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Please find below production images for the World Premiere of the UK and Ireland tour of THE OSMONDS: A New Musical, which began performances on Thursday 3 February at Curve, Leicester. 

THE OSMONDS: A New Musical with story by Jay Osmond tells the true story of the five brothers from Utah who were pushed into the spotlight as children and went on to create smash hits, decade after decade.  From their star residency on The Andy Williams Show from 1962 to 1969, to pop stars and ‘Osmondmania’ from 1971 to 1975, to the arrival of The Donny & Marie Show, a popular variety TV show, from 1976 to 1979, The Osmonds lived a remarkable life recording chart-topping albums, selling out vast arena concerts and making record-breaking TV shows – until one bad decision cost them everything.  

THE OSMONDS: A New Musical stars Ryan Anderson as Merrill Osmond, Jamie Chatterton as Alan Osmond, Alex Lodge as Jay Osmond, Danny Nattrass as Wayne Osmond, and Joseph Peacock as Donny Osmond, with Georgia Lennon as Marie Osmond. 
The musical features a list of 1970s anthems, including One Bad Apple, Down by the Lazy River, Crazy Horses, Let Me In, Love Me for a Reason, (We’re) Having a Party, Puppy Love, Long Haired Lover From Liverpool, Paper Roses and many more.  

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE FIRST MAJOR REVIVAL OF

BRUCE NORRIS’ AWARD-WINNING CLYBOURNE PARK

Trish Wadley Productions and David Adkin

in association with Park Theatre present

CLYBOURNE PARK
By Bruce Norris

Director: Oliver Kaderbhai; Set and Costume Designer: James Turner;Lighting Designer: Alex Lewer; Sound Designer: Will Tonna; Casting Director: Lucy Casson

16 March – 23 April 2022

Having had to shut down the production of Bruce Norris’ seminal play Clybourne Park at final dress rehearsal in March 2020, Trish Wadley Productions and David Adkin, in association with Park Theatre, are delighted to announce that Oliver Kaderbhai’s production, originally planned for the play’s 10^th anniversary year, will open at the venue in March. Joining the previously announced Michael Fox (Jim/Tom), Andrew Langtree (Karl/Steve), Richard Lintern (Russ/Dan), Imogen Stubbs (Bev/Kathy) and Eric Underwood (Albert/Kevin) are Katie Matsell (Betsy/Lindsey) and Aliyah Odoffin (Francine/Lena). The production opens on 21 March 2022, with previews from 16 March, and runs until 23 April.

Winner of both the Tony and Olivier Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize for author Bruce Norris, Clybourne Parkis a razor-sharp satire about the politics of race and real estate. The play returns to London following sell out runs at The Royal Court and in the West End.

In 1959, Russ and Bev are moving to the suburbs after the tragic death of their son and have sold their house to the neighbourhood’s first black family. 

Decades later, the roles are reversed when a young white couple buys the lot in what is now a predominantly black neighbourhood, signalling a new wave of gentrification. In both instances, a community showdown takes place – are the same issues festering beneath the floorboards fifty years on?

Michael Fox plays Jim/Tom. For theatre his credits include All in a Row, A Lie of the Mind (Southwark Playhouse), An Enemy of the People (Chichester Festival Theatre), As You Like It (Transport Theatre), Leaves of Glass (Alma Tavern) and Edmund Kean (Watford Palace Theatre). For television his credits include Bombing Auschwitz, Endeavour, Downton Abbey, Marvellous, The Ark, New Worlds; and for film, Downton Abbey, Dunkirk, Good People and the forthcoming Downton Abbey: A New Era. 

Andrew Langtree plays Karl/Steve. His theatre work includes Stages (The Vaults), A Christmas Carol (The Old Vic), The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole (Ambassador’s Theatre), Troilus and Cressida (RSC), Imperium (RSC and Gielgud Theatre), The Wizard of Oz (Sheffield Theatres), Albert’s Boy (Orange Tree Theatre), The Hypocrite (RSC and Hull Truck), Treasure Island (Birmingham Rep), Groundhog Day (The Old Vic), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Theatr Clwyd) and Oppenheimer (RSC and Vaudeville Theatre). For television, his work includes The Tower, The Royal and Cutting It, and as Jason Gallagher in Emmerdale and Leon in Coronation Street; and for film, Matilda and Delovely.

Richard Lintern plays Russ/Dan. His theatre work includes Blue/Orange (Birmingham Rep), Elephants (Hampstead Theatre), Jumpy, My Night with Reg (Royal Court Theatre), Women Beware Women, The Royal Hunt of the Sun, His Girl Friday, Life after Life (National Theatre), As You Desire Me (Playhouse Theatre), and The Philadelphia Story (The Old Vic). For television his work includes Young Wallander, Stephen, The Outpost, Shakespeare and Hathaway, Silent Witness – as series regular Thomas Chamberlain, Pennyworth, White House Farm, The Crown, Top Boy, Crossing Lines, Le Grand, Threesome, Spies of Warsaw, Hunted, The Minor Character, The Shadow Line, Lead Balloon and Clapham Junction; and for film, The Christmas Ball, Side by Side, The Nanny State, Page Eight, The Domino Effect, Cassandra’s Dream and Lucan.

Katie Matsell plays Betsy/Lindsey. Matsell recently graduated from LAMDA. Her theatre credits include The Mirror Crack’d (Wales Millennium Centre and Wiltshire Creative), and Museum of Austerity (English Touring Theatre and National Theatre).

Aliyah Odoffin plays Francine/Lena. Odoffin recently graduated from RADA. Her theatre credits include Billy the Kid (NYMT); and for television, her credits include Everything I Know About Love.

Imogen Stubbs plays Bev/Kathy. Her extensive theatre experience includes productions at the RSC, National Theatre, The Old Vic, Donmar Warehouse and various West End productions. Recent stage credits include Honour (Park Theatre), The Be All and End All (York Theatre Royal), Things I Know To Be True (Frantic Assembly), Communicating Doors (Menier Chocolate Factory), Elephants (Hampstead Theatre), Alecky Blythe’s Little Revolution (Almeida Theatre) and Strangers On A Train (Gielgud). For the Royal Shakespeare Company, she appeared in Othello, Two Noble Kinsmen, The Rover and Richard II. Additional stage credits include Gertrude in Hamlet (The Old Vic), Orpheus Descending, Private Lives (Royal Exchange), Salt, Root and Roe (Donmar at the Trafalgar) and A Marvellous Year For Plums (Chichester Festival Theatre). Her television work includes Parents, Collusion, Big Kids, Blind Ambition and Anna Lee; and for film, Jack & Sarah, Twelfth Night, True Colours, Deadline, A Summer Story and Sense and Sensibility.

Eric Underwood plays Albert/Kevin. He was a soloist with the Royal Ballet, where he created many roles including in Wayne McGregor’s Chroma, Infra and Raven Girl and in Christopher Wheeldon’s DGV, as well as the Caterpillar in Wheeldon’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. He has worked for the BBC across radio and television presenting shows including Can Hip Hop Save Ballet (BBC R4) and Inside Out – Ballet Boys (BBC One). For film, his work includes Cats.

Bruce Norris is an American playwright who lives in New York. He is the author of Clybourne Park, which premiered at Playwrights Horizons in New York, in 2010, before transferring to the Royal Court Theatre, Broadway, and the West End. His other plays include The Infidel (2000), Purple Heart (2002), We all Went Down to Amsterdam (2003), The Unmentionables (2006), A Parallelogram (2010) and Downstate (2018) which were all first produced by Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago;The Pain and the Itch (Playwrights Horizons, Steppenwolf, 2004, Royal Court Theatre, 2007; The Low Road (Royal Court Theatre, 2013), Domesticated (Lincoln Center, 2013), and The Qualms (Playwrights Horizons, 2014). He is the recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama (2011), Tony Award (Best Play, 2012), Joseph Jefferson Award (2003, 2005, 2019), the  Steinberg Playwright Award (2009) and the Whiting Foundation Prize for Drama (2006). As an actor he can be seen in the films A Civil Action, The Sixth Sense among others.

Oliver Kaderbhai is an actor, director, producer and founding Artistic Director of DELIRIUM. His experience in the UK spans Fringe to the West End working with actors such as Andrew Scott, Kate Fleetwood, James Norton and Orlando Bloom, and he has created six productions with DELIRIUM which have sold out venues across the UK. Director credits include Striking 12 (Union Theatre), Songs of Abdulkarim (59 Productions), Peter Pan (Co-Director, Chichester Festival Theatre), One Minute (The Vaults), The Provok’d Wife (Go People), From Where I’m Standing (Pegasus Theatre), Oranges on the Brain (Pegasus Theatre), Go To Your God Like A Soldier (Old Vic Tunnels) and Your Nation Loves You (Old Vic Tunnels). Movement Director credits include Killer Joe (Trafalgar Studios), The Dazzle (Found 111), BUG (Found 111), Almost Maine (Park Theatre), Phenomena (The Albany), Dhow Under The Sun (KSF/META, UAE); and Assistant or Associate Director credits include Jesus Christ Superstar, Running Wild (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) and Guys and Dolls (Playmakers Rep, USA).  

Festival Theatre, Malvern – Sunday 6th February 2022

Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau

5*****

Taking my seat I wondered if it was being given a bag of goodies on the way in that made it such a party atmosphere. You don’t, after all, go to many shows where much of the crowd gathers for group photos in front of the stage before the show has even begun. Like attending a house party with friends, just that one of them was Jessica Fletcher.

The aforementioned goodies were a placard (joyously low-tech) with our heroine Jessica on the front and “Fame!” on the reverse, a party popper, pink balloon and a raffle ticket. Intriguing. Were these clues to what lay ahead?

Our host, Tim Benzie, wasted no time – bursting on stage enacting the opening credits of Murder, She Wrote as it played on a large screen behind him. He set the scene, he set the tone of the evening and he set us off nicely for one fast and furious joy-ride back to Cabot Cove (and beyond) with an entire episode of Murder, She Wrote to enjoy. But, it turned out, to enjoy even more than usual!

Tim revelled in the quirkiness, (at times) questionable acting and ludicrous plot points. Without giving too much away, if you’ve ever found humour in the A-Team being locked up in a garage with some acetylene torches, scrap metal and farm machinery whilst 3 inept guards “guard” them by playing poker in a hut 200 yards away – you will understand the level of fun poking here.

There is plenty to enjoy whether you’re a fan of the show or not with a genuinely funny, very personable host who is an absolute pleasure to spend time with. Tim is no static host. He races around the stage from word go in a rather fetching Jessica Fletcher style wig. A couple more costume changes throughout the night complete the effect.

Tim’s solve-along show has everything: a quiz, prizes, some wonderful facts about the guest stars (including introductions to their other work which was truly hilarious! You will know what I’m referring to once you’ve seen this show).

Tim had us on our feet, singing, shouting out…. 100% engaged throughout. It was enormous fun looking out for the clues and suspicious activity and making our predictions regarding the killers identity. And Tim’s original material (did I mention a sing along?) is both thoroughly entertaining and knowingly clever!

If you have the slightest interest in Murder, She Wrote, classic TV, whodunnits, comedy, partying or just enjoying yourself you will laugh yourself silly during this show. This is a gently camp, fabulous celebration of a time when television gave us an hour of escapist entertainment rather than the need for trauma therapy which TV these days can often require.

Whodunnit? Tim dunnit – and he did it so well I can’t wait for the next one! A wonderfully guilty pleasure I will definitely see again and again, like the original show. In fact, I can feel a boxset purchase coming on.

The Northern Stage, Newcastle – until 19 February 2022

Reviewed by Hayley Waters

4****

“Being invisible is good for three things.” Yet the new adaptation of the Wells Book, “The Invisible Man” makes us feel intrigued, nervous and scared. Not forgetting the comedy elements which allows the audience to feel at ease to give us a nice break.

Griffin played by Daniel Watson is the invisible man, or is he? Griffin is a troubled 16-year-old boy who has been sectioned to Morpeth due to a fire incident involving his mother. As Griffin wants to be heard and not seen as invisible, he seeks help from Dr Kemp who everyone knows from the radio, played by Kate Louise Okello. The relationship between Dr Kemp and Griffin comes across professional but brushed off at the beginning as Dr Kemp tends to relate invisibility to not being heard when yet Griffin is arguing as he has scientifically proven he can become The Invisible Man. This discussion tends to argue back and forth between both characters as we get to know their background. Griffin is not heard from others, and we soon learn that Dr Kemp is also shunned due to money being a big part in her family life and Dad saving the day.

Seeing past the arrogance and the desperation for proving science to be seen, the creative input still needs to be acknowledged. The set may look basic with scene locations being set next to each other, but the actor’s characterisation is rather impressive. Observing two cast members, Izzy Ions and Jack Fairley playing multiple roles and assisting with sound effects for instance. Both actors brought humour and realism to the play. Characters which became rather relatable such as stereotypical workies looking forward to their after-work pint, a care worker who typically cares but shows the side that we would never want to associate with, a priest who doesn’t believe in the working class, a news reporter who is all show and my personal favourite the judge who becomes very intimidating. Bravo to Izzy and Jack. Sound effects were produced live by using household items put together, instruments or voice. Without saying too much, a great example of how this becomes effective to the audience is when the invisible man becomes outraged due to the negative comments made towards his mother who has passed away. In drink, the two work men are laughing and referring to her as the local ghost which makes Griffin rage. In anger Griffin throws glasses to scare/warn these characters. Of course, the glasses were not thrown but me writing this does make you think how did they represent this in an effective way?

Take away anything you have seen with the title “The Invisible Man” as this is not anything like them and see this with an open mind.

WILTSHIRE CREATIVE ANNOUNCES

NEWLY APPOINTED SHIFT ASSOCIATE ARTISTS FOR 2022

Wiltshire Creative today announces the appointment of Roisin McCay-Hines and Edward Scott as new SHIFT Associate Artists for 2022. A key part of their remit this year will be to lead the SHIFT programming which forms an integral part of the Salisbury International Arts Festival 2022; as well as working with the in-house team led by Louise Dancy, Wiltshire Creative’s Take Part Director, who oversees the year-long programme of events amplifying the voices of young people across the company.

Roisin McCay-Hines and Edward Scott said today, “The SHIFT programme has already set a fantastic precedent for high quality, inclusive and responsive art. We hope to further that legacy by expanding our outreach and continuing to diversify the range of opportunities there are for young people in the local, national and international communities. It is an initiative which is designed to evolve and for this next iteration, which centres around the Salisbury International Arts Festival, the focus will be on taking practical steps in order to empower young creatives to take ownership of their unique voice and bring them to a public facing platform.”

Louise Dancy commented, “SHIFT has informed the work of the Take Part Department and wider organisation since its conception, putting young people at the heart of decision making. We are building a strong model of authenticity and relevance which will serve us well now, and as we plan forwards.  I am looking forward to working with Ed and Roisin along with our young ambassadors to make plans for the International Arts Festival and beyond, I can’t wait to learn from what they have to say.”

Roisin McCay-Hines is a director and arts worker who graduated from Exeter University in 2020 with a degree in English and Drama. Her recent work includes writing/directing her debut play GAMBIT (Exeter Fringe); directing the Hall for Cornwall’s Youth Theatre; assisting on O-Region/Hall for Cornwall’s Marthusow ha Mysteris and The Triumphant Sea for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Playmaking Festival. She champions opportunities and services for young people within the arts and mental health sectors, having recently finished a two-year term as trustee for the Exeter Northcott Theatre and currently holding a seat on the board of the Youth Arts and Health Trust.

Edward Scott is a visual artist with a keen interest in curation, arts education and engagement, who recently graduated from Falmouth University with a BA in Fine Art. He hopes to bring a new perspective to the SHIFT programme by championing artistic expression across creative disciplines and backgrounds. He is committed to increasing accessibility to the arts, while facilitating a platform through and within which young voices can be developed, seen and heard through the arts and excited to be working with local emerging creatives and audiences.

Wiltshire Creative’s first SHIFT Associate Artists Harrison Brodie and Kate Potter are continuing their association with the programme working as SHIFT Ambassadors.

SHIFT is an ongoing programme created by Wiltshire Creative, amplifying young voices through the arts. In 2021, SHIFT collected and shared the views of young people aged 14-25 through the Off Your Chest project and the SHIFT Hub, platformed young musicians on stage at SHIFT Social events and SHIFT NOW digital event, and created a regional Youth Arts Network who produced a feature length film displaying their creative work in theatre, dance and music.

SHIFT continues in 2022, with the next SHIFT Social live music event taking place on the Friday 26 February at Salisbury Arts Centre.

Other SHIFT projects for 2022 include Woke Songs – a project drawing on experiences of the South West’s queer youth and its rich heritage of folk music to create a new canon of songs and ultimately a musical, relevant to the narratives of young people living today. Theatre makers Mich Sanderson and Ryan Wilce have worked with young people aged 14-19 from across Salisbury and the wider county. The resulting verbatim performance piece is a vibrant and valid celebration of queer existence formed from the true testimony of the participants. Performed by Bonnie Schwarz, the first work in progress performance took place on 28 January, in the Salberg at Salisbury Playhouse. The company will continue to develop the piece over the company months, with the initial showing having generated positive feedback from external producers.

Mich Sanderson and Ryan Wilce are the recipients of the SHIFT Development Fund 2021. This fund was created as part of the SHIFT programme designed to amplify young voices through the arts, led by and for young people. 

Further SHIFT programming will be announced in due course.

ONE-MAN MUSICAL SHOW
GRANDMOTHER’S CLOSET (AND WHAT I FOUND THERE)
TO BE STAGED AT WMC

Wales Millennium Centre will co-produce a brand new, solo musical by first-time writer (and long-time theatre-maker) Luke Hereford, Grandmother’s Closet (and What I Found There) is an autobiographical play about queer identities, and how Luke learned to love his with the help of his grandmother and her colourful wardrobe.

Featuring modern arrangements of pop classics from female icons including Madonna, Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Judy Garland and Björk, and directed by first-time director (and long-time actor) François Pandolfo, this brand new production will be performed 20-23 April 2022 at the Centre’s Weston Studio.

There will be two, dementia-friendly matinee performances on Fri 22 and Sat 23 April.

This musical romp down the Yellow Brick Road promises mischief and mashups, dresses and divas, and a whole lot of heart.

Grandmother’s Closet (and What I Found There) is made possible by the generous support of Arts Council of Wales.

Announcing the show, writer and performer Luke Hereford said: “This play is a manifestation of the joyful, glamorous spirit of my grandmother; my ultimate enabler. Every queer person has been on a journey of self-discovery at some point in their life, and though we take most of that journey alone, if we’re lucky we’re guided through it by unexpected formative moments with unexpected personal cheerleaders. Grandmother’s Closet honours those moments and cheerleaders, the power of memory, and is a salute the sacred art of dressing up.”

Wales Millennium Centre Producer Peter Darney said: “This is a beautiful and personal show about Luke’s relationship with his grandmother and the effect her support for him has had on him as an artist. We are very proud to commission Luke’s first production as a writer, and François’ first as a director, combining their considerable talents to make a compassionate and celebratory show.”

Writer and performer Luke Hereford (he/they) trained at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Luke has worked as a director with National Theatre Wales, Tron Glasgow, Lincoln Center Theater, and Sherman Theatre, as a participant of the JMK Directors Programme, funded by the Carne Trust. As Visiting Director for University of Wales Trinity St. David, shows include Growth, Spring Awakening, Every Day a Little Death and A New Brain. As Associate Artist for Leeway Productions, Luke is developing Queerway; a verbatim song cycle celebrating queer life in Wales and was Assistant Director for their acclaimed production of The Last Five Years.

Director François Pandolfo (he/him) trained at East 15 Acting School and has worked extensively as an actor across theatre, television and radio. Television credits includes Quintis in Doctor Who, Tati’s Hotel, Casualty, Doctors, Eastenders and Baker Boys. He was also series regular Roberto in BBC’s The Tuckers, Dread-head in Wasted and Fraser in Big Boys for Channel 4 Comedy. François’ theatre credits include The Taming of the Shrew, The Motherf***er with the Hat and Alice in Wonderland for Sherman Theatre, A Small Family Business, Macbeth and A History of Falling Things for Theatr Clwyd, Lifted by Beauty and Mission Control for National Theatre Wales, Wuthering Heights for Aberystwyth Arts Centre, The Compleat Female Stage Beauty and A Midsummer Night’s Dream for Mappa Mundi, The Magic Flute for Welsh National Opera, Double Vision for Wales Millennium Centre and Bad Girls for Polka Theatre. François is the co-director and partner of difficult|stage. Productions include: A Cold Spread and The World of Work, and critically acclaimed shows Alix in Wundergarten amd Looking Through Glass, both written by François.

Musical Director David George Harrington is a composer, arranger and musical director who has worked and performed professionally for 12 years all over the UK. He has arranged music commercially for clients including Katherine Jenkins, Connie Fisher, Jonny Wilkes, Aled Jones, Shirley Bassey, and has had music performed by the London Philharmonic and London Concert Orchestra, Welsh National Opera, BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Cory Brass Band. He regularly arranges for Decca Records, Warner Music Group and has had music broadcast on ITV, BBC, and BBC Radio 2. David frequently collaborates with leading West End performers and is currently writing two musicals.  

Bydd Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru yn cyd-gynhyrchu sioe gerdd newydd sbon gan yr awdur tro cyntaf (a gwneuthurwr theatr hir-amser) Luke Hereford. Mae Grandmother’s Closet (and What I Found There…) yn ddrama hunangofiannol am hunaniaethau queer, a sut y dysgodd Luke i garu ei fam-gu a’i chwpwrdd dillad lliwgar.

Yn cynnwys trefniadau modern o glasuron pop gan eiconau benywaidd gan gynnwys Madonna, Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Judy Garland a Björk, a’u cyfarwyddo gan gyfarwyddwr am y tro cyntaf (ac actor amser hir) François Pandolfo, bydd y cynhyrchiad newydd sbon hwn yn cael ei berfformio 20-23 Ebrill 2022 yn Stiwdio Weston y Ganolfan.

Bydd dau berfformiad matinee sy’n ystyriol o ddementia ar ddydd Gwener 22 a Sad 23 Ebrill.

This musical romp down the Yellow Brick Road promises mischief and mashups, dresses and divas, and a whole lot of heart.

Mae Grandmother’s Closet (and What I Found There…) yn bosib oherwydd cefnogaeth hael Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru.

Wrth gyhoeddi’r sioe, dywedodd yr awdur a’r perfformiwr Luke Hereford: “Mae’r ddrama hon yn ymddangosiad o ysbryd llawen, hudolus fy mam-gu; fy mhrif alluogwr. Mae pob person cwiar wedi bod ar daith o hunan-ddarganfod ar ryw adeg yn eu bywyd, ac er ein bod yn y rhan fwyaf o’r daith honno’n un unig, os ydym yn lwcus cawn ein harwain drwyddo gan adegau ffurfiannol annisgwyl gyda chodwyr hwyl personol annisgwyl. Mae Grandmother’s Closet yn anrhydeddu’r eiliadau a’r codwyr hwyl hynny, grym y cof, ac mae’n saliwt i’r grefft sanctaidd o wisgo i fyny.”

Dywedodd Cynhyrchydd Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru, Peter Darney: “Mae hon yn sioe hardd a phersonol am berthynas Luke â’i fam-gu a’r effaith y mae ei chefnogaeth iddo wedi’i chael arno fel artist. Rydym yn falch iawn o gomisiynu cynhyrchiad cyntaf Luke fel awdur, ac un cyntaf François fel cyfarwyddwr, gan gyfuno eu doniau sylweddol i wneud sioe dosturiol llawn dathlu.”

Hyfforddodd yr awdur a’r perfformiwr Luke Hereford (fe/nhw) yng Ngholeg Brenhinol Cerddoriaeth a Drama Cymru. Mae Luke wedi gweithio fel cyfarwyddwr gyda National Theatre Wales, Tron Glasgow, Lincoln Center Theater, a Theatr y Sherman, fel cyfrannog ar y JMK Directors Programme, ariannwyd gan y Carne Trust. Fel Cyfarwyddwr Ymweld ar gyfer Prifysgol Cymru y Drindod Dewi Sant, mae ei sioeau’n cynnwys Growth, Spring Awakening, Every Day a Little Death a A New Brain. Fel Artist Cyswllt ar gyfer Leeway Productions, mae Luke yn datblygu Queerway; cylch caneuon air am air sy’n dathlu bywyd cwiar yng Nghymru, ac mi oedd yn Isgyfarwyddwr ar gyfer eu cynhyrchiad poblogaidd The Last Five Years.

Hyfforddodd y Cyfarwyddwr François Pandolfo (fe) yn East 15 Acting School ac mae e wedi gweithio’n eang fel actor ar draws theatr, teledu a radio. Mae ymddangosiadau teledu’n cynnwys Quintis yn Doctor Who, Tati’s Hotel, Casualty, Doctors, Eastenders a Baker Boys. Fe oedd hefyd y cymeriad rheolaidd Roberto yn The Tuckers gan y BBC, Dread-head yn Wasted a Fraser yn Big Boys ar gyfer Channel 4 Comedy. Mae ymddangosiadau theatr François yn cynnwys The Taming of the Shrew, The Motherf***er with the Hat ac Alice in Wonderland ar gyfer Theatr y Sherman, A Small Family Business, Macbeth a A History of Falling Things ar gyfer Theatr Clwyd, Lifted by Beauty a Mission Control ar gyfer National Theatre Wales, Wuthering Heights ar gyfer Canolfan Celfyddydau Aberystwyth, The Compleat Female Stage Beauty ac A Midsummer Night’s Dream ar gyfer Mappa Mundi, The Magic Flute ar gyfer Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru, Double Vision ar gyfer Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru a Bad Girls ar gyfer Polka Theatre. François yw cyd-gyfarwyddwr a phartner difficult|stage. Cynyrchiadau’n cynnwys: A Cold Spread a The World of Work, a’r sioeau Alix in Wundergarten a Looking Through Glass, ill dwy wedi’u hysgrifennu gan François.

Mae’r Cyfarwyddwr Cerdd David George Harrington yn gyfansoddwr, trefnwr a chyfarwyddwr cerdd sydd wedi gweithio a pherfformio’n broffesiynol am 12 mlynedd ar draws y DU. Mae e wedi trefnu cerddoriaeth yn fasnachol ar gyfer cleientiaid sy’n cynnwys Katherine Jenkins, Connie Fisher, Jonny Wilkes, Aled Jones, Shirley Bassey, ac mae ei gerddoriaeth wedi’i berfformio gan y London Philharmonic a’r London Concert Orchestra, Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru, Cerddorfa Cenedlaethol Cymru’r BBC a Cory Brass Band. Mae e’n trefnu’n rheolaidd ar gyfer Decca Records, Warner Music Group ac wedi darlledu ei gerddoriaeth ar ITV, BBC, a BBC Radio 2.  

Mae David yn cydweithio’n rheolaidd gyda pherfformwyr arweiniol y West End ac wrthi yn ysgrifennu dau sioe gerdd ar hyn o bryd. 

ORANGE TREE THEATRE ANNOUNCES FULL CAST FOR

FRANZ XAVER KROETZ’S TOM FOOL

The Orange Tree Theatre today announces the full cast for Franz Xaver Kroetz’s Tom Fool, translated by Estella Schmid and Anthony Vivis. Diyan Zora directs Anna Francolini (Martha), Jonah Rzeskiewicz (Ludwig) and Michael Shaeffer (Otto). The production opens on 16 March, with previews from 12 March, and runs until 16 April, with a livestreamed performance via OT On Screen on 7 April.

“I’d like to climb out of my skin, if I could.”

Every night Martha listens to the minute details of husband Otto’s day at the factory. He’s a man with big dreams, stuck in a job where he feels like a cog in the machine. Their teenage son Ludwig just wishes he had a job, or at least his own space, far far away from his parents.

They are each frustrated with a life they can’t seem to escape.

When money goes missing, a family on the brink hurtles over the edge, and Martha has to decide whether she will stay to pick up the pieces.

A dark and unnervingly funny play about how capitalism creeps into the minutiae of one family’s life, just at the moment women started to change the rules of the game.

Completing the creative team is Zoe Hurwitz (Designer), Christopher Nairne (Lighting Designer),

Joe Dines (Sound Designer), Chris Evans (Movement Director), and Christopher Worrell (Casting Director).

Franz Xaver Kroetz is an author, playwright, actor and director and Germany’s most frequently performed playwright. He has written over 60 plays including The Nest, Through the Leaves, Game Crossing, Michi’s Blood, Persistent, Men’s Business, Farmyard, Global Interest, Upper Austria, Dear Fritz, Neither Fish Nor Flesh, Munich Child and Request Concert.

Anna Francolini plays Martha. She has previously performed in Taking Steps at the Orange Tree. Her other credits include Strictly Ballroom (Piccadilly Theatre), Peter Pan, wonder.land, Caroline, or Change, Almost Like Being in Love and Metropolis Cabaret (National Theatre), Our Town (Almeida Theatre), That Day We Sang, A View from the Bridge (Royal Exchange Theatre), More Rifer, How the World Began, The Wolves at the Window, Anatol (Arcola Theatre), Victor Victoria (Southwark Playhouse), Awaking Beauty (Stephen Joseph Theatre), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (Theatre Royal Northampton), Three Sisters on Hope Street (Liverpool Everyman), Into the Woods (Royal Opera House), Lee Miller and 5/11 (Chichester Festival Theatre), Romeo and Juliet (English Touring Theatre), The Ballad of Little Jo, Cutting Edge, There’s Always a Woman, Floyd Collins and Saturday Night (Bridewell Theatre), Daisy Pulls It Off (Clear Channel Entertainment), Let Us Fly (King’s Head Theatre), Things You Shouldn’t Say Past Midnight (Soho Theatre), Mahler’s Conversion (Yvonne Arnaud Theatre and UK tour), Dick Whittington (Sadler’s Wells), Merrily We Roll Along (Donmar Warehouse), A Life in the Dayz of Stan Bishop (London Palladium), I’d Rather Be Right (Her Majesty’s Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Oxford Stage Company), Company (Gielgud Theatre), and Little Shop of Horrors (Watermill Theatre). Her television credits include The Ipcress File, The Man Who Fell to Earth, Roadkill, Homeland, Vera, Portrait, New Tricks, Game Over, Lie With Me, Down to Earth and Jonathan Creek; and for film, Emma, The Kill Team, Han Solo: Star Wars Anthology, Salty, Annihilation, The Final Curtain and Topsy-Turvey.    

Jonah Rzeskiewicz plays Ludwig. His theatre credits include Coming Clean (Trafalgar Studios) and Edward II (Royal Exchange, Manchester). For television, his credits include Masters of the Air and for film; The Dig and Death on the Nile.

Michael Shaeffer plays Otto. His theatre credits include A Very Expensive Poison, Girl from the North Country, All About My Mother (The Old Vic), Dear Elizabeth (Gate Theatre), How to Hold Your Breath, Burn, Friday Night Sex (Royal Court Theatre), The Illiad, Little Revolution, Mr Burns (Almeida Theatre), The Vote (Donmar Warehouse), Godchild (Hampstead Theatre), Table, London Road, The Threepenny Opera (National Theatre), The Merry Wives of Windsor, Twelfth Night (Stafford Gatehouse), Restoration (UK tour), Hamlet (Theatre Royal Northampton), Of Mice and Men (Mercury Theatre), Dreams from a Summerhouse (Watermill Theatre), Macbeth (Southwark Playhouse), Original Sin (Crucible Theatre), The Beautiful Game, Jesus Christ Superstar (Really Useful Group), Oliver! (Cameron Mackintosh), and Glad All Over, Wonderful West End and Twist and Shout (DGM). His television credits include Karen Pirie, Rogue Heroes, The Treasure of the Black Swan, The Liberator, The Salisbury Poisonings, Chernobyl, The ABC Murders, Bodyguard, Rellik, Trauma, Brussels, Oasis, Taboo, Vera, Grantchester, New Tricks, SS-GB, The Last Panthers, Foyle’s War, Luther, Black Mirror, Mrs Biggs, Game of Thrones, Parade’s End, Silent Witness, MI High, EastEnders, Kingdom, and World in Arms – Navies; and for film, All the Old Knives, Radioactive, Star Wars: Rogue One, London Road, London Fields, Trance, Anna Karenina, Broken, Breaking and Entering, Kingdom of Heaven, and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Diyan Zora was the 2021 winner of the Genesis Future Directors Award and directed Klippies (Young Vic). Other theatre credits include Othello (Barons Court Theatre), Ms Y. (Young Vic), Chronicles of a City We Never Knew (Gate Theatre) and Gather Ye Rosebud (Theatre503); and as an associate director, her work includes Faith, Hope and Charity and Love (National Theatre) and The Ferryman (Gielgud Theatre).

Orange Tree Theatre

Listings

1 Clarence Street, Richmond, TW9 2SA

Box Office: 020 8940 3633 (Mon-Sat, 12-6pm)

orangetreetheatre.co.uk

FIRST LOOK AT NEW CAST MEMBERS JOINING DISNEY’S THE LION KING UK & IRELAND TOUR

The Walt Disney Company UK and Ireland has today released a first look at new cast members Stephenson Ardern-Sodje and Nokwanda Khuzwayo in the rehearsal room, having taken over the roles of Simba and Nala in THE LION KING UK & Ireland tour.

THE LION KING touring company will see Stephenson Ardern-Sodje as Simba and Nokwanda Khuzwayo as Nala, who played the role in Germany and Brazil. Ireland’s Alan Mchale will be returning in a new role as Timon with Cardiff born newcomer Owain Rhys Davies taking the role of Ed. They will join returning principals Matthew Forbes as Zazu, Jean-Luc Guizonne as Mufasa, Richard Hurst as Scar, Rebecca Omogbehin as Shenzi, Thandazile Soni as Rafiki, Carl Sanderson as Pumbaaand Simon Trinder as Banzai.

The story of THE LION KING roars into life using spectacular masks, puppets, and costumes to tell the story of Simba’s epic adventures, as he struggles with the responsibilities of adulthood and becoming king.

Having played in more than 100 cities in 20 countries on every continent except Antarctica, THE LION KING’s worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment title in box office history. The landmark musical has now been seen by over 110 million people worldwide.

The UK & Ireland tour cast also includes: Lwando Bam, Mamido Bomboko Souchu, Khanyisani Beato, Jorell Coiffic-Kamall, Rushand Chambers, Tau-En Chien, Elisa Chou, Tevin Daniel, Tim Driesen, Oraine Frater, Adebunmi Gabriel, Brian Gilligan, Daniel Griffith, Alicia Hayward, Zalika Henry, Caleaf Henson, Olivia Jones, Melvin Le Blanc, Jochebel Maccarthy, Zanele Mazibuko, Fallon Mondlane, Zanele Ndlovu, Buhle Nkomo, Craig Pedro, Joaquin Pedro Valdes, Connor Pelé Williams, Tara Price, Kyle Richardson, Cristiane Santos De Jesus, Lukin Simmonds, Sherry Tay, Francesca Thompson, Maria Yim and Bukiwe Zinganto.

Julie Taymor’s internationally celebrated stage adaptation of THE LION KING opened on Broadway in 1997 and 25 global productions in nine different languages have been created since then (English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese). THE LION KING is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, under the direction of Thomas Schumacher.

The previous tour of THE LION KING broke attendance records across the nation. Since the UK premiere in 1999, THE LION KING London has entertained more than 16 million theatregoers and is the sixth longest-running West End musical of all time.

The stunning artistry of the production is the work of a team of designers which drew on diverse cultural influences to recreate the rich colours and vast expanses of the African savanna in this daring and inspiring reinvention of one of the most successful animated feature films of all time.

Julie Taymor, one of the world’s most innovative directors, brought a vast array of disciplines to THE LION KING, including extensive experience staging epic theatre and opera productions, exploring classic myths through ritualised puppetry, mask, and movement. The Lion King was the first musical Taymor directed in the commercial theatre and she made Broadway history by becoming the first woman to win the Tony Award® for Best Director of a Musical.  

The Broadway show’s full creative team, which won five Tony Awards® for its work on THE LION KING, reunited in 1999 to recreate the show in London. Julie Taymor and Michael Curry created hundreds of masks and puppets.

Scenic design is by British designer Richard Hudson and lighting is by Donald Holder. Costume design is by Julie Taymor, and choreography by Garth Fagan. The book was adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated feature and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the screenplay.

The original score from the animated film was expanded for the stage and now features 15 musical numbers.  As well as writing completely new songs, South African composer Lebo M created an evocative blend of African rhythms and chorales, with additional material by Julie Taymor and Mark Mancina.

Elton John and Tim Rice have added three new numbers to the five that they wrote for the award-winning score of the animated film. The resulting sound of THE LION KING is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, including the Academy Award®-winning Can You Feel The Love Tonight and the haunting Shadowland.

2022 BRIT AWARD NOMINEE

REBECCA LUCY TAYLOR
(SELF ESTEEM) 

TO JOIN THE CREATIVE TEAM FOR PRIMA FACIE AS

EMMY AND BAFTA-WINNING ACTRESS 

JODIE COMER

PREPARES TO MAKE WEST END DEBUT

Performances begin Friday 15 April 2022
Harold Pinter Theatre

(Monday 7 February, 2022) Jodie Comer, the Emmy and Bafta Award-winning star of BBC’s Killing Eve and 20^th Century Studios Free Guy and The Last Duel, will begin rehearsals next month ahead of her stage debut in the UK premiere of Suzie Miller’s award-winning play, Prima Facie.

Prima Facie, directed by Justin Martin, will begin performances at the Harold Pinter Theatre on Friday 15 April (Press Night: Wednesday 27 April at 7:00pm) and play a strictly limited 9-week season, with tickets available at ‘Pay What You Can’ for each and every performance.

Today, Rebecca Lucy Taylor – the Brit Award nominated star of Self Esteem – is announced as the production’s composer, joining the creative team alongside previously announced Martin, set & costume designer Miriam Buether and lighting designer Natasha Chivers.

Joining them will be sound designers Max and Ben Ringham, video by Treatment Studio and Zabarjad Salam, who will be the voice coach.

Jodie Comer commented, “I am such a huge fan of Rebecca and everything she stands for – her voice, her words and her honesty. I can’t think of a more perfect person to compose the music for our production.”

Jodie will play Tessa in this gripping, one-person play which takes us to the heart of where emotion and experience collide with the rules of the game.

Tessa is a thoroughbred. A young, brilliant barrister who loves to win. She has worked her way up from working class origins to be at the top of her game; defending; cross examining and lighting up the shadows of doubt in any case. An unexpected event forces her to confront the lines where the patriarchal power of the law, burden of proof and morals diverge.

Prima Facie is produced by James Bierman for Empire Street Productions.