PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE KENNETH BRANAGH THEATRE COMPANY AND FIERY ANGEL
Due to an increasing number of Covid-enforced absences, the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company / Fiery Angel Production of The Browning Version at Riverside Studios has had to be cancelled.
Despite all company members observing strict Covid protocols, multiple company members have been robbed of more than two thirds of the limited rehearsal time. Some isolating, some actually unwell.
The first run through was conducted with only four of the seven cast members able or allowed to perform. With a short run impossible to extend due to limited cast availability, delay is impractical. Therefore the very difficult decision to cancel has been made.
We have been so grateful for the public support for this production, and we are very sorry to have to make this decision. If you booked directly with Riverside Studios you will be automatically refunded. The box office team will begin processing refunds first thing in the morning. If you booked via a ticket agent or third party they will contact you to arrange a refund.
RADA, for whom the production was dedicated to raising funds, will receive instead a donation from the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company.
We are deeply disappointed by this outcome, and hope very much to return to the magnificent Riverside Studios, and its loyal audiences, when circumstances allow.
These Hills Are Ours is tells the story of two men wanting to run away from it all. Daniel Bye and Boff Whalley (Known as a founding member of Chumbawamba) decided to escape the city where-ever they were and run to the peak of whichever city they found themselves in. They even invite the audience to join them on one of these runs the morning after the show which is a nice touch and is benefited by the intimate audience which is a result of Covid-19. The audience can participate and answer questions if they wish but this is kept to a minimum and should you prefer to sit back and enjoy the show you can do so with ease.
We learn about the history of our rights to roam the countryside, beginning with the Kinder Scout Mass Trespass in 1932, which lead the way for the public being able to run and walk freely across the countryside. The inclusion of these important parts of history helps us see how privileged we now are to have access to some of these beautiful places and helps us understand the passion they both have for running and why it is important for people to take advantage of the rights which were fought for so many years ago to get out and see the country we live in.
Boff breaks up the stories with meaningful and relevant lyrics which also helps you understand and see what running means to them. Dan was excellent at painting a picture with words. Describing his attempt at an almost 90 mile run in detail including both the triumphs and turmoil of that experience.
FIRST LOOK: Footage of the Cast of JERSEY BOYS in Rehearsals
Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning smash hit musical JERSEY BOYS. The musical will open at the new multi-million pound reinstated Trafalgar Theatre on 10 August 2021, following previews from 28 July.
The cast is led by Ben Joyce as Frankie Valli, Adam Bailey as Bob Gaudio, Benjamin Yates as Tommy De Vito and Karl James Wilson as Nick Massi. JERSEY BOYS is the remarkable true story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and their rise to stardom from the wrong side of the tracks. The show is packed with hits, including Beggin’, Sherry, Walk Like A Man, December, 1963 (Oh What a Night), Big Girls Don’t Cry, My Eyes Adored You, Let’s Hang On (To What We’ve Got), Bye Bye Baby, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Working My Way Back to You, Fallen Angel, Rag Doll and Who Loves You.
JERSEY BOYS is written by Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe.
The production will be staged by the original Broadway creative team, led by the Tony Award-winning team of director Des McAnuff and choreographer Sergio Trujillo. It is produced in London by the Dodgers and Trafalgar Theatre Productions, with BB Investments, Kevin Kinsella, Pelican Group in association with Latitude Link and Eilene Davidson Productions.
Based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the original Walt Disney film, Cameron Mackintosh and Disney are delighted to announce casting for their Olivier award-winning production of Mary Poppins which resumes performances at the Prince Edward Theatre from 7 August 2021.
Joining the previously announced Zizi Strallen as Mary Poppins and Charlie Stemp as Bert are Charlie Anson as George Banks, Amy Griffiths as Winifred Banks, Petula Clark as Bird Woman, Liz Robertson as Miss Andrew, Claire Machin as Mrs Brill, Jack North as Robertson Ay and Paul F. Monaghan as Admiral Boom and Bank Chairman.
Katie Cox, Rose Dawson, Megan Donovan, Megan Judge,Ellie Kit Jones and Maddison Thew will alternate the role of Jane Banks with Logan Clark, George Hamblin, Charlie Irwin, Charlie Murphy, Frankie Treadaway and Fred Wilcox alternating the role ofMichael Banks.
The ensemble comprises Yves Adang,Angeline Bell, Lydia Boulton, Alison Connell, Adam Davidson, Danielle Delys, Joseph Dockree, Charlie Donnelly, Stan Doughty, Glen Facey, Davide Fienauri, Harry Francis, Lyndsey Gardiner, Ian Gareth-Jones, Maria Garrett, Mark Goldthorp, Jacqueline Hughes, Emma Hunter, Jason Kajdi, Sam Lathwood, Jordan Livesey,Tania Mathurin, Laura Medforth, Alex Pinder, Ben Redfern, Clare Rickard, Lucie-Mae Sumner, Scott Waugh and Monique Young.
The magical story of the world’s favourite Nanny arriving on Cherry Tree Lane has been triumphantly and spectacularly brought to the stage with dazzling choreography, incredible effects and unforgettable songs. The stage version of Mary Poppins, brilliantly adapted from the wonderful stories by PL Travers and the original beloved Walt Disney film, continues to be a smash hit around the world since its opening in London 17 years ago.
Zizi Strallen’s previous theatre credits include Strictly Ballroom The Musical at the Piccadilly Theatre, Follies at the National Theatre, Mary Poppins on tour in the UK, Ireland and in Dubai, Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man and Cinderella at Sadler’s Wells and on tour, Cats and Scrooge at the London Palladium, Hairspray and Chicago at Leicester Curve, Merrily We Roll Along at the Harold Pinter Theatre, Rock of Ages at the Shaftesbury Theatre and The Music Man for Chichester Festival Theatre. Her film credits include Cats and Cinderella.
Award-winning Charlie Stemp was previously seen in his critically-acclaimed performance as Arthur Kipps in Half a Sixpence at the Nöel Coward Theatre, a role he first performed at Chichester; and in his Broadway debut as Barnaby Tucker opposite Bette Midler and Bernadette Peters in Hello, Dolly!. At the London Palladium, he has starred in Dick Whittington, Snow White, and Pantoland at the Palladium; as well as in Lloyd George Knew My Father in Windsor, the UK tour of Rough Crossing, the international tour of Mamma Mia! and Wicked at the Apollo Victoria.
Petula Clark by Pip
Petula Clark became a star in the UK at nine years old singingfor the troops stationed in England during World War II. Many years later she moved to France and soon became a European star recording in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish. While still living in Paris, English songwriter Tony Hatch presented her with his new composition, Downtown, which became a worldwide hit and led to a string of top ten records, winning her two Grammy awards and making her an international star. She later met with Charlie Chaplin who penned one of her further major hits This Is My Song. She has performed in her own TV shows in the UK, the US and France and has starred in the iconic films Finian’s Rainbow with Fred Astaire and Goodbye Mr. Chips with Peter O’Toole. Her recent releases are A Valentine’s Day Concert at the Royal Albert Hall, Starting All Over Again and New Flag as well as the Mary Poppins Cast Album. She has been seen on stage in West End and on Broadway, as well as in a triumphant US tour. During her extensive career spanning eight decades she sold over 70 million records. Clark was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1998 and was installed as a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres on France in 2012.
Charlie Anson’s theatre credits include A Room with a View and Portrait of a Lady both at the Theatre Royal Bath, American Psycho at the Almeida, Arcadia at the Manchester Library Theatre and the Lowry, Pains of Youth at the Belgrade Theatre, The Triumph of Love at the Manchester Royal Exchange and Richard II at the Old Vic. His television credits include The Long Call, Goldie’s Oldies, Get Even, The Mallorca Files, The Rook, London Kills, Riviera, Collateral, Reg, X Company, Downton Abbey, Peaky Blinders, Doctor Who, Any Human Heart and The Borgias. His film credits include Death on the Nile, Misbehaviour, The Little Stranger, Pride & Prejudice & Zombies and Tarzan.
Amy Griffiths’ theatre credits include The Twilight Zone at the Almeida, Once in a Lifetime at the Young Vic, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for West Yorkshire Playhouse, Everyman, An Oak Tree, Medea and The Magistrate for the National Theatre, Stephen Ward at the Aldwych Theatre, The Pajama Game for Chichester Festival Theatre, Crazy for You at the Novello and Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Into the Woods also for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and Singin’ in the Rain and The Producers both on UK tour. Her film credits include Nocturnal, The Princess Switch, London Road and Les Misérables.Her television credits include The Accident, Spotless and The Trials of Jimmy Rose.
Liz Robertson is an Olivier Award nominated West End and Broadway star. She made her West End debut in A Little Night Music, directed by Hal Prince, followed by Cameron Mackintosh’s first international hit Side By Side By Sondheim which she subsequently took to Toronto. Robertson was then chosen by Mackintosh to star as Eliza Doolittle in his revival of the iconic musical My Fair Lady, for which she received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical, and a Variety Club of Great Britain Award. Her other London credits include I Love My Wife, Song and Dance, The Music Man, The Sound of Music and Phantom of the Opera. She created the role of Madame Giry in the world premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies, played Velma Von Tussle in the hit musical Hairspray at the Shaftesbury Theatre, and was most recently seen as Cheryl Gillan in Committee at the Donmar Warehouse. In America, Robertson could be seen on Broadway in Dance a Little Closer and Jerome Kern Goes to Hollywood (which she originated at the Donmar Warehouse), and the US Tour of The King and I alongside Rudolph Nureyev. She has also performed at the Kennedy Centre Honors before President and Mrs Reagan. She has made many concert and cabaret appearances on both sides of the Atlantic and could recently be seen guest starring as Frances in two episodes of the ABC/20th Century Fox US TV series Speechless.
Claire Machin’s theatre credits include Amour at the Charing Cross Theatre, Flowers for Mrs Harris for Chichester Festival Theatre, Titanic for Charing Cross Theatre and on UK tour, Mamma Mia! at the Limassol Pattihio Municipal Theatre, The Girls at the Phoenix Theatre, Made in Dagenham at the Queen’s Theatre, Memphis at the Shaftesbury Theatre, The Pajama Game for Chichester Festival Theatre and the Shaftesbury Theatre, Betty Blue Eyes at the Novello Theatre, Oliver! at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Salad Days at the Riverside Studio, First Lady Suite at the Union Theatre, High School Musical at the Churchill Theatre and on UK tour and Les Misérablesat the Palace Theatre. Her television credits include Vanity Fair and film credits include Les Misérables.
Jack North’s previous theatre credits include Guys and Dolls at Theatre Marigny, West Side Story for the BBC Proms, The Country Wife, Gypsy and Barnum for Chichester Festival Theatre, Pinocchio for the National Theatre, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre, Sweeney Todd for English National Opera, Peter Pan in Concert at the Adelphi Theatre, Bernstein Prom for the BBC, Kings of Broadway at the Palace Theatre, Kiss Me Kate at the Royal Albert Hall, 42nd Street at the London Palladium and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at Kensington Gardens. His television credits include Chasing Shadows and the BBC Proms and on film, Breathe.
Paul F Monaghan’s previous theatre credits include The Bridges of Madison County for the Menier Chocolate Factory, Man of La Mancha at the London Coliseum, La Cage Aux Folles on UK tour, Cats at the London Palladium and on international tour, A Man of No Importance at the Union/Arts Theatre, Fame on tour in Ireland, Les Misérables at the Palace Theatre, on UK tour and 10th Anniversary Concert, Sweeney Todd at NCH Dublin, The Phantom of the Opera at the Opera House Manchester, Playhouse Theatre Edinburgh and 25th Anniversary Concert, Jesus Christ Superstar at the Olympia Theatre Dublin, Cameron Mackintosh: A Tribute for the Summer Proms RTE and Les Misérables in Concert on tour. His television credits include The Late Late Show and Make Mine Music and on film, Les Misérables and Mary Queen of Scots.
Mary Poppins was the winner of Best Musical Revival at the 2020 Whatsonstage Awards and Best Set Design and Best Theatre Choreographer awards at the 2020 Olivier Awards.
The original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman include the classic songs Jolly Holiday, Step in Time, Feed the Birds and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. New songs and additional music are by the Olivier award-winning British team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.
Book is by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter and Downton Abbey creator, Julian Fellowes and this production is co-created by Cameron Mackintosh. The producer for Disney Theatrical Productions is Thomas Schumacher.
This production of Mary Poppins has orchestrations by William David Brohn with dance and vocal arrangements by George Stiles. Sound design is by Paul Gatehouse and lighting is by Hugh Vanstone and Natasha Katz. Co-choreography is by Stephen Mear. The reimagined set and costume designs are by Bob Crowley. Co-direction and choreography is by Matthew Bourne and direction by Richard Eyre.
The stage production of Mary Poppins originally opened in the West End in December 2004, running for over 1,250 performances. During this time, the production won two Olivier Awards and an Evening Standard Award. Subsequently the Tony Award®-winning Broadway production ran for over six years.
Obtaining Government backed contingency insurance to protect against further unscheduled closures remains a priority. All plans for the re-opening of Mary Poppins are in accordance with the Government’s latest directives and therefore subject to change.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Theatre: Prince Edward Theatre, Old Compton St, Soho, London W1D 4HS
Dates: Now booking to 13 February 2022
Prices: Tickets from £20, no booking fee applies
Reduced ticket prices for family performances, check website for details
NATIONAL THEATRE ON SALE: JULY 2021 – JANUARY 2022
Tickets go on sale for The Normal Heart, Hex, East is East and Manor
Dino Fetscher is cast as Felix in Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart alongside Ben Daniels as Ned Weeks and Liz Carr as Dr. Emma Brookner
Rosalie Craig, Tamsin Carroll, Kat Ronney and Michael Elcock lead the company of Hex, a new musical by Rufus Norris, Tanya Ronder and Jim Fortune
The Lyttelton theatre reopens for live performances with Ayub Khan Din’s East is East a co-production with Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Shaun Evans joins the cast of Manor, alongside previously announced Nancy Carroll, in Moira Buffini’s dark new comedy
The National Theatre will return to performances with full capacity audiences from later this month. Additional seating will now be available for performances of After Life from 27 July alongside the previously-announced productions Rockets and Blue Lights in the Dorfman theatre and Paradise in the Olivier theatre, with extra tickets going on sale to the public from Monday 19 July.
Tickets for The Normal Heart, East is East, Manor and Hex on sale to the public from Friday 30 July.
Opening in the Olivier on 23 September is Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart, in a co-production with Fictionhouse. Directed by NT Associate Dominic Cooke, Kramer’s largely autobiographical play about the AIDS crisis in 1980 New York has not been performed professionally in London since its European premiere in 1986.
Ben Daniels will perform the role of Ned Weeks, the co-founder of an AIDS advocacy group fighting to change the world around him, with Dino Fetscher as Felix, and Richard Cant joining the previously announced Robert Bowman, Liz Carr, Daniel Krikler, Daniel Monks, Elander Moore, Luke Norris, Henry Nott, Freddie Stabb and Danny Lee Wynter.
Set design is by Vicki Mortimer, costume design by Lisa Duncan, lighting design by Paule Constable, sound design by Carolyn Downing and fight direction by Bret Yount. Production supported by the Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater.
In December National Theatre Director Rufus Norris directs Hex, a new musical that goes beyond the kiss that woke the Sleeping Beauty and tells the fairy’s tale, with book by Tanya Ronder, music by Jim Fortune and lyrics by Rufus Norris. Based on the 17th-century folk-tale, this darkly thrilling new version also reunites director Rufus Norris with set and costume designer Katrina Lindsay following their 2002 critically acclaimed adaptation of Sleeping Beauty, from which Hex is adapted.
Rosalie Craig, Tamsin Carroll, Kat Ronney and Michael Elcock lead the company, alongside Esme Bacalla-Hayes, Madeline Charlemagne, Tamsin Dowsett, Eleanor Kane and Daisy Maywood.
Orchestrations by Simon Hale, music supervision by Marc Tritschler, music direction by Tarek Merchant, lighting design by Paul Anderson, choreography by Jade Hackett with consultant choreography by Bill Deamer and sound design by Simon Baker. The development of new music theatre is supported by the Genesis Foundation through the Genesis Music Theatre Programme.
Reopening the Lyttleton Theatre on 7 October is the Birmingham Repertory Theatre production of East Is East, by Ayub Khan Din, directed by Iqbal Khan with set design by Bretta Gerecke and costume design by Susan Kulkarni. Set in 1970s Salford, East Is East follows the lives of the Khan children and their battle between the traditional values of their Pakistani father and their own desire to be citizens of modern Britain.
Since its premiere at The Rep in 1996, in a co-production with Tamasha and the Royal Court, East Is East has sold out three London runs, been adapted into a BAFTA Award-winning film and become a modern classic of comic-drama. The production is performed at Birmingham Repertory Theatre in September, transferring to the National Theatre in October before being performed at Chichester Festival Theatre in November.
Following East is East, Manor, a timely new play by Moira Buffini, directed by Fiona Buffini, will open on 16 November in the Lyttelton theatre. This darkly comic piece sees Nancy Carroll play the owner of a rundown manor house, which shelters an explosive mix of people during a storm including Ted Farrier, a charismatic leader of a far-right organisation, played by Shaun Evans. The company will also include Effie Ansah, Michele Austin, Helen Barford, Chris Barritt, Mat Betteridge, Sophie Bradley, Peter Bray, Sophie Cartman, Gillian Dean, Liadán Dunlea, Amy Forrest, Lewis Griffin, David Hargreaves, Edward Judge, Owen McDonnell and Shaniqua Okwok.
Set and costume design by Lez Brotherston, lighting design by Jon Clark, composition and sound design by Jon Nicholls, video design by Nina Dunn, fight direction by Kate Waters.
Full details on audience safety measures at the theatre can be found on the NT website here.
We are grateful to the Garfield Weston Foundation who are supporting the National Theatre through the Weston Culture Fund.
The reopening of the Olivier theatre is generously supported by Areté Foundation / Betsy & Ed Cohen.
THE OSMONDS: A New Musicalwill receive its world premiere at Leicester’s Curve on 3 February 2022, as part of a UK & Ireland Tour, which will run through to 3 December 2022. THE OSMONDS: A New Musicalwith story by Jay Osmond tells the true story of the five brothers from Utah who were pushed into the spotlight as children and went on to create smash hits, decade after decade.
From their star residency on The Andy Williams Show from 1962 to 1969, to pop stars and ‘Osmondmania’ from 1971 to 1975, to the arrival of The Donny & Marie Show, a popular variety TV show, from 1976 to 1979, The Osmonds lived a remarkable life recording chart-topping albums, selling out vast arena concerts and making record-breaking TV shows – until one bad decision cost them everything.
Jay Osmond said, “I’ve wanted to tell my story for such a long time and the opportunity to create this beautiful musical, a sort of ‘living autobiography’, seemed the perfect way to do so. I spent my whole life performing live – on stage, on TV specials, in arenas – so the buzz of live theatre felt like the perfect place for me. There were some difficult times in my life, and some big hurdles to overcome, and this musical will tell people things that will surprise them… but despite that trouble, when you look back and think of the fans, the music, the once in a lifetime things we did – it’s joyful. I guess I want to do this now to try to spread a little bit of that joy. I’ll know I’ve done a good job telling this story if I stand at the back of the theatre and see people waving their arms in the air, singing along and dancing in the aisles. I just want people to be enjoying themselves. I guess that is in the Osmonds’ DNA.”
(Photo by PL Gould/IMAGES/Getty Images)
The musical features a list of 1970s anthems, including One Bad Apple, Down by the Lazy River, Crazy Horses, Let Me In, Love Me for a Reason, (We’re) Having a Party, Puppy Love, Long Haired Lover From Liverpool, Paper Roses and many more.
The Osmonds have sold over 100 million records worldwide and won 59 Gold & Platinum awards, and now Jay Osmond pulls back the curtain to reveal the real family behind all these hits: parents George and Olive Osmond and their nine children, Virl, Tom, Alan, Wayne, Merrill, Jay, Donny, Marie and Jimmy.
THE OSMONDS: A New Musicalhas a story By Jay Osmond and book by Julian Bigg and Shaun Kerrison, and will be directed by Shaun Kerrison, with choreography and musical staging by Bill Deamer.
Full casting is to be announced.
The World Premiere of THE OSMONDS: A New Musical is produced by Royo in partnership with Twins Entertainment, with Vicky Nojesproduktion, Krall Entertainment, Aria Entertainment and Guy James Theatrical.
BOOK, MUSIC & LYRICS BY LAURENCE O’KEEFE & KEVIN MURPHY
DIRECTED BY ANDY FICKMAN
WINNER OF BEST NEW MUSICAL – WHATSONSTAGE AWARDS 2019
Heathers the Musical (WhatsOnStage 2019 award for Best New Musical) launches its Number 1. touring production from 5 August 2021, opening at Leeds Grand Theatre, before spreading corn nuts throughout the UK and Ireland.
Produced by Bill Kenwright and Paul Taylor-Mills, this high-octane black-comedy rock musical, based on one of the greatest cult teen films of all time, starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, is back with a bang!
Heathers the Musical will open in Leeds and visit cities throughout the UK and Ireland, including Liverpool, Nottingham, Newcastle, Sheffield, Birmingham, Canterbury, Manchester, Belfast, Dublin, Brighton, Wimbledon, Bristol, Milton Keynes, High Wycombe, Cardiff and Edinburgh. Further dates, venues and on-sale details will follow shortly.
The 2021 touring Class of Westerberg High includes Rebecca Wickes (Veronica Sawyer), Simon Gordon (JD), Maddison Firth (Heather Chandler), Merryl Ansah (Heather Duke), Lizzy Parker (Heather McNamara), Georgina Hagen (Ms. Fleming/Veronica’s Mom), Mhairi Angus (Martha Dunnstock), Liam Doyle (Kurt Kelly),Rory Phelan (Ram Sweeney), Andy Brady (Kurt’s Dad/Veronica’s Dad/Principle Gowan) and Kurt Kansley(Ram’s Dad/Big Bud Dean/Coach Ripper). Completing the cast in the ensemble is Callum Connolly, Rhiane Drummond, Bayley Hart, Benjamin Karren, Sam Stones, May Tether and Daisy Twells.
Westerberg High’s Veronica Sawyer is just another nobody dreaming of a better day. But when she joins the beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams of popularity may finally come true. Mysterious teen rebel JD teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it is murder being a somebody.
The award-winning writing team, Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy’s hit musical adaptation enjoyed successful runs in Los Angeles and New York; the UK productions are directed by acclaimed its original off-Broadway director, Andy Fickman. Choreography is by Thriller Live’s Gary Lloyd, design by David Shields, lighting by Ben Cracknell and sound by Dan Samson.
Heathers the Musical previously enjoyed two record-breaking seasons, launching at London’s The Other Palace and transferring to the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 2018.
In conjunction and running in parallel to the touring production, the hit show has also made its return to the West End’s Theatre Royal Haymarket for a strictly limited 12-week run, running until 11 September 2021.
LISTINGS
Bill Kenwright & Paul Taylor-Mills present
HEATHERS THE MUSICAL
UK & IRELAND TOUR
Opening 5 August 2021
Book, Music & Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe & Kevin Murphy
Directed by Andy Fickman
Associate Director and Choreography by Gary Lloyd
Design by David Shields
Lighting by Ben Cracknell
Sound by Dan Samson
Running Time: Approx. 2 hours 30 minutes including interval
Calling all #CornNuts – Be the first to hear the latest Heathersthe Musical gossip and further details on dates, venues and on-sales by following us on the following:
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TOUR DATES
Leeds Grand Theatre leedsheritagetheatres.com
05 August – 14 August 2021 0113 243 0808
Liverpool Empire Theatre www.atgtickets.com/liverpool
Streamed live on stage from the New Wolsey Theatre in a single camera take
on Friday 27 August at 7.30pm
Emily Head(The Inbetweeners, Emmerdale, The Syndicate) will star in the world premiere of her self-penned sharp psychological thriller, THE SYSTEM, streamed live on stage in a single camera take at the New Wolsey Theatre on Friday 27 August 2021 at 7.30pm (BST). This production is one of Original Theatre Company‘s most ambitious and exciting undertakings yet.
‘He’s dead. He died. Now he’s a dead person. He no longer lives.’ Paul’s dead. And no one seems to care. Murdered at his own birthday party.
In this incisive drama, the audience is invited into the interrogation room with the murder suspects. As, one by one, the murder suspects give their accounts of that night, a dark truth begins to reveal itself. A truth so powerful it could change everything… and everyone.
THE SYSTEMwill push at the boundaries of what can be achieved in a theatre live broadcast as it will be filmed in one of the longest steadi-cam shots ever attempted. It promises an exciting feat of endurance, skill and synchronicity between the camera and performer.
The production is written and performed by Emily Head and directed by Guy Unsworth with camera work by Ben Eeley and design by David Woodhead.
Emily Head said: “As both a writer and performer, the world of digital theatre is really fresh and exciting. What Guy Unsworth and the Original Theatre Company have done to take this production to the next level of an ‘at home theatre experience’ is extraordinary. It is truly a new way to enjoy live performance, and I’m delighted that my play, THE SYSTEM, is a part of it. By filming it in the way that we are, audiences will be able to watch the play in a way that is unique to the theatre-film genre, while still maintaining the thrill of watching theatre live.”
Guy Unsworth, Director, said: “Emily‘s impressive career spans both stage and screen, so it is both fitting and exciting to bring her writing debut to life in a combined theatre-film format. The Original Theatre Company have been pioneers of the digital theatre medium over the last 18 months and THE SYSTEM will be an ambitious step further into exploring how we capture live theatricality for an on-screen experience.”
Alastair Whatley, Artistic Director of Original Theatre Company, said: “THE SYSTEM is a fantastic new play which is being made in a unique, daring and high-risk way. It continues our work exploring the outer edges of what can be described as digital theatre in the hope of finding a new way of allowing audiences to experience the thrill of live performance from the comfort of home.”
The live stream will be followed by a Q&A with Emily Head.
Tickets: Super Early Bird – £10 booked by 2 Aug / Early Bird – £12.50 booked by 16 Aug / Standard – £15; Supporter tickets – £40 includes a digital programme and a credit on the final film; Premium tickets – £100 includes a signed script, digital programme and a credit on the final film. Subtitles: the show will be captioned live. See the booking page for trigger warnings (this does contain spoilers). Age guidance: 14+. Running time: 60 mins. This show is performed and streamed LIVE, not pre-recorded.
The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown’s blockbuster novel that captivated the world, is to become an epic stage thriller. It will make its World Premiere on a UK Tour in 2022, opening at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley on Monday 10 January 2022, and touring throughout the year.
The curator of the Louvre has been brutally murdered, and alongside his body are a series of baffling codes. Follow the pulse-racing journey as Professor Robert Langdon and fellow cryptologist Sophie Neveu attempt to solve the riddles, leading to the works of Leonardo Da Vinci and beyond, deep into the vault of history. In a breathless race through the streets of Europe, Langdon and Neveu must decipher the labyrinthine code before a shocking historical secret is lost forever.
Based on the best-selling novel of this century, with over 100 million copies sold, unlock the secrets of The Da Vinci Code in the world premiere stage adaptation of the international phenomenon and uncover the truth in the greatest thriller of the past 2,000 years.
Dan Brown said: “I am thrilled that The Da Vinci Code is being adapted for the stage, and excited to see the unique potential of live theatre enhance this story. The team making the production has been faithful to the book, but will also bring something new for the audience, in what is certain to be a gripping, fast-paced stage thriller and a thoroughly entertaining show.”
The Da Vinci Code is adapted for the stage by Rachel Wagstaff (Flowers For Mrs Harris, Birdsong) and Duncan Abel (The Girl on the Train), and will be directed by Luke Sheppard, who most recently directed the acclaimed new West End musical, & Juliet.
Luke Sheppard said: “Cracking The Da Vinci Code open for the stage reveals an epic thriller steeped in theatrical potential, rich in suspense and surprising at every turn. Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel’s brilliant adaptation leaps off the page and demands us to push the limits of our imagination, creating a production that champions dynamic theatrical storytelling and places the audience up close in the heat of this gripping mystery.”
The Big Tiny, The Lawrence Batley Theatre Huddersfield and The Dukes Lancasterpresent:
The Perfect Summer Escape: Interactive Theatrical Experience For Families And Children
CHARLOTTE HOLMES: TOP SECRET
AVALABLE NOW: WWW.THEBIGTINY.CO.UK/SHOP | £30
Returning with a brand-new adventure for families this summer, Charlotte Holmes: TOP SECRET is an interactive theatrical experience created by theatre producers The Big Tiny in association with the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield and Lancaster’s treasured arts venue The Dukes. Unfolding over seven fun-filled days, Charlotte Holmes: TOP SECRET is packed with games, recorded performances from actors, activities, mysteries, clues, puzzles and online content.
An escape for young adventurers and adults alike, Charlotte Holmes: TOP SECRET has been developed out of a need for creative activities for young people whose summer holidays are once again uncertain due to ongoing disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a perfect artistic and educational gift to get children out and about during the holidays, with 10+ hours of play time, offering an alternative to summer schools.
Following the success of last year’s Charlotte Holmes: Adventure Box described as “ingeniously designed” (The Guardian) and “imaginative… engrossing and instructive multidimensional entertainment” (The Express), this is the second experience in the Charlotte Holmes series and has been developed for slightly older children aged 9-13 years.
The first experience followed the story of a young girl evacuated to Yorkshire during World War II. Set in 1940, Charlotte Holmes: TOP SECRET picks up from where we left off as Batley Hall has been turned into a military hospital run by a stern matron and ferocious Major.
The world is in peril when a ‘Top Secret’ military asset is stolen from Batley Hall. Charlotte is fed up of being told off all the time, but when a German spy breaks into the estate and steals a Top Secret military asset and the whole site is locked down, it is up to Charlotte to piece together the clues, unmask the villain and save the war effort. From map making and orienteering to gardening and code cracking, help Charlotte navigate a world of undercover spies, secret codes and military intelligence to piece together the clues and solve the mysteries once and for all.
Henry Filloux-Bennett, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the Lawrence Batley Theatre comments, ” We are thrilled to be working once again alongside our friends at The Big Tiny and the Dukes in Lancaster. Charlotte Holmes builds on the success of our digital programme which has now reached over 20,000 views through our ticketed online plays and free platform LBTV – allowing us to reach new audiences by keeping young people and their families entertained and educated during the summer holidays”.
The Big Tiny are theatrical imagineers specialising in family entertainment. From their workshops in Greater Manchester they manufacture all things show related, from puppets to pantomimes and sets to scripts. The Big Tiny’s co-founders and producers Ben Richards and Will Cousins said: “We are big believers that theatre should be entertaining and relevant for modern audiences. We’re very proud to be working with our partners at the LBT and the Dukes to create Charlotte Holmes: TOP SECRET. It’s exciting to be able to return with another innovative and creative theatrical adventure for family audiences across the country”.
Karen O’Neill, Director of The Dukes, comments “The Dukes is excited to bring the interactive theatrical adventure of Charlotte Holmes to families across Lancashire and beyond. In partnership with the Lawrence Batley Theatre this unique at home experience is fun for all the family. Working through the clues with help from Charlotte and her new friends to solve the mystery is a must for any young sleuth. The Dukes is committed to high quality family theatre and finding new ways to connect with our audiences during this time through our digital programme. We hope you will join in adventure“.
Available to purchase from www.thebigtiny.co.uk/shop, one Adventure Box has everything needed for the whole family to play along, including: toys, activities, access to online performances, posters, puzzle books plus all the clues to solve four different mysteries.
Charlotte Holmes: TOP SECRET has been supported using public funding from Arts Council England.
