Category: Uncategorized

Brighton Theatre Royal – until Saturday 1 October 2022

Reviewed by Sue Bradley

3***

Remember Alan, Wayne, Jay? No? How about Merrill? Still nothing? Now add in Donny, Marie and ‘Little Jimmy’….. ah yes, arguably the most famous musical family of all time; certainly in our lifetimes. The Osmonds.

Narrated and written by Jay (played by Alex Lodge), the youngest of the original four brothers in the performing group, we are taken through a whistle-stop tour of their lives. From their first public appearances as a barber-shop quartet in 1958, with the eldest of them only 9, through the almost unbelievably successful years in the early to mid 70’s, now with Donny and Marie, and on to the low point in the 80’s when they nearly lost everything, before finally recovering by concentrating on what they did best; entertaining as singers and dancers.

In recent years we have seen a number of ‘boy-bands’ become extremely successful, but many of them owe their singing style and dance moves (and even some of their songs) to the sensation that was The Osmonds.  And, unlike today’s boy-bands, each of the ‘boys’ were talented multi-instrumentalists as well as singers and dancers. It may be hard to believe it is almost 50 years since they were all over our screens!

In this show we learn very little about the individual characters within the family – we have to draw our own conclusions about who these talented boys/young men and woman were and how they coped with the twin pressures of public adulation and a Drill-Sergeant-like father demanding perfection. More detail about this would have made the show more interesting and accessible to any audience members who were not Osmonds fans. 

Interestingly, although famously a Mormon family, religion plays no direct part in this show – the nearest we get to understanding its place in their lives is their family motto ‘Faith, Family and Career’.

You will hear all the hits and, dependent upon how much of a fan you were (or are), some of the slightly less well known songs and rest assured, you will find yourself unable to resist humming or singing along to ‘Let Me In’, ‘Love Me For A Reason’, ‘Paper Roses’, ‘Long Haired Lover From Liverpool’ and of course, ‘Puppy Love’.

The sound production was excellent – although we never see them, there is a full live band somewhere backstage and they provided a more or less flawless backing for the singing and dancing. And, although there is probably not a stand-out voice amongst these performers (although Marie, voiced by Georgia Lennon, has a fine country voice), their ensemble singing is very strong, with one or two acapella (voice only) sections which are astonishingly good (despite there being 3 understudies on the night this review took place).

It is in the very nature of The Osmonds for this show to have a ‘Middle Of The Road’ character but don’t be put off by that – the production values are extremely high, and if you are an Osmonds fan you will find yourself joining the rest of the audience by getting to your feet and giving the performers the standing ovation they have worked so hard to deserve.

• BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET RETURNS TO BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME THIS AUTUMN WITH A CONTEMPORARY TRIPLE BILL, INTO THE MUSIC AND THE MUCH LOVED COPPÉLIA

• THE TRIPLE BILL’S BIRMNGHAM PREMIERE INCLUDES JIRI KYLIAN’S FORGOTTEN LAND, THE UK PREMIERE OF UWE SCHOLZ’S BEETHOVEN’S THE SEVENTH SYMPHONY, AND NEW COMMISSION CHOREOGRAPHED BY MORGANN RUNACRE-TEMPLE WITH NEW MUSIC BY MIKAEL KARLSSON, HOTEL

Following Birmingham Royal Ballet’s critically acclaimed season of Carlos Acosta’s new production of Don Quixote in Birmingham earlier this year, the Company returns to Birmingham Hippodrome from 21-22 October to delight audiences with the premiere of the triple bill, Into The Music. Celebrating the marriage of music and movement, it has been an ambition of BRB’s Director Carlos Acosta to stage Into The Music since he announced his first season just before the pandemic. The programme showcases neo-classical and contemporary ballets, celebrated international choreographers rarely seen in the UK, BRB’s orchestra the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, and the fresh direction Carlos Acosta is setting for Birmingham Royal Ballet.

The programme brings together international artists from across the world and features UK and world premieres and rarely seen work. It showcases The Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Birmingham Royal Ballet’s permanent orchestra, which is also Britain’s busiest ballet orchestra. The Sinfonia frequently also plays for The Royal Ballet and other leading ballet companies, including the Paris Opera Ballet, the Kirov, New York City Ballet, Australian Ballet and more.

The triple bill opens with Jiří Kylián’s magnificent Forgotten Land which illustrates why Kylián is one of the most revered choreographers of the 20th century, with a gripping journey into memory and loss set to Benjamin Britten’s magnificent Sinfonia da Requiem. A work in which all of the choreography derives directly from the music, Britten, who grew up in East Anglia surrounded by the sea, dedicated the composition to his parents. Kylián has therefore used the idea of the everlasting presence of the ocean as a life-giving and life-taking force, as a main theme for his choreography. He also took inspiration from Edward Munch’s painting Dance of Life, in which the woman in three stages of her life is clearly present, echoing the three sections of the music.

Next, choreographer Morgann Runacre-Temple and composer Mikael Karlsson team up for the world premiere of a Ballet Now commission Hotel offering a surreal journey into the secrets and lies that live behind closed doors. Morgann will work with her collaborative partner Jessica Wright to bring their experience in film to create a playfully interactive, multimedia live performance using pre-recorded and live camera work projected onto the scenery. The performers will interact with the on-stage cameras which themselves drive the narrative; they are characters in themselves, allowing audiences behind the doors of the Hotel and into the secret lives of the occupants. Hotel features Stage Design by rising star Sami Fendall, for which she won the Linbury Prize, and brand new composition from Mikael Karlsson, whose music has been performed in concert halls, opera halls and at festivals across the globe. Karlson has released over twenty albums with works for orchestra, chamber works and soundtracks ranging from pop and film music to sound collages, dance scores and avant-garde concert music.

And to close, a work by the late and prolific German choreographer Uwe Scholz. Scholz choreographed more than 100 choreographic works for major companies and venues before his untimely death in 2004. He worked regularly with classical repertoire – and never more dramatically than in his setting of Beethoven’s vibrant The Seventh Symphony, famously described by Wagner as ‘the apotheosis (pinnacle) of the dance’.

Carlos Acosta said: ‘We were delighted to bring our Don Quixote to packed houses at Birmingham Hippodrome and cannot wait to return later this year with our ambitious triple bill Into The Music. It’s been my ambition to programme this triple bill ever since I joined the company and it will showcase some of the most important contemporary and classic choreographers as well as UK and world premieres, so I’m very excited to share it with Birmingham audiences.’

Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Autumn Season at Birmingham Hippodrome continues from 26-29 October.with the return of Coppélia.

Love conquers all in Sir Peter Wright’s joyous classic brought back to the stage by Birmingham Royal Ballet for the first time in five years, with Léo Delibes’ glorious score performed live by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia.

When eccentric toymaker Dr Coppélius leaves his greatest creation, the doll Coppélia, on his workshop balcony, she’s soon causing quite a stir in the village. Comic chaos is unleashed as Dr Coppélius tries to bring Coppélia to life in this timeless classic.

Tickets are on sale now from https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com

Richmond Theatre – until 1 October 2022

Reviewed by Carly Burlinge  

4****  

Richmond Theatre brings you Noughts and Crosses written by the award-winning writer Malorie Blackman adapted by Sabrina Mahfouz.  

Sephy (Effie Ansah) is a Cross – A rich girl from a high classed family, whose father Kamal (Daniel Norford) works as home secretary within the British Government. Her best friend in the world on the other hand is Callum (James Arden). The son of the housekeeper that works for Sephy’s Family and is a Nought, meaning for them, their worlds are very much divided. With The Crosses being Black people having power and wealth and the Noughts being White people undervalued – and poverty-stricken. But as this friendship grows also does their love for one another and when they are told to stay away from each other due to a disagreement and Callum’s mother being fired. It becomes almost impossible for them to stay apart and they begin to meet in secret for three years to continue what they both hold so dearly to one another. 

But as situations arise and these two very different worlds collide is their friendship and romance enough in a world full of privilege and power, terrorism, racism and distrust that so desperately want to keep them apart. 

The staging opened with a very powerful statement and symbol of noughts and crosses hanging over the middle of the stage in red lighting alone in darkness.  

I especially enjoyed the dramatic moments on stage when all went into slow-motion using simple props around the stage to make the whole scene intense with strobe-lighting to really give a full affect. 

Noughts and Crosses offered a compelling thought-provoking drama regarding the struggle within social-divide that was effective and gripping to watch. I enjoyed this production from start to finish definitely one to go and watch. 

CASTING ANNOUNCEMENT

FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS OF SMASH HIT ITV DRAMA ‘GRACE’

GIOVANNA FLETCHER, CLIVE MANTLE

& GEORGE RAINSFORD

WILL TAKE TO THE STAGE TO STAR IN THE WORLD PREMIERE OF

PETER JAMES’

‘WISH YOU WERE DEAD’

UK TOUR 2023

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM PETERJAMES.COM

Producer Josh Andrews has today announced the lead cast for the UK tour of Peter James’ Wish You Were Dead: George Rainsford, will star as James’ famous detective DSI Roy Grace, alongside Giovanna Fletcher who will star as Cleo Morey and Clive Mantle, who will star as Curtis. Leon Stewart will return to the role of DS Glenn Branson.

The world stage premiere of Wish You Were Dead follows five successful stage plays and the critically acclaimed smash-hit primetime ITV series ‘Grace’, which are all based on the best-selling novels by the UK’s number one crime author Peter James. This will be the sixth stage adaptation of James’ novels -making it the most successful crime thriller stage franchise since Agatha Christie.

Adapted exclusively for the stage, Wish You Were Dead kicks off a major nationwide UK tour in February 2023 at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley. The production will then travel to a selection of top theatres across the country until late July. Tickets are on sale now from PeterJames.com.

Giovanna Fletcher is a hugely successful author, podcast host and Queen of The Castle after winning I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here in 2020, Giovanna’s theatrical credits include 2:22 A Ghost Story and Ivanov in the West End and she also appears in the feature film The Boat That Rocked.

Clive Mantle’s extensive range of credits across theatre, film and television, include an Olivier Award nominated performance in Of Mice and Men. He is perhaps best known for his TV work in shows such as Casualty, Holby City, Game of Thrones and The Vicar of Dibley and is also an award-winning children’s author.

George Rainsford has for the last nine years, been playing series regular Ethan Hardy in Casualty on BBC One, for which he won the Inside Soap Award Best Drama Star 2017. Other Television credits include Holby City and Call the Midwife and his numerous theatre credits include productions at the National Theatre, RSC and the Old Vic.

George Rainsford said: “I can’t wait to be part of a theatre ensemble again and delve into Peter James’ thrilling criminal underworld. Getting to play Roy Grace, his most renowned detective creation, will be a huge honour. I am excited to meet audiences from all over the UK, and share with them some enthralling, edge-of-your-seat entertainment!”

Clive Mantle said: “I’m looking forward to terrifying… I mean entertaining… audiences up and down the length and breadth of Britain with ‘Wish You Were Dead’. Full of suspense and drama, there will be many funny moments too during the course of a captivating evening. There’s a clue there for starters. Roll up, roll up, all you amateur sleuths. Can’t wait to see you all.”

Giovanna Fletcher said: “I’m really looking forward to appearing on stage as Cleo in this brand new play, and excited to work with George and Clive – two wonderful actors I’ve heard great things about. As a novelist, I know how important the characters I create are to me, so I’m thrilled Peter James has entrusted me with this wonderful role, in what is another brilliant and gripping story from one of the greatest masters of crime thrillers!”

Writer Peter James said: “I am beyond thrilled with the wonderful star cast that we have assembled for the world stage premiere of Wish You Were Dead. I love the fact that so many people create their own image of my characters but for me, George, Giovanna and Clive are all inspired interpretations of how I see Roy Grace, Cleo and Curtis and I am equally thrilled that Leon is returning to play Branson again. It is going to be very exciting to work with this great group of actors and I can’t wait for them to give audiences around the country, a thrilling, fun and hugely entertaining night at the theatre.”

Previous Peter James novels brought to the stage include: ‘Looking Good Dead’ which premiered last year starring Adam Woodyatt and Gaynor Faye; ‘The House on Cold Hill’ starring Joe McFadden and Rita Simons in 2019; ‘Not Dead Enough’ starring Shane Richie and Laura Whitmore in 2017; ‘Dead Simple’ starring Tina Hobley in 2015 and ‘The Perfect Murder’ starring Les Dennis and Claire Goose in 2014.

The gripping television series ‘Grace‘ was an immediate success with audiences when it launched on ITV in 2021, with almost nine million viewers tuning in to watch the primetime drama starring John Simm as DSI Roy Grace. Series two returned to TV screens in spring this year, with five more thrilling episodes being the most watched programme across all channels on each of the Sundays they were broadcast. A third series is now in the works.

The stage play of Wish You Were Dead follows DSI Roy Grace and Cleo Morey as they take a much needed holiday together. They are hoping for a few days away from their dark worlds of murder and the mortuary. But their dream escape turns out to be the holiday from hell, as the past comes back to haunt them.

Produced by Josh Andrews and Peter James and adapted by award winning writer Shaun McKenna, who has adapted the five previous Peter James plays, the production will also reunite the creative team from Looking Good Dead, with Jonathan O’Boyle directing, Design by Michael Holt, Lighting by Jason Taylor and Sound by Max Pappenheim.

Peter James is a number one bestselling author of crime and thriller novels and the creator of the much loved Detective Superintendent Roy Grace. He has topped the Sunday Times bestseller list 19 times and has achieved global book sales of over 21 million copies which have been translated into 37 languages. Synonymous with plot twisting page turners, he has garnered an army of loyal fans throughout his storytelling career which also included writing for TV and producing films. He has won over 40 awards for his work, including the WHSmith Best Crime Author of All Time Award, Crime Writers’ Association Diamond Dagger and a BAFTA nomination for The Merchant of Venice starring Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons, which he also executive produced.

Wish You Were Dead’ – UK Tour 2023

16 – 18 February Bromley: Churchill Theatre ON SALE NOW

20 – 25 February Norwich: Theatre Royal ON SALE NOW

28 February – 4 March Nottingham: Theatre Royal ON SALE NOW

6 March – 11 March Cambridge: Arts Theatre ON SALE SOON

13 March – 18 March Newcastle: Theatre Royal ON SALE NOW

20 March – 25 March Brighton: Theatre Royal ON SALE NOW

28 March – 1 April Glasgow: Theatre Royal ON SALE NOW

3 – 8 April Edinburgh: Festival Theatre ON SALE NOW

18 – 22 April Richmond: Richmond Theatre ON SALE NOW

25 April – 29 April Milton Keynes: Milton Theatre ON SALE NOW

2 – 6 May Leeds: Grand Theatre ON SALE SOON

8 – 13 May Shrewsbury: Severn Theatre ON SALE NOW

16 – 20 May Cardiff: New Theatre ON SALE NOW

23 – 27 May Salford: The Lowry ON SALE NOW

30 May – 3 June Dartford: Orchard Theatre ON SALE NOW

6 – 10 June Southampton: Mayflower Theatre ON SALE NOW

12 – 17 June Malvern: Malvern Theatre ON SALE NOW

19 – 24 June Birmingham: Alexandra Theatre ON SALE NOW

27 June – 1 July Sheffield: Lyceum Theatre ON SALE 1 OCTOBER

3 – 8 July Southend: Palace Theatre ON SALE NOW

18 – 22 July Leicester: Curve Theatre ON SALE SOON

25 – 29 July Woking: New Victoria Theatre ON SALE NOW

* Giovanna Fletcher will be performing in the production up to and including Milton Keynes

Listings Information

For more information and to book tickets, visit PeterJames.com and myticket.co.uk

Twitter: @PeterJamesStage

Instagram: @Peterjamesonstage

Facebook: /Peterjamesstage

BUGSY MALONE THE MUSICAL ANNOUNCES

CHRISTMAS SEASON AT LONDON’S ALEXANDRA PALACE

ALEXANDRA PALACE, LONDON

SAT 3 DEC 2022 – SUN 15 JAN 2023

Bugsy Malone The Musical written by Alan Parker, with music and words by Paul Williams, today announces a London Christmas season, playing at Alexandra Palace for a strictly limited run. This revival of the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre’s Olivier award-nominated production directed by Sean Holmes and choreographed by Drew McOnie, is currently touring the UK and will open in London on 3 December 2022, playing until 15 January 2023. Tickets are on sale today.

Bugsy Malone The Musical is based on the iconic 1976 movie by Alan Parker whose long catalogue of films have won nineteen BAFTA® awards, ten Golden Globes® and six Oscars®. The film launched the career of Jodie Foster and received eight BAFTA® nominations and three Golden Globe® nominations including ‘Best Motion Picture for a Musical.’ 

Welcome to New York 1929! A city full of mobsters, showgirls and dreamers.  Rival gangster bosses Fat Sam and Dandy Dan are at loggerheads. The custard pies are flying and the new-fangled “splurge” gun is causing mayhem. 

Enter Bugsy Malone, a penniless one-time boxer and all-round nice guy. All he wants is to spend time with his new love, Blousey, but can he resist seductive songstress Tallulah and stay out of trouble long enough to help Fat Sam defend his business…?

Packed with instantly recognisable songs from Oscar®-winner Paul Williams including My Name is Tallulah, You Give A Little Love and Fat Sam’s Grand Slam, this fun-filled and riotous musical comedy offers the perfect festive treat for all the family.

Currently enjoying a major UK tour, the production stars a talented cast of young performers aged between 9 and 16 in the leading roles, supported by an ensemble of adult performers. The combined company of thirty-nine actors (including three teams of seven kids) are joined by a live band of seven musicians. The touring company will also perform at Alexandra Palace. 

Directed by Olivier Award-winning Sean Holmes and choreographed by Olivier Award-winning Drew McOnie, Bugsy Malone The Musical is designed by multi award-winning international stage designer Jon Bausor, with Phil Bateman (Musical Supervisor, Arranger and Orchestrator), Phil Gladwell (Lighting Designer), Ben Harrison (Sound Designer), Franny-Anne Rafferty (Associate Director), Leanne Pinder (Associate Choreographer), Verity Noughton (Casting Director for the unders), Will Burton (Casting Director for the overs) and Susannah Peretz (Wig Designer). Theatre Royal Bath Productions, Birmingham Rep and Kenny Wax, present the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre production. The Christmas season at Alexandra Palace is produced by Kenny Wax.

www.bugsymalonethemusical.com 

Twitter, facebook, Instagram: @bugsythemusical

Listings information:

Alan Parker’s 

BUGSY MALONE THE MUSICAL

Play by Alan Parker, Words & Music by Paul Williams

Alexandra Palace

Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY

Saturday 3 December 2022 – Sunday 15 January 2023

Performance Times:

Sat 03 Dec        7.00pm 

Sun 04 Dec       2.00pm 

Tue 06 Dec       7.00pm 

Wed 07 Dec      7.00pm 

Thu 08 Dec       7.00pm 

Fri 09 Dec         7.00pm 

Sat 10 Dec        2.00pm | 7.00pm

Sun 11 Dec       2.00pm | 7.00pm

Tue 13 Dec       7.00pm

Wed 14 Dec      7.00pm 

Thu 15 Dec       7.00pm 

Fri 16 Dec         7.00pm

Sat 17 Dec        2.00pm | 7.00pm

Sun 18 Dec       2.00pm | 7.00pm

Tue 20 Dec       7.00pm 

Wed 21 Dec      2.00pm | 7.00pm

Thu 22 Dec       7.00pm

Fri 23 Dec         2.00pm | 7.00pm

Sat 24 Dec        2.00pm

Mon 26 Dec      7.00pm

Tue 27 Dec       2.00pm | 7.00pm

Wed 28 Dec      7.00pm

Thu 29 Dec       2.00pm | 7.00pm

Fri 30 Dec         2.00pm | 7.00pm

Sun 01 Jan       7.00pm

Tue 03 Jan       7.00pm 

Wed 04 Jan      7.00pm 

Thu 05 Jan       7.00pm 

Fri 06 Jan         7.00pm 

Sat 07 Jan        2.00pm | 7.00pm

Sun 08 Jan       2.00pm | 7.00pm

Tue 10 Jan       7.00pm

Wed 11 Jan      7.00pm

Thu 12 Jan       7.00pm

Fri 13 Jan         7.00pm

Sat 14 Jan        2.00pm | 7.00pm

Sun 15 Jan       2.00pm

Box Office: 020 8365 4343

Online Booking: alexandrapalace.com | bugsymalonethemusical.com

Prices: Tickets from £20

Age guidance: 6+

Running time: 120 minutes including one interval

Bugsy Malone The Musical is also touring to theatres across the UK until 19 February 2023. For tour info and tickets, visit: bugsymalonethemusical.com 

The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

25th September 2022

Attended by Emma Millward

The Alexandra Theatre Birmingham gave us a sneak peek of their festive season spectacular. Dreamgirls will entertain audiences in Birmingham right up until New Year’s Eve.

After a brief introduction by Theatre Director Simon Creed, we were introduced to some of the cast and given exclusive stripped down performances of four songs from the hit show. The cast members and the characters they play are as follows:

Nicole Raquel Dennis as Effie White.

Natalie Kassanga as Deena Jones.

Paige Peddie as Lorell Robinson.

Brandon Lee Sears as Jimmy Early.

The full company opened with ‘Fake Your Way to the Top’. The perfect lively song to kick off proceedings. Between songs, the cast told us they were looking forward to bringing the show to Birmingham in December as it’s perfect for the festive party season with its glitz, glamour and plenty of brightly coloured sequins!

Brandon Lee Sears and Paige Peddie then sang ‘Ain’t No Party’. A much slower but equally powerful song that was met with a huge round of applause. Next came ‘Listen’, sang beautifully by Nicole Raquel Dennis and Natalie Kassanga. This is one of the more famous songs from the show and Nicole Raquel Dennis told us it’s always a crowd pleaser when it appears towards the end of the show.

Finally bringing the ‘Live Lounge’ style show to a fitting climax, Nicole Raquel Dennis sang ‘I Am Changing’. One of many big songs Nicole sings in the show. Nicole told us the role of Effie White was definitely a ‘bucket list’ role for any actor to play, and with emotional songs like this to perform each night, it’s not hard to see why.

If this dazzling preview is anything to go by, Dreamgirls definitely looks set to be the ‘must-see’ show in Birmingham this December and the perfect festive treat. Get your tickets now!!

Dreamgirls runs from 6th December until 31st Decembe

FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY
AT THE GARRICK THEATRE

MUSIC BY KEITH HARRISON DWORKIN

BOOK & LYRICS BY KEITH HARRISON DWORKIN & LAURA SCHEIN

MONDAY 31OCTOBER 2022

“Emojiland is a delectably silly-smart confection”

The New York Times

Having opened off-Broadway in January 2020 where it received a New York Times Critics’ Pick, the award-winning Emojiland, will be hitting the West End on 31 October 2022.

For a one night only concert at The Garrick Theatre some of the leading talent in musical theatre will take on these iconic figures inside our phones. Giving them life, personality, and whole lot of song.

This esteemed cast will include, Blake Patrick Anderson (Be More Chill), Laura Baldwin (Cinderella), Louise Dearman (Wicked), Olly Dobson (Back to the Future), Hiba Elchikhe (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), Renee Lamb (Six), Hannah Lowther (Heathers), Tim Mahendran (& Juliet), Natalie Paris (Six), Oliver Saville (Rocky Horror Show), Jonny Weldon (101 Dalmations), and Dean John Wilson (Aladdin).

Emojilandis an electric, funny and surprisingly touching piece about a diverse community of archetypes who live in our smart phones. They take one another at face value – but are far more complex: a smiling face dealing with depression; a princess who doesn’t want a prince; a skull dying for deletion; a nerd face too smart for their own good; a face with sunglasses who can’t see past their own reflection; and a police officer who struggles to break ranks for what’s right.

When a software update and an evil skull emoji threaten to destroy life as they know it, the characters in Emojiland must step out of their iconic roles to fight for survival, for freedom of self-expression and for true love.

Silly, witty, chaotic, and fun – How else would you want to spend Halloween this year?

Emojiland was originally presented by the New York Musical Festival (Dan Markley, Executive Director & Producer). Emojiland was a Grand Jury Selection of the 2018 New York Musical Festival. The original 2020 Off-Broadway production produced by Visceral Entertainment, and directed by Thomas Caruso.

The Original Cast Recording of Emojiland is available at BroadwayRecords.com and wherever digital music is sold.

LISTINGS

EMOJILAND

In Concert

THE GARRICK THEATRE

Monday 31 October 2022

Music by Keith Harrison Dworkin

Book and Lyrics by Keith Harrison Dworkin & Laura Schein

Venue: The Garrick Theatre

Address: 2 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0HH

Date: Monday 31 October

Running Time: 2 hours 30 Minutes, inc. interval

Website: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/emojiland/

Tickets: From £25

Socials:
@TurbineTheatre 

#PoweringTheImagination

NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE MAKE FURTHER CASTING ANNOUNCEMENT FOR ALL-STAR SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS

New Wimbledon Theatre have today [Tuesday 27 September] announced additional casting for their star-studded Christmas pantomime, Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs, which is set to take Southwest London by storm this festive season.

Joining the previously announced Brenda Edwards (Loose Women, X-Factor, Hairspray), Lee Mead (Holby City, Casualty, Any Dream Will Do), Matthew Kelly (Stars in Their Eyes) and Hannah Lowther (TikTok, Heathers) are: Ruthie Henshall; West End Legend, multi-award-winning actor, singer and dancer and 2020 I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here contestant, Dick & Dom; award-winning, comedy television presenters with a career in children’s television spanning over 20 years and John Archer; past winner of the Magic Circle Stage Magician of the Year and semi-finalist on Britain’s Got Talent 2019.

Ruthie Henshall will be swapping the bright lights for something a bit more sinister as she treads the boards as The Wicked Queen this Christmas. Most recently, she was seen as a firm fan favourite on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! in 2020, Ruthie’s career is however, defined by her West End and Broadway legend status. She made her West End debut in Cats, following a stint in the UK tour of A Chorus Line, but has since appeared in leading roles, in a plethora of huge shows, from: Miss Saigon (Broadway), to Children of Eden, Les Misérables (West End and 10th Anniversary ‘Dream Cast’), Crazy For You, Oliver!, She Loves Me (winning the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical), Chicago (Original London Company, Broadway and the only British actor to play all three female leads in the show), Stephen Sondheim’s Putting It Together, Peggy Sue Got Married, The Woman in White, Marguerite, Blithe Spirit and Billy Elliot (including the live cinema broadcast).

Set to cause as much on-stage chaos, as we are used to seeing on our television screens, and appearing as Snow White’s friends, are much-loved comedy duo Dick & Dom. Celebrating 25 years as a double act, the duo are multi-BAFTA award winners, known for hosting their iconic Dick & Dom in Da Bungalow, which led to spin-offs and presenting roles in further acclaimed productions such as: Diddy Movies and Diddy TV, Splatalot, The Legend of Dick and Dom, their science entertainment show Absolute Genius, Sunday Morning’s Lie in (BBC Radio 1) and Are You Smarter than a 10 Year Old (Sky One). As well as TV, they have starred onstage, and on the big screen, featuring in Horrid Henry; The Movie and on the West End in Monty Python’s Spamalot. Recently they started hosting their own Podcasts: Cash From Chaos, Diddy Pod and The Dick and Dom Debate.

John Archer also joins the cast as the misguided Henchmen and, is thought by many to be one of the best Comedy Magicians in the UK today having toured and performed widely for over 26 years. He appeared on ITV’s Penn & Teller – Fool Us show and was the first man to fool them, winning a trip to perform with them at The Rio Hotel in Las Vegas. In 2019 John took part in Britain’s Got Talent and reached the live semi-finals. He then went on to host A Magical Cirque Christmas, touring 43 cities across the USA. He is also a multi-award winner, with accolades including: The Magic Circle Stage Magician of the Year, The David Berglas Award For Outstanding contribution to Magic, The Carlton Comedy Award for outstanding use of Comedy and Magic as well as, British Magical Champion of Comedy at The British magical Championships, and in 2002 he was promoted to a Member of the Inner Magic Circle – with gold star. As a writer and performer, John has also been involved in several BAFTA-winning television productions.

Rounding up the rest of the cast are: Jonny Weston, Chris Otim, Lucas Angelo Ward, William Keeler, Jacob Smith, Jack Malin, Ellie May-Wilson, Tonye Scott-Obene, Ethan Atkinson, Michael Parker, Theo Rose, Lauren Hyland and Sasha Woodward.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is produced by Crossroads Pantomimes, the World’s biggest pantomime producer and performances begin at New Wimbledon Theatre on Saturday 3rd December 2022, continuing until Saturday 31st December, Tickets are from £13 and are on sale now: here

Live Entertainment News

Kilimanjaro Live proudly presents:

QUADRUPLE BAFTA WINNERS

‘DICK AND DOM IN DA BUNGALOW’

20^TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR EXTENDED AND MOVED TO 2023

THE BEST NIGHT OUT EVER!

To celebrate 20 years since cult hit TV show ‘Da Bungalow’ hit our screens – quadruple Bafta award winners Dick & Dom are back with an extensive UK tour for 2023. Taking in 23 dates the tour starts on Sat 11^th March at Birmingham’s Town Hall and culminates on Saturday 10^th June at Glasgow’s o2 Academy taking in a date at London’s Shepherds Bush Empire on Friday 21^st April. The show is set to excite Bungalow Heads young and old who spent every Saturday morning glued to the TV set watching the boys command the chaos.  Get ready for the messiest night out in the UK!

The live show promises to bring back the spirit of Da Bungalow with their family friendly anarchic style and content as it was in the original series.  This interactive experience will include all your favourite games including two-word tango, musical splatues, the grunty song, fairly hairy fizzogs, pants dance, what a sweaty flap and of course bogies!!!  And for their finale expect to watch participants being splattered in their legendary Creamy Muck Muckgame. There will be appearances from Diddy, Dick and Dom, and D.I Harry Batt with his interrogation game as well as giving audience members the chance to win part of, some of, or almost all the price of their ticket… To add to the excitement each audience member will have the chance to take part in the show and relive their childhood memories!

“20 years?! 20 years since those lift doors slid open and we welcomed you to Da Bungalow! It’s going to blow your mind as we take you on a nostalgia fuelled trip to

relive the best show ever to be on your telly! The most asked question we get is, ‘When are you going to bring Da Bungalow Back’. Well… it’s BACK! See you there. P.S BOOOOGIES!” DICK & DOM

‘Dick and Dom in Da Bungalow’ started on CBBC on August 31st, 2002. After one series, the audience had grown from one kid eating her cereal in Stockport, to hundreds of thousands of fanatical viewers screaming ‘bogies’ at the top of their lungs.

The show swiftly moved to BBC One, putting Saturday mornings back on the BBC’s map and thrashing the opposition ‘SMTV Live’. Over 4 years, 5 hit series and numerous awards and accolades Dick and Dom became household names. Despite being asked to continue for another 2 series the team made the decision to end the series on a high in 2006.

The show has many celebrity fans and participants (or victims!) of the show including Fearne Cotton, Adam Woodyatt, Chris Moyles, Tom Fletcher, Sara Cox, Will Mellor, Rupert Grint and of course Rachel Stevens (who famously legged it as she didn’t want to get dirty!).

After 25 years together Dick and Dom’s success is still as relevant today as it was back in ‘Da Bungalow’. In 2017, they completed a nationwide smash theatre tour, followed in 2018 by a sell-out season in one of the largest venues at the Edinburgh Festival, winning them an award for Best Family Show. Audiences of families and those old enough to remember the original still flock to see them proving the Bungalow’s heritage still lives on and continues to ignite the millennial generation.

Dick and Dom are Richard “Dick” McCourt and Dominic “Dom” Wood. As well as In Da Bungalow, they have presented The Sunday Morning Show on BBC Radio 1 and ‘Are You Smarter than a 10 Year Old?’ for  Sky 1 as well as starring roles in the hit film ‘Horrid Henry: The Movie’. Their many other hit TV shows include ‘The Legend of Dick & Dom’, Diddy Movies and Diddy TV, Splatalot, Dick & Dom’s HOOPLA and the BAFTA award winning ‘Absolute Genius With Dick and Dom’.  Recent TV appearances include Comic Relief, The Weakest Link, Pointless and Celebrity Ghost Trip.

The pair voiced the roles of Unhygienix and Fulliautomatix in the English release of the film Asterix: The Mansions of the Gods.  They also starred in the hit film ‘Horrid Henry: The Movie‘. On stage Dick and Dom played King Arthur and Patsy in Monty Python’s West End revival of Spamalot. 

The dates are as follows:

MARCH

Sat 11^th             BIRMINGHAM – Town Hall

Sun 12^th            SOUTHEND – Palace Theatre

Sat 18^th             WOKING – New Victoria Theatre

Sun 19^th            NOTTINGHAM – Theatre Royal

Mon 20^th           IPSWICH – Regent Theatre

Tues 21^st          CROYDON – Ashcroft Theatre

Thurs 23^rd         LEICESTER – De Montfort Hall

Fri 24^th              SHREWSBURY – Severn Theatre

Sat 25^th             HULL – City Hall

Wed 29^th           NEWCASTLE – Tyne Theatre

Thurs 30^th         BRADFORD – St. Georges Hall

APRIL

Sat 1^st               BUXTON – Opera House

Sun 2^nd             SALFORD – Lowry

Wed 19^th           PORTSMOUTH – Guildhall

Thurs 20^th         BRIGHTON – Dome

Fri 21^st             LONDON – Shepherds Bush Empire

Sat 22^nd            SWANSEA – Grand Theatre

Thurs 27^th         BATH – Forum

Fri 28^th              NORTHAMPTON – Royal & Derngate

MAY

Sat 6^th               KING’S LYNN – Corn Exchange

Fri 12^th              SHEFFIELD – o2 Academy

Sat 13^th            READING – Hexagon

Sun 14^th            CARDIFF – New Theatre

JUNE

Sat 10^th             GLASGOW – o2 Academy

TICKET LINK: www.myticket.co.uk/artists/dick-and-dom-in-da-bungalow-live

Twitter: @dickndom Facebook: @dickndomofficial Insta: dickndomofficial

J A C K   A N D   TH E   B E A N S T A L K

FURTHER CASTING ANNOUNCED

THE 2022 PANTOMIME AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM

FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED FIVE WEEK RUN

Michael Harrison for Crossroads Pantomimes is delighted to announce that Louis Gaunt, Rob Madge and Natalie McQueen will join the cast of Jack and the Beanstalk at The London Palladium this Christmas. They join the previously announced Dawn French, Julian Clary, Alexandra Burke, Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Gary Wilmot. Jack and the Beanstalk plays from 10 December 2022 to 15 January 2023.

Louis Gaunt (Jack) most recently completed a run in the West End production of Mary Poppins as Bert. His other theatre credits include Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends  at the Sondheim Theatre, Piaf  at Nottingham Playhouse, Gypsy at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Grease  on National Tour, Standing at the Sky’s Edge at Sheffield Crucible, Sweet Charity  at Nottingham Playhouse, Kiss Me, Kate  at Sheffield Crucible, and his professional stage debut at Grange Park Opera in Oklahoma! for which he won at The Stage Debut Awards in 2018.  His television credits include the most recent series of Bridgerton for Netflix and ITV’s The Larkins.

Rob Madge’s (Pat The Cow) theatre credits include Millennials: A Pop Cycle at the Other Palace, Bedknobs & Broomsticks UK and Ireland Tour, Les Misérables UK and Ireland Tour, Les Misérables 25^th Anniversary Concert at the O2, Les Misérables at the Barbican, Oliver! at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward Theatre. Madge’s production of My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?) will run at the Garrick Theatre this Autumn.

Natalie McQueen’s (Princess Jill) previous West End credits include Blanche Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde at The Arts Theatre, Doralee in 9 to 5 The Musical at the Savoy Theatre, Lauren in Kinky Boots at the Adelphi Theatre. Other theatre credits include Catherine in Pippin at The Charing Cross Theatre, The Mad Hatter in Wonderland UK and Ireland Tour and Dinah in Starlight Express at The Other Palace. Her concerts include Bonnie & Clyde at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Frank Wildhorn & Friends at Cadogan Hall, London and the Palace Theatre Manchester. Original cast recordings include 9 to 5 The Musical and Natalie can also be seen on screen playing Lauren in the live film recording of Kinky Boots.

Once again directed by Michael Harrison, Jack and the Beanstalk will feature lavish new set designs from Mark Walters and costume designs from Hugh Durrant created especially for The London Palladium. Harrison’s production has choreography by Karen Bruce, with lighting designs by Ben Cracknell, sound designs by Gareth Owen and composition and orchestrations by Gary Hind.

Jack and the Beanstalk is produced by Michael Harrison for Crossroads Pantomimes.As a producer in the West End his credits include The Drifter’s Girl, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Gypsy, The Bodyguard, Annie and Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein. Crossroads Pantomimes is the world’s biggest pantomime producer and part of Crossroads Live, a global leader in the production of musical theatre and immersive entertainment experiences.

LISTINGS INFORMATION 

Theatre:                             The London Palladium, Argyll St, London W1F 7TF

Dates:                                Sat 10 December 2022 – Sun 15 January 2023

Performances:                     Visit website for performance schedule

Tickets:                              Tickets from £20 – no booking fees

Website:                            www.palladiumpantomime.com

Twitter:                              @PalladiumPanto                          

Facebook:                           PalladiumPanto

Instagram:                         palladiumpanto

Crossroads Pantomimes
With a glittering array of star names headlining spectacular, lavish productions, Crossroads Pantomimes is the world’s biggest pantomime producer. With renowned creative teams, talented casts and musicians, and passionate production teams, the company create pantomimes which are at the heart of family entertainment across the UK. As part of Crossroads Live, the company works under the leadership of Michael Harrison and is chaired by David Ian.

The London Palladium has been the capital’s majestic home of variety for over a century, and to this day it continues to delight and surprise audiences with its rich tapestry of acts. We’ve welcomed a staggering selection of greats from Bob Hope and Louis Armstrong to the Two Ronnies, Bruce Forsyth and Cliff Richard. This proud tradition has continued since the theatre joined the LW Theatres family in 2000, hosting recent headliners as diverse as Sting, Bob Dylan, Madonna, Coldplay, Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Ocean and Dita Von Teese. An annual pantomime made a return to The London Palladium in 2016.