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FULL CAST & TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED FOR
THE DRESSER

Starring Julian Clary & Matthew Kelly

Written by Ronald Harwood
Directed by Terry Johnson

Theatre Royal Bath Productions and Everyman Theatre Productions are delighted to announce the full tour dates for Ronald Harwood’s highly acclaimed drama The Dresser starring the much loved UK entertainer Julian Clary as Norman and Olivier Award winner Matthew Kelly as ‘Sir’. 

Directed by Olivier Award-winning Terry Johnson, The Dresser will run at Theatre Royal Bath from 9 September 2021, before dates at Cheltenham Everyman Theatre, Theatre Royal Brighton, Norwich Theatre Royal, Cambridge Arts Theatre, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Richmond Theatre, Malvern Festival Theatre, Oxford Playhouse, Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury and newly announced– the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford and the King’s Theatre in Edinburgh where the tour finishes in February 2022.

Joining Julian Clary and Matthew Kelly in the cast are:  Emma Amos as Her Ladyship, Rebecca Charles as Madge, Natalie Servat as Irene, Pip Donaghy as Geoffrey Thornton, Samuel Holmes as Mr Oxenby, Robert Shaw Cameron as Kent, Peter Yapp as Gloucester, Stephen Cavanagh as Albany, with Claire Jeater and Michaela Bennison in the ensemble.

Inspired by memories of working as Donald Wolfit’s dresser as a young man, Ronald Harwood’sevocative, affectionate and hilarious portrait of backstage life is regarded as one of the most acclaimed dramas of modern theatre.

It is 1942 and in a war-torn provincial theatre an aging actor-manager, known to his loyal acting company as ‘Sir’, is struggling to cling on to his sanity and complete his 227th performance of King Lear.  For 16 years Norman, Sir’s devoted dresser, has been there to fix Sir’s wig, massage his ego, remind him of his opening lines and provide the sound effects in the storm scene. It is down to Norman to ensure that in spite of everything, the show goes on.

Julian Clary has performed across the world and is renowned for his many successes across television, radio, film, writing and stand-up comedy. His roles on stage include Leigh Bowery in Boy George’s Taboo (West End and national tour), the Emcee in Rufus Norris’s Olivier Award winning production of Cabaret (West End), and Le Grand Mort (Trafalgar Studios). Julian also regularly performs in panto and will return to the London Palladium this Christmas. His many TV credits include Trick or Treat, Saturday Night Live, Sticky Moments, Terry and Julian, All Rise, Strictly Come Dancing, Have I Got News For You and QI. He toured the UK earlier this year with his latest one-man comedy show Born To Mince.

Matthew Kelly is an Olivier Award winning actor who is also well known for presenting the television series Stars in their Eyes and You Bet!. Matthew Kelly’sWest End credits include Waiting For Godot with Ian McKellen and Roger Rees, Big The Musical (Dominion), Funny Peculiar, Sign of the Times, Lend Me A Tenor!, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and as Lennie in Of Mice and Men (Savoy) for which he received the Olivier Award for Best Actor. Other recent theatre credits include Alan Bennett’s The Habit of Art, Pride & Prejudice (Regents Park & UK Tour), and Troilus and Cressida (Shakespeare’s Globe). His many television credits include the award-winning Cold Blood, Benidorm, Bleak House and Moving On.

Ronald Harwood was an Academy Award, Palme d’Or and BAFTA-winning screenwriter and playwright. His plays include Taking Sides, Equally Divided and Quartet. His screenplay for the film of The Dresser received five Academy Award nominations, including Best Screenplay. His films include the Academy Award winning The Pianist, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and Love in the Time of Cholera.

Terry Johnson is a dramatist and director who has won numerous theatre awards including two Olivier Awards as a playwright for Best Comedy and a Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical for La Cage Aux Folles. Other West End credits include The Libertine, End of the Rainbow, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, The Duck House, Whipping It Up and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. He recently directed Uncle Vanya at the Hampstead Theatre and has previously directed Mrs. Henderson Presents, Hysteria and The Libertine at Bath.

ANTON DU BEKE TO MAKE HIS PANTOMIME DEBUT AS BUTTONS IN

WALTZING INTO RICHMOND THEATRE
3 DECEMBER 2021 –  2 JANUARY 2022

Best known for his role on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, Richmond Theatre is delighted to welcome the King of Ballroom Anton Du Beke in his pantomime debut as Buttons in this year’s family pantomime Cinderella from Friday 3 December 2021 to Saturday 2 January 2022.

Quick-witted and known for his sartorial style, Anton Du Beke has become a household name through regular television appearances as a host and guest on primetime television and is one of the most instantly recognisable figures in the world of Ballroom dance today. Anton was most recently announced to be a judge for this year’s Strictly and is now ready to put his dancing skills to the test, at Prince Charming’s Royal Ball!

Cinderella is produced by Crossroads Pantomimes, the World’s biggest pantomime producer whose Chief Executive Michael Harrison said:

‘I am so thrilled to have Anton making his panto debut with us in Richmond this year. Not only is Anton a star in the ballroom but his charm and persona will also make him a fantastic addition to this show. I am positive the audiences of Richmond will be delighted to have Anton headlining the pantomime this year and we can’t wait to see him on that stage’.

Rachel Lane, Theatre Director at Richmond Theatre said:

‘We are so excited to welcome Anton to Richmond and his first ever Panto. We know the Richmond audiences, young and old, school groups to family groups, will be thrilled to see him in action on our stage’.

Packed with all of the traditional pantomime ingredients audiences expect, Cinderella is a laugh-out-loud comedy, with stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses. Join Cinderella as she goes from rags to riches, outwits her wicked sisters and meets her dashing Prince Charming.

Anton du Beke said: ‘My first ever panto and I’m absolutely delighted to be Buttons at the wonderful Richmond Theatre, see you there my loves!’

The clock is ticking! With further casting to be announced don’t miss your chance to see Cinderella, the Fairy Godmother of all pantomimes. Book your tickets to the Ball today!

FULL CAST AND FURTHER TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED FOR

EMMA RICE’S WUTHERING HEIGHTS

With their latest production Bagdad Cafe streaming live via Old Vic: In Camera this week (25 – 28 August) Wise Children today announce full cast and further tour dates for the world première production of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. Adapted and directed by Emma Rice, the show is a co-production with the National Theatre, Bristol Old Vic and York Theatre Royal.

Joining the cast alongside the previously announced Lucy McCormick (Cathy) are Sam Archer (Lockwood/Edgar Linton), Nandi Bhebhe (The Moor), Mirabelle Gremaud (swing), TJ Holmes (Robert), Ash Hunter (Heathcliff), Craig Johnson (Mr Earnshaw/Dr Kenneth), Jordan Laviniere (John), Kandaka Moore (Zillah), Katy Owen (Isabella Linton/Linton Heathcliff), Tama Phethean (Hindley Earnshaw/Hareton Earnshaw) and Witney White (Frances Earnshaw/Young Cathy), with music performed by Sid Goldsmith, Nadine Lee and Renell Shaw.

The production opens at Bristol Old Vic on 20 October, with previews from 11 October, and runs until 6 November, with livestreamed performances 3 – 6 November. It then transfers to York Theatre Royal, 9 – 20 November, and runs at the National Theatre in February and March 2022 (exact dates TBA) before touring to Cornwall and Norwich, in addition to the previously announced dates in Salford, Nottingham, Sunderland and Edinburgh.

The Yorkshire moors tell an epic story of love, revenge and redemption.

Rescued from the Liverpool docks as a child, Heathcliff is adopted by the Earnshaws and taken to live at Wuthering Heights. He finds a kindred spirit in Catherine Earnshaw and a fierce love ignites. When forced apart, a brutal chain of events is unleashed.

Shot through with music, dance, passion and hope, Emma Rice transforms Emily Brontë’s masterpiece into a powerful and uniquely theatrical experience. Lucy McCormick leads the company of performers and musicians in this intoxicating revenge tragedy for our time.

“I am Heathcliff! Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”

With set and costume design by Vicki Mortimer; sound and video by Simon Baker; composition by Ian Ross; movement and choreography by Etta Murfitt;lighting design by Jai Morjaria.

Sam Archer returns to the company to play Lockwood/Edgar Linton – he previously appeared in Wise Children (The Old Vic/UK tour).His other theatre credits include An Ideal Husband (Vaudeville Theatre/Oscar Wilde Season), Wonderland (National Theatre/Châtelet Theatre, Paris), La Bohème (Royal Albert Hall), We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre), and The Red Shoes, Lord of the Flies, Swan Lake, Cinderella, Edward Scissorhands (Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Company).

Nandi Bhebhe returns to the company to play The Moor – she is currently appearing in Bagdad Cafe (The Old Vic). Her theatre credits include A Monster Calls (The Old Vic), Fela! (National Theatre/Al Hirschfeld Theatre), Season in the Congo (Young Vic), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, 946 The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips (Shakespeare’s Globe), Boy Breaking Glass (Sadler’s Wells), The Tin Drum (Bristol Old Vic), Ubu! A Singalong Satire (Shoreditch Town Hall).

Mirabelle Gremaud returns to the company – she previously appeared in Wise Children (The Old Vic/UK tour) and Malory Towers (Bristol Passenger Shed/UK tour). Her theatre credits as an actress/dancer and contortionist includeLe Conte des Contes (Théâtre Kléber-Mélau), Peter Pan (Birmingham Rep), Swan Lake (The Lost Estate), Acrojou (Roundhouse), Falling (Complicité), and her solo show Sombre Sloughing (UK and European tour).

TJ Holmes plays Robert. His theatre credits include One Man, Two Guvnors (UK tour), The Hired Man, Love, Lies and Lust (Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch), Mother Courage (Leeds Playhouse), Two Gentleman of Verona (Shakespeare’s Globe/Liverpool Everyman), La Strada (The Other Palace), Hansel and Gretel (Kneehigh), The BFG, I Was A Rat (Birmingham Rep), The Jungle Book, The Threepenny Opera (UK tour), Spend Spend Spend!, Some Like It Hotter (The Watermill Theatre), As You Like It (Curve), Cider with Rosie, Merchant of Venice (Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds) and What To Do When You Find A Dinosaur (Oxford Playhouse).

Ash Hunter plays Heathcliff. His theatre credits include Hamilton (Victoria Palace Theatre), Light Shining in Buckinghamshire (National Theatre), Pitcairn (Shakespeare’s Globe), Antony and Cleopatra (RSC/Public theatre, NYC), God’s Property (Soho Theatre), Unrivalled Landscape (Orange Tree Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Almeida Theatre), Gravity (Birmingham Rep) and A Clockwork Orange (Theatre Royal Stratford East). His television credits include Bridgerton, The Trial of Christine Keeler, Harlots, Death in Paradise, The Secret Agent, Wolfblood and Switch; and for film, Intrigo: Dear Agnes.

Craig Johnson plays Mr Earnshaw/Dr Kenneth. His theatre credits include The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch, The Railway Children and The Secret Garden (Minack Theatre), Alaska, One Darke Night (UK tours), The Sea Show, Skillywidden, Stones and Bones, Curious Creatures, Tales from the Trees, Myths and Monsters, The Christmassy Christmas Show, Shivers and Shadows, Universarama! (Squashbox Theatre UK tours), Tristan & Yseult, Cymbeline, Don John, A Matter of Life and Death and The Bacchae (Kneehigh).

Jordan Laviniere plays Servant. His theatre credits include All That (King’s Head Theatre), Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Apollo Theatre), Bugsy Malone (Lyric Hammersmith), The Life (The English Theatre, Frankfurt) and We Will Rock You (European tour).

Lucy McCormick plays Cathy. Her previous theatre credits include Life: LIVE! (Battersea Arts Centre), Triple Threat and Post Popular (Edinburgh Fringe Festival/Soho Theatre/UK and international tours), Roller Diner, First Love is the Revolution (Soho Theatre), Dear Elizabeth, Effigies of Wickedness (Gate Theatre), Collective Rage (Southwark Playhouse), Cinderella (Oxford Playhouse), The Naked Truth (UK tour), Splat! (Barbican), and The House of Bernada Alba (Tristan Bates Theatre). Her television credits include This Time with Alan Partridge; and for film, Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, and Uncle David 2.

Kandaka Moore returns to the company to play Zillah – she is currently appearing in Bagdad Cafe (The Old Vic). Her theatre credits include Twelfth Night (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Jungle Book (Greenwich Theatre), BLANK (See & Eye Theatre), The Famous Four & a Half go Wild in Thetford Forest (UK tour), and Mid Life (Barbican/Bristol Old Vic – also composer).

Katy Owen returns to the company to play Isabella Linton/Linton Heathcliff – she previously appeared in Wise Children (The Old Vic/UK tour). Her other theatre credits include UBU Karaoke!, Rebecca (Kneehigh), The Little Matchgirl and Other Happier Tales (Bristol Old Vic/Shakespeare’s Globe/UK tour), Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare’s Globe), 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tipps (Kneehigh/Shakespeare’s Globe/UK tour),The World of Work, The Night Before Christmas (Chapter Arts Centre), Apparitions of Spirits with the Forsythe Sisters (Gaggle Babble), Maudie’s Rooms, Plum – and Me, Will!, Cinders (Sherman Theatre), Ill Met by Moonlight (Wales Millennium Centre), The Tempest (Theatr Iolo) and The Moon Dragon & The Wounded Angel (Theatr Gwent). Her television credits include The Story of Tracy Beaker.

Tama Phethean plays Hindley Earnshaw/Hareton Earnshaw. His theatre credits include The Great Christmas Feast (The Lost Estate), Man Muck (Etcetera Theatre) and Night of the Living Dead Live (Pleasance Theatre).

Witney White plays Frances Earnshaw/Young Cathy. Her theatre credits include Five Plays Project: Irreconcilable Differences (Young Vic), Light Falls (Royal Exchange Theatre), A Christmas Carol, Sylvia, A Monster Calls (The Old Vic), NOF*CKSGIVEN (Vault Festival), Room (Theatre Royal Stratford East/Dundee Rep/Abbey Theatre), wonder.land (National Theatre), Dusty (Charing Cross Theatre) and Loserville (West Yorkshire Playhouse). For television, her credits include Cleaning Up.  

Emma Rice is the proud and excited Artistic Director of her company, Wise Children. She adapted and directed the company’s Bagdad Cafe (The Old Vic) Angela Carter’s Wise Children (The Old Vic/UK tour) and Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers (Bristol Passenger Shed/UK tour). For the ENO she directed Orpheus in the Underworld. As Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe (2016/18), she directed Romantics Anonymous, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Little Matchgirl (and Other Happier Tales). For the previous 20 years, she worked for Kneehigh as an actor, director and Artistic Director. Her productions for Kneehigh include The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, Tristan & Yseult, 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips, The Wild Bride, The Red Shoes, The Wooden Frock, The Bacchae, Cymbeline (in association with RSC), A Matter of Life and Death (in association with National Theatre), Rapunzel (in association with Battersea Arts Centre), Brief Encounter (in association with David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers Productions), Don John (in association with the RSC and Bristol Old Vic), Wah! Wah! Girls (in association with Sadler’s Wells and Theatre Royal Stratford East for World Stages), and Steptoe and Son. Other work includes the West End production of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Oedipussy (Spymonkey), The Empress (RSC), and An Audience with Meow Meow (Berkeley Repertory Theatre). In 2019 Rice received the UK Theatre Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre.

WUTHERING HEIGHTS 

LISTINGS

Bristol Old Vic

11 October – 6 November 2021

Livestream dates: 3 – 6 November

Box Office: 0117 987 7877 / www.bristololdvic.org.uk

York Theatre Royal

9 – 20 November 2021

Box Office: 01904 623568 /www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

National Theatre, Lyttelton

Performance dates TBA

Box Office: 020 7452 3000 / www.nationaltheatre.org.uk   

Hall for Cornwall

29March – 9 April 2022

Box Office: 01872 262466 / www.hallforcornwall.co.uk

Theatre Royal Norwich

12– 16 April 2022

Box Office: 01603 630 000 /www.norwichtheatre.org

Theatre Royal Nottingham

26 – 30 April 2022

Box Office: 0115 989 5555 / www.trch.co.uk

The Lowry

3 – 7 May 2022

Box Office: 0343 208 6000 / www.thelowry.com

Sunderland Empire

10 – 14 May 2022

Box Office: 03330 096 690 / https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire/

King’s Theatre, Edinburgh

24 – 28 May 2022

Box Office: 0131 529 6000 /www.capitaltheatres.com/your-visit/kings-theatre

WELCOME BACK TO THE ROARING TWENTIES!

THE GREAT GATSBY

TO REOPEN IN THE HEART OF THE WEST END THIS AUTUMN

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED

BOOKING PERIOD EXTENDED UNTIL SUNDAY 16 JANUARY 2022

Immersive Everywhere – led by Olivier Award-winning producers Louis Hartshorn and Brian Hook – will bring back London’s longest running immersive theatrical production this autumn. THE GREAT GATSBY, created and directed by Alexander Wright, reopens in the West End, playing at Gatsby’s Mansion at Immersive LDN in Mayfair from 16 September, with a press night on Friday 24 September (marking F Scott’s Fitzgerald’s 125^th birthday).

Full casting has been announced: Oliver Towse will play ‘Gatsby’, Lucinda Turner will play ‘Daisy’, Hugh Stubbins will play ‘Nick’, Jermaine Dominique will play ‘Tom’, Steve McCourt will play ‘George Wilson’, Jessica Hern will play ‘Jordan’, Aminita Francis will play ‘Myrtle Wilson’, Alex Wingfield will play ‘Rosy Rosenthal’, Aimee Barrett will play ‘Lucille’ and Greg Fossard will play ‘Joey’.

Welcome back to the roaring twenties! Jay Gatsby invites you to one of his infamous parties. the champagne flows and as the drama unfolds the man himself will be the perfect host. As invites go, this is the hottest ticket in town. A hedonistic world of red hot rhythms, bootleg liquor and pure jazz age self-indulgence awaits. Dress to the nines and immerse yourself in this heart racing adaption of F Scott Fitzgerald’s seminal tale.

THE GREAT GATSBY– forced to close in March 2020 by the pandemic, re-opened under socially distanced conditions and with changes to the show to incorporate extra safety measures at the beginning of October 2020. The show was then forced to close in November due to the subsequent lockdown.

Tickets for THE GREAT GATSBY will be available from 16 September until 16 January 2022 and are on sale now via www.immersivegatsby.com.  The production – which returns to its original pre-pandemic format, and with the venue at full capacity – will nevertheless be following all current government guidelines and Covid safety measures.

Louis Hartshorn and Brian Hook said “We are delighted to be unveiling a spectacular new cast and can’t wait to welcome our audience through the doors to Gatsby in its full-throttle immersive format. To see our audience spellbound by storytelling and dancing the Charleston together again will be an absolute joy. Gatsby’s back.”

IMMERSIVE LDN has been granted the use of Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre’s See It Safely mark. The mark certifies that the venue is complying with the latest Government and industry COVID-19 guidelines, to ensure the safety of all staff and audiences. 

Olivier Award winning producers Louis Hartshorn and Brian Hook, who are currently co-producing the immersive production of DOCTOR WHO TIME FRACTURE – launched a new company in 2019, IMMERSIVE EVERYWHERE, entirely dedicated to developing and staging theatre-led immersive experiences, and IMMERSIVE | LDN is the newest of their network of venues, which will house cafes, bars and rehearsal and workshop spaces to help the development of new work.

IMMERSIVE | LDN is a 32,000sq ft historic building in the heart of Mayfair, which was home to the Queen Victoria’s Rifles Association until 2017. It includes three floors of immersive theatre and event spaces designated for performance, live gaming, events, escape rooms and private parties. For information about programming and venue hire visit www.immersiveldn.com

First conceived in 2015 when director Alexander Wright and producer Brian Hook were running The Fleeting Arms – a pop arts and community pub in an abandoned building in York, the show then ran in York in 2016 with a parallel production in Sheffield, and was produced by the Guild of Misrule . The Great Gatsby first came to London as part of VAULT Festival in 2017 and sold out before the show opened. Since then the show has run in Wales in co-production with Theatr Clwyd, at Halifax’s Square Chapel, and at Castle Howard in North Yorkshire. All the while the show has played night after night at Gatsby’s Drugstore in London SE1, inviting audiences into the hedonistic world of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s extraordinary tale, and in 2018 it became the UK’s longest running immersive production.

Amie Burns Walker and Oliver Tilney are Associate Directors. Choreography is by Holly Beasley-Garrigan, with MJ Lee as Associate Choreographer, design by Casey Jay Andrews, costume design by Heledd Rees, sound design by Phil Grainger and lighting design by Rachel Sampley. The original score was composed and produced by Glen Brown and Tendai Humphrey Sitima, with arrangement and additional composition by David Sims. The original production was created by Holly Beasley-Garrigan, Amie Burns Walker, Hannah Davies, Phil Grainger, Michael Lambourne, Thomas Maller and Oliver Tilney.

This production of The Guild of Misrule’s THE GREAT GATSBY is produced by Immersive Everywhere, with co-producers Gavin Kalin Productions and Glynis Henderson Productions, with Theatr Clwyd and We Culture Connects as Associate Producers.

VENUE SOCIAL @ldn_immersive

SHOW SOCIAL @immersivegatsby

www.immersivegatsby.com

FIRST LOOK: Guest Photos from the re-opening of MAMMA MIA!

The re-opening of MAMMA MIA! which began performances on 25 August 2021 at London’s Novello Theatre. MAMMA MIA!, now in its 23rd year, is currently booking until 2 April 2022. 

Returning to the cast is Mazz Murray as Donna, Richard Trinder as Sam, Neil Moors as Harry, Stephen Beckett as Bill, and Sophie Matthew as Lisa.  They are joined by Josie Benson as Tanya, Gemma Goggin as Rosie, Emma Mullen as Sophie, Jack Danson as Sky, Tegan Bannister as Ali, Michael Nelson as Eddie and Alexandros Beshonges as Pepper, with Natalie Langston playing the role of Donna at certain performances.

MAMMA MIA! is Judy Craymer’s ingenious vision of staging the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs with an enchanting tale of family and friendship unfolding on a Greek island paradise. MAMMA MIA! has been seen live on stage by over 65 million people across the world and turned into two record-breaking movies – MAMMA MIA! The Movie and MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again. With music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. MAMMA MIA! is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East & Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal.

RSC ANNOUNCES SERIES OF SOCIALLY DISTANCED PERFORMANCES OF NEW MUSICAL THE MAGICIAN’S ELEPHANT

• A new musical from the Royal Shakespeare Company with Book/Lyrics by Nancy Harris and Music/Lyrics by Marc Teitler based on the international, best-selling novel by Kate DiCamillo, directed by Sarah Tipple

• Socially distanced seating and mask-wearing to be introduced at seven performances throughout November and December 2021 in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has today announced seven ‘socially distanced’ performances of its new musical; The Magician’s Elephant, which will run throughout November and December 2021 in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

The venue will operate at reduced capacity for seven Tuesday evening performances throughout the run, beginning from 2 November at 7.15pm. Audiences will be seated with an empty row in front of and behind them and with one empty seat between parties to ensure 1m+ social distancing.

Audience members will also be asked to wear a mask throughout their visit unless exempt.

Socially distanced performances of The Magician’s Elephant will take place on; Tuesday 2^nd, Tuesday 9^th, Tuesday 16^th, Tuesday and 23^rd November, Tuesday 7^th, Tuesday 21^st and Tuesday 28^th December at 7:15pm.

Tickets for all socially distanced performances are available to book via the RSC Box Office on 01789 331111 from midday to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Catherine Mallyon, RSC Executive Director said “Some of our audiences, particularly those who consider themselves vulnerable, have told us that they would feel more comfortable attending indoor events with additional space around them and with face coverings worn at all times. We have therefore decided to make seven Tuesday performances of The Magician’s Elephant socially-distanced and we hope this will mean that those who might otherwise feel unable to return to live theatre this winter have the opportunity to do so confidently.”

The decision to introduce designated socially distanced performances was informed by ‘The Seven principles to ensure an inclusive recovery’ produced by We Shall Not Be Removed, Ramps on the Moon, Attitude is Everything, Paraorchestra and What Next?, which aim to give cultural organisations and individuals the tools to approach Covid-19 recovery and delivery through the lens of Disability and relevant Equality Legislation.

The seven clear principles will support the industry to make decisions inclusively and provide a strong catalyst to combat and eliminate ableism in order to offer everyone equitable opportunities to enjoy and participate in culture and creativity.

The production will mark the re-opening of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre – which celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2021 – and the return of audiences to indoor performances at the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon for the first time since March 2020. The Magician’s Elephant was originally due to run from October 2020 – January 2021 but was postponed due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19.

The production will now run from 14 October 2021 – 1 January 2022 in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

The Magician’s Elephant tells the story of orphan Peter Augustus Duchene, who lives a frugal life in the lonely town of Baltese. Then one day, a magician conjures an elephant from the sky. The animal’s appearance sets off a chain of events so remarkable, so impossible, that it changes Baltese forever. Peter is catapulted into the quest of his life, overturning everything he ever thought he knew, and discovering that happiness can come from the most unexpected places.

This new adaptation of Kate DiCamillo’s heart-breaking and darkly magical children’s book by Nancy Harris (book/lyrics) and Marc Teitler (music/lyrics) will be directed by Sarah Tipple, Associate Director to Gregory Doran on The Boy in the Dress. The production will feature design by Colin Richmond whose previous RSC credits include Wendy and Peter Pan and Vice Versa. Lighting is by Oliver Fenwick, Music Supervision and Musical Direction by Tom Brady, Orchestrations by Sarah Travis and Marc Teitler, vocal arrangements by Tom Brady and Marc Teitler, sound by Paul Groothuis and movement by Francesca Jaynes. Dramaturgy is by Réjane Collard-Walker. Puppetry direction is by Mervyn Millar with puppetry design by Mervyn Millar and Tracy Waller. The Magic Consultant is John Bulleid whose previous RSC credits include #WeAreArrested, and video is by Douglas O’Connell.

Original cast return for Dumbledore Is So Gay
The Pleasance Theatre, Carpenters Mews, London, N7 9EF
Tuesday 21st – Sunday 26th September 2021

The acclaimed original cast of Dumbledore Is So Gay will reprise their roles when the production returns to the stage at The Pleasance Theatre in September. Reuniting to tell this optimistic story of self-love and friendship are Alex Britt (Love’s Labour’s Lost and My Dad’s Gap Year, The Park Theatre; EastEnders, BBC), Max Percy (My Dad’s Gap Year, The Park Theatre; Peter Pan, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) and Charlotte Dowding (Girl Scout vs Aliens, Escapade Productions; Eat Your Heart Out, Tightrope Productions).

This VAULT Festival sell out is a refreshing coming out and coming of age story of life as a noughties teenager. Life is far from straight for Jack: he pines for his best friend while dodging bullies with minds as narrow as the cupboard under the stairs. And the official online quiz sorted him into Hufflepuff. On a mission to get the guy and re-write history in his favour, Jack uses his trusty Time Turner to go back in time to right the wrongs of the past.

Writer Robert Holtom comments, I’m over the moon the original cast are back. They made magic in 2020 and I can’t wait to see them do it all over again. Alex, Charlotte and Max bring such skill and depth to their roles, switching between sincerity and humour on a dime. We were all so keen to keep the show going and it’s such a privilege to have the team reunited.

The play shines a light on the struggle of coming out when ‘gay’ was a playground insult. Reaching for characters and images from JK Rowling’s world as both a comfort and source of strength, the true magic of the play comes from the determination of its young characters to build a better future. While Jack’s story deals with tragic teenage isolation, what emerges is the importance of love and resilience to face the toughest of trials. Every twist of the Time Turner reveals and celebrates how wise heads on young shoulders can change the world!

★★★★★ Broadway World ★★★★★ Theatre Weekly
An infectious display of optimism… I couldn’t stop beaming – Kate Wyver, The Guardian

Park Theatre, London – National tour until 30 September 2021

Reviewed by Emily Cliff

4****

When I was eleven years old my mum took me to the cinema to go and see The Woman in Black with my sister and my nan. At the time that film starring Daniel Radcliffe was a 12A meaning we could see it if I was accompanied by an adult. For those that know the film, I can assure you it probably isn’t the best film for an eleven year old that still screams when her shadow moves the wrong way girl. I was traumatised, I had to leave the cinema early and I can safely say I thought she was hiding under my bed for a whole year after seeing that film. It is safe to say that that traumatic experience generally put me off the horror genre for the rest of my adolescent years.

When Darkness Falls is a play made up of 5 ghost stories told by a writer, to a local history teacher on the island of Guernsey for the history societies weekly vlog. Sounds harmless right? Just your average campfire tales of folklore and legend, the kind of stories told by a kid who swore he saw a shadow in the window of that abandoned house, or the kid who swears he saw the shower curtain move when he said candyman or bloody mary in the mirror five times. It’s a constant battle between believers and the people who are looking for a logical explanation, there was a storm coming so there was a big draft, the house is old it’s probably full of old shadows; a trick of the light. The play perfectly captures the debates over the existence of the paranormal perfectly, adding the first layer to the tension already building onstage.

From the offset the atmosphere of the theatre was filled with an eerie aura. The chemistry between John Blondel portrayed by Will Barton and the storyteller portrayed by Alex Phelps was impeccable. From every shared line and moment they bounced off each other setting the bar higher and higher for the energy and intensity of the performance as the stories grew scarier and closer to home leading up to the shocking twist at the end. Easter eggs are laid throughout this play to hint to the audience of what’s to come later on, it’s not until the end of the play where we finally look back at those odditties and little details that we realise the answer to the mystery was under our noses the entire time.

The air was thick with an eerie tension. Clever lighting and incredible acting made such a simple set and small cast feel like a million dollar hollywood film. It was the lighting that made this show so special. Blackouts on stage leading to jump scares and ghostly figures appearing, really added to the sinister feeling that was already on stage. Alex Phelps whole heartedly captured the audience in his fist and had everyone hanging off every last word. It is something about our human nature when we hear the beginning of an unsettling story, you don’t know it has you in its grasp before it’s too late and your choking on the rising tension in the air.

A shocking twist was really the cherry on the top of this ghostly play. I think it is safe to say that everyone left the show that night, with their phone brightness a little louder, happier music in their earphones on the tube home and a longing sense of looking over their shoulder for ghostly figures. The storytelling and writing of this play was similar to that of the Netflix series The Haunting of Bly Manor: sinister, captivating and immersive. Be careful not to burn your marshmallows when listening to these campfire stories, and be sure to turn an extra light on when you leave this show, you never know what might be hiding around the corner when darkness falls…

CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR

LONE FLYER – THE LAST FLIGHT OF AMY JOHNSON

LOUISE WILLOUGHBY AND BENEDICT SALTER TO STAR AS SHOW RETURNS TO THE WATERMILL THEATRE

FRIDAY 10 – SATURDAY 25 SEPTEMBER

PRESS NIGHT MONDAY 13 SEPTEMBER

BOOK ONLINE AT WATERMILL.ORG.UK OR VIA THE BOX OFFICE ON 01635 46044

LONE FLYER, a powerful drama by Ade Morris about one of Britain’s greatest female pilots, will return to The Watermill, from Friday 10 – Saturday 25 September, with a press night on Monday 13 September. Hull born actress Louise Willoughby will join the production to star as ‘Amy Johnson’ and Benedict Salter (whose previous Watermill credits include The Importance of Being Earnest and A Little Night Music) will reprise his original role, supporting her playing a series of other male parts.

“It’s not a bit like a car or a boat you know, it’s like a bird, it’s the most magical feeling I’ve ever had.”

May 1930. Amy Johnson has a dream, but just how far will her dream take her?

As the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia, Amy’s career reached new heights, but the outbreak of the Second World War changed everything, and she finds herself facing her greatest challenge yet. Driven by the need to escape from one life to another, follow Amy’s journey from humble beginnings to become one of Britain’s most influential female aviators.

Since its forced closure at The Watermill in November 2020 due to the autumn lockdown, it played at the Jermyn Street Theatre as part of their Footprints Festival, achieving 5 Off West End Nominations for Best Production, Sound Design, Director, Leading Performance and Supporting Performance. Lone Flyer is co-produced with Hull Truck Theatre and will be playing in Amy Johnson’s home city of Hull from 7 – 31 October. Directed by Watermill Associate Lucy Betts, Ade Morris’ powerful play about one of the most inspirational women of the twentieth century returned to the Watermill in 2020 in a new production, having been first staged at the Watermill in 2001.

For audience members who would feel more comfortable to attend a performance with more space between themselves and other audience members there will be two socially distanced performances each week during the run of LONE FLYER.

Louise Willoughby said, “I can’t wait to get started on rehearsals and be back in a room with a creative team after it’s been such a difficult time for our industry. Being from Hull, I grew up learning about Amy’s story – I actually played her in a scene in a small community play when I was about 15! I don’t think there’s a single person from Hull who hasn’t heard of Amy Johnson, how she defied all expectations with her determination, knowing what she wanted to do, and finding a way to do it. I think women today have a lot to thank her for. I’m honoured to be playing Amy and I can’t wait to tell her story.”

Born and bred in Hull, Louise Willoughby attended the Northern Theatre Company from a young age before training at LSMT graduating in 2009 with Distinction.

Theatre credits include: Prince Charming’s Christmas Cracker (Hull Truck); No Horizon (UK Tour); Little Women (ERT); Mortar (Theatre Uncut); The Lightless Pumpkin (ERT); Les Miserables (Grange Park Opera); Grease (RCCL); Baby (Baron’s Court); Hope (Bridewell Theatre); As You Like It (LSMT); Top Girls (LSMT)

Screen credits include: Rabbit; Day Street; B-Negative; The Broken Teeth of Lions; Alfie’s Story; Pieces and Commercials for Sainsbury’s Christmas 2020; Your Local Services and HSamuel. 

Benedict Salter trained at LAMDA.

Previous Watermill credits include: Lone Flyer (2020); The Importance of Being Earnest (2019)and A Little Night Music (2017).

Previous theatre credits include: Lone Flyer (Jermyn Street Theatre); A Christmas Carol (Derby Theatre); Vespertilio (VAULT Festival and Dublin Fringe); Lady Windermere’s Fan (West End); The Last Days of Anne Boleyn (Tower of London); An Inspector Calls (West End); Shakespeare in Music (RSC/Southbank Sinfonia).

Whilst training at LAMDA credits include: Hjalmar Ekdal in The Wild Duck; David in Mydidae; and Duke Solinus & Doctor Pinch in The Comedy of Errors.

Benedict was also a BBC Carleton Hobbs Bursary Award finalist in 2016.

Lone Flyer is directed by Lucy Betts, with design by Isobel Nicolson, lighting design by Harry Armytage and sound design by Justin Teasdale. Original Sound Design is by Thom Townsend and Jamie Kubisch-Wiles. The stage management team consists of Emily Stedman (rehearsal DSM), Georgia Dacey (DSM), and Natalie Toney (ASM). The Sign Integrated Performer is Lixi Chivas.

CHANNING TATUM’S

MAGIC MIKE LIVE IN LONDON

EXTENDS BOOKING PERIOD AT

AT THE HIPPODROME CASINO

TICKETS FOR NEW BOOKING PERIOD

ON SALE 12.00 NOON TODAY

Channing Tatum and his co-producers are delighted to announce a new booking period for Magic Mike Live, at The Theatre at the Hippodrome Casino in London. Patrons will be able to book performances through to Sunday 26 June 2022. Tickets for the new booking period are on sale at 12noon today.

As a thank you to our NHS and Care Workers who have worked tirelessly since the start of the pandemic, Magic Mike Live will be offering a free bottle of prosecco when NHS staff book their tickets. Once they have booked, workers will need to email [email protected] with their NHS ID and quote ‘Care Worker Prosecco’ in the email subject line. This offer will be available when purchasing tickets at any price and for all performances until 29 December 2021, subject to availability.

The cast for the revamped production of Magic Mike Live in London includes Daniel Blessing, Courtenay Brady, Jake Brewer, Harry Carter, Ellie Clayton, Hannah Cleeve, Matt Jordan, Charlie Knight, Mark Lace, Sophie Linder-Lee, Jack Manley, David Morgan, Theophillus ‘Godson’ Oloyade, Ross Sands, Josie Scamell, Manny Tsakanika and Aaron Witter.

Magic Mike Live currently features new songs and new dance sequences in a Covid-safe environment. New VIP packages are also available at the time of booking that allow guests to extend their stay and take advantage of everything the Hippodrome Casino has to offer.

Conceived and co-directed by Channing Tatum, Magic Mike Live, which has already wowed over 200,000 people in London alone and almost 750,000 worldwide, is a large-scale, live production show based on the hit films Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL, which opened at The Theatre at the Hippodrome Casino in London’s Leicester Square in November 2018. Magic Mike Live has inspired a new television series on HBO Max, The Real Magic Mike, currently being filmed.

From the bespoke entrance off Cranbourn Street, to the specially curated lounge and bar experience, to the cast of world-class performers, Magic Mike Live is a complete evening of unparalleled entertainment for guests aged 18 and up. Audience members enter Magic Mike’s mythical club and marvel as a group of extraordinary artists from around the world perform a 360-degree dance and acrobatic spectacular in front of, behind, and above them. Sexy dance routines intertwined with one-of-a-kind acts, are presented by a diverse cast of performers from around the world.

Magic Mike Live in London is co-directed by Channing Tatum and Alison Faulk, with Luke Broadlick as associate director, and choreography by Alison Faulk, Teresa Espinosa and Luke Broadlick. The Executive Producer is Vincent Marini with General Management by David Ian Productions. The production designer is Rachel O’Toole, with scenic design by Rob Bissinger and Anita LaScala (Arda Studio), costume design by Marina Toybina, lighting design by Philip Gladwell and video design by Luke Halls. Musical supervisor is Jack Rayner, with sound design by Nick Kourtides. Dreya Weber is aerial choreographer & aerial apparatus designer.

Magic Mike Live has become an international sensation since opening in Las Vegas in April 2017. In addition to breaking box office records and performing to sold-out audiences in Las Vegas and London, the show premiered in Berlin in 2020 and the Australia national tour opened in Sydney in December 2020.

Magic Mike Live is produced in London by Channing Tatum, Reid Carolin, Greg Jacobs, Peter Kiernan, Steven Soderbergh, Nick Wechsler and United Talent Agency in association with Warner Bros., Vincent Marini, The Hippodrome Casino, Bruce Robert Harris and Jack W. Batman, TSG Entertainment & Ashley DeSimone, Richard Winkler and The Creative House