team includes Emma Bailey (Set Design), Gabriella Slade (Costume Design), Tim Deiling (Lighting Design) and Paul Gatehouse (Sound Design). The score features orchestrations by Tom Curran with music supervision and vocal arrangements by Joe Beighton. Casting for SIX is by Pearson Casting.

SIX is produced by Kenny Wax, Wendy & Andy Barnes and George Stiles.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

SIX

Vaudeville Theatre,
404 Strand, London WC2R 0NH

New booking period to Sunday 29 October 2023

Performance Information

Tuesday 8pm
Wednesday 8pm
Thursday 5.30pm and 8.30pm
Friday 8pm
Saturday 4pm and 8pm
Sunday 4pm and 7pm

Duration: 80 mins with no interval

Age Recommendation: 10+

Booking Information

Tickets: From £19.50

All tickets include a £1.50 Restoration Levy
No booking fee if booked in person at the Box Office

Box Office: 0330 333 4814

www.nimaxtheatres.com

Sing-along Performances: Sunday 25 September 2022 – 7pm
Sunday 14 May 2023 – 7pm

Access Performances:

Audio Described
Sunday 13 November – 7pm Thursday 6 April 2023 – 5.30pm Saturday 12 August – 4pm

Captioned
Sunday 20 November – 7pm Sunday 16 April 2023 – 7pm Sunday 20 August 2023 – 4pm

BSL
Sunday 27 November – 4pm Sunday 9 April 2023 – 4pm Thursday 17 August – 5.30pm

Online:
@sixthemusical across all platforms

www.sixthemusical.com

1st look at the video for “We Will Be Loved Anyway” from the Original Cast Recording of My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?)

First look at the video for  “We Will  Be Loved Anyway” from the Original Cast Recording of My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?)

It features Rob Madge with guest singers Jessica Aubrey, Kayla Carter, Pippa Cleary, Oscar Conlon-Morrey, Isaac Hesketh, Jordan Lee Davies, Carl Man, Vinnie Monachello and B Terry.

As Rob Madge transfers their award-winning autobiographical show, My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?), to the West End’s GarrickTheatre from Friday 21 October – Sunday 6 November, theatre music label Westway announces that it will release the original cast recording of the show through their Westway Original imprint on 21 October 2022.

 The single “We Will  Be Loved Anyway” will get a digital release 7 October.

The single can be pre-ordered with this link https://ingrv.es/we-will-be-loved-any-tan-1

Barn Theatre, Cirencester – until 29 October 2022

Reviewed by Josie Armand Smith

5*****

The Girl on the Train is a gripping mystery thriller based on Paula Hawkins international best seller and adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel for the stage. 

The story starts with Rachel, brilliantly and convincingly played by Gemma Yates-Round. She is drunk and alone in her flat. She longs for a better life like the one she sees from the train window everyday on her way to work. When she learns the woman she watches has gone missing she finds herself drawn into a thrilling and dramatic mystery.  

The stage set is dark and moody. Lighting is cleverly used for passing trains and flash backs to memories and earlier moments. The convincing characters have stories that develop and revelations are made throughout the whole play. The twists and turns to the plot will have you on the edge of your seat.

The play does have an age recommendation of 15+ years due to adult themes and language.

The Girl on A Train is running until the 29th October at the Barn Theatre, Cirencester.

Hull City Hall – 29th September 2022

Reviewed by Dawn Bennett

5*****

At the launch of the Hull City Hall Classics Season, we listened to a fabulous night of some of the film worlds most classic movie scores.

The conductor, Stephen Bell, led the orchestra through 60 years of the film worlds most iconic pieces.

They started with the main theme from The Big Country composed by Jerome Morross and we were transported to The Great Plains of America in the theme to this classic 1958 western.

Next, we had the Jurassic Park Main Theme composed by the brilliant John Williams.

Award winning John Barry Out of Africa Main Theme was fabulous, the violins particularly so.

The Great Escape march by Elmer Bernstein was the next piece. We had the concert arrangement of this epic tune, and the audiences’ whistles were very much encouraged by the conductor!

I See You from the Movie Avatar was the most up to date piece of music played, composed by James Horner we were listened to an orchestral arrangement of this classic James Cameron movie theme.

We had another classic this time Schindler’s List Main Theme with the music by John Williams. Tamas Andras (Orchestra Leader) played the violin solo with such feeling you could hear a pin drop.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Main Theme by Howard Stone took us back to Middle Earth with a rousing brass section.

Another classic John Williams composition next Harry’s Wondrous World from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone as a Harry Potter fan I could not believe this film is now 21 years old!

Finishing the first half was the epic 633 Squadron Main theme by Ron Goodwin with the fabulous brass section coming into their own.

The Main Theme from Superman opened the second half, another John Williams classic tune from the 1978 movie. The brass section introduction making this easily recognisable.

Another John Barry composition this time the Main Theme from Born Free winning the composer two Academy Awards for Best Song (with Don Black) and Best Original Score.

Changing the tone completely with Theme and Chase from Wallace and Gromit, composed by Julian Nott who also did Peppa Pig!

Saving Private Ryan Hymn to the Fallen again by John Williams was so beautifully played and very poignant.

The Main Theme from Gladiator by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard, this concert arrangement was one of my favourite pieces of the concert.

Indiana Jones and The Raiders of the Lost Ark. Raiders March was instantly recognisable as another John Williams classic.

Chantal Webster Cello solo was magnificent in Hans Zimmer’s Pirates of the Caribbean Dean Man’s Chest: Jack Sparrow.

The last piece was another John Williams epic piece. Star Wars. Imperial March, Main Theme and Princess Leia’s theme with the wonderful soloists Sarah Bennett (flute) and Alex Edmundson (horn).

Stephen Bell (conductor) really kept us informed, giving us details on the pieces, and seeing them in a different light.

After a very well-deserved standing ovation, we were treated to the 40-year-old Flying Theme from ET. My friend, who has never seen a live orchestra before, called it “awesome” and it was!

Leeds Grand Theatre – until 29 October 2022

Reviewed by Dawn Smallwood

4****

Opera North marks 2022 autumn season with the production, debuted in 2014, La Traviata. The opera is set to Guiseppe Verdi’s musical score and based on Alexandre Dumas fils’ La Dame aux camélias and the main character, Marie Duplessis.

Directed by Alessandro Talevi and choreographed by Victoria Newlyn, La Traviata explores the love between Violetta (Alison Langer), a courtesan, and Alfredo Germot (Nico Darmanin), a young man from provincial France. Violetta was living for her life with parties until meeting Alfredo and after some persuasion and resistance, she falls in love with him.

The relationship isn’t approved particularly with Giorgio Germot (Damiano Salerno), Alfredo’s father, and he asks Violetta to sacrifice their love for his children’s happiness and security which in turn she does. It doesn’t go down well with Alfredo, and he is determined to get Violetta’s love back. The plot unfolds where themes of betrayal, jealousy, rivalry, and vindication are unravelled throughout the three acts. Redemption and forgiveness are eventually sought between all parties but only to have met with tragedy.

Excellent portrayals from Langer as Violetta, Darmanin as Alfredo, and Salerno as Giorgio. They are supported by the rest of the strong and talented cast. Familiarity reigns for its emotive and upbeat music particularly the well-known arias, Libiamo ne’lieti calici (Brindisi) and Sempre Libera, under the musical direction of Jonathan Webb.

The staging is incredible with captivating creative designs by Madeleine Boyd with lighting and videographic support from Matthew Haskins and Gemma Burditt. The staging solidifies and transports the story of Violetta and the Parisian high society with the contrasting circumstances she lives in.

An emotional evocative opera with a tragic story of “Amore e Morte” of a fallen woman quoted in the programme by Sarah Hibberd. Sung in Italian with English surtitles, La Traviata is an opera which is worth it to see musically and narratively.

Dundee Rep – until 15 October 2022

Reviewed by Jo Gordon 

5*****

A current day interpretation of the classic Don Quixote by Cervantes, We follow The story of Don, an ageing gent who has become weary of the world he sees through his TV screen so declares himself the lionhearted chevalier he feels is needed to readdress the balance of good and evil. 

He convinces his overly chatty great nephew to join him on the quest, together, on steeds in the form of a small child’s bike and mobility scooter with swords held aloft, they head off to right the wrongs. 

Hilarity ensues, as Don drags Sandy across town and into the hills to face who and what he believes is the downfall of modern times and in the end, face his biggest fear of what is happening back home. 

All six cast members bring their characters to life beautifully, showing their fragility just as much as the humour, giving  plenty to raise both a giggle and empathy from the audience. On top of which we are given the treat of live Spanish guitarists providing the soundtrack to Dons adventure, strumming some real classic tunes if you hone in your ear.

A superb update to the original along with being hilariously thought provoking! 

The Vaults until 14 January 2023

Review by Heather Chalkley

4****

Entrepreneurial writer and director Shane ‘Shay Shay’ Konno offers a new era blend of panto and burlesque, with a hint of hunger games thrown in! Traditional panto is a story of good overcoming evil. The Witches of Oz puts a thoroughly modern twist on this theme, with gender identity, the environment, and corrupt politicians at the forefront. Often with hilarious results. The piece is stuffed to the rafters with gags!

The Munchers (the audience!) wears shades of green to reflect the glow of the emerald city. As we feast the story unfolds. As the story unfolds the Munchers vote with their boos and cheers, changing sides and sometimes mixing it up as they are making their decision. The cast sets the scene with spotlight introductions, each character maintaining their persona throughout.

Grace Kelly Miller (The Good Witch) is the compere that carries the story along, bringing shades of The Capitol elite from the Hunger Games. She carries the deceit perfectly balanced, with a desperation only those that are in too deep to see a way out of a corrupt system. Miller also raises the energy in the room with her powerful tunes.

Feyi Wey (The Wicked Witch) is the activist pushed out by the elite, desperately trying to save Oz from environmental disaster. Half her lines are Adele song titles, which the audience soon picks up on with great approval. She’s got soul! Especially as Wey really brings it with Adele power ballads. She puts a positive spin on what it is to be ‘wicked’, as in cool, hip, awesome!

Doro ‘they’ (Lily Downes) combines the sweet, dulcet tones of the original Dorothy with a rambunctious, confident, fully fledged adult, very comfortable with their gender identity. This character is a great example of how it can be for today’s young people, in their discovery of who they are. Downes wastes no time making it clear that they received help and support to get where they are.

Tin (Fizz Sinclair), Lion (Milla Sutton) and Scarecrow (Sara Nelson) are each distinct characters that carry a different facet to the message of the piece. Nelson (Scarecrow) brings a quirky mad professor feel to the part, that is embodied in the song Fire Starter – that gets the audience jumping! Sinclair (Tin) throws some great shapes and delivers a wicked deadpan gag. Sutton (Lion) gives you a great range of facial expressions, with no illusions as to what he is thinking and feeling.

The set and lighting take some skill to successfully deliver the Emerald City and Witches Mountain vibe. The Vaults is the perfect venue, with the rumble of the trains over head adding to the atmosphere. If you want a fun night out with good food, great songs and a ‘wicked’ storyline, this is the place to come. Konno is a writer to watch out for.