Category: Uncategorized

WORLDWIDE SMASH HIT

THE CHOIR OF MAN

OPENS IN LONDON’S WEST END

AT THE ARTS THEATRE

FROM FRIDAY 29 OCTOBER 2021

THE CHOIR OF MAN, the runaway international hit from the creative minds of Andrew Kay – Soweto Gospel Choir, Noise Boys, Gobsmacked and the award-winning North by Northwest – and Nic Doodson – The Magnets, Gobsmacked and Noise Boys – opens in London’s West End on Tuesday 9 November 2021. Following three sell-out seasons at the Sydney Opera House and multiple sold-out US and European tours, THE CHOIR OF MAN will play at The Arts Theatre, with previews from 29 October 2021. The show is currently booking to 13 February 2022.  Tickets are now on sale. 

THE CHOIR OF MAN is the best trip to your local you’ll ever have, featuring amazing reinventions of folk, pop, Broadway and rock chart-toppers from artists including Guns ‘N’ Roses, Fun!, Adele, Avicii, Paul Simon, Sia and many more. It’s a party, it’s a concert and it’s a lock-in like no other.

The cast of nine multi-talented guys combine beautiful harmonies and foot-stomping singalongs with world-class tap dance and poetic meditations on the power of community. This is a riotously feel-good homage to that gathering place we’ve all missed so much over the past year: the pub, complete with a real working bar on stage.

Full cast details are to be announced.

THE CHOIR OF MAN is directed by Nic Doodson, with musical arrangement and supervision by Jack Blume, choreography by Freddie Huddleston, monologues written by Ben Norris, scenic design by Oli Townsend, lighting design by Richard Dinnen and costumes by Verity Sadler.

The show is produced by Immersive Everywhere, Nic Doodson, Andrew Kay and Andy & Wendy Barnes.

Website: choirofmanwestend.com

Facebook: @thechoirofman

Twitter & Instagram: @choirofman

LISTINGS INFORMATION

THE CHOIR OF MAN

The Arts Theatre

Great Newport Street

London WC2H 7JB

Box Office:  020 7836 8463

Tickets: from £15.00 (reduced price previews from 29 October to 8 November – check website for details)

Performances:  Tuesdays to Saturdays at 7.30pm*, Saturday matinees at 3.30pm, Sundays at 2.30pm & 6.00pm (*Tuesday 9 November at 7.00pm)

Christmas 2021/New Year 2022 Schedule

Monday 20 December               NO SHOW

Tuesday 21 December               3.30pm & 7.30pm

Wednesday 22 December          7.30pm

Thursday 23 December              7.30pm

Friday 24 December                  2.30pm

Saturday 25 December              NO SHOW

Sunday 26December                 2.30pm & 6.00pm

Monday 27 December               3.30pm & 7.30pm

Tuesday 28 December               7.30pm

Wednesday 29 December          7.30pm

Thursday 30 December              7.30pm

Friday 31 December                  2.30pm & 6.00pm

Saturday 1 January                    NO SHOW

Sunday 2 January                      2.30pm & 6.00pm

Currently booking to 13 February 2022

Approximate Running Time: 80 minutes (no interval)

Suitable for 12+

The Lowry, Salford – until Sunday 12th September 2021

Reviewed by Joanne Hodge     

5*****

Who should I stumble across as I entered The Lowry, but none other than the uber-glam Jamie Campbell, the boy in the heels on whose story this show is based. He’s an absolute gem, a true Northern Star and, having met His Fabulousness in the flesh, the cast had a lot to live up to!

‘… Jamie’ tells the story of 16 year old Jamie New, a Sheffield teenager whose dream is to be a Drag Queen, not quite what his snide, condescending careers teacher Miss Hedge [Lara Denning] has in mind for him. We follow his journey through the trials and tribulations of adolescent life until … well, I won’t spoil it for you!

From the opening scene, Layton Williams’ Jamie is every bit as captivating and flamboyant as his real-life counterpart. His wit and sarcasm is delivered with aplomb, and in those tender, heartbreaking moments that every teenager feels a thousand times more than at any other time of life, I wanted to run up on stage and hug him as hard as I could.

Jamie is guided through the creation of his drag persona by Shane Ritchie’s Hugo and his alter-ego Loco Chanelle. Ritchie transitions easily from the glam siren that is Loco, to the gruff, down-to-earth Hugo, a character switch anyone who’s spent a night on two on Canal Street after dark will recognise easily. 

Amy Ellen Richardson as Jamie’s beloved mother Margaret and Shobna Gulati as Ray are a great stage partnership, though I have to say Shobna stole every scene as the funny, feisty character  with the cracking one-liners that very woman – or man – wants to be. 

The whole cast was fantastic, and notable mentions must go to George Sampson as the moody lad’s lad Dean, whose presence radiated bitterness, angriness and insecurity and Sharan Phull as Pritti Pasha, who as Jamie’s self-titled ‘Fag Hag’ was the friend we all want in our corner.

The Production team, headed by Cameron Johnson as  Resident Director should receive amazing levels of praise for bringing this honest, ballsy extravaganza to Manchester.
All-in-all, everybody SHOULD be talking about Jamie, and everyone – no matter colour gender, sexuality or anything else is welcome here – acceptance is the name of the game. If you’ve ever felt different or like you don’t belong, I assume you, you do here. 

Hope Theatre, Hope & Anchor, Islington, London – until 25 September 2021

Reviewed by Debra Stottor

4****

All 50 seats were taken in this tiny upstairs-in-a-pub theatre, and while masks were worn, it felt odd rubbing shoulders, quite literally, with strangers after all this time. But good. And we were treated to a rollicking 85 minutes of insight into the mind of the football obsessive.

Those of a certain age will no doubt recall Nick Hornby’s memoir of his love of Arsenal and the gap it filled in his youth, and this stage adaptation captures the passion, the hope, the highs and the lows beautifully. Jack Trueman in the role of Nick portrays the awkward teenager, developing into an equally awkward young man, depressed but always happy when thinking of his beloved team, always up to date with the minutiae of the team and the transfers. The remaining three cast members – Ashley Gerlach, Gabrielle MacPherson and Louise Hoare – between them play the multitude of people involved in Nick’s life: sister, stepsister, parents, friends, girlfriends, the crowd, the commentator, all deftly done with a swift change of Arsenal shirt or the addition of a scarf. Directed by Kennedy Bloomer, the outgoing Artistic Director whose tenure started just as the pandemic hit, Fever Pitch is her first and last in-house production.

This is an adaptation done with affection and good humour, and despite the small numbers on stage, the audience could really feel the adrenalin rush and noise of the terraces. Personally, the retelling of the last game of the 1988/9 season took me right back to that fateful moment in the closing moments, and I nearly cried all over again at the result (a clue: I wasn’t on the same side as Nick).

A love of football – ideally the red side of north London – would definitely help to enjoy this play, but the universal themes of obsession, alienation and comradeship mean there’s plenty here for anyone to enjoy, and the script offers plenty of laughs as well as emotion. An enjoyable evening all round.

Arsenal Football Club have committed to maintaining existing links with the theatre, and will bring some of the community groups it works with – who might not otherwise have access to arts and culture – into The Hope Theatre to see Fever Pitch. The Hope Theatre will also be releasing 10% of all tickets for Fever Pitch free to residents of Islington.

Birmingham Repertory Theatre, in association with Flody Suarez and Kilimanjaro Theatricals
 

BRAND NEW IMAGES RELEASED FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE OF WHAT’S NEW PUSSYCAT?

By Joe DiPietro

• BRAND NEW IMAGES AND STUDIO FOOTAGE RELEASED FOR NEW MUSICAL, WHAT’S NEW PUSSYCAT?
   
• BASED ON HENRY FIELDING’S NOVEL THE HISTORY OF TOM JONES AND FEATURING THE ICONIC HITS OF SIR TOM JONES, WHAT’S NEW PUSSYCAT? WILL PLAY AT BIRMINGHAM REP FROM 8 OCT – 14 NOV
   
• TICKETS ARE  ON SALE NOW 

Today the highly anticipated, brand new musical, What’s New Pussycat? has released exclusive first look images of Dominic Andersen as Tom Jones and Bronté Barbé as Mary Western. Brand new studio footage of the cast performing three iconic hits from the show; It’s Not Unusual, Mama Told Me Not to Come and Without Love has also been released today. 

It’s Not Unusual is performed by Dominic Andersen (Tom Jones) with chorus vocals from Bronté Barbé (Mary Western); Ashley Campbell (Mr Partridge); Rebekah Hinds (The Girl in the Polka Dot Dress); David Mairs-McKenzie (Ensemble); Lisa Mathieson (Ensemble); Fallon Mondlane (Ensemble); Naomi Katiyo (Ensemble); and Owen Saward (Ensemble). 

Mama Told Me Not to Come is performed by Ashley Campbell; Owen Saward; David Mairs-McKenzie; Dominic Andersen; Rebekah Hinds; Bronté Barbé; Lisa Mathieson; and Naomi Katiyo, and Without Love is performed by Bronté Barbé with backing vocals from Lisa Mathieson; Fallon Mondlane and Naomi Katiyo. Matt Brindis the Musical Supervisor, Orchestrator and Music Producer.

Freely inspired by the novel The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling, this romantic musical comedy reimagines Fielding’s classic tale in London’s swinging sixties. Written by the Tony Award winning Joe DiPietro (Memphis The Musical), with a stellar creative team including director Luke Sheppard and legendary choreographer Dame Arlene Phillips, get ready for music, mods and rocking romance when the show enjoys its world premiere at The REP from 8 October – 14 November. 

What’s New Pussycat? is set to the soundtrack of Sir Tom Jones’ greatest hit songs: Green, Green Grass of Home, It’s Not Unusual, Leave Your Hat On, Delilah, Mama Told Me Not To Come, Sex Bomb and, of course, What’s New Pussycat? 

Presented by Birmingham Repertory Theatre in association with Flody Suarez, Joshua Andrews and Stuart Galbraith from Kilimanjaro Theatricals. Donna Munday will Executive Produce.
 

Listings

What’s New Pussycat?

8 October – 14 November

Tickets from £17.50

https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/whats-new-pussycat.html

0121 236 4455

Please note there is a transaction fee of £2.50 on all payment types. This covers administration costs and enables us to provide a dedicated booking service. This charge does not apply to transactions under £10, group bookings over 50 and school group bookings. We also waive this charge if you are a REP Friend. 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] with your ticket request and a contact number and a member of our box office team will get back to you.

Leeds Playhouse – until 11 September 2021

Reviewed by Sal E Marino

5 *****

A very excited audience gathered at the wonderful Leeds Playhouse to see David Nixon’s ballet adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos’s 18th-century highly-seductive novel, Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons), on the opening night of Thursday 2nd September .  A most wickedly entertaining exploration of sexual politics unfolded before us through the spectacular Northern ballet company; who gave a most spell-binding and passionate performance from start to finish.  

After seeing Nixon’s Swan Lake back in June earlier this year, I knew I was going to enjoy Dangerous Liaisons but if I’m honest I didn’t think it was going to be quite as enthralling but it absolutely most certainly was –  in every single way!   The plot is centered around aristocrats Marquise de Merteuil (Sarah Chun) and the Vicomte de Valmont (Riku Ito) who both take a delight in seducing and manipulating more innocent and less cynical members of the French court.  What really struck me about this Northern Ballet performance was that the viciousness and complexities of the intertwined relationships translated so well through dance and it was most clear what was going on due to the impressive characterization skillfully given by each and every dancer.  

Chun was magnificent as the unscrupulous and scheming puppeteer, the Marquise de Merteuil, as her expression in face, body and movement captured every villainous thought and act – and there were many!  Matching Chun was Ito as Valmont and he was every inch the rampant, devious yet alluring scoundrel who weaved his magic on every female he came across and I’m sure that along with myself that included other members of the audience too!  Most impressive was how Antoinette Brooks-Daw was able to communicate the traits of virtue, goodness and morality known to epitomize Madame de Tourvel and then show her devastation and fragility when Valmont disposes of her so cruelly under the instruction of the Marquise.  

Dangerous Liaisons is set to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, played live by the superb Northern Ballet Sinfonia; conducted by Jonathan Lo, lead by Geoffrey Allan and the stage lighting design was created by Alastair West.  Simple yet perfect, the jeweled-rich coloured lights chosen for each scene gave an atmosphere of opulence along with the carefully positioned chandeliers and typical 18th century beautiful white, lavish furniture.    

Scintillating and electrically charged in every scene is how I would describe Dangerous Liaisons – the ballet and that it was like watching a human game of chess – fascinating to calculate and see the next manoeuvres and then the consequences that follow.  Thrilling with every step, David Nixon’s Dangerous Liaisons ballet production will entice, seduce and lure you into a tale of shocking acts, exquisitely performed by the most phenomenal dancers. 

‘First Look’ Rehearsal Shots: Original Theatre Company and Octagon Theatre Bolton, The Hound of the Baskervilles

The award-winning Original Theatre Company and Octagon Theatre Bolton present the 2021/22 tour of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most celebrated adventure, The Hound of the Baskervilles. Adapted for the stage by Steven Canny and John Nicholson for Peepolykus, in a production which was first performed at the Octagon Theatre this summer, the classic detective ta​le gets a brilliantly farcical overhaul in Lotte Wakeham’s acclaimed production.
The whodunnit for all ages will tour to Cambridge Arts Theatre (16-18 Sept),Theatr Clwyd (21-25 Sept), Exeter Northcott Theatre (28 Sept-2 Oct), Malvern Theatres (5-9 Oct), York Theatre Royal (19-23 Oct), Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne (26-30 Oct), Richmond Theatre (2-6 November), The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich (9-13 Nov), Salisbury Playhouse (15-20 Nov), Theatre Royal Bath (24-28 Jan), The Lowry (31 Jan – 5 Feb) and Belgrade Theatre, Coventry (8-12 February). Further 2022 tour venues are to be announced.

The cast is Jake Ferretti as Sherlock Holmes, Serena Manteghi as Sir Henry and Niall Ransome as Dr. Watson. Original Direction is by Lotte Wakeham, Artistic Director of the Octagon Theatre Bolton. The UK Tour is directed by Tim Jackson. Francesca Tennant is Associate Director. The Designer is David Woodhead, Lighting Designer is Derek Anderson, Sound Designer is Andy Graham, Costume Supervisor is Chrissy Maddison and Production Manager is Tammy Rose.

MEET TOM, BARBARA, MARGO AND JERRY

AS THE ICONIC BRITISH COMEDY RECEIVES WORLD PREMIERE STAGE PRODUCTION, TOURING THE UK FROM 7 OCTOBER 2021

RUFUS HOUND AS ‘TOM GOOD’
PREEYA KALIDAS AS ‘MARGO LEADBETTER’
DOMINIC ROWAN AS ‘JERRY LEADBETTER’
SALLY TATUM AS ‘BARBARA GOOD’

Full casting is announced today for the brand new stage adaptation of beloved British comedy THE GOOD LIFE which tours the UK this Autumn.

The acclaimed cast will include actress and presenter Preeya Kalidas as ‘Margo Leadbetter’, Dominic Rowan as ‘Jerry Leadbetter’, and Sally Tatum as ‘Barbara Good’, joining the previously announced actor and comedian Rufus Hound as ‘Tom Good’. Also featured will be Nigel Betts and Tessa Churchard.

The new comedy by Jeremy Sams, is based on the classic television series by John Esmonde and Bob Larbey which entertained countless millions in the 1970s. Directed by Jeremy Sams, this world premiere production will be the first time that the iconic characters of suburban neighbours the Goods and the Leadbetters will be seen on stage.

THE GOOD LIFE will open at Theatre Royal Bath on 7 October 2021, before dates at Cheltenham Everyman, Salford Lowry, Oxford Playhouse, Cambridge Arts Theatre, Malvern Theatres, Richmond Theatre and Chichester Festival Theatre.

Remember the Goods – Tom and Barbara, suburban eco-warriors? And their next-door neighbours Margo and Jerry Leadbetter, desperately trying to maintain the Surbiton status quo? Jeremy Sams’s comedy leads the well-loved characters through uproarious  adventures, some old, some new and often (even today) hilariously familiar. This new play celebrates a time when, whatever our differences, we still managed to get on with our neighbours.  

Beloved BBC comedy THE GOOD LIFE ran on British television from 1975 to 1978 starring Richard Briers, Felicity Kendal, Penelope Keith and Paul Eddington.

Rufus Hound is an award-winning actor, comedian and presenter equally at home with roles on screen including Doctor Who, Cucumber, Hounded and on the stage including One Man Two Guvnors (Theatre Royal Haymarket), What The Butler Saw (Theatre Royal Bath / Leicester Curve), Don Quixote (RSC), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Savoy Theatre London), Present Laughter and Neville’s Island (Chichester Festival Theatre) and his award-winning role as Mr Toad in The Wind in the Willows (London Palladium, UK tour and cinema broadcast). 

Preeya Kalidas made history as the first British Asian female to play the lead in a musical when she originated the role of Priya in the West End production of Bombay Dreams. Notable screen credits include award-winning feature films Four Lions, Bend it like Beckham and as Amira Shah in BBC’s EastEnders. Preeya played the title role in BAFTA nominated Bollywood Carmen and also starred in Britz, Mistresses, Bodies, Banglatown Banquet and England Expects. Major stage credits include Oxford Street (Royal Court Theatre), Chiaroscuro (Bush Theatre) Olivier Award nominated for Bend it like Beckham the Musical (Phoenix Theatre), Joseph and his amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (The Adelphi), School of Rock (Gillian Lynne Theatre), and most recently Everybody’s talking about Jamie (Apollo Theatre).

Dominic Rowan’s work in theatre includes: A Dream Play, Iphigeneia at Aulis, Mourning Becomes Electra, Three Sisters, Happy Now?, The Talking Cure and Private Lives (National Theatre); The Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Merchant of Venice and Talk of the City (RSC); A Voyage Round My Father, Berenice and Lobby Hero  (Donmar Warehouse); A Doll’s House (Young Vic), Playhouse Creatures (Old Vic); Way to Heaven and Forty Winks (Royal Court Theatre); The Importance of Being Earnest (Oxford Playhouse); Sexual Perversity in Chicago (Crucible Theatre); The Rivals, Charley’s Aunt and Look Back in Anger (Royal Exchange); A Collier’s Friday Night (Hampstead Theatre); Wit’s End  (New End Theatre); Under The Blue Sky, (Duke of York’s); The Misanthrope  (Comedy Theatre), As You Like It (Globe Theatre).

Sally Tatum is an actress, comedian and writer who was placed on the BAFTA Rocliffe Forum List for emerging comedy writers. Stage credits include Present Laughter, and Red Light Winter (Theatre Royal Bath), A Day in the Life of Joe Egg (Liverpool Everyman), Gaslight (Old Vic) and As You Like It, Twelfth Night and Solstice (RSC). Television credits include Episodes, Boy Meets Girl, and My Mad Fat Diary.

Nigel Betts’ work in theatre includes: Steel (Sheffield Theatres), Albion (Almeida Theatre), Three Days in the Country (National Theatre), Wonderland (Hampstead Theatre), Pastoral (Soho Theatre), One Man Two Guv’nors, War Horse (National Theatre/West End), Aladdin, (Lyric Hammersmith),The 39 Steps, Up’n’Under, Henry IV, As You Like It (West End). TV includes: Toast, King Gary, Ridley Road, Grantchester, Casualty, All Creatures Great and Small, Father Brown, The A Word, Pennyworth, Harlots, Killing Eve, Trollied, EastEnders, Scarborough, Outlander, Little Boy Blue, Bliss, Bounty Hunters, Death in Paradise, Boy Meets Girl, Vera, Class, The Coroner, DCI Banks, New Tricks, You, Me & Them, The Wrong Mans, Doctor Who, Waterloo Road, Doctors, Holby City, Downton Abbey, The Escape Artist, The Starlings, Doc Martin, Moving Wallpaper, The Bill, Trial and Retribution, The Catherine Tate Show, Coronation Street, The Street, Emmerdale, Doctors, Grange Hill, Midsomer Murders, Silent Witness, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Sharpe’s Mission, Courtroom, Grease Monkeys, Inspector Lynley Mysteries, A Touch of Frost, Final Demand, Paradise Reclaimed, and As Time Goes By.

Tessa Churchard’s theatre credits include The 39 Steps (Criterion Theatre, West End), As You Desire Me (Playhouse Theatre, West End) Noises Off (Piccadilly Theatre, West End), Family Business, Brighton Beach Memoirs and Blithe Spirit (Watford Palace Theatre), Lady Of Leisure, Still Life/ The Astonished Heart, Point Of Death (Liverpool Playhouse), Gaillileo’s Daughter, Man And Superman, Don Juan (Peter Hall Company, Bath Theatre Royal), Remember This (Royal National Theatre), Communicating Doors, Lady Windermere’s Fan, Richard III (Theatre Royal, Northampton), The Diary Of Anne Frank (Basingstoke Haymarket Theatre), Dying In The Street (The Print Room), and The Fabulist (Old Red Lion). For television and film her credits include The Coroner (BBC), EastEnders (BBC), Call The Midwife (BBC), Casualty (BBC), Dixi (CBBC), Doctors (BBC), The Grain Chest (CK Productions), Family Affairs (Talkback Thames), Harringham Harker (BBC), Jeeves And Wooster (ITV) and The Bill (Talkback Thames).

Jeremy Sams‘s directing credits include the National Theatre’s 2000 West End and Broadway revival of Noises Off, the West End musical Spend, Spend, Spend, the international tour of The Sound of Music and Oklahoma! at Chichester Festival Theatre.

Fiery Angel presents THE GOOD LIFE. Adapted and directed by Jeremy Sams based on the TV series by John Esmonde and Bob Larbey. Set and Costume Design by Michael Taylor,  Lighting Design by Mark Henderson, Sound Design by Fergus O’Hare, Composition by Tim Sutton and casting by Ginny Schiller CDG.

HOW TO SURVIVE AN APOCALYPSE – REHEARSAL IMAGES

PHOTOS BY SAMUEL TAYLOR

***

NOEL SULLIVAN, BEN LAMB, 

KRISTIN ATHERTON & CHRISTINE GOMES 

STAR IN THE UK PREMIERE OF ROMANTIC COMEDY 

HOW TO SURVIVE AN APOCALYPSE  

WRITTEN BY JORDAN HALL & DIRECTED BY JIMMY WALTERS 

AT FINBOROUGH THEATRE FROM 28 SEPTEMBER – 23 OCTOBER 2021  

Noel Sullivan, Ben Lamb, Kristin Atherton and Christine Gomes will star in the UK premiere of Jordan Hall’s hit comedy How to Survive an Apocalypse. The play opens at Finborough Theatre, directed by Jimmy Walters for a four-week limited season, running from Tuesday 28 September – 23 October 2021.  

Noel Sullivan, best known for his part in the record-breaking pop group Hear’Say, has gone on to forge a prestigious acting career with numerous West End credits to his name. Noel most recently appeared in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s award-winning musical School of Rock in the lead role of Dewey Finn at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. He also recently appeared in the BBC hit show Years and Years.  

Ben Lamb most notably starred in Netflix’s highly successful film series A Christmas Prince, as well as box office hits Now You See Me 2, Divergent and TV mini-series The White Queen. Ben’s stage work includes productions at the Young Vic and Shakespeare’s Globe. 

Kristin’s screen credits include the highly successful BBC shows Shakespeare & Hathaway and Waterloo Road. How to Survive an Apocalypse also reunites Ben and Kristin on stage following their critically acclaimed portrayals of Mary and Percy Shelley in Shared Experience’s production of Mary Shelley at the Tricycle Theatre in 2012.  

After only graduating from the London Academy of Dramatic Art in 2018, Christine Gomes has since gone on to star as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet at the Orange Tree Theatre and Nerissa in The Merchant of Venice for the Stafford Shakespeare Festival. 

“You start planning for the end and you have to start thinking— if you wind up trapped in a 300 square foot fallout shelter, is this really the guy you want to see every day?” 

A romantic comedy for the end of days. 

Jen and Tim are a young and successful millennial couple who become convinced that their urban party lifestyle is coming to an end. They start preparing for the end, hoarding supplies and learning to hunt. But their obsession takes its toll, and both are forced to imagine the apocalypse without the love of their life. 

A tender, hilarious, and touching story about dreams, love and the desire to survive. 

How to Survive An Apocalypse premiered at the Firehall Arts Centre, Vancouver, where it broke all box office records. It was shortlisted for a Tom Hendry Award in Comedy, was an official selection of the La Mama International Playwrights Retreat, and was the winner of the 2016 Flying Start Competition.  

How To Survive An Apocalypse, presented by Proud Haddock in association with Finborough Theatre, has design by Ceci Calf, lighting by Adam King and music and sound by Julian Starr. Further casting will be announced in due course. 

We’re having a ball – and everyone is invited

York Theatre Royal and Evolution present York’s spectacular family pantomime

Cinderella

York Theatre Royal, December 3 to January 2

Written by Paul Hendy

Directed by Juliet Forster

One of CBeebies most popular personalities Andy Day is joined by two familiar faces from York Theatre Royal’s Travelling Pantomime – Robin Simpson and Faye Campbell – in Cinderella at York Theatre Royal this Christmas.

This most magical pantomime of all can be seen from 3 December to 2 January.

Since joining CBeebies in 2007 Andy Day (Dandini) has become widely known as a presenter and for his animal and nature programmes in which he tackled dinosaurs, investigated baby animals and went on safari. In 2009 he was nominated for a Children’s BAFTA award for best presenter.

His previous pantomime appearances include the CBeebies annual televised pantomime as well as the Genie in Aladdin, Dandini in Cinderella, Muddles in Snow White and Billy Goose in Mother Goose.

Andy also fronts his own live band Andy and the Odd Socks. They will again be launching Odd Socks Day for Anti Bullying Week in schools up and down the country alongside The Anti Bullying Alliance, a charity of which Andy is a passionate Patron.

Faye Campbell (Cinderella)played The Hero in Jack and the Beanstalk and Dick Whittington in York Theatre Royal’s Travelling Pantomime last December. Actor and storyteller Robin Simpson (Sister) was Dame Trott in the Travelling Pantomime, after playing dame for three years at the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield. He’s joined as the other Sister by Paul Hawkyard.

Comedian and ventriloquist Max Fulham (Buttons) has played leading comedy roles in pantomimes throughout the UK, being voted Best Speciality Act in the British Pantomime Awards. Max has created his own comedy series called Drivel Pedlar for his You Tube channel. In summer 2022 he’ll play Muddles in Snow White at the new Sydney Coliseum in Australia.

The cast is completed by Benjamin Lafayette (Prince Charming) and Sarah Leatherbarrow (Fairy Godmother).

The Theatre Royal’s Cinderella will relocate the timeless rags-to-riches story to the city of York, with the stage coming to sparkling life with magical transformations, glittering sets, stunning songs and side-splitting laughs.

Co-producing with Evolution, one of the country’s most successful and award-winning pantomime producers, York Theatre Royal is creating a brand new pantomime for everyone – with the promise of a truly epic spectacle and heaps of hilarity.

Cinderella will be directed by York Theatre Royal Creative Director Juliet Forster, director of last year’s highly successful Travelling Pantomime which toured to community venues in York and also this summer’s production of Around the World in 80 Days.

York Theatre Royal Chief Executive Tom Bird says:

“We are over the moon to be creating a spectacular new pantomime for the people of York – one that’s tailor-made for the whole family, while honouring the pantomime traditions that our audiences love so much.

“The phenomenal team will give the York Theatre Royal pantomime a new lease of life with a fresh, family-friendly, fun-filled approach to the story of Cinderella, set with pride in our amazing city.”

Evolution Productions was started by Emily Wood and Paul Hendy in 2005 and has built a reputation for superior, bespoke pantomimes with the emphasis on high quality production values, strong casting and genuinely funny scripts. They have twice won Pantomime of the Year at the Great British Pantomime Awards. They are the team behind Sheffield Theatres’ extraordinarily successful pantomime in the Lyceum Theatre.

Producer and writer Paul Hendy says:

“Emily and I are absolutely thrilled to be working with York Theatre Royal on Cinderella. We are huge fans of the theatre and we’re looking forward to collaborating with Tom and his brilliant team to produce a wonderful, family friendly pantomime with spectacular production values, a superbly talented cast, and a genuinely funny script.”

Cinderella: December 3 to 2 January. Box office 01904 623568 | yorktheatreroyal.do.uk

BILL KENWRIGHT PRESENTS 

THE CLASSIC THRILLER THEATRE COMPANY 

THE CAT AND THE CANARY 

THE CREEPY COMEDY THRILLER BY JOHN WILLARD 

ADAPTED BY CARL GROSE 

RETURNS TO CONTINUE ITS SUCCESSFUL UK TOUR  

FROM 07 SEPTEMBER 2021 

STARRING ANTONY COSTA, TRACY SHAW, MARTI WEBB 

GARY WEBSTER, BEN NEALON, ERIC CARTE 

AND 

BRITT EKLAND 

Building on the phenomenal decade-long success of The Agatha Christie Theatre Company, Bill Kenwright’s Classic Thriller Theatre Company (Rehearsal for Murder, Judgement in Stone, The Case of the Frightened Lady and The Lady Vanishes), continues with its latest chilling whodunit, the creepy comedy thriller The Cat and the Canary. Following its acclaimed opening in Windsor in January 2020 and highly successful spring tour, the production returns to complete its Autumn tour, which was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  

This new adaptation of the murder mystery by John Willard, which inspired three classic movies starring the likes of Bob Hope, Paulette Goddard, Edward Fox, Honor Blackman and Olivia Hussey, will embark on its nationwide tour, opening at Derby Theatre from Tuesday 7 September 2021.  

Twenty years after the death of Mr. West, his descendants gather to learn who will inherit his vast wealth and the hidden family jewels. Within moments, the heritage hunters turn into prey. Walls crack open, shadows loom, and dark secrets are revealed. 

Who is The Cat? His movements soundless, unnoticeable, and his vengeance swift! Who will feel his horrible grasp next? 

Returning to the production is silver screen and Bond-girl legend Britt Ekland, whose numerous films include The Man with The Golden Gun with Roger Moore, The Wicker Man with Christopher Lee, and Get Carter with Michael Caine.  

Britt stars alongside singer-songwriter, actor and former member of the internationally successful 00’s boy band Blue, Antony Costa, and Tracy Shaw, best known for her long-running role as Maxine Peacock in Coronation Street. They are joined by West End leading lady Marti Webb, whose credits include Evita and Tell Me on A Sunday; Gary Webster, who played Gary Costello in Family Affairs and Ray Daley opposite George Cole in ITV’s Minder; Classic Thriller Theatre Company veteran Ben Nealon, who played Lt. Forsythe in the drama series Soldier Soldier, and Eric Carte, who played Geoff Roberts in two series of Bouquet of Barbed Wire. The cast is completed by Priyasasha Kumari, Martin Carroll, Jack Taylor and Clara Darcy. 

The Cat and The Canary is director Roy Marsden’s fifth Classic Thriller Theatre Company production. Other credits include the West End premieres of Agatha Christie’s A Daughter’s a Daughter at the Trafalgar Studios and Noël Coward’s Volcano at the Vaudeville Theatre. As an actor, he is well-known to television audiences as Inspector Dalgliesh in the long-running P.D. James series. 

Adaptor Carl Grose was, until recently, co-artistic director of Kneehigh Theatre. His numerous plays and adaptations include book and lyrics for The Grinning Man, which Tom Morris directed at the Trafalgar Studios in 2017. 

Designer takis’s diverse international credits include In the Heights, Gifford’s Circus and the Royal Opera. 

Lighting Designer Chris Davey’s work includes Witness for the Prosecution at London’s County Hall and Touching the Void at the Duke of York’s Theatre. 

Dan Samson is resident Sound Designer for The Classic Thriller Theatre Company. West End credits include Heathers at the Theatre Royal Haymarket and Evita at the Dominion Theatre. 

LISTINGS

THE CAT AND THE CANARY  

07 September – 27 November 2021 

UK Tour 

By John Willard 

Adapted by Carl Grose 

Directed by Roy Marsden 

Designed by takis 

Lighting Design by Chris Davey 

Sound Design by Dan Samson 

Produced by Bill Kenwright  

Website: www.kenwright.com 

Twitter: @BKL_Productions  

Instagram: @bklproductions 

DATES & VENUES

Derby Theatre                                                            derbytheatre.co.uk                   

07 September – 11 September 2021                          01332 59 39 39 

Glasgow Theatre Royal                                            atgtickets.com/glasgow

13 September – 18 September 2021                          0844 871 7615 

Darlington Hippodrome                                            Darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

20 September – 25 September 2021                          01325 405405 

Birmingham Alexandra Theatre                               atgtickets.com/birmingham

04 October – 09 October 2021                                   0844 871 7615 

Yeovil Octagon                                                          octagon-theatre.co.uk 

18 October – 23 October 2021                                   01935 422884 

Manchester Opera House                                         atgtickets.com/manchester 

25 October – 30 October 2021                                   0844 871 7615 

Brighton Theatre Royal                                            atgtickets.com/brighton 

01 November – 06 November 2021                           0844 871 7615 

Bromley Churchill Theatre                                       churchilltheatre.co.uk 

08 November – 13 November 2021                           020 3285 6000 

Leeds Grand Theatre                                                leedsheritagetheatres.com 

23 November – 27 November 2021                           0113 243 0808