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Belgrade Theatre announces casting for the world premiere of Tom Wright’s I Ain’t Dumb

The Belgrade Theatre is delighted to announce full casting for I Ain’t Dumb, a brand new play from acclaimed playwright and former Belgrade Youth Theatre member Tom Wright. Produced by PlayWell Productions and Epicene, in association with the Belgrade Theatre, I Ain’t Dumb premieres from Weds 9 – Sat 12 Feb in the B2 auditorium.

Following critically acclaimed hits Undetectable, My Dad’s Gap Year, and Very Special Guest Star, Tom Wright brings this electric world-premiere to his hometown of Coventry, as part of UK City of Culture celebrations.

A tough inner-city school, proud of its inclusivity, suddenly explodes in a rapidly escalating culture war.

Leave it to Natasha, grieving student, and Black Lives Matter activist, alongside streetwise gay-bestie Cieren, to try and desperately hold their classmates together. But what if Cieren is the reason everything is falling apart?

Sex secrets, hip-hop and hope fight for centre stage in a vibrant, loud and proud, real talk rollercoaster.

Rikki Beadle-Blair (MBE) directs a cast of young Midlands-based talent, including Simon Castle (Cieren), Harry Rose (Leon), Kavita Viyas (Mary), Sam Butters (Mark), Kimisha Lewis (Ms. Senabo), alongside newcomers Nicole Mbaeri (Natasha) and Vikas Gogana (Vikram), who are excited to be making their professional debuts.

Writer Tom Wright said: “I’m over the moon to be debuting brand new work here at the Belgrade, a theatre that was incredibly formative to me growing up in Coventry. We’re thrilled to also be running an extensive engagement programme. This sees us collaborating with LGBTQ+ young people in Coventry and connecting with local audiences through lively panel talks, as well as offering an LGBTQ+ writer substantial play development and a full staged reading in the B2 space.”

Justine Themen, Co-Artistic Director for the Belgrade’s City of Culture programme said: “We are delighted to have a piece of work written by Tom as part of the Belgrade’s City of Culture year. The Belgrade’s Co-Artistic Directors have been keen to programme a diversity of work that speaks to a broad range of the city’s communities, embedding each show in a context of creative collaboration and debate with the communities themselves. Our young people have been increasingly vocal about gender and sexuality over the last few years and we have been looking for a project to reflect and build on this. Tom’s work provides the perfect opportunity – his work has been a mouthpiece for LGBTQ+ experiences for several years in London where he now lives, and he is by origin a Coventry lad with roots in The Belgrade Youth Theatre. We are excited to see how the work will resonate with Coventry audiences.”

NOTHERN CO-PRODUCING PARTNERHIPS AND NEW WORK: 

PLACE & NATURE TAKES CENTRE STAGE IN TBTL’S 2022 SEASON

• World Premiere of The Climbers by Carmen Nasr following its 2020 cancellation

• Co-production with Octagon Theatre Bolton of Kes, directed by award-winning Director Atri Banerjee

• Co-production of SWIM with Liz Richardson Productions Ltd, in association with imPOSSIBLE Producing Ltd

• Co-production of Emma Rice’s adaptation of Brief Encounter with Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough and Octagon Theatre Bolton

• Co-production of One Man Two Guvnors with Octagon Theatre Bolton & Liverpool Everyman

• Reprisal of Stockroom’s The Glee Club in association with Theatre by the Lake

Theatre by The Lake (TBTL) – is delighted to announce its eagerly anticipated 2022 season, an ambitious programme of work reprising shows originally planned for 2020’s cancelled season, as well as a whole raft of new collaborations.  The yearincludes a World Premiere, an emphasis on nature and place, and a record number of collaborations with other leading northern theatres. Once again TBTL is cementing its reputation for excellence, working with the nation’s most exciting artists, celebrating stories relevant to its community through new collaborations and partnerships.

Themes of nature and place feature in the new season, kicking off the Studio in March with SWIM by Liz Richardson. Liz grew up in the Lake District and has written a beautiful ode to the healing power of nature and outdoor swimming after her community was rocked by tragedy. SWIM is directed by Andy Routledge and will embark on a rural and UK tour following its TBTL run.

The Main House season starts early in late February with TBTL working with Stockroom’s production of The Glee Club by Richard Cameron, before it embarks on a national tour. This is a raucous comedy featuring live music about a bunch of five hard-working, hard-drinking miners and a church organist rehearsing for a local gala. 

Swiftly following in April will be a TBTL and Octagon Theatre Bolton co-production of Kes adapted by Robert Alan Evans.  Ken Loach’s acclaimed British drama about a troubled teenager whose discovery of a hawk’s nest leads him down a road to freedom, passion and heartbreak will be brought to the stage in an exciting new imagining from award-winning director Atri Banerjee, who promises to weave traditional music through the heart of this production.  Banerjee was recently named one of the top theatre-makers to watch out for in 2022 by The Stage, won The Stage Debut Award in 2019 and was nominated for the UK Theatre Award for Best Director for his production of Hobson’s Choice at the Royal Exchange Theatre.

Summer begins in June with the World Premiere of The Climbers by Carmen Nasr and directed by Guy Jones (Creative Associate, Headlong & Literary Associate, Orange Tree). A British-Lebanese writer and winner of Channel 4 Playwrights’ scheme, Carmen has been a member of the Orange Tree’s talent development programme, the Writers Collective, the Royal Court’s Playwright group and is playwright in residence at the Finborough Theatre. The play is a mesmerising exploration of our fascination with the mountains, the drive to conquer and the agony of life or death decisions in extreme situations, fittingly premiering in what is often credited as the adventure capital of England and reputed birthplace of the British rock climbing movement. The play was originally scheduled for Liz Stevenson’s inaugural 2020 season which was later cancelled due to the pandemic.

Next up from July – September TBTL are delighted to stage a Theatre by the Lake, Octagon Theatre Bolton and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse co-production of the smash-hit comedy One Man, Two Guvnors. This raucous new production from Lotte Wakeham will introduce Cumbrian audiences to the hapless Francis Henshall, and his increasingly desperate measures to keep his two ‘guvnors’ from discovering one another. It’s sure to be a laugh-out-loud rollercoaster for audiences this Summer.

Autumn will see the theatre flexing their performance space to in-the-round seating again for Emma Rice’s joyous musical adaptation of Brief Encounter.  With glorious musical numbers, physical comedy and maintaining the heady romance of the original, the theatre have teamed up with Stephen Joseph Theatre and Octagon Theatre Bolton to present this show following their successful  collaboration on Home I’m Darling, TBTL’s reopening show of 2021.

Finishing the year is The Borrowers by Mary Norton, adapted for the stage by TheresaHeskins (presented with the permission of the deFaria Company).This production saw soaring sales when it was originally programmed for the 2020 cancelled season and will turn TBTL’s stage into an adventure playground for this tiny cast living beneath the floorboards. A festive choice for young hearts of all sizes.

Theatre by the Lake’s Artistic Director, Liz Stevenson, said of her season: “I’m so thrilled to announce our programme for 2022. It feels a long time in the making and a watershed moment as we look to the future after a challenging time for the theatre and our sector. I’m absolutely delighted that we’re producing the world premiere of The Climbers, and co-producing SWIM, maintaining our commitment to new writing and telling stories that have a connection to our unique landscape and local communities. I’m also proud to be partnering with so many fantastic northern theatres and exciting artists to bring top quality theatre to Keswick.  Our programme of home-produced work will be surrounded by some fantastic visiting productions and special events that celebrate the creativity of our local communities and emerging theatre-makers, and we look forward to revealing more about our plans soon. We hope that the new season will bring audiences flocking back to experience the magic of live theatre once again.”

The theatre will continue to offer some guaranteed socially distanced performances for shows in its Spring Season including The Glee Club and Kes. For up-to-date Covid measures, please visit theatrebythelake.com/Covid-19

“BY ORDER OF THE PEAKY BLINDERS”

TICKETS GO ON SALE TODAY FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE OF

RAMBERT DANCE IN

PEAKY BLINDERS: THE REDEMPTION OF THOMAS SHELBY

CREATED BY STEVEN KNIGHT | DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER BENOIT SWAN POUFFER

A Rambert Production in association with Birmingham Hippodrome

Co-produced with The Lowry

Inspired by the television series Peaky Blinders created by Steven Knight, in association with Caryn Mandabach Productions

Performances from 27 September at Birmingham Hippodrome followed by run at Troubadour Wembley Park, ahead of UK tour in 2023

Tickets go on sale today for the World Premiere of Rambert Dance in Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby. This first of its kind production will open on 27 September 2022 at co-producing partner venue Birmingham Hippodrome running until 2 October, followed by a London premiere at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre before embarking on a UK tour in 2023.

Written and adapted for the stage by Peaky Blinders’ creator Steven Knight, Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby is a dance theatre show directed and choreographed by Rambert’s Artistic Director Benoit Swan Pouffer. The production will feature the 20 permanent Rambert dance company on stage, and a live band playing specially commissioned music. Further details will be announced in due course.

Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby is Rambert’s first collaboration of this kind and through dance theatre picks up the story of the Peaky Blinders at the end of World War One, following Tommy Shelby and Grace Burgess through their passionate love affair. While Tommy is building his empire, Grace is operating as an undercover agent for Special Branch on a mission to get close to the heart of Tommy’s gang.   As the story unfolds, many hearts are broken. 

Dazzling, athletic dance and stunning dramatisation with an iconic eclectic Peaky soundtrack from a live on-stage band.

Tommy and the Peaky Blinders fought together at Flanders and the show opens in the trenches. Bound by this experience, a very personal story unfolds as the Shelby family navigate the decisions that determine their fate and Tommy is intoxicated by the mysterious Grace.

Steven Knight said “Peaky Blinders has always had music and movement at its heart and now the beating heart of the show will be transferred to the stage, an interpretation of Tommy’s story performed by Rambert, one of the leading dance companies in the world.  This is dance for people who don’t usually watch dance and what I’ve written has been transformed into something startling by consummate dancers and choreographers. If the concept of a Peaky Blinders dance seems strange, reserve judgement and reserve a ticket.”    

Benoit Swan Pouffer added “Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby is something on a scale we’ve never done before, and I couldn’t be more ready for the challenge – it’s such an exciting opportunity as a choreographer to tell these stories and recreate these characters through dance. It is also a great collaborative opportunity to have been working closely with Steven Knight on this original production. What you’re going to get as a result will be an inspiring and uplifting dance show, but so much more than a dance show. There is of course a strong narrative, that of Tommy and the Peaky Blinders so it is dance, and it is also theatre. And with such iconic music from a live-onstage band, it is more again. I can’t wait to bring these hugely popular characters to the stage here in Birmingham, then on tour to audiences around the country”

Helen Shute, CEO and Executive Producer of Rambert added “Rambert has always been committed to making dance that resonates with audiences across the country and we’re incredibly honoured to be trusted by Steven Knight with his nationally beloved Peaky Blinders. It’s so fitting that we start the journey in Birmingham, where Rambert has been touring to since the 1930s. We look forward to welcoming a new generation of audiences to theatres with a story that speaks to so many people.”

Chris Sudworth, Director of Artistic Programme at Birmingham Hippodrome added “We are delighted to be partnering with Rambert on the creation and world premiere of Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby. The opportunity to collaborate on a production that is so synonymous with our city is incredibly exciting and we cannot wait for audiences to experience the thrill of seeing the well-known characters from the show come to life on our stage in this sensational adaptation by Steven Knight.”

The 2023 UK tour will visit Norwich Theatre Royal (17-21 January), Alhambra Theatre, Bradford (25-28 January), Hull New Theatre (31 January-4 February), Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (7-11 February), Royal and Derngate, Northampton (21-25 February), Festival Theatre Edinburgh (28 February-4 March), The Lowry, Salford (14-18 March), Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff (21-25 March) and Theatre Royal Plymouth (28 March-1 April).

Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby, is a Rambert production in association with Birmingham Hippodrome, co-produced with The Lowry, inspired by the television series Peaky Blinders created by Steven Knight, in association with Caryn Mandabach Productions. Peaky Blinders TM © Caryn Mandabach Productions 2022. licensed by Caryn Mandabach Productions.

EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD LA VOIX TO TOUR THE UK IN 2021

Move over hanging gardens of Babylon, Egypt’s pyramids step aside, because there’s a new wonder of the world in town – La Voix! Officially the UK’s Funniest Red Head, La Voix is hot footing it across the UK with her live band in a brand new show for 2022 – The Eighth Wonder! From January.

Most famously known for making it to the finals of Britain’s Got Talent, La Voix has gone on to be a regular on both stage and screen working closely with many big stars including Mickey Rooney, Cilla Black, Pamela Anderson, Brigitte Nielsen, Ruby Wax and many more –  also appearing in Ab Fab The Movie alongside Joanne Lumley and Jennifer Saunders.

​When the feisty flame-haired phenomenon isn’t giving it out on her hilarious talk show on BBC Radio, the award-winning star and Royal Family favourite is busy performing for the rich and famous. She has twice entertained Princes William and Harry at their New Year’s Eve party and topped the bill at Sir Ian McKellan’s 80th birthday bash who said: “La Voix’s impersonations are surpassed only by her own cheekily entertaining personality. A genuine one-off!”

Having caught the imagination of theatre goes across the globe La Voix is currently representing the UK in on globally televised competition Queen of the Universe from Paramount Plus  – soon to air in the UK.

For the past 10 years in her stage shows the vivacious performer has been taking on the big ‘divas’ and making them her own, her uncanny ability to switch between the vocal styles of Tina Turner, Shirley Bassey, Liza Minnelli, Judy Garland or Cher with the click of a finger leaves the audience mesmerized, these spine-tingling vocals interspersed with a razor-sharp saucy wit brings audiences to their feet time and time again, whistling for more at every show.

‘Wear thick pants because you’ll wet yourself laughing’ – Jennifer Saunders

‘To describe la Voix Purely as a singer would be like calling Picasso a decorator’ – Broadway baby

‘When I Grow up I wanna be La Voix ‘- Dawn French

‘A masterclass in comedy timing’ – The Times

La Voix brings fans and first-timers a unique evening of entertainment – forget everything you think this might be.  In the company of a true legend, you’re guaranteed to be up on your feet with music and laughter and a whole lot of glamour.

La Voix says “I can’t wait to meet you all on my 2022 Eight Wonder tour so dig out your sparkly shoes and join me for a night of music, song and lots of laughs – after the last couple of years it’s just the tonic – you bring the gin!”

The perfect night out for theatre, comedy and musical fans! La Voix’s shows are not to be missed!  Find out more about the tour and book your tickets at www.lavoix.co.uk

The Eight Wonder Tour is sponsored by P&O Cruises.  La Voix regularly performs in The Limelight Club on P&O Cruises newest, greenest and most contemporary ship Iona. Limelight Club is a supper club combining fine dining with comedy, singing, acting from many celebrity names.

LISTINGS

Book Tickets at www.lavoix.co.uk

28 Jan             The Theatre – Chipping Norton

29 Jan             Theatre Royal Margate

03 Feb             The Gatehouse Theatre Stafford

04 Feb             Chipping Sodbury Town Hall

05 Feb             The Old Rep – Birmingham

11 Feb             The Swan Theatre  – Worcester

19 Feb             Sherman Theatre – Cardiff

20 Feb             The Courtyard – Hereford

04 Mar             Medina Theatre – Isle of Man

12 Mar             Beck Theatre – Hayes

09 Apr             Middleton Arena – Rochdale

23May             Torch Theatre Milford Haven

27 May            Darlington Hippodrome

29 May            The Stables Milton Keynes

11 Jun             Chesterfield Winding Wheel Theatre  – on sale soon

01 Sep            Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

30 Sep            Capital Theatre Horsham

06 Oct             Harrogate Grand Theatre – on sale soon

With additional venues to follow

LAURIE BRETT TO REUNITE

WITH

ADAM WOODYATT

IN THE WORLD PREMIERE STAGE PRODUCTION OF THE

BESTSELLING PETER JAMES NOVEL

LOOKING GOOD DEAD

AT RICHMOND THEATRE

14 – 19 FEBRUARY 2022

Peter James and producer Joshua Andrews are pleased to confirm a run at Richmond Theatre from 14 – 19 February 2022 for the World Premiere stage production of the Peter James best-selling novel “LOOKING GOOD DEAD” and are delighted to announce that Laurie Brett will reunite with Adam Woodyatt to play husband and wife Tom and Kellie Bryce. Laurie and Adam famously starred as husband and wife Ian and Jane Beale in BBC’s EastEnders. The rest of the cast of “LOOKING GOOD DEAD” includes Harry Long as Roy Grace, Ian Houghton as Jonas, Leon Stewart as Branson, Gemma Stroyan as Bella, Luke Ward-Wilkinson as Max Bryce, Mylo McDonald as Mick and Natalie Boakye as Janie.

Laurie Brett said today “It is so exciting to be getting back on stage in such a thrilling play. I’m a massive Peter James fan and to be working alongside my dear friend Adam as husband and wife again is going to be great fun. I can’t wait to get started!”

Laurie Brett is probably best known for her portrayal of Jane Beale in “EastEnders”, a role she played for ten years. Her other TV credits include DC Gemma Darlington in Channel 4’s “Deadwater Fell” and Christine Mulgrew in the BBC’s “Waterloo Road”. No stranger to the stage her many theatre credits include “Les Miserables” in the West End, “Smokey Joe’s Café”, Magenta in “The Rocky Horror Show” opposite Jason Donovan and most recently in the acclaimed stage adaptation of Kay Mellor’s “Band of Gold”, which was also produced by Josh Andrews.

Adam Woodyatt said today “I am so thrilled to be working with Laurie on Looking Good Dead. We formed such a great working relationship on EastEnders and it’s brilliant to now be able to bring that to the stage. The reaction the play has already had this year from audiences has been amazing. I’ve had so much fun doing the show and to have Laurie join us next year is a wonderful added bonus – she will be great!”

THE RUSSIAN STATE BALLET OF SIBERIA

BACK ON STAGE AND TOURING THE UK

CELEBRATING TWO DECADES SINCE THE FIRST UK TOUR IN 2002

Raymond Gubbay Limited is pleased to announce that The Russian State Ballet of Siberia, accompanied by the Russian State Ballet Orchestra, are back on stage and touring the UK in 2022 with their iconic performances of THE NUTCRACKER, SWAN LAKE, SNOW MAIDEN, CINDERELLA and ROMEO AND JULIET, all brought to life with magical special effects.

This season marks the twentieth anniversary of the company’s first season in the UK, with their work first presented at St David’s Hall in Cardiff in 2002. Whilst the challenges of the omicron variant and Welsh government restrictions meant that the first Cardiff dates of the tour were not able to go ahead in December 2021 as planned, the company were able to launch the tour afresh with SWAN LAKE in Manchester in early January, and are now delighting audiences around the country once again.

The company will tour the UK until the end of March, and will visit Basingstoke, Bournemouth, Brighton, Bristol, Darlington, Edinburgh, High Wycombe, Hull, Ipswich, Leicester, Liverpool, Northampton, Nottingham, Oxford, Reading, Southend, Wimbledon and Wolverhampton.

The Russian State Ballet of Siberia – led by Artistic Director Sergei Bobrov, and Music Director Anatoly Tchepurnoi – has established itself as one of Russia’s leading ballet companies and has built an international reputation for delivering performances of outstanding quality and depth. Since their first Christmas season at St David’s Hall in Cardiff in 2002, the Company has completed 18 UK tours and has had success in Italy, Spain, Slovakia, Japan, Turkey, Bulgaria, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates and Singapore.

The ballets performed this season are:

Swan Lake

The greatest romantic ballet of all time is brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score. From the impressive splendour of the Palace ballroom to the moon-lit lake where swans glide in perfect formation, this compelling tale of tragic romance has it all. From Odile, the temptress in black tutu as she seduces the Prince by spinning with captivating precision to the spellbound purity of the swan queen, Odette, as she flutters with emotional intensity, the dual role of Odette/Odile is one of ballet’s most unmissable technical challenges.

The Nutcracker

This most famous of fantasy ballets for all the family begins as night falls on Christmas Eve. As snowflakes fall outside, the warm glow of the open fire sends flickering shadows across the boughs of the Christmas tree and all the presents beneath. When midnight strikes we are swept away to a fairytale world where nothing is quite as it seems, toy dolls spring to life, the Mouse King and his mouse army battle with the Nutcracker Prince and we travel through the Land of Snow to an enchanted place where the magic really begins…

Snow Maiden

Protected from the outside world by Father Frost, the exquisite Snow Maiden plays innocently amongst the dancing snowflakes in the enchanted Land of Frost. Based on a traditional folk-tale, set in the snow covered landscape of rural Russia, this seasonal sparkler follows the Snow Maiden as she dances into the human world. Captivated by the colourful village and the people who live there, she ventures too far and is swept up by feelings of love, temptation and betrayal. When finally she surrenders herself completely and warms to love, her heart melts in a tragic embrace.

Romeo and Juliet

Shakespeare’s tale of primal passion and timeless tragedy is brought to life by Prokofiev’s soaring score, set in bustling Renaissance Verona and with an emotionally charged choreography that befits the world’s greatest love story. From the grandeur of the masked ball to the intimacy of the lovers’ balcony, this star-crossed story of duels, bitter family feuds and love that cannot be, is unmissable.

Cinderella

The world’s favourite rags to riches fairy-tale where dreams can come true is a magical mix of Prokofiev’s energetic score, lively choreography and colourful costumes. Whilst her mad/bad stepmother and her ill-mannered daughters prepare for the Royal Ball, graceful Cinderella can only dream of dancing with the dashing Prince. Later that evening, her rags become a glittering gown and she is swept magically to the Ball. From that very moment the Prince is smitten, midnight strikes and one lost crystal slipper later, he must now embark on a journey to find his lost love….

The Russian State Ballet of Siberia was formed in 1978 by talented graduates from choreographic schools in Moscow, St Petersburg, Kiev, Novosibirsk and Yekaterinburg. Many have gone on to become award winning artists and made prominent appearances at international ballet competitions and festivals. The company is proud of its dancers who are highly acclaimed worldwide for their unique interpretation of both dramatic and comic roles, delivering performances of sincere emotional and dramatic integrity. Over 100 opera and ballet productions have been created for the Theatre over the past 40 years with many receiving high critical and public acclaim. Since 2002, Sergei Bobrov has been Artistic Director of the Krasnoyarsk State Ballet (Russian State Ballet of Siberia). Leading dancers from across Russia have forged their skills and artistry under his direction in new productions of timeless classics such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Coppélia and La Fille mal gardée. Under the direction of Sergei Bobrov, the Russian State Ballet of Siberia continues to expand its repertoire. In addition to commissioning new works from within Russia and abroad, the company specializes in 20th-Century full-length ballets such as Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet, Spartacus, The Golden Age, Mozart & Salieri, Electra and Antigone.

www.raymondgubbay.co.uk

Park Theatre, London – until 5 February 2022

Reviewed by Debra Stottor

4****

Northern Ireland 2019. Stormont shut down for a third year running. Rising paramilitary shootings. Brexit looming. Finally, the decriminalisation of abortion. Tumultuous times, even for a region that seems to have specialised in tumultuous times. And not necessarily the most obvious backdrop for a play as filled with humour as this. The humour serves as a counterpoint to the darker elements of the story, and this is a thought-provoking play that will make you laugh and cry.

The narrative plays with time and switches between the telling of the story and the story itself, tripping up the viewer and making them consider the importance of the person telling the story.

So where does the story start, and where does it begin? Is it September 2019? May 2019? Or does it all go back to Bloody Sunday, a fateful day in 1972 that had a far-reaching effect on brother and sister Conor and Niamh and their family? The repercussions of that day were still being felt in 2019, as it was announced that an ex-paratrooper, ‘Soldier F’, would be tried for the murders of two of those that died in the massacre. The region’s complex history interweaves with a twisting plot to give us a sense of how normal people dealing with far from normal situations. No leprachauns, no dancing, no whiskey, but a tale told with humanity, humour and understanding.

This is a reworked version of the play that enjoyed its first run at the VAULT Festival in 2020, and on the small Park Theatre stage, minimal props are moved around the stage by the cast between scenes, scaffolding multitasking as a bus stop, a washing line and a supermarket aisle. It’s simple and effective, if a little obtrusive.

Presented by Plain Heroines, a female-led theatre company that, in their own words ‘makes funny plays about difficult subjects’, The 4th Country was written by co-founder Kate Reid, also one of the four-person Irish and Northern Irish cast along with Cormac Elliott, Aoife Kennan and Rachael Rooney. The Park Theatre. The play was a finalist for the Charlie Hartill Award 2020. Direction is by Gabriella Bird, co-artistic director of Plain Heroines and Creative Associate at Jermyn Street Theatre.

PRODUCTIONS RETURN TO THE DOOR
AT BIRMINGHAM REP

The Rep’s most intimate theatre space, The Door will welcome back
artists and audiences for the first time since March 2020 

The Rep have announced the first four productions to play in the city centre venue’s most intimate venue, The Door, since closing to live performance due to the global pandemic in March 2020. Each production is a personal exploration of identity and coming of age relevant to the communities which make Birmingham a rich and diverse city.

The series of four productions includes the rescheduling of two performances which were previously cancelled due to the national shut down of theatre spaces in 2020; Yours Sincerely (2-5 Mar) and LAVA (13-14 May).

Launching later this year, The Door will become a dedicated space for artists to develop new work, apply research and development and present scratch performances. This new era for The Door will be led by The Rep’s Associate Director, Madeleine Kludje with more to be announced later this year. Madeleine Kludje said; “It is really encouraging to see live performance returning to our most intimate space after an absence of what will be approaching two years.

“Looking forward, this space will become a place where artists from Birmingham and beyond can develop their craft and their work, a venue where audiences can enjoy and explore emerging work and discover the hit productions of the future and a space that reflects stories of the city. More details will be announced later this year and we look forward to further collaborating with artists to fulfil our ambition of making The Door a dedicated space for artists and their work.”

Written and performed by Will Jackson and presented by Quick Duck Theatre, Yours Sincerely (2-5 Mar) is based on real life correspondences. Storytelling and lipsync cabaret collide in this queer coming-of-age comedy about the complications of 21st-century communication. Will Jackson has accidentally stolen 300 second class stamps from the post office, but he’s making them count – he’s going to write letters!

Black Is The Color Of My Voice (28-29 Mar) is inspired by the life of Nina Simone, featuring many of her most iconic songs performed live. Apphia Campbell’s acclaimed play follows a successful singer and civil rights activist as she seeks redemption after the untimely death of her father. She reflects on the journey that took her from a young piano prodigy destined for a life in the service of the church, to a renowned jazz vocalist at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement. Black Is The Color Of My Voice comes to The Door following sell-out seasons in Shanghai, New York, Edinburgh, and the West End. The production is written and directed by Apphia Campbell and performed by Florence Odumosu.

Riot Act (12 May)takes audiences on a wild ride through six decades of queer history.A solo verbatim show, Riot Act is created entirely, word for word, out of interviews with three key-players in the history of the LGBTQ+ rights movement; Michael Anthony Nozzi, a survivor of the Stonewall Riots; Lavina Co-op, an alternative ‘70s drag artist; and Paul Burston, ‘90s London AIDS activist.Following several UK tours and a special West End performance, this critically acclaimed audience favourite is a rip-roaring, white-knuckle ride through six decades of queer history, taking the audience right up to the present day.Provocative, tender, truthful, funny, political and personal, these are stories of queerness, sexuality, activism, addiction, family, childhood, love, sex, drag, community, togetherness, conflict, identity, youth, ageing, loss, fierce queens and a Hollywood diva.Riot Act iswritten and performed by Alexis Gregory, directed by Rikki Beadle-Blair MBEand presented by Emmerson & Ward Productions and Alexis Gregory Productions.

From award-winning playwright James Fritz (Four Minutes Twelve Seconds, Parliament Square, Ross & Rachel), LAVA (13-14 May) is a play for the moment: a funny, tender and moving story about friendship and reconnection in the aftermath of catastrophe. Boy meets girl. Boy can’t talk to girl. And a small asteroid has hit the capital city. It was ridiculous. Impossible. But it happened. As London adjusts to life after an unthinkable disaster, in a small town far away, a young man called Vin finds he can no longer speak. Is it shock? Grief? Or something else? While Vin’s mum Vicky struggles with a loss of her own, his friend Rach is determined to help him find a way out of silence. But when Rach’s family take in a charismatic and articulate survivor, who thinks talking – or even singing – about your suffering is the way to heal, Vin’s plight is suddenly eclipsed… In a world that celebrates self-expression, what happens to those who can’t express themselves? And what lengths will we go to make sense of our sadness? LAVA is written by James Fritz, and presented by Fifth Word and Nottingham Playhouse.

These newly announced productions are joined by comedian Sukh Ojla’s Life Sukhs (18 Feb) and Grimeboy (14-18 Apr), the unmissable new play from Casey Bailey, the Birmingham Poet Laureate and winner of the Greater Birmingham Future Face of Arts and Culture 2020, directed by The Rep’s Associate Director Madeleine Kludje with set design by Ebrahim Nazier.  

Priority booking begins from today. Tickets go on general sale from Tue 18 Jan, visit Birmingham-rep.co.uk or call 0121 236 4455.

A transaction fee of £2.50 applies on all payment types. This covers administration costs and enables The Rep to provide a dedicated booking service. This charge does not apply to transactions under £10, group bookings over 50 and school group bookings. WA charge does not apply to Rep Friends. Please talk to a member of The Rep box office team if you require further information.

For bookings with access requirements or any other queries, please email [email protected].

COMPLETE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR

THE COLLABORATION

The Collaboration

By Anthony McCarten

Directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah

16 February – 2 April 2022

Main House

“Boxers are like painters, both smear their blood on the canvas.”

The Young Vic today announces the complete cast and creative team for The Collaboration, the world premiere of Anthony McCarten’s thrilling new drama, directed by Young Vic Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah.

As already announced, multi award-winning actor Paul Bettany (The Avengers, WandaVision, A Very British Scandal) is the iconic Warhol alongside two-time Tony Award nomineeJeremy Pope (Hollywood, Choir Boy, Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations) as the magnetic Basquiat, with the complete cast also including Sofia Barclay and Alec Newman.

The Collaboration is Written by Anthony McCarten, and Directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah, with Set and Costume Design by Anna Fleischle, Lighting Design by Mark Henderson, Sound Design by Emma Laxton, Casting by Isabella Odoffin CDG, Projection Design by Duncan McLean, Composition by Ayanna Witter-Johnson, DJ/VJ by Xana and Assistant Direction and Production Dramaturgy by Olivia Nwabali.

New York, 1984. Fifty-six-year-old Andy Warhol’s star is falling. Jean-Michel Basquiat is the new wonder-kid taking the art world by storm. When Basquiat agrees to collaborate with Warhol on a new exhibition, it soon becomes the talk of the city. As everyone awaits the ‘greatest exhibition in the history of modern art’, the two artists embark on a shared journey, both artistic and deeply personal, that re-draws both their worlds.

Socially Distanced Perfs: 8 March 7.30pm, 9 March 2.30pm & 7.30pm, 10 March 7.30pm, 18 March 7.30pm

Relaxed Perf: 8 March, 7.30pm

Captioned Perf: 10 March, 7.30pm

Audio Described Perf: 18 March, 7.30pm

I’m pleased to share a statement from Theatres Trust following the latest news in Wales.

Jon Morgan, director of Theatres Trust, comments:

Theatres Trust welcomes news that Covid cases in Wales have fallen sufficiently for restrictions to begin to lift. It is disappointing that theatres will have to wait another two weeks for social distancing and capacity limits to be removed, but it will be a relief that they can begin planning and, all being well, welcome back audiences from 28 January.