Mischief brings us the hysterically funny ‘Groan Ups’, where we follow the lives of 5 children through their time at school and into adulthood.
The set was extremely clever and enhanced the performances of the cast with the use of forced perspective. Fly Davies, set director, deserves a special mention for her brilliance and ability. The costumes, Roberto Surace’s department, were also great and when the children grew up into adulthood, the costumes reflected the personalities we had all become accustomed to during the course of Henry Shields brilliant writing.
The 5 main characters, Yolanda Ovide as Moon, Dharmesh Patel as Spencer, Lauren Samuels as Katie, Matt Cavendish as Simon and Daniel Abbott as Archie were superb and together with such great rapport and comedic timing, it made the show really enjoyable and kept the pace so high that we never had a dull moment. For me, the stand out performance was Dharmesh Patel as Spencer. He was so funny and commanded the stage with ease, as well as throwing in some slapstick moments-such as ‘flopping the hamster!’ (You’ll find out when you see it!). Supported by Jamie Birkett and Killian Macardle in various roles, this cast is a sterling triumph.
The main 5 grow up through life and all segment into their own careers, but by the end of the show (the school reunion) they all get back together to divulge secrets once hidden and rekindle old romances.
This truly is a brilliant piece and the perfect pick me up for all ages. It hits home that in all of us, there is a child we never release and you really can grow up but never truly change!
Kenny Wax Family Entertainment in association with MAST Mayflower Studios 2022 tour dates announced for inspiring musical Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World Friday 25th March – Sunday 17th July 2022
After a hugely successful autumn premiere, the inspiring girl power musical Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World will return in 2022 for an extensive UK tour. This empowering stage adaptation of suffragette descendent Kate Pankhurst’s award-winning book is brought to life by an incredible all-female creative team.
Celebrated – and often forgotten – women from history are brought to life on stage, from Rosa Parks to Sacagawea, Amelia Earhart to Marie Curie, Mary Seacole to Frida Kahlo and Jane Austen, and Pankhurst’s own relative Emmeline. Inquisitive heroine Jade breaks away from her class trip to the local museum to take a peek at the Gallery of Greatness. Audiences can join Jade in meeting these incredible and inspiring women from the past: from explorers and scientists to artists and secret agents, hear the stories of some of history’s independent icons who really did change the world.
The amazing creative team bringing this uplifting stage show to audiences across the UK includes renowned dramatist Chris Bush (Pericles, National Theatre; Faustus: That Damned Woman, Headlong), with music by Miranda Cooper (Girls Aloud; Sugababes) and Jennifer Decilveo (Miley Cyrus; Ben Platt), director Amy Hodge (Mr Gum and The Dancing Bear – The Musical!, the National Theatre), designer Joanna Scotcher (Emilia, Shakespeare’s Globe/Vaudeville Theatre), choreographer Dannielle Lecointe (Dick Whittington, the National Theatre), lighting designer Zoe Spurr (Emilia, Shakespeare’s Globe/Vaudeville Theatre) and Carolyn Downing (Summer & Smoke, Almeida/Duke of York’s Theatre) as sound designer.
Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World will be celebrated by anyone who is prepared to move and be moved. With characters and songs that pack a popstar punch, this thrilling show for ages 7+ is guaranteed to be one to remember!
ShowFantastically Great Women Who Changed the World Dates 25th March – 3rd April The Playhouse, Liverpool, Williamson Square, L1 1EL 5th – 9th April The Lowry, The Quays, Salford, Greater Manchester, M50 3AZ
12th – 16th April Rose Theatre, 24-26 High Street, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1HL 25th – 30th April King’s Theatre, 2 Leven Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9LQ 4th – 7th May Hall for Cornwall, Playhouse, Back Quay, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2LL 10th – 15th May Exeter Northcott, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4QB 17th – 22nd May Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 1HQ 25th – 29th May Oxford Playhouse, 11-12 Beaumont Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 2LW 31st May – 4th June Lyceum Theatre, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 1DA 7th – 12th June Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre of the Arts, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1UG 15th June – 17th July Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, London, E15 1BN Ages Recommended for ages 7+ Website https://fantasticallygreatwomenthemusical.com/
FULL CAST AND CATALYST TRAINEES ANNOUNCED FORHENRY V
With Tim Price’s new stage adaptation of Ruben Östlund’s Force Majeure currently running, the Donmar Warehouse today announces full cast and CATALYST trainees for Donmar Associate Director Max Webster’s production of Shakespeare’s Henry V.
Joining the previously announced Kit Harington (Henry V) are Jude Akuwudike (King of France/ Archbishop of Canterbury/Sir Thomas Erpingham), Seumas Begg (Jamy/Grey/Gloucester), Claire-Louise Cordwell (Bardolph/Bates), Kate Duchêne (Exeter/Constable of France), Olivier Huband (The Dauphin/Ely), Melissa Johns (Mistress Quickly/Williams/Macmorris), David Judge (Nym/Mountjoy), Danny Kirrane (Pistol/Westmoreland), Anoushka Lucas (Katherine/Gower), Adam Maxey (Orléans/Bedford), Steven Meo (Llewellyn/Falstaff), Marienella Phillips (Alice/Cambridge/Salisbury), Joanna Songi (Scroop/Rambures/Harfleur/Governor/York/Burgundy) and Millicent Wong (Chorus/Boy) with Gethin Alderman, Diany Bandza and Thomas Dennis. The production opens on 22 February, with previews from 12 February, and runs until 9 April.
CATALYST is the Donmar Warehouse’s pioneering career development programme aimed at developing talent which is underrepresented both at the Donmar and in the wider industry. The CATALYST trainees for Henry V are Liam Francis as Assistant Movement Director, Roisin Jenner as Assistant Designer, Jamie Lu as Assistant Sound Designer and Abi Turner asAssistant Lighting Designer.
Donmar Warehouse presents
HENRY V
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Max Webster; Designer Fly Davis; Lighting Designer Lee Curran; Sound Designer
Carolyn Downing; Casting Director Anna Cooper CDG; Video Designer Andrzej Goulding; Movement Director Benoit Swan Pouffer; Music Andrew T Mackay; Costume Supervisor Lisa Aitken; Fight Director Kate Waters; Dialect Coach Fabien Enjalric; Military Consultant Tom Leigh; Resident Assistant Director Dadiow Lin
12 February – 9 April 2022
“No King of England if not King of France!”
Shakespeare’s ever popular play is a thrilling study of nationalism, war and the psychology of power.
Kit Harington leads the cast in an exciting modern production directed by Donmar Associate Director Max Webster, exploring what it means to be English and our relationship to Europe, asking: do we ever get the leaders we deserve?
Jude Akuwudike plays King of France/Archbishop of Canterbury/Sir Thomas Erpingham. His theatre credits include Three Sisters, Moon on a Rainbow Shawl (National Theatre), The Convert (Young Vic), The Faith Machine (Royal Court Theatre), Great Expectations (English Touring Theatre) and Othello (Glasgow Citizens Theatre). His television credits include Gangs of London, Fortitude, In the Long Run and Chewing Gum.
Seumas Begg plays Jamy/Grey/Gloucester. His recent credits include Fantasio (Garsington Opera), The New Prince (Dutch National Opera), Fiddler on the Roof (Grange Park Opera), Navigate the Blood (NOISE) and Falstaff (Opera Bohemia).
Claire-Louise Cordwell playsBardolph/Bates.Her theatre credits include Paradise, Treasure Island (National Theatre), A Kind of People (Royal Court Theatre), A Tale of Two Cities (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Imogen (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Saints (Nuffield Theatre), Carthage (Finborough Theatre), Dangerous Lady (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Beautiful Thing (Royal Exchange Theatre), Oleanna (York Theatre Royal), Orphans (Paines Plough), and Othello (Frantic Assembly). Her television credits include Line of Duty, Bodyguard, Beowulf, The Honourable Woman; and recent film credits include Phea and Snow in Paradise.
Kate Duchêne plays Exeter/Constable of France. Her theatre credits include Suzy Storck (Gate Theatre), Hedda Gabler, Everyman, Hansel and Gretel, A Woman Killed with Kindness, Beauty and the Beast, Attempts on Her Life, Women of Troy, Iphigenia at Aulis (National Theatre/Dublin Abbey Theatre), Waves (National Theatre/UK tour), The Forbidden Zone (Barbican/Amsterdam), Ten Billion (Royal Court Theatre/Avignon Festival), The Trail of Ubu (Hampstead Theatre), Henry VIII (Shakespeare’s Globe), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (City of London Sinfonia), The Sugar Syndrome (Royal Court Theatre), and The Herbal Bed, The Cherry Orchard, The Country Wife and Richard III (RSC). Her television credits include Cursed, Doctor Who, Foyle’s War, Afterlife, Family Life, and Kiss Me Kate;and for film, Roxane, All Good Children and An Education.
Kit Harington plays Henry V.His theatre credits include True West (Vaudeville Theatre), Doctor Faustus (Duke of York’s Theatre), Posh (Royal Court Theatre) and War Horse (NT/West End). His television credits include Game of Thrones, Criminal, Gunpowder, 7 Days in Hell and Modern Love; and for film, Eternals, The Death and Life of John F. Donovan, Brimstone, Spooks: The Greater Good and Testament of Youth.
Olivier Huband plays The Dauphin/Ely.His theatre credits include Barefoot in the Park (Pitlochry Festival Theatre), Such Filthy F*cks (Pleasance Theatre) and An Enemy of the People (Playground Theatre). His television credits include I Hate Suzie, Becoming Elizabeth and Informer; and for film, Mission Impossible: Fallout.
Melissa Johns plays Mistress Quickly/Williams/Macmorris.Her theatre credits include The Prize (Live Theatre), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Sheffield Crucible), and Macbeth and Othello (Lyric Hammersmith). For television, her credits include Life, The Split, I Hate Suzie, Flack and In the Long Run.
David Judge plays Nym/Mountjoy.His theatre credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Manchester HOME), Romeo and Juliet, My Brilliant Friend (National Theatre), Sparkplug (UK tour), The Things We Shouldn’t Otherwise Find (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Fatherland (Lyric Hammersmith/Royal Exchange Theatre), Messiah (Bristol Old Vic), The Kitchen Sink (Oldham Coliseum), Scuttlers, Christmas is Miles Away (Royal Exchange Theatre), Statements (Jermyn Street Theatre), Coming Home, Afterbirth (Arcola Theatre), The Eleventh Capital (Royal Court Theatre) and An Argument About Sex (Glasgow Tramway/Edinburgh Traverse). His television credits include Romeo and Juliet, Prey II, New Street Law;and for film An American Haunting.
Danny Kirrane plays Pistol/Westmoreland. His theatre credits include Jerusalem (Royal Court Theatre), The Hunt, Vassa (Almeida Theatre), Gentleman (Arcola Theatre), We’re Staying Right Here (Park Theatre), As You Like It (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), A Little Hotel on the Side (Theatre Royal Bath), Three Sisters (Young Vic), Romeo and Juliet, Boys (Headlong Theatre) and The History Boys (National Theatre). For television his credits include Serpent Queen, Sandman, Safe Space, Don’t Forget the Driver, Wasted and Critical; and for film Peterloo, Game Over and The Hatching.
Anoushka Lucas plays Katherine/Gower.She is a singer, songwriter, actress and composer. Her theatre credits include After Life (National Theatre), Jesus Christ Superstar (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Chiaroscuro (Bush Theatre), Faces in the Crowd (Bush Theatre) and Sparks (Edinburgh Festival/Vault Festival).
Adam Maxey plays Orléans/Bedford. He is a recent graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. His credits include Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Clonter Opera Theatre) and La Cenerentola (British Youth Opera).
Steven Meo plays Llewellyn/Falstaff.His theatre credits include Les Misérables (Sondheim Theatre), Pride and Prejudice (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre/UK tour), Much Ado About Nothing, The Taming of the Shrew, Boeing Boeing, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog, Under Milk Wood (Theatr Clwyd), Flesh and Blood (Hampstead Theatre/UK tour), The Caucasian Chalk Circle (West Yorkshire Playhouse/UK tour) and Up ‘n’ Under (Bristol Old Vic). His television credits include Stath Lets Flats, Code 404, The Pembrokeshire Murders, Heartland, Torchwood;and for film, Love Without Walls, Viking Siege and Canaries.
Marienella Phillips plays Alice/Cambridge/Salisbury. Her opera credits include Dead Man Walking (Welsh National Opera), Hansel and Gretel (Longborough Festival Opera), Queen Margaret (Downpour Theatre Company), Le Nozze di Figaro (Hewletts Opera), Bradamante (Ensemble OrQuesta) and Alcina (Arcola Theatre).
Joanna Songi plays Scroop/Rambures/Harfleur/Governor/York/Burgundy. Her opera credits include The Turn of the Screw (Glyndebourne Festival/Glyndebourne on tour/Opera de Tenerife), Imago Glyndebourne, The Finnish Prisoner (Paddock Productions) and Hansel und Gretel (West Green Opera).
Millicent Wong plays Chorus/Boy. Her theatre credits include Athena (Yard Theatre), After Life (National Theatre), The Doctor (The Adelaide Festival), The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Bridge Theatre), The King of Hell’s Palace (Hampstead Theatre) and Pah-La (The Royal Court). Her television credits include Silent Witness, Annika and Dracula.
Max Webster,Associate Director of the Donmar Warehouse, directs. As a theatre director, his work includes Life of Pi (Sheffield Crucible/and currently Wyndham’s Theatre), The Lorax (Old Vic/Children’s Theatre, Minneapolis/Old Globe, San Diego), Fanny and Alexander and Cover My Tracks (Old Vic), As You Like It and Twelfth Night (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), The Sea of Fertility and Mary Stuart (Parco, Japan), The Jungle Book and King Lear (Royal & Derngate, Northampton/UK tour), The Winter’s Tale (Lyceum, Edinburgh), The Twits (Royal & Derngate, Northampton), Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare’s Globe/World tour), James and the Giant Peach, My Generation (WYP), Orlando, To Kill a Mockingbird and My Young and Foolish Heart (Royal Exchange Theatre), The Chalk Circle (Aarohan Theatre, Kathmandu) and Carnival Under the Rainbow and Feast Kakulu (Hilton Arts Festival, South Africa). Film Credits include The Lorax: In Camera (Old Vic) and How the Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical (Sky Arts/NBC). Opera credits include La Bohème (Goteborg Opera, Sweden), The Merry Widow (ENO) and Shostakovich’s Hamlet (City of London Sinfonia).
CATALYST TRAINEES
Liam Francis is Assistant Movement Director. He is a dancer and choreographer and has performed for Akram Khan, ZooNation and with Rambert for seven years.
Roisin Jenner is Assistant Designer. She graduated from LIPA’s Theatre and Performance Design course in 2021 and has previously worked as Dresser on The Life of Pi (Wyndham’s Theatre).
Jamie Lu is Assistant Sound Designer. Lu is a performance designer and sound artist and has previously work at Southwark Playhouse, Camden People’s Theatre and Arcola Theatre
Abi Turner (they/them) is Assistant Lighting Designer. They graduated from Rose Bruford’s Lighting Design course in 2020. They have previously worked on productions at Camden People’s Theatre and Theatre503.
HENRY V
LISTINGS
Donmar Warehouse, 41 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, London WC2H 9LX
12 February – 9 April 2022
Captioned: Monday 28 March at 7.30pm
Audio-Described: Saturday 2 April at 2.30pm, touch tour at 1pm
British Sign Language Interpreted: Saturday 26 March at 2.30pm
YOUNG+FREE tickets for 16-25 year olds released by ballot. Sign up at www.donmarwarehouse.com.
Generously supported by IHS Markit.
DONMAR DAILY
New tickets on sale every day at the Donmar. Allocations of tickets from £10 will be made available every day for performances 7 days later. Tickets will be available across the auditorium at every price band.
STANDING TICKETS
£10 standing tickets available from two weeks in advance 10am online, by phone and in person. (Except Press Nights. Subject to availability)
ACCESS
The Donmar Warehouse is fully wheelchair accessible. Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome in the auditorium. There is a Loop system and a Radio Frequency system fitted in the main auditorium and there are also hearing loops at all the front of house counters.
ASSISTED PERFORMANCES
If you require a companion to attend the Donmar, their ticket will be free. To book call 020 3282 3808 or email [email protected].
For all other access enquiries or bookings call 020 3282 3808.
SEASON AT A GLANCE:
FORCE MAJEURE
Until 5 February 2022
Captioned: 24 January at 7.30pm
Audio-Described: 29 January at 2.30pm, touch tour at 1pm
British Sign Language Interpreted: 31 January at 7.30pm
HENRY V
12 February – 9 April 2022
Captioned: 28 March at 7.30pm
Audio-Described: 2 April at 2.30pm, touch tour at 1pm
British Sign Language Interpreted: 26 March at 2.30pm
MARYS SEACOLE
15 April – 4 June 2022
Captioned: 23 May at 7.30pm
Audio-Described: 21 May at 2.30pm, touch tour at 1pm
British Sign Language Interpreted: 30 May at 7.30pm
The season is presented in partnership with Wessex Grove.
THE EVER-POPULAR SCOTTISH BALLET RETURN TO NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL
Scotland’s national dance company are bringing a traditional favourite to Newcastle Theatre Royal (Wed 2 – Sat 5 Feb 2022). Enrobed in snow, ice, candy and pure enchantment, prepare to take a magical sleigh ride with Scottish Ballet’s The Nutcracker as the sumptuous production makes a much welcomed return
A firm family favourite, this magical adventure takes audiences on a journey through the worlds of a child’s imagination. It follows Clara, as she drifts off to sleep on Christmas Eve and meets the dashing Nutcracker Prince, fights off the larger-than-life Rat King, and is welcomed into the Land of Sweets by the enchanting Sugar Plum Fairy.
The much-loved Tchaikovsky score will be performed live in all its glory by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra.
Originally choreographed by Scottish Ballet founder Peter Darrell in 1972, Scottish Ballet’s The Nutcracker was re-imagined in 2014 by CEO/Artistic Director Christopher Hampson, working with multi-award-winning Designer Lez Brotherson. It includes unforgettable scenes such as on-stage snow, a whirling Victorian Christmas party, and a mesmerizing duet in front of a wall of 4,500 gleaming baubles.
The Nutcracker is a timeless festive story that has delighted audiences around the world for over a century. As part of the Company’s sustained commitment to drive anti-racism in ballet, and to ensure it remains relevant today and for the future,
Scottish Ballet continues to make subtle but important changes to some of the characters, costumes and choreography. Following ongoing consultancy, the Chinese and Arabian-inspired divertissements in the Land of Sweets will have updated costumes and choreography to remove elements of caricature and better represent the culture and traditions which have inspired them. The enigmatic magician Drosselmeyer will, in this tour, be played by both male and female dancers.
Christopher Hampson, CEO/Artistic Director of Scottish Ballet, said: “We are delighted to be able to share this magical production again and create new memories for our audiences. This tour will be particularly special as we are re-joined by our wonderful Scottish Ballet Orchestra at long last. I am grateful for the support of the Peter Darrell Trust in ensuring that we keep this production alive and relevant for all our audiences, now and in the future.”
Scottish Ballet The Nutcracker plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Wed 2 – Sat 5 Feb 2022. Tickets are priced from £20.00 and can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010
Festival Theatre, Malvern – until 22nd January 2022
Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau
4.5 ****
Ronald Harwood wrote The Dresser, drawing loosely from his own experiences. The show is a character study of old age, friendship, professional support, duty and genuine affection, reminding one of those gentle comedy classics that form our collective consciousness such as One Foot In The Grave.
Julian Clary (the Dresser, Norman) is, as expected, very funny with a natural comic sensibility. His asides and tiny comedic gestures were employed with masterful effect. I especially liked his “I had a friend” anecdotes which got funnier as the evening went on. What surprised me was that he is also a natural dramatic actor, displaying impressive emotional range. For those who only know his work from his 80’s TV persona this is a real revelation.
Likewise, Matthew Kelly (Sir) who is a doddery old man on his last legs one moment and booms forth in his Shakespearean actor guise the next. A remarkable change of pace which I found enormously impressive. Kelly gave a heart wrenching performance and is a magisterial stage presence (and not just whilst playing King Lear).
The principle ladies, Her Ladyship (played by Emma Amos) and Madge (Rebecca Charles) played quite similar characters who had given up much in the service of Sir, just like Norman, but who had had vastly different life experiences around the man they loved. Both of these accomplished actresses gave keenly wrought character studies which became thrilling when their emotions were given free rein.
Natali Servat (Irene) had her own moment to shine too, skill fully elevating her slightly ephemeral character into a fully fledged multi faceted character of surprising depth with impressive effect. I am looking forward to seeing what this talented new actress can achieve in larger roles in the future.
The first act segues skilfully into the second, introducing the immediate backstage area. The delayed entrance of the King (in the play being mounted for the fictional audience) and the off stage interjections from the cast were flawless and an absolute scream, especially from Samuel Holmes playing Mr Oxenby. It reminded me of the farce Noises Off (another example of a play within a play).
Pip Donaghy (playing Geoffrey Thornton) rehearsing his part of Fool was another highlight. Anyone who has been in a provincial G&S production will recognise the challenges faced by Sir of teasing a performance from an enthusiastic amateur whose body is willing but whose spirit has long since given up the ghost and whose talent knows no beginning. Am-dram at its most rewardingly joyful, sensitively presented here.
The ending had none of the schmaltz that Hollywood would slather over it. Indeed this feels like a play that only a British playwright could have written and is all the better for it. The surprisingly poignant ending was both believable and heart rending and gave Mr Clary his greatest opportunity to shine, which he duly did.
A thoroughly entertaining evening which I would not hesitate to recommend.
Second Hand Dance return to live performance as We Touch, We Play, We Dance goes on tour
UK Tour 6 -20 February Imagine Children’s Festival @ Southbank Centre 9 -11 February Twitter/Insta: @2_ndhanddance | www.secondhanddance.co.uk | Images and Trailer “For the little ones, it encourages play, curiosity, exploration. For me, I come out feeling looser, more alert.” Exeunt on We Touch, We Play, We Dance
Second Hand Dance return to live touring this spring with a beautifully crafted, gentle and playful experience that reaffirms the potency of touch. We Touch, We Play, We Dance is a celebratory dance experience for the very young (aged 0-3) and their grown-ups.
Four dancers weave around the space, inviting babies and children to join them in a warm-hearted and playful performance. Accompanied by music mixed live by a DJ, the dancers respond to the children, guiding them through a series of exchanges and encounters, with high fives, hugs and dancing.
Audiences are invited to join in, or just watch if they prefer, with two shows offered daily at each venue – a gentler morning show most suitable for babies aged 0-18 months, and an afternoon show for those over 18 months who may enjoy joining in more energetically. To provide a safe experience, the dancers and DJ take Covid tests before each show, sanitise their hands, the space and seating. Sanitiser will also be provided for audience members.
“Through touch we find the first glimpse of a primitive sense of self that provides a building block for social learning.” Andrew Meltzoff, Researcher in Developmental Science
We Touch, We Play We Dance offers a counter to the UK trend of ‘no touch’ policies within some school and children’s centres, a trend which looks set to have become further entrenched as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Second Hand Dance’s belief that touch is intrinsic to the development of babies and children is based on the research of developmental scientists and child psychologists including Andrew Meltzoff and Sean Cameron and this work has informed the creation of the piece.
Artistic Director of Second Hand Dance Rosie Heafford said “There is substantial social commentary on the negative associations of touch with children and infants. In We Touch, We Play, We Dance, we want to provide an alternative narrative. We are all touched hundreds of times each day, by loved ones, by strangers and by inanimate objects. Before our eyes develop outside the womb, we learn the world through touch. Touch connects, contains and stimulates. We’re excited to be able to get out on the road again and can’t wait to be dancing and moving with audiences again in the coming months.”
Established in 2013, disabled-led Second Hand Dance create beautiful, sensory dance experiences (both live and digital) that are accessible and welcoming to all bodies, working locally, nationally and internationally from their base in Surrey. The company’s way of working is centred on co-creation and collaboration with audiences and artists from many disciplines, with the vision of creating a world where dance, empathy, play and exploratory movement are central to the lives of children and adults. Most recently, Second Hand Dance Film’s Night Tree Films featured on Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage over the Christmas season 2021/22.
Listings information
Second Hand Dance Presents We Touch, We Play, We Dance Age recommendation: 0-3 Running time: 45 minutes 6 February | Cambridge Junction 11.30am and 2pm Tickets £10 adult/£6 baby/child https://www.junction.co.uk/
9-11 February | Imagine Children’s Festival – Southbank Centre 9 Feb, 1.30pm 10 – 11 Feb, 10.30am and 1.30pm Tickets £7 https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/
20 February | OYAP Trust, The Old St Edburg’s School, Bicester Times 10.30am and 1.30pm Tickets £5 https://www.themillartscentre.co.uk/ Creative Team Concept & Artistic Direction Rosie Heafford Rehearsal Director Keir Patrick Dancers: Amarnah Amuludun, Mariana Camilotti, Paolo Pisarra and Marc Stevenson Sound Designer and Technical Manager Froud Costume, Set & Lighting Designer Ben Pacey Dramaturg Katherine Morley Executive Producer Claire Summerfield Producer Emily Jameson
STAR OF THE WEST END AND BROADWAY STAGE JOHN OWEN-JONES
ALONGSIDE ACCLAIMED OPERA SINGERS
ASHLEY RICHES AND ELENA XANTHOUDAKIS
JOIN THE CAST OF
MIMMA
A NEW MUSICAL OF WAR & FRIENDSHIP
PRESENTED AS A GALA CONCERT FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY AT CADOGAN HALL ON 28 FEBRUARY 2022 ALONGSIDE THE BBC CONCERT ORCHESTRA
WITH 100% OF ALL TICKET SALES GOING TO
THE PRINCE’S TRUST
Joining the previously announced Sir David Suchet (Poirot, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, All My Sons), Louise Dearman (Wicked, Evita) and Celinde Schoenmaker (Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera) is John Owen-Jones, the youngest actor to play the role of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables and a record holder for the number of performances as Phantom in Phantom of the Opera. He will take on the role of Lorenzo. Also joining are Ashley Riches (Carmen, The Pirates of Penzance), the renowned operatic baritone, who will play Aldo Marini, and the award-winning soprano Elena Xanthoudakis (Don Giovanni, Dido and Aeneas) playing Ada Marini.
Mimma, a new musical of war and friendship, performed with the BBC Concert Orchestra is performed for one special, semi-staged gala concert performance only, at Cadogan Hall, on 28 February 2022.
Orana Productions Ltd, Producer and Presenter of the Mimma Charity Concert, will donate 100% of ticket proceeds to The Prince’s Trust. The total amount donated to The Prince’s Trust is expected to be £65,000. The Prince’s Trust is a registered charity incorporated by Royal Charter in England and Wales (1079675) and Scotland (SC041198).
Mimma’s creative team includes Ron Siemiginowski (Composer & Producer), Giles Watson (Librettist) and Luke Fredericks (Director). The BBC Concert Orchestra will be conducted by renowned British conductor and orchestrator, Richard Balcombe (Musical Director & Orchestrator).
The shadow of Fascism drives Mimma, a young Italian journalist, to take refuge at her Uncle Lorenzo’s nightclub in London. Mimma forges an unassailable friendship with Sarah, an aspiring jazz singer, while her family are increasingly embroiled in resistance against Mussolini.
The coming conflict brings out the best and worst in people as Mimma’s brother is captured, Londoners prepare for Hitler’s Blitz, and fears of betrayal reach fever pitch. Mimma and Sarah are caught in the turmoil as Soho is torn apart by arrests and internments.
As England and Italy face their darkest hours, Mimma is in danger of losing everything. Everything – that is, except the one friend she can trust.
Mimma is a musical that bridges continents and cultures by blending soulful jazz, opera and musical theatre.
Mimma the Musical will be featured as one of the main events in the forthcoming 2022 UK Australia Season program. The UK Australia Season is a joint initiative by the British Council and the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to strengthen and build cultural connections. The Board of Patrons for the UK Australia Season is co-chaired by Sir Lloyd Dorfman CBE, Chairman of The Prince’s Trust International.
Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre announce a thrilling spring 2022 season
From football to Kafka, from nuclear science to climate crisis – the spring 2022 season of Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre live and digital shows offer a unique reflection on modern society.
Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre Artistic Team. Clockwise from top left: Andrew Panton, Jess Thorpe, Liam Sinclair, Joan Clevillé, Tashi Gore
As we enter a new year which looks to offer similar challenges for the arts industry as the one before, Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre are proud to continue to invest in high-quality, inspiring dance, theatre, music and comedy production for the people of Dundee and beyond.
Following a testing 2021 which saw Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre successfully launch their digital platform, REP STUDIOS, allowing thousands of people around the world to enjoy work produced in the heart of Tayside, and present such inspiring work as John McCann’s Wings Around Dundee, Amethyst and SINDER, both companies are thrilled to reveal 10 new productions which form their spring 2022 season and confirm that a brand new musical version of CinderellabyLynda Radley and Michael John McCarthy will be their 2022 festive offering, following 2021’s A Christmas Carol which was met with a great reception from live and digital audiences as well as critics.
Dundee Rep’s Artistic Director Andrew Panton directs the Scottish Premiere of The Children by Lucy Kirkwood, a gripping story of two retired nuclear scientists in an isolated cottage by the sea as the world around them crumbles. This brilliant play took London and New York by storm in 2017 and was hailed as one of the top 3 in The Guardian’s recent Best Theatre shows of the 21st Century. Following the success of Smile, Sally Reid returns to the Rep to direct the world premiere of The Bookies by Michael Burnett and Joseph McCann, a black comedy thriller set in a rundown Edinburgh betting shop.
After wowing audiences in 10 countries, Scottish Dance Theatre brings the magic of The Life and Times back to REP STUDIOS as a hybrid performance presented simultaneously to audiences in the theatre and at home. Conceived by Artistic Director Joan Clevillé the show is a surreal dance journey set to a sumptuous Baroque soundtrack. The company is also delighted to announce a brand new commission with internationally acclaimed choreographer Meytal Blanaru.Ray explores the themes of connection and emergence.
Marking a big milestone for the company directed by Associate Directors (Engage) Jess Thorpe and Tashi Gore, Dundee Rep Young Company presents its new devised work and its first major production: the world premiere of Optimism, a show about being young and having hope for the future against all odds – climate change, Brexit, financial crisis… The Young Company shares their ending to this story.
Alongside work produced by Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre’s ensembles, the spring season also features a range of exciting new productions made in Scotland. Following a critically acclaimed Edinburgh Festival Fringe run in 2017, The Gardener, part-theatrical conversation, part-personal memoir, returns to offer an intimate portrait of all the minor triumphs and major tribulations of amateur gardening, and of a life-time spent in love…
Created by Vanishing Point in 2020 to rave reviews, Matthew Lenton offers his take on Kafka’s The Metamorphosis while National Theatre of Scotland and Capital Theatres co-produce the return to the James Playes with James IV – Queen of the Night by Rona Munro. PAST-inuous from Farah Saleh and collaborators offers a reflection on the ongoing Palestinian refugee crisis through a live interactive dance performance with an international in-person and digital cast.
Madness’ frontmanSuggs visits Dundee to share stories from his almost half a century long music career while HorseMcDonald celebrates the 30th anniversary of her ground-breaking album, The same sky. And in comedy, the unmissable Jack Docherty and Craig Hill are back in town to put a smile on everyone’s faces.
Continuing Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre’s committment to offering high-quality cultural experiences, our Engage programme presents a range of classes for participants of all ages across theatre and dance.
This year also sees Scottish Dance Theatre strengthen its international reputation, through two digital residencies focused on emerging female voices in India, and a series of online creative dance workshops for children in collaboration with Shanghai International Dance Center, led by Glasgow-based dance artist Aya Kobayashi.
Artistic Director (Dundee Rep) & Joint-Chief Executive Andrew Panton and Executive Director & Joint-Chief Executive Liam Sinclair said: “The challenges we have faced over these last 22 months have inspired us to find new ways to invest in, create and share high-quality work with our communities. We are determined to weather the pandemic storm; continuing to adapt and deliver inspiring, impactful, and innovative work for our audiences, both in-person here in Dundee and digitally throughout the world on REP STUDIOS. Together with our audience’s support, we are excited to begin 2022 with a new and exciting season of work. We look forward to welcoming you back to Dundee Rep Theatre this season.”
Scottish Dance Theatre’s Artistic Director Joan Clevillé said: “I am proud of how the company has not only adapted to the challenging circumstances but seized this moment as an opportunity to create new ways of experiencing dance. From the magic of The Life and Times to the intimacy of Ray and the urgency of Farah Saleh’s PAST-inuous, this season at Dundee Rep is full of wonderful opportunities to re-discover dance with fresh eyes.”
Jess Thorpe and Tashi Gore, Associate Directors (Engage) said: ”We are delighted to finally be making a live work on the Dundee Rep stage. Collaborating with young people to create performance has always been a huge part of our practice and it’s brilliant to be working with the Rep Young Company on Optimism. Considering the future and what it means to be hopeful feels like such a relevant theme just now and it’s been a rich and meaningful creative experience for all of us to think about this together. We are looking forward to sharing this brand-new work with audiences.”
2022 SPRING SEASON (in chronological order)
WEEKLY CLASSES AND GROUPS
W/C 17 JANUARY – WC 21 MARCH 2022
This dynamic participation programme has something for everyone. From Little Creatives; a multi-art form class for 0-2’s and their carers bringing together a mixture of storytelling, music and movement supporting development and connection; to dance and theatre pathways in Early Years (for 3-4 year olds), Primary groups (5-7), Juniors 1 (8-10) and Juniors 2 (11-13) and Young Companies (14-18). We also have lots of creative opportunities for adults including Feel Good Fridays focusing on health well- being, Beautiful People for over 55’s, Do your Thing a dance group for non-disabled and disabled people and two Community Companies each specialising in dance and theatre (for 18 years old and over), among many others.
Phil & Nigel McIntyre present
SUGGS: WHAT A KING CNUT
SUNDAY 30 JANUARY
Due to huge popular demand, after his first tour-de-force, smash hit, sell out tour with My Life Story, Suggs is treading the boards again. If the first show was about how on Earth he got there, Suggs: What a King Cnut is about the surprises that awaited him when he did. Vertigo on the roof of Buckingham Palace, nearly blowing the closing ceremony of the Olympics, the embarrassing stuff that happened at Glastonbury. Things have gone a smidge surreal since the Madness frontman was a twelve year old in shorts on the tough streets of North London. Fame is a tightrope and Suggs has fallen off many times. With help from Deano his trusty pianist, Suggs tells his story in words and music with the help of some Madness classics and a couple more what he wrote all on himself.
Scottish Dance Theatre presents
THE LIFE AND TIMES
FRIDAY 11 – SATURDAY 12 FEBRUARY
Scottish Dance Theatre’s acclaimed production The Life and Times returns to REP STUDIOS this Winter, after reaching audiences in 10 different countries around the world during its digital premiere in 2021.
This time, the work will be a hybrid performance presented simultaneously to audiences in the theatre and at home, taking everyone on a cinematic and surreal dance journey set to a sumptuous soundtrack of Baroque music. Conceived by Scottish Dance Theatre’s Artistic Director Joan Clevillé, this original and imaginative production will be available to book as an in-person experience at Dundee Rep or as a live streamed performance on REP STUDIOS and other digital platforms”
Dundee Rep Ensemble presents
THE CHILDREN
By Lucy Kirkwood
Directed by Andrew Panton
TUESDAY 1 – SATURDAY 19 MARCH
“Retired people are like nuclear power stations. We like to live by the sea.”
Two retired nuclear scientists in an isolated cottage by the sea as the world around them crumbles. Together they are going to live forever on yogurt and yoga, until an old friend arrives with a frightening request.
Hailed as one of the top 3 in The Guardian’s recent “Best Theatre shows of the 21st Century” The Children premiered at London’s Royal Court Theatre in 2016 then transferred to Broadway where it was nominated for Best Play at both the Tony Awards and the Outer Critics Circle and now receives its Scottish Premiere here at Dundee Rep. Lucy Kirkwood’s previous plays also include Chimerica (winner of the Olivier Award for Best Play, the Evening Standard Award, the Critics’ Circle Best New Play Award).
THE GARDENER
FRIDAY 4 MARCH
Meet Frank – he’s just started The Amateur Gardeners Appreciation Society and you’re cordially invited to its first meeting…
Frank’s always been a keen gardener but lately he hasn’t been getting out quite as much as he’d like, especially not since his wife passed away. After much deliberation he decided it’s time to sell up. So he’s moved into Pine Grove Villas – a local retirement home. It’s a very nice place, with very nice people, but there’s still that one thing that Frank really misses…
So he’s started his very own gardening group to share some hints and tips from a life-time spent in the garden. And perhaps telling one or two more personal tales along the way… This unique show is an intimate portrait of all the minor triumphs and major tribulations of amateur gardening, and of a life-time spent in love. Part-theatrical conversation, part-personal memoir it was one of the hit shows the Edinburgh Fringe raking in a whole pile of 4 and 5 star reviews as well as a coveted Herald Angel award.
JACK DOCHERTY
SUNDAY 27 MARCH
Following rave reviews and a sell-out run at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2021, Jack Docherty, the BAFTA award-winning star of Scot Squad and Absolutely, and one of Scotland’s favourite comic performers, is taking his critically-acclaimed play Nothing But on tour for the first time.
A love letter to Edinburgh, the Fringe and summer rain, Nothing But is a tender, playful, darkly comic tale, where Jack grapples with lost youth, infatuation, fatherhood, sex, secrets and truth.
THE METAMORPHOSIS
Created by Vanishing Point
After the story by Franz Kafka
Adapted & Directed by Matthew Lenton
MONDAY 28 – THURSDAY 31 MARCH
The Metamorphosis is the story of an ordinary man who wakes up one morning to find he has been transformed into a giant insect. Soon he begins to realise he’s got bigger problems than being late for work. His family, shocked by his bizarre condition, barricade him into his room, unwilling to accept that somewhere inside this behemoth of a bug is their son.
Franz Kafka’s hugely influential, tragicomic novella is brought vividly to life in this international co-production, which premiered in March 2020 to five-star reviews, only to be closed again for lockdown.
MZA & CHiLL Productions present
SATURDAY 9 APRIL
CRAIG HILL – PUMPED!
Get pumped and get partying again as we are delighted to welcome Scotland’s favourite kilty treasure and his hilariously high-octane performances back to Dundee Rep Theatre
Craig is renowned world-wide for his cheeky, irreverent and uproarious live comedy and his tours are firmly established as one of the best nights out around. His razor-sharp wit and unsurpassed audience rapport have seen him perform all over Europe, Australia (including the Sydney Opera House) across the UK and to every corner north of the border and even to New York’s off-Broadway. Join Craig in a night of brilliant, pure and unadulterated comedy – Book early!
Scottish Dance Theatre presents
RAY
By Meytal Blanaru
THURSDAY 14 – SATURDAY 16 APRIL
“Out of a deep sense of togetherness or belonging that so many of us miss nowadays, I find myself drawn to explore the meaning of a collective that meets beyond our socially constructed common grounds. What can connect us that lies beyond words, definitions, ideas and concepts? How can a live performance serve as a means to web people together – spectators and performers alike? Ray will explore the phenomena of Emergence, as it ventures on a quest for a deep, collective, shared physical experience, one that tries to bridge between bodies and sweep people far beyond the intellect’s words, ideas and constructions, into a space where people can potentially meet, in a different way”. Choreographer Meytal Blanaru on Ray.
Dundee Rep Ensemble presents
THE BOOKIES
By Michael Burnett & Joseph McCann
Directed by Sally Reid
TUESDAY 3 – SATURDAY 21 MAY
Michelle, Pat, John (staff) and Harry (punter) spend their days in a rundown Edinburgh Bookies. One day things take an unexpected turn and Pat wonders if it’s odds-on he’ll lose his job. Bad things happen to bad people they say; and as the tensions rise and accusations fly, the mystery deepens. Meanwhile gambling addict Harry is convinced there is a ghost in the machine. Dark forces are at work here but will the truth finally be revealed?
The world premiere of this black comedy will have you in stitches wondering who will win and who will lose. It’s a riveting new thriller where our four untrustworthy heroes are brought vividly to life by the acclaimed Dundee Rep Ensemble. Everyone keeps their cards close to their chest but things are not quite as they seem here in the Bookies so get ready for a night of secrets, lies and big surprises; in the end, it’s all or nothing.
Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre present
OPTIMISM
A brand-new show created by Dundee Rep Young Company FRIDAY 25th MARCH – SATURDAY 26th MARCH
People tell us the future looks bleak. Climate change. Brexit. Health Crisis. Financial Crisis. Instability. Insecurity. Fear. But what happens if we haven’t even gotten started yet? What if we have a whole load of ideas of our own? If we want a different ending to this story?
This is a show about being young and having hope.
HORSE
WEDNESDAY 25 MAY
30th anniversary UK Tour
A glorious celebration of the 30 year anniversary of the classic album ‘The same sky’. In March 1989, the first single, “You could be forgiven”, was released and it was so different from anything else at the time – thrilling first plays on Radio 1 – the track absolutely setting the bar – an incredibly unique Scottish voice and brilliant band. The first major UK tour followed and in 1990, tours across Europe, including opening for artists such as Tina Turner and BB King.
Raw Material and Capital Theatres present James IV – Queen of the Fight in association with National Theatre of Scotland
JAMES IV – QUEEN OF THE FIGHT
Autumn 2022
“You’re a wonder. You’re a window into a wide world.”
Scotland, 1504, seen fresh through the eyes of new arrivals Ellen and Anne, two Moorish women who were expected to take their place at a royal court… but not this one. Both women now have to fight to find and keep a place in the dazzling, dangerous world of the Scottish Court of James IV. It’s a world where war is never far away, words of love and promises of peace are not what they seem and where poets might turn out to be more dangerous than any assassin.
Employing the same wit and theatricality of the first three James Plays (James I, II and III) acclaimed playwright Rona Munro takes you back to a thrilling and uncharted period of Scottish history in this brand new production. Join us on the journey.
Sasha Frost and Fred Fergus will star as Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth respectively in Jeff James and James Yeatman’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, opening at Rose Theatre on 3 March 2022, with previews from 26 February and running until 19 March 2022. The production will then run at Alexandra Palace from 7 to 30 April 2022, followed by Oxford Playhouse from 4 to 14 May 2022. This is a Rose Original and Alexandra Palace production in association with Oxford Playhouse.
Sasha Frost’s recent theatre credits include Folk (Hampstead Theatre), Red Dust Road (National Theatre of Scotland), Cherry Orchard and All My Sons (Nottingham Playhouse) and The Lightning Child (Shakespeare’s Globe). Her television credits include His Dark Materials. Fred Fergus’s recent theatre credits include Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (Rose Theatre, UK Tour, Harold Pinter Theatre), Lava (Nottingham Playhouse) and Julius Caesar (The Bridge Theatre). His film credits include Wonder Woman.
Sasha Frost and Fred Fergus are joined in the cast by Matilda Bailes as Elizabeth/Louisa, Grace Cookey-Gam as Lady Russell/Mrs Croft, Helen Cripps as Mary, Adam Deary as Edmund Hayter/ Captain Benwick/Mr Elliot, Emilio Doorgasingh as Sir Walter/Admiral Croft, Caroline Moroney as Mrs Clay/Henrietta and Dorian Simpson as Charles.
Featuring a soundtrack of Frank Ocean, Dua Lipa and Cardi B, Jane Austen’s classic romantic comedy is riotously reimagined for the twenty-first century.
In this captivating adaptation, Jeff James and James Yeatman retain the quick wit and scandal of Austen’s novel but switch Regency ballrooms for neon lights to present this 19th-century romance as you’ve never seen it before.
When Frederick Wentworth proposed to Anne Elliot eight years ago, he was undistinguished with no prospects, only able to offer his love and ambition. Persuaded out of accepting his proposal by her family, Anne has never quite got over her first love.
But now Wentworth is back. Rich, successful, single and handsome, the now decorated naval Captain has become a serious catch. When circumstances bring the two face to face again, Anne’s forced to confront her past and face up to her choices.
Persuasion is directed by Jeff James, with design by Alex Lowde, lighting design by Lucy Carter, music and sound design by Ben & Max Ringham, movement by Morgann Runacre-Temple and dramaturgy by James Yeatman. The assistant director is Layla Madanat, the recipient of Rose Theatre’s 2021 Peter Hall Emerging Artists Fellowship.
PERSUASION
Rose Theatre
26 February – 19 March 2022
Press Night 3 March 2022 at 7:30pm
Alexandra Palace
7 – 30 April 2022
Oxford Playhouse
4 – 14 May 2022
A Rose Original and Alexandra Palace production in association with Oxford Playhouse
Bat out of Hell comes to life with the famous songs from Jim Steinman and Meatloaf directed by Jay Scheib telling the story of the lost boys.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world where the young oddities live forever frozen at a young age in a rebellious gang with Strat (Glenn Adamson) as their leader. This causes problems for Falco (Rob Fowler) who rules the city and protects it in a brutal way and thinks of the Lost Boys as nothing but scum. Not to mention, wanting to protect his daughter Raven (Martha Kirby) who has recently just turned 18 from them. She on the other hand is fascinated by the lost boys and falls for their leader Strat. He plays a very energetic and manic character who is very amusing to watch on stage with his many moves, whilst sticking his tongue out with wide eyes playing the perfect rebel. Raven comes across as the normal over the top teen and feels that her life is like living in a convent after being protected by her parents. She desperately wants to discover what life is like on the other side! The obvious happens as the more they try to keep her out of harm’s way the more she wants to break free which is exactly what she does, falling madly in love with Strat.
Her mother Sloane (Sharon Sexton) just wants her daughter to feel true love, as she seems to have many regrets regarding her own life. Meanwhile, she’s also struggling to deal with her own messed up relationship, because of this she’s a drunk that’s hysterical to watch. Giving the audience a laugh.
This show offers some great vocal talent with a strong connection between Falco and Sloane. I particularly enjoyed Paradise by the Dashboard light both giving an amazing performance involving a car, some energetic acting along with a little bit of raunchy! What Part of my Body Hurts the Most along with many other songs showed just how amazing their vocals were. I believe they were the strongest act with a lot to offer.
Strat and Raven also showed some immense singing pulling the audience in with their spectacular vocals all in all a pleasurable watch.
The stage throughout had much to offer with tremendous strobe lighting, smoke, flames, loud music that we all know and love along with motorbikes and cars keeping everyone well entertained. At the back of the stage a massive screen showed a live stream showing all acting from another angle making it feel almost like a music video so many things to watch.
As for the costumes what can I say who doesn’t love leather, fishnets, hotpants, boots and denim along with individual looks and some fab hair dos. All in all, a fabulous production to watch whilst enjoying some outstanding music.
