Grease comes to Bristol Hippodrome to tantalise the audience with well known and loved songs intertwined with some unknown ones also. Dan Partridge and understudy Ellie Kingdon, as Danny and Sandy, along with Peter Andre as Vince Fontaine/Teen Angel made for an exciting show.
For me, the stand out performance of the night was Maeve Byrne as Jan. She bought such exuberance and character to the stage, that I could not take my eyes off her throughout the scenes. Her comic timing, coupled with the upbeat dances from Arlene Phillips choreography made her performance extra special and she revelled in her time on stage and within the character.
Tendai Rinomhota as Rizzo captured the stage through her rendition of ‘There are Worse Things I Could Do’. Peter Andre had such presence on stage, that I can hardly believe he has not performed in Musical Theatre before! Whenever he was on stage, regardless of being the forefront or not, he was so animated and funny that he truly embodied the essence of Grease. The ensemble were superb; the dancing was so clean and rehearsed. Dan Glover kept the show rooted in the 1950’s style with his excellent band-a treat for the ears!
There were, however, some points where the singing was slightly drowned out by the band but when the balance was right it was a real feast.
Overall, this feel good show is a must see if you are a fan of the film-it has been given boost with the addition of new songs and you will leave the theatre humming and dancing!!
A WORLD-CLASS LINE-UP OF INTERNATIONAL PERFORMERS ARE ANNOUNCED FOR THE EXHILARATING INTERNATIONAL SMASH HIT CIRCUS 1903 AT THE SOUTHBANK CENTRE’S ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL THIS CHRISTMAS
JOINING RINGMASTER WILLY WHIPSNADE AND HIS TWO LOVABLE ELEPHANTS WILL BE NEW ACT THE RUSSIAN BAR, A FOUR-PERSON TEETERBOARD, ROLA BOLA, THE CYCLING CYCLONE, CONTORTIONIST, AERIAL ARTISTS ‘THE FLYING FREDONIS’, A RUSSIAN CRADLE, A SPINNING ICARIAN DUO, A JAW-DROPPING JUGGLER, THE WHEEL OF DEATH AND A HULA BALL
BURSTING BACK ONTO THE STAGE BRINGING SOME MUCH-NEEDED LAUGHTER AND JOY FROM 16 DECEMBER – 2 JANUARY, THIS EXTRAORDINARY SHOW BRINGS ALL THE GLAMOUR AND ROMANCE OF THE GOLDEN AGE OF CIRCUS TO THE STAGE TO DELIGHT ALL THE FAMILY
Circus 1903 is delighted to announce a world-class line-up of performers from across the globe who are limbering up for their anticipated third Christmas Season at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall from 16 Dec 2021 – 2 January 2022, with a press night on Thursday 16 December. Tickets are available from www.circus1903.com.
A range of astounding new acts will accompany old favourites, transporting audiences back to the wonders of the Golden Age of Circus. Undoubtedly the most charming puppet elephants on any stage around the world, Queenie and Peanut will return for 2021 alongside the magnificent Ringmaster Willy Whipsnade (award-winning magician David Williamson) who will preside over the whole extravaganza, delighting audiences young and old.
Joining the Circus 1903 family adventure for the first time this year is ‘The Russian Bar’ (performed by Ukraine trioTymofii Chemko, Oleksii Balakhchy and Mykola Mykytchyn) which will entertain with exploits of equilibrium acrobatics in a delightful and delicate display unmatched on terra firma! These intrepid champions of balance and acrobatics are unrivalled, performing fearless feats of equilibristic exploits with courageous concentration and consummate composure.
This new act will join the stomach-churning heights of ‘The Daring Desafios’ (a foursome of Brazilian teeterboard daredevils João Guilherme de Lima Siqueira, Luan de Souza Vieira, Leonardo Louzada de Freitas and Vinicius Vasconcelos da Silveira), the legendary balancing act Rola Bola by ‘The Sensational Sozonov’ (performed by Russian artist Mikhail Sozonov), ‘The Cycling Cyclone’ (performed by German artist Florian Blummel), unrivalled Ethiopian contortionist ‘The Elastic Dislocationist’ (Senayet Asefa Amare), the astonishing aerial artist duo ‘The Flying Fredonis’ (performed by Russian artists Daria Shelest and Vadym Pankevych), the Russian Cradle featuring breath-taking performances from ‘Les Incredibles’ (Olavo Rocha Muniz and Denise Torres de Souza), mind-bending juggler ‘The Great Gaston’ (Roberto Carlos), Dizzying Ethiopian duo ‘The Remarkable Risleys’ (Abiy Saleamlak Negash and Seife Desta Buser) will bring their Icarian Games act and finally the furious flexible feats of Russian Rolling Ball Hula Hoopist ‘Mademoiselle Natalia’ (Natalia Leontieva).
Following dizzying new levels of awe and wonder in 2019, The Wheel of Death will return for 2021. This ginormous rotating apparatus featuring large metal hoops at each end will see Colombian trio Carlos Mayorga Macias, Mauricio Venegas Torres and Andres Felipe Daza Venegas carry out eye-popping acrobatic skills whilst the wheel is rotating.
Swipe Right Theatre today announce the UK tour of Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2019 musical hit Scream Phone written and performed by Natasha Granger (Melody) and Kerrie Thomason (Janice) with further cast to be announced. Directed by Tom Parry, the production opens at Soho Theatre on 29 October, with previews from 28 October, and runs until 30 October before embarking on a UK tour, visiting Birmingham, Guildford, Bristol, Bath, Leighton Buzzard, Cambridge and concluding in Brighton on 26 November.
Swipe Right Theatre present
Scream Phone
By Natasha Granger and Kerrie Thomason
Directed by Tom Parry; Arrangements and Music: Martin Higgins; Set Design: Casey Jay Andrews
Lighting Design: David Doyle
UK tour: 28 October – 26 November 2021
It’s 1989, the girls are having a sleepover and you’re like, totally invited!
Pillow fights in their underwear, singing into hairbrushes, and gossiping about their crushes, what could possibly go wrong? As long as they don’t answer the over-sized pink phone… dun dun DUUUN!
Based on the retro classic game Dream Phone, Scream Phone will take you on a killer journey back to the ‘80s with an infectious soundtrack.
Tom Parry directs. His theatre credits include The Reunion by Max and Ivan (Edinburgh Festival Fringe) and Don Rodolfo by Ciaran Dowd (Edinburgh Festival Fringe/Soho Theatre). As one third of the award-winning sketch group Pappys he wrote six Edinburgh shows, twice being nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award; and as a stand-up his credits include Yellow T Shirt (Edinburgh Festival Fringe – Best Newcomer nomination), which was also developed into BBC Radio 4’s Fancy Dressed Life. As a writer, his television credits include Class Dismissed and Badults; and the upcoming film, Your Christmas Or Mine?.
Natasha Granger is co-writer and plays Melody. She is co-founder of Swipe Right Theatre; her credits for the company include 2 Become 1 (Edinburgh Festival Fringe/Brighton Fringe/King’s Head Theatre). She is also co-founder of Anglo-Swiss theatre company, Theatre Fideri Fidera, where her credits include Ugg ‘n’ Ogg and the World’s First Dogg, Pitschi: The Kitten with Dreams (Edinburgh Festival Fringe/UK tour), and Oskar’s Amazing Adventure in the Snow (UK tour). Her other theatre credits include Don Rodolfo, The Wrestling and The Reunion (Edinburgh Festival Fringe).
Kerrie Thomason is co-writer and plays Janice. She is co-founder of Swipe Right Theatre, her credits for the company include 2 Become 1 (Edinburgh Festival Fringe/Brighton Fringe/King’s Head Theatre). Her stage credits include Single White Slut (Edinburgh Festival Fringe/UK tour/Duchess Theatre/The Melbourne Comedy Festival), and Max & Ivan: Prom Night and Hamlet (Edinburgh Festival Fringe). Thomason also volunteers for Scene And Heard, a theatre based children’s charity.
Wiltshire Creative today announce Salisbury International Arts Festival will return in 2022 with a full programme for the first time in two years. From 27 May – 19 June, the festival will feature a diverse programme of music, theatre, film, dance, spoken word, visual arts, family and free events, created by Wiltshire Creative’s Artistic Director Gareth Machin and Associate Artist violinist Harriet Mackenzie, and Festival Producer Lucy Babb, alongside a team of associate curators.
Returning for the first time since 2019 and running for an extended period of 3 weeks, the 2022 Salisbury International Arts Festival will be inspired by the drama, opportunity and danger of islands, and the wide variety of emotions they evoke, delving into the mysterious allure of remote locations. The programme will feature a spectacular line-up of events spanning multiple genres, including circus arts, music, comedy, dance, and a variety of free family events across May half term.
Lucy Babb, Festival Producer, said today, “After a two-year hiatus we can’t wait to bring together communities to share in the wonder of the arts once again. 2022 will see the return of the Salisbury International Arts Festival back to the venues, churches, countryside and streets of Wiltshire.”
Gareth Machin, Artistic Director of Wiltshire Creative, said today, “I am delighted to be bringing Salisbury International Arts Festival back to Wiltshire with a spectacular programme of events in 2022. Fascination, fear and love of islands has long fired our collective imagination. After 300 years we are still reading Robinson Crusoe and, after 75 years and over 2,000 episodes, Desert Island Discs is still going strong. However, our interest in islands runs much deeper than their dramatic potential. In our highly connected world, we are increasingly craving the isolation and tranquillity that islands can offer. Even with modern amenities, islands consistently draw us in as holiday locations and meccas of fun and leisure.”
With the full programme to be announced in due course, events already confirmed for the programme include:
Contributions from Wiltshire Creative’s SHIFT programme for young creatives, with opportunities for young people to get involved announced in due course
The world première of Stone Songs composed by Howard Moody and featuring the Festival Chorus and La Folia musicians, in a performance inspired by the Medieval chants that have resonated from the Cathedral’s stones since the 13th century.
A one-off Jubilee Concert and additional performances in celebration of the upcoming Platinum Jubilee
The return of the vibrant City Encounters events, offering free pop-up events around Salisbury
SEE IT SAFELY – We have been granted the use of Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre’s See It Safely mark. The mark certifies that we are complying with the latest Government and industry COVID-19 guidelines, to ensure the safety of our staff and audiences. You can find out more here https://officiallondontheatre.com/see-it-safely/ about the measures we have been putting in place ready for your visit, and what you will need to know beforehand.
The cast of Birmingham Hippodrome’s first pantomime since 2019 arrives in Brum to launch Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Image: The cast of Golidlocks and the Three Bears. Photo by Simon Hadley
This week, the cast of Goldilocks and the Three Bears came together for the first time in costume to launch this year’s Hippodrome pantomime, which runs from Saturday 18 December 2021 – Sunday 30 January 2022.
This year’s spectacular festive show will be the first pantomime back in the Hippodrome since the venue recently reopened after almost 18 months of closure and will also mark Jason Donovan’s panto debut.
Alongside Jason– who will be playing the Evil Ringmaster – and Matt Slack as Ringmaster will be Doreen Tipton as Doreen the Lion Tamer, Andrew Ryan as Dame Betty Barnum, Alexia McIntosh as Candy Floss and Samantha Dorrance as Goldilocks.
The UK’s biggest regional panto follows Dame Betty Barnum and her daughter Goldilocks, who are battling to save their Big Top circus from the Evil Ringmaster who is intent on stealing their three loveable bears and leaving them in ruin.
Alongside the headline cast, the Hippodrome have also revealed a spectacular line-up of circus acts including the magnificent magician Phil Hitchcock, awe-inspiring motorcycle act Peter Pavlov and The Globe of Speed, the Death-Defying Gemini Sisters and international circus artist Pierre Marchand. Goldilocks and the Three Bears is the first circus-themed pantomime at the Hippodrome for 24 years and includes the set and production values of the sell-out London Palladium pantomime in 2019, alongside lots of new material created especially for the Birmingham cast and audience.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears runs at Birmingham Hippodrome Saturday 18 December 2021 – Sunday 30 January 2022. To book visit birminghamhippodrome.com or call 0844 338 5000 (4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge).
By arrangement with The Really Useful Group Limited Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black & Christopher Hampton’s Sunset Boulevard comes to the Royal Albert Hall for one night only Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP Friday 3rd December 2021, 7.30pm
In a special, one-night-only concert, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black and Christopher Hampton’s iconic musical Sunset Boulevard will dazzle audiences at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday 3rd December. Presented by The Alpha Family, in association with Quick Fantastic, the concert reunites stars Mazz Murray (Mamma Mia; We Will Rock You) as Norma Desmond, Ramin Karimloo (Les Misérables; Phantom of the Opera) as Joe Gillis, Zizi Strallen (Mary Poppins) as Betty Schaefer and Jeremy Secomb (Les Misérables) as Max von Mayerling.
Based on Billy Wilder’s legendary 1950 film starring Gloria Swanson, Sunset Boulevard is heading to the Royal Albert Hall following a critically acclaimed performance at Alexandra Palace earlier this year. The 19-strong cast will be accompanied by a 40-piece orchestra on the evening, conducted by Alex Parker. Sunset Boulevard is directed by Jordan Murphy, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Christopher Hampton and Don Black, orchestrations by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber, choreography by Joanna Goodwin and sound design by Paul Smith.
Named after the famous Hollywood street, Sunset Boulevard follows silent film star Nora Desmond as she dreams of a triumphant return to the silver screen, and struggling screenwriter Joe Gillis who is drawn into her sinister fantasy world.
Conductor Alex Parker comments, Following our one-off performance at Alexandra Palace earlier this year, our concert production of Sunset Boulevard is now back bigger and better than ever, taking over the Royal Albert Hall. This timeless classic delights audiences with well-known incredible numbers including As If We Never Said Goodbye, With One Look and The Perfect Year.
Amelia Kinu Muus and Stanton Wright will star as Bella and Beast respectively in a new version of Beauty and the Beast by Ciaran McConville, with music and lyrics by Eamonn O’Dwyer, opening at Rose Theatre from 3 December, with a press night on 10 December. They will be joined by Daniel Goode as René / Heureux, Paula James as Marguerite / Rousette and Oliver Senton as Francesco, and. Beauty and the Beast is directed by Lucy Morrell.
The cast is completed by a young company comprised of Rose Youth Theatre members including Amelie Abbott, Nosike Akinniboson, Georgia Anderson, Emily Baldwin, Jack Bartlett, Rory Brandreth McConnachie, Joey Burke, Cecily Cleave, Annie Coles, Rosa Cowper, Akira Dias Nagahwatte, Joshua Fernandes, Ronnie Flynn, Alexander Forster, Eva Gough, Isla Griffiths, Hannah Grigg, Cameron Hardcastle, Tom Hardman, Rhianna Jackson, Trisha Kashyap, Neri Keshet, Rebeca Lanaway Gonzalez, Amy Lawrence, Jemima Leason, Lily Licorish, Breanna Merritt, Phoebe Morley, Chloe Nichols, Sophie O’Hare, Alessia Perugi, Cathra Plant, Eva Rouse, Amelie Scott, Ellie Searl, Holly Slade, Maximilian Strain, Christina Taylor, Jacob Towey, Amelie Tu, Tait Walsingham, Ren Walsingham, Amber Westgate, Nathaniel Williams, Megan Wilson and Leah Wingfield.
Rose Youth Theatre is one of the largest youth theatres in the country, offering over 1,000 participants training, careers advice and the opportunity to take part in productions alongside professionals.
Amelia Kinu Muus grew up in Vienna, Austria with professional credits including Der Teufel Im Spiegel (Servus TV), Rosalia in West Side Story and June in Chicago both at Musikfestival Steyr. Stanton Wright has appeared as Dorian in Pictures of Dorian Gray (Jermyn St Theatre), Florizel in The Winter’s Tale (National Theatre) and Ronnie Lane in All or Nothing (West End and UK tour). He also appeared in The Kite Runner (UK Tour). Oliver Senton has appeared in Peter Pan Goes Wrong (Apollo & UK Tour), Showstopper! The Improvised Musical (Olivier award 2016), Mamma Mia! (Prince of Wales Theatre)and All’s Well that Ends Well (RSC Gielgud/Swan, Stratford). Paula James’s credits include Gin Craze! (Royal & Derngate Theatre), Henry V, A Christmas Carol, Thy Eternal Summer, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Robin Hood, Julius Caesar (Guildford Shakespeare Company), The Odyssey (Jermyn Street Theatre), The Snow Queen (Park Theatre) and Honour (Royal Court/Angry Bear Scratches). Daniel Goode’s theatre credits includeA Christmas Carol, Treasure Island, The Second Mrs Tanqueray, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Alice in Winterland (Rose Theatre, Kingston), The Taming of the Shrew, The Phoenician Women, Julius Caesar (RSC), Hamlet (Peter Hall Company) and Chicago (West End).
On her eighteenth birthday, Bella learns that her father is the victim of a terrible curse. She sets out across the mountains to a mysterious valley, determined to face the Beast who condemned her father. In a race to learn the truth, Bella must question everything she’s been told in order to find humanity in the strangest of places.
One of the oldest fairy tales, Beauty and the Beast is about the power of youth seeing beyond prejudice. In this new version written by Ciaran McConville (The Snow Queen), with music and lyrics by Eamonn O’Dwyer (Hansel and Gretel) and directed by Lucy Morrell (Treasure Island), experience this beloved story as you’ve never seen it before, with songs, heart-warming characters and a touch of magic!
Beauty and the Beast has set design by Frankie Bradshaw, costume design by Peter Todd and sound design by George Dennis. The Associate Director and Voice and Dialect Coach is Josh Mathieson, Choreographer is Aimee Leigh, the composer Eamonn O’Dwyer is Musical Director and the Associate Musical Director is Jody Robinson Casting is by Lucy Jenkins CDG and Sooki McShane CDG.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
3 December 2021 – 3 January 2022
Audio Described Performance 18 December 2021 at 11.30am
“When I microwave food, I have to look at the floor, I can’t watch the numbers ticking down. Another forty seconds closer to death. And, worse, failure.”
Liam McLaughlin Productions is pleased to announce the UK tour of Emma Hemingford’s Flinch.
Ali Wright
Flinch premiered in 2019 at the Old Red Lion Theatre in London to rave reviews. Described by The Guardian as a ‘promising debut that gets under the skin of a troubled relationship’and by The Stage as ‘light on its feet and appealingly playful’, the UK Tour of Flinch will open at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford on Saturday 6th November, before heading to Bristol, Bradford, Scarborough, and Leicester. It will then return to London, at the Pleasance Theatre, for a limited run.
Directed by Gemma Aked-Priestley,Flinch is a darkly comic examination of a modern relationship.
Ali Wright
Flinchwriter Emma Hemingford said, “After this surreal year for theatre, it feels so exciting to be taking Flinch on tour to live audiences! The play is a dark comedy about the way gender roles affect a young couple’s relationship – but it’s also about the things we think in secret, and say when we’re alone. I’m delighted that the Arts Council decided to support the show and make it possible. Please come along if we’re visiting somewhere near you!”
Jess is an actor, or will be, as soon as she hears back from her latest audition. Mark works in the city, an up-and-coming trader who’s never really made it past the starting line. The pair are definitely fine, almost-some-of-the-time – until the night they have an experience that threatens to change everything.
Ali Wright
When Mark reacts unexpectedly in the face of a violent mugging, his girlfriend Jess is left questioning the cornerstones of their relationship. Is she right to feel betrayed by Mark’s refusal to defend her – even when the incident turns out to have been a harmless prank? As the young couple try to mend their relationship, rom-com sparring reveals something more sinister: a thorny and unsettling discussion of gender politics that refuses to take sides.
A raw, unsettling comedy, Flinch is anintense 80-minute show that forces you, the audience, to occupy an uncomfortable space as both jury and accomplice. By presenting us with recognisable characters rather than moral pariahs, the play holds up a mirror up to our own most private instincts.
Ali Wright
Liam McLaughlin,Producer at Liam McLaughlin Productions said: “Emma is one of the UK’s finest emerging writers. After her Papatango and Alpine Fellowship shortlisting this year, I’m even more delighted to be working with her and producing this crucial play that’s incredibly relevant – even more so than in 2019”.
Flinchis generously supported by Arts Council England.
Tickets for Flinchare on sale now. Casting to be announced.
Derren Brown is currently performing, over five nights in Hull, as part of his current UK tour. This is his first brand new theatre show in six years, with I believe, nearly 200 shows in all, throughout the country, what a feat and a challenge.
With a request at the closing of the show not to divulge anything that happened during the evening, creating dread and panic and, a what am I going to write about?
This is the first time I’ve seen him live and wasn’t sure what to expect, things are always different live on the stage from what we see on television. From the outset Derren commands the stage and creates a rapport with the audience, we’re made to feel at ease and trusting, and so eager to find out what he has in store. What follows is 2 ½ hours of pure showmanship.
This is a one-man show, with a strong audience contribution. A good number of the audience were eager to get involved, me, I’m a bit more reserved, and it is only now that I wish I’d participated more, been more open. Working with willing volunteers, all randomly chosen, this selection process created a fair few laughs and near misses, you’ll have to see what I’m on about for yourself, takes us journey full of amazement and awe.
If you go and see this show, he asks you to take a small keepsake along with you, something has meaning for you. You never know, it could be you up on that stage.
Derren is a mentalist, an illusionist, a magician and so much more. He tells a story throughout, this was quite powerful and resonated with us, we should be living our lives to the full, not living in the shadows, what a motivational speaker! He had us laughing, bought us to tears, had us eating out of his hand and left us with our minds blown. He truly is a master of his craft.
It was fabulous to see the packed audience in this wonderful theatre, all mesmerised by this mind blowing show, and man. As we left you couldn’t help but wonder how the impossible was made possible and questioning reality, what was real and what wasn’t. A show not to be missed.
New Wimbledon Theatre, Wimbledon – until 25 September 2021
Reviewed by Alexandra Sykes
5*****
Rock of Ages
Photo Credit : The Other Richard
After over 18 months of a lack of theatre, seeing Rock of Ages was exactly what was needed.
Set in the late 80s on the infamous Sunset Strip in LA, Rock of Ages tells the story of Drew (Luke Walsh) who falls in love with Sherri (Rhiannon Chesterman) with a soundtrack of 80s songs that have everyone singing along. Despite the love story between the pair, it is derailed with the arrival of rock star Stacee Jaxx (Kevin Clifton). The true star of the show is Joe Gash as Lonny, who regularly breaks the fourth wall to remind the audience and members of the cast that they are in a musical.
Like all good musicals, Rock of Ages has its bad guys, this time it’s in the form of German property developer Hertz (Vas Constanti) and his son Franz (Andrew Carthy) who plan on pulling down the clubs and bars on the sunset strip, much to the annoyance of Regina (Gabriella Williams) who protests to save the Sunset Strip by chaining herself to buildings and going on hunger strike.
With a basic set made to look predominantly like the bar of the Bourbon Room, smaller sets are rolled on and off stage depending on the location of the scene. The on stage band makes the music flow throughout and the encouragement from the cast to sing along makes this musical a firm favourite with anyone who loves 80s music or a good night out, grab a ticket whilst you can.
