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PRODUCTION IMAGES RELEASES FOR 

THE OPENING MUSICALS OF MTFESTUK 2021  

FAR FROM HEAVEN & #50DAYS 

RUNNING AT THE TURBINE THEATRE 

PHOTO CREDIT: DANNY KAAN 

***

PAUL TAYLOR-MILLS’ PRESTIGIOUS  

THE NEW MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL 

RUNNING AT THE TURBINE THEATRE FROM 17 – 29 MAY  

& ON ‘DIGITAL TOUR’ FROM 31 MAY – 04 JULY 

The 2021 festival runs from 17-29 May at The Turbine Theatre, London, before embarking on a ‘digital’ UK Tour from the 31 May – 4 July. The full list of venues and touring dates are as follows: 

The Turbine Theatre, Battersea 

(Monday 17 May – Saturday 29 May) 

Norwich Theatre Royal, The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry & Birmingham Hippodrome (Monday 31 May – Sunday 6 June) 

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton & the Mercury Theatre, Colchester 

(Monday 7 June – Sunday 13 June) 

Curve Theatre, Leicester & Dundee Repertory Theatre  

(Monday 14 June – Sunday 20 June) 

New Wolsey Theatre & Theatre Clwyd  

(Mon 21 June – Sunday 27 June) 

Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Sheffield Theatres & The Lowry, Salford  

(Monday 28 June – Sunday 4 July) 

The Festival sets out to promote quality artistry, showcasing new musicals to UK audiences with a view to elevating them to full production, and giving audiences an insight into the process of creating new work and the art of collaboration. Paul Taylor-Mills launched the inaugural MTFestUK season at The Other Palace in 2019, followed by a 2020 season in February last year, at The Turbine Theatre. 

The 2021 festival line-up includes an exciting and diverse selection of eight new musicals: Far From Heaven, #50days, The Man In the Ceiling, Millennials, HouseFire, Cake, Proud and Tony! (A Tony Blair Rock Opera). 

Featuring a truly spectacular company of international stars, with a number of Tony and Olivier Awards to their names,the full line up of world class performers includes:

Tori Allen-Martin, Stephen Ashfield, Alex Austin, Charlie Baker, Luke Bayer, Jenna Boyd, Alex Cardall, Matthew Croke, Allie Daniel, Trevor Dion Nicholas, Chris Draper, Cory English, Aminita Francis, Jordan Luke Gage, Scott Garnham, Tiffany Graves, Beth Hinton-Lever, Aimee Hodnett, Jazz Jenkins, Nadine-Rose Johnson, Reuben Joseph, Eleanor Kane, Idriss Kargbo, Freddie King, Emma Kingston, Gemma Knight Jones, Melanie La Barrie, Marie Lawrence, Simon Lipkin, Andrew Lippa, Rebecca Locke, Nathan Lorainey-Dineen, Tim Mahendran, Carl Man, Nick McLean, Ako Mitchell, Kyran Mitchell-Nanton, Grace Mouat, Phoebe Panaretos, Bryce Pinkham, Sharon Rose, Robert Saunders, Cleve September, Robin Simões da Silva, Nicola Sloane, Jodie Steele, Scarlett Strallen, Sebastien Torkia, Rebecca Thornhill ,Paul Thornley and Obioma Ugola.*

In addition to the highly talented performers, the festival also includes a huge mix of exciting creative talent including: Tasha Taylor-Johnson, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, Jack McManus, Drew McOnie, Matt White,Thabo Stuck, Scott Frankel and Poppy Burton Morgan. 

***

MTFestUK 2021

FAR FROM HEAVEN

17-19 May 2021 

Book by Richard Greenberg 

Music by Scott Frankel 

Lyrics by Michael Korie 

Directed by Matthew White 

Musical Direction by Alex Parker 

CAST: 

Elliot Burges – David

Cory English (Guys & Dolls/Young Frankenstein) – Stan/Maurice  

Tiffany Graves (Chicago/We Will Rock You) – Mrs Leacock/Mona Lauder/Doreen  

Aimee Hodnett (White Christmas/Follies) – Connie/Nancy  

Poppy Houghton – Janice  

Melanie La Barrie (& Juliet/Wicked) – Sybil  

Ako Mitchell (Caroline, Or Change/Guys & Dolls) – Raymond 

Bryce Pinkham (A Gentleman’s Guide To Love & Murder/The Heidi Chronicles) – Frank  

Scarlett Strallen (Singin’ In The Rain/Mary Poppins) – Cathy   

Rebecca Thornhill (Matilda/From Here To Eternity) – Eleanor  

Based on the Focus Features/Vulcan Productions motion picture written & directed by Todd Haynes. 

Cathy Whitaker seems to be the picture-perfect wife and mother in 1957 suburban Connecticut. But roiling beneath the surface, secret longings and forbidden desires cause her world to unravel, with incendiary consequences.  

With a score that is both jazz-inflected and hauntingly lyrical, Far From Heaven is a powerful story of romance, betrayal, and intolerance, as a woman grapples with her identity in a society on the verge of upheaval. 

#50DAYS 

 17 – 19 May 2021 

Created and Written by Thabo Stuck 

Directed by Ajjaz Awad-Ibrahim 

Musical Direction by Amiir Saleem 

CAST: 

Aminita Francis (Frankenstein – How To Make A Monster) – Digby/Prince of Wales  

Nadine-Rose Johnson (Frankenstein) – Queen Henrietta  

Reuben Joseph (Rapunzel/Midsummer) – King Charles  

Kyran Mitchell-Nanton (Karma) – Pym  

Robert Saunders (Grandpa’s Great Escape Live) – Lillburn/Lucy Haye 

Cleve September (Hamilton/Jesus Chris Superstar) – Manchester  

#50days is a Grime Musical which tells the story of the period when the very foundations of England were shattered. It is December 1641 and King Charles is about to be formally challenged by a handful of MPs and radical commoners, who share the belief that ALL men are born equal. Many in England, now a Protestant country, are enraged by the notion that the French-born Catholic Queen Henrietta and King Charles are ruling over them. One of these critics is John Pym, a Member of Parliament and prominent opponent of Kingship, who issues a challenge to the King’s power. In a world ruled by men, who are the women in this story? What are they fighting for? Through propaganda and shrewd political manoeuvring, the nation is about to be plunged head first into a conflict that pitted neighbour against neighbour and shattered the very core of our constitution. 

#50days creator Thabo Stuck, challenges the notion of how history is discoursed. 

“This is an interpretation of British history told through the eyes of underrepresented Brits today.”

THE MAN IN THE CEILING 

 20 – 22 May 2021 

Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa 

Book by Jules Feiffer 

Directed by Annabel Mutale Reed 

Musical Direction by Richard Beadle 

CAST: 

Alex Austin – Jimmy Jibbett

Matthew Croke (Aladdin/Hair) – Father 

Trevor Dion Nicholas (Aladdin) – Uncle Lester 

Jazz Jenkins (Live – A Viral Short Film) – Lisi  

Obioma Ugola (Hamilton/Motown The Musical) – Older Jimmy  

Sharon Rose (Hamilton/Motown The Musical) – Mother  

12-year old Jimmy Jibbett would rather be a successful cartoonist than be in 7th grade. His father disapproves. His mother is busy. His uncle tries to understand but is too wrapped up trying to write a love song for his next flop musical. Where can Jimmy turn for inspiration and hope? Maybe THE MAN IN THE CEILING can lead him to his true destiny…If only Jimmy would look up! 

A collaboration between Jules Feiffer, the Pulitzer-Prize-winning cartoonist and celebrated author, and Tony-nominated composer-lyricist Andrew Lippa, The Main In The Ceiling is an uplifting tale about following your creative passion against all odds.

CAKE

 20 – 22 May 2021

Music and Lyrics byJack McManus&Tasha Taylor-Johnson

Book and Lyrics byMorgan Lloyd Malcolm

Directed byDrew McOnie

CAST:

Tori Allen-Martin(Rock Of Ages) – Judge/Nicole

Emma Kingston(Fiddler On The Roof/In The Heights)– Jeanne

Phoebe Panaretos(Strictly Ballroom/Lazarus) – Marie Antoinette

Sebastien Torkia(Matilda The Musical/The Wild Party) – The Cardinal

Cake* combines rap and RnB with 18th century France to retell a story that sparked a revolution. When Marie Antoinette married King Louis, her reputation was already tarnished by gossip. But when she is implicated in a crime to defraud the crown jewellers of a diamond necklace, it is not just her reputation at stake, but the monarchy and France itself.

*Cake was commissioned by Paul Taylor-Mills whilst he was Artistic Director of The Other Palace where it appeared under its former title; Killer Queen.

MILLENNIALS 

  24 – 26 May 2021

Written & Composed by Elliot Clay 

Directed by Luke Sheppard 

Musical Direction by Katy Richardson 

CAST: 

Luke Bayer (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie/Les Misérables)

Allie Daniel (RENT)

Beth Hinton-Lever (West Side Story/Hadestown)

Nathan Lorainey-Dineen (& Juliet/Motown The Musical)

Tim Mahendran (& Juliet/The Midnight Gang) 

Grace Mouat (& Juliet/Six)

Jodie Steele (Six/Heathers)

MILLENNIALS turns up the microphone on the lives, the losses and the frustrations of young people in the modern world. A generation that is so often defined by tabloid headlines, tweets and of course, avocados, pick up the mic and transport us inside their extraordinarily ordinary lives. Written and composed by Elliot Clay, this powerful and uplifting collection of songs runs the gamut of modern pop-music and sends musical theatre hurtling into the 21st Century. 

HOUSEFIRE 

 24 – 26 May 2021

Book & Lyrics/Directed by P Burton-Morgan 

Music by Felix Hagan  

Musical Direction by Chris Poon 

Musical Supervision by Mark Collins 

An Eco Rock Musical 

CAST: 

Alex Cardall (Evita) – Alan 

Eleanor Kane (High Fidelity/Fun Home) – Ginger  

Robin Simões da Silva (Spring Awakening) – Leo  

“I want you to act as you would in a crisis. I want you to act as if our house is on fire. Because it is.” – Greta Thunberg 2019 

A trio of endangered animals form a rock band to protest against the climate crisis. Leo, the snow leopard lead singer, rages against the annihilation of their world, Ginger the Orangutan, on keys, has her own tale to tell about the traumas of deforestation, while Alan the elephant is keeping time on the drums. But their newly rebranded group ‘HouseFire’ is under threat from their corporate manager getting them to pander to the very capitalist system they want to destabilize. Entering Britain’s Got Talent is a great way to reach more people with their message, but it puts a strain on their already fractious relationships, and is it all just too little too late… Fierce, frenetic and fun – this gig-theatre musical will set your world on fire.

PROUD 

  27 – 29 May 2021

Music by Lee Freeman 

Lyrics by Mark Anderson 

Book by Graham Lappin & Mark Anderson 

Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle 

Musical Direction by Ellie Verkerk 

CAST: 

Stephen Ashfield (The Book Of Mormon) – Clarke/Donald 

Chris Draper (School Of Rock) – Father Frederick/Thomas 

Jordan Luke Gage (& Juliet/Bat Out Of Hell) – David  

Idriss Kargbo (Five Guys Named Moe) – Cooper/Gabriel 

Freddie King (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) – Brett/Mrs Bailey/Swim Team 

Rebecca Locke (Heathers) – Diana/Bernice 

Carl Man (Wicked) – Mr Maplewood/Swim Team/Rory 

Nick McLean (Wicked) – Swim Team/Mason 

David has always been different. He really wishes he wasn’t. Despite the acceptance and unconditional love of his parents, his prayers are answered when he discovers the existence of ‘Reality Trek’, a conversion camp for gay men run by ex-gay Donald and his lord-abiding wife, Bernice. With faith on their side, they guide David and his camp campmates through the programme, but when the illegally-handsome Rory arrives late, David faces the ultimate test on the path to the straight and narrow.

TONY! (A TONY BLAIR ROCK OPERA) 

  27 – 29 May 2021

Book and Lyrics by Harry Hill & Steve Brown 

Music by Steve Brown 

Directed by Peter Rowe 

Musical Direction by Sarah Travis        

CAST: 

Charlie Baker (The Hit Polisher/I Can’t Sing) – Tony Blair

Jenna Boyd (Come From Away/Wind In The Willows) – Prescott  

Scott Garnham (Nativity The Musical/Billy Elliot) – Tony  

Gemma Knight Jones (Falsettos/The Lion King) – Princess Di 

Marie Lawrence (Toast/The Understudy) – Cherie  

Simon Lipkin (Nativity The Musical/Guys & Dolls) – Mandy  

Nicola Sloane (Our Town/Love In Idleness) – Mrs Blair  

Paul Thornley (Harry Potter & The Cursed Child) – Kinnock 

A reckless reappraisal of the life of former Bad Rumours front man and Britain’s first pop Prime Minister Tony Blair. 

The story of how one man went from peace loving, long haired hippy and would-be pop star to warmongering multimillionaire in just a couple of decades. 

An hilarious tragedy of political intrigue, religion, power and romance that plays fast and loose with the facts, owing as much to Citizen Kane as it does to The Marx Brothers – Karl and Groucho. 

Throw in a cast of larger-than-life characters – Cherie Blair, Princess Diana, John Prescott, Peter Mandelson, Alistair Campbell, Osama Bin Laden, George W Bush, Saddam Hussein, Gordon Brown and of course that dodgy dossier.  

All set to rockin’ tunes.  

Queens of Cups announce May’s New Moon Monologues line-up

The Queens of Cups are incredibly excited to present May’s edition of the New Moon Monologues on the theme of ‘Growing Together’, featuring a lineup of nine emerging and award-winning playwrights, and nine talented actors on May 25th at The Space Theatre at 8pm with a socially distanced audience. Tickets for the live event are now sold out, but tickets to the live-stream of the event are still available here! 

New Moon Monologues are a monthly platform established for emerging and underrepresented writers based around the lunar cycle. This month, we featured a variety of writers and actors from the US, Ireland, and the UK, including NY Drama League Nominated Playwright Arlene Hutton, Derek Jacobi Playwriting Award Winner Jamie Lakritz, and member of the Lyric’s New Playwrights Programme Caitlin Magnall-Kearns, among many other incredibly talented writers.  

At the beginning of the year, The Queens of Cups ran a crowdfunder on Greenlit.com in order to ensure all participants were compensated for their work. We’re delighted that since our start in September 2020, we’ve grown to the point where we can bring this very special selection of new writing to a London stage. Grace O’Keefe, the director states, ‘Bringing this show to The Space the week after theatres reopen is a dream come true because it provides theatremakers with so many opportunities to shine. The diversity of this event allows nine actors to return to the stage to present nine writers’ poignant, funny, and powerful monologues, it’s truly one of a kind.”  

FringeReview has compared the event to the Royal Court Living Newspapers: ‘After you’ve finished, you’ll hardly believe this brevity contains the extraordinary riches within. I’ve seen many showcases: none are quite as brilliantly compacted as this.’ 

May’s New Moon Monologues: Growing Together 

Dating Apparition  

Written and performed by Erin Holland 

Thirsty  

Written by Elspeth McColl and performed by Imelda D’souza 

Fabulous Family 

Written by Nick Maynard and performed by Kyran Thrax 

Today 

Written by Lorna Meehan and performed by Anshula Bain 

On the Varied Implications of Colliding  

Written by Jamie Lakritz and performed by Emma Howarth 

A Note to Myself  

Written by Lorna O’Dea and performed by Daniel N’Guessan-Lopez 

Let Him Eat Cake  

Written by Caitlin Magnall-Kearns and performed by Ella Hunter-Clark 

my honeypots 

Written by T.J. Lewis and performed by Isaiah James-Mitchell 

Mourning Star 

Written by Arlene Hutton and performed by Roli Okorodudu 

KEVIN CLIFTON AND FAYE TOZER
JOIN THE CAST OF THE SPECTACULAR MUSICAL

CHARLOTTE GOOCH and CAVIN CORNWALL also join previously announced ADAM COOPER, who reprises his acclaimed starring role of Don Lockwood 

Strictly limited season begins Friday 30 July, Sadler’s Wells

For all information, see:
 www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/2021/singin-in-the-rain/

Today Michael Harrison and Jonathan Church announce that Kevin Clifton, Faye Tozer, Charlotte Gooch and Cavin Cornwall are to join Adam Cooper to lead the Chichester Festival Theatre and Stage Entertainment production of the Olivier Award-nominated musical Singin’ in the Rain.

The production will play a strictly limited run at Sadler’s Wells from Friday 30 July – Sunday 5 September 2021 (Press Night: Thursday 5 August), ahead of a 2022 UK tour (tour casting to be announced). 

Former professional Strictly Come Dancing favourite Kevin Clifton (theatre credits include Rock of Ages, UK Tour; Burn the Floor, West End, UK and International tours; Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage, West End) will play Cosmo Brown. 

Steps and stage star Faye Tozer (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, West End; Me and My Girl and Tell me on a Sunday, UK tours) plays leading lady Lina Lamont.

Principal casting is completed by Charlotte Gooch (Strictly Ballroom and Top Hat in the West End, Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage, first UK Tour and West End) as aspiring actress Kathy Seldon and Cavin Cornwall (Disney’s Aladdin, Prince Edward Theatre; Jesus Christ Superstar, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatreand world arena tour; Star Wars: The Last Jedi)as film producer, RF Simpson.

They will join the acclaimed star Adam Cooper, who returns to the show with his legendary performance as Don Lockwood, having earned critical acclaim in the role at Chichester Festival Theatre and again when the show transferred to London’s Palace Theatre. Adam is one of the most celebrated stars to perform at Sadler’s Wells, where he has headlined Matthew Bourne’s iconic production of Swan Lake, as well as many other productions.

Further casting includes Sandra Dickinson, who will appear as Dora Bailey, Michael Matus as Roscoe Dexter and Imogen Brook as Zelda Zanders. The ensemble features Briana Craig, Alistair Crosswell, Lavinia Fitzpatrick, Alex Given, Ryan Gover, Ashleigh Graham, Harriet Samuel-Gray, Molly Rees Howe, Thomas Inge, Robin Kent, Sam Lips, Joshua Lovell, George Lyons, Heather Scott Martin, Amonik Melaco, Ashleigh Morris, Peter Nash, Megan Spiers, and Ellie May Wilson.

Singin’ in the Rain will also reunite the original director Jonathan Church with choreographer Andrew Wright.

Don Lockwood is a silent movie star with everything he could want – fame, adulation and a well-publicised ‘romance’ with his co-star Lina Lamont. But Hollywood is about to change forever. There is rumour in the studio of a new kind of film, where the actors actually talk … and sing … and dance. Can Don and the uniquely voiced Lina make the transition, and will chorus girl Kathy Seldon fulfil her dream of stardom and capture Don’s heart along the way?

This production of Singin’ in the Rain opened at Chichester Festival Theatre and extended due to unprecedented public demand, before a transfer to London which received huge critical acclaim and four Olivier Award nominations.

It played to more than 750,000 people…. some leaving the theatre a little wetter than when they arrived! In fact the iconic rain scenes: 

• Use 6k litres of water, equivalent to 5 tonnes (here’s a list of things which also weigh 5 tonnes: 2 Rhinos, 11 Grand Pianos or 30 Panda Bears!)

• Uses over 100 metres of heavy duty rubber hose
   
• Takes 15 minutes to drain. Afterwards it is recovered, it is then re-cycled, cleaned and used again
   
• Heats the water to 37 degrees for performer comfort!

Singin’ in the Rain features songs by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed, including Make ‘em Laugh, Good Morning, Moses Supposes and Singin’ in the Rain. Original screenplay and adaptations are by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Reuniting the original Chichester production team, Singin’ in the Rain will be directed by Jonathan Church, with Olivier Award-nominated choreography by Andrew Wright. The production is designed by Simon Higlett, with lighting by Tim Mitchell. Stuart Burt is Casting Director.

The stage production of Singin’ in the Rain is based on the classic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film, regularly voted the most popular film musical of all time. 

After Sadler’s Wells, Singin’ in the Rain will return to Japan. This will be the third season the production has played in the country. The production will then embark on a UK tour in 2022. 

Michael Harrison Entertainment and Jonathan Church Productions present the Chichester Festival Theatre and Stage Entertainment production of Singin’ in the Rain.

LISTINGS – SADLER’S WELLS SEASON INFORMATION

Singin’ In The Rain

Based on the classic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film, by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Inc.

Music Published by EMI, all rights administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Screenplay by Betty Comden and Adolph Green

Songs by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed

(Original Movie Choreography by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen)

Produced by agreement with Maurice Rosenfield, Lois F. Rosenfield and Cindy Pritzker, Inc.

Performed by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) Limited

Sadler’s Wells Theatre

Rosebery Ave,
Clerkenwell,
London EC1R 4TN

Performance Dates

Friday 30 July – Sunday 5 September 2021

Performance Times

Evenings: Tuesday – Sunday at 7.30pm
Matinees: Wednesday & Saturday at 2:30pm

Tickets

020 7863 8000
www.sadlerswells.com

Social Media

Facebook: Singin’ in the Rain Social
Twitter: @intherainsocial
Instagram: @intherainsocial 

HIT MUSICAL EXTENDS BOOKING IN THE WEST END UNTIL FEBRUARY 2022

…COMES BACK FROM AWAY. PHOENIX THEATRE, LONDON FROM 22 JULY

As the multi award-winning Come From Away prepares to welcome audiences back to the Phoenix Theatre in London from 22 July, the international hit musical today announces its extension in the West End until February 2022.

Winner of every major Best Musical award when it opened in the West End in March 2019, Come From Away tells the remarkable and inspiring true story of 7,000 stranded air passengers during the wake of 9/11, and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but as uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.

Twenty years ago on 11 September 2001, the world stopped. On 12 September and in the years following, their stories of kindness, generosity and love have moved us all.

The international hit musical has celebrated sold-out, record-breaking engagements on Broadway, in Canada, throughout Australia, and on a 60-city North American Tour.

Come From Away stars Jenna Boyd (Beulah and others), James Doherty (Claude and others), Mary Doherty (Bonnie and others), Mark Dugdale (Kevin T/Garth and others), Alice Fearn (Beverley/Annette and others), Kate Graham (Diane and others), Alasdair Harvey (Nick/Doug and others), Jonathan Andrew Hume (Kevin J/Ali and others), Harry Morrison (Oz and others), Emma Salvo (Janice and others), and Cat Simmons (Hannah and others), with Chiara Baronti, Ricardo Castro, Stuart Hickey, Sorelle Marsh, Alexander McMorran, Micha Richardson, Jennifer Tierney and Matthew Whennell-Clark.

Come From Away features a book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein and is directed by Christopher Ashley, with musical staging by Kelly Devine, music supervision and arrangements by Ian Eisendrath, scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Toni-Leslie James,lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Gareth Owen, hair design by David Brian Brown, orchestrations by August Eriksmoen,and casting by Pippa Ailion CDG and Natalie Gallacher CDG.

In addition to winning 4 Olivier Awards (London) including “Best New Musical”, the Critics’ Circle Theatre Award for “Best Musical” (London) and 4 What’s On Stage Awards (London) including ‘Best New Musical’, Come From Away has scooped multiple awards across the globe. In North America they include: the Tony Award for “Best Direction of a Musical”, 5 Outer Critics’ Circle Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding New Broadway Musical”, 3 Drama Desk Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding Musical”, 4 Helen Hayes Awards (Washington DC) including “Outstanding Production of a Musical”, 4 Los Angeles Drama Critics’ Circle Awards, 4 Gypsy Rose Lee Awards (Seattle) including “Excellence in Production of a Musical”, 6 San Diego Critics Circle Awards including “Outstanding New Musical”, 3 Toronto Theatre Critics Awards including “Best New Musical”, 3 Dora Awards (Toronto) including “Outstanding New Musical/Opera” and “Outstanding Production”, and the 2017 Jon Kaplan Audience Choice Award (Toronto).

Come From Away was originally co-produced in 2015 by La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theatre, and presented in 2016 by Ford’s Theatre in Washington DC and Mirvish Productions at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, Canada, all in partnership with Junkyard Dog Productions. Come From Away (NAMT Festival 2013) was originally developed at the Canadian Music Theatre Project, Michael Rubinoff Producer, Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, and was further developed at Goodspeed Musicals’ Festival of New Artists, in East Haddam CT. The Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and the 5^th Avenue Theatre in Seattle WA also provided development support.

Come From Away is produced in the UK by Junkyard Dog Productions and Smith & Brant Theatricals. The European premiere of Come From Away was co-produced with the Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s National Theatre.

Tickets for Come From Away at the Phoenix Theatre are available via comefromawaylondon.co.uk.

York Theatre Royal – Monday 17 May 2021

Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

4****

Oh, what joy! Live theatre inside, not having to contend with the outside elements, sitting on proper seats, enjoying the ambience and splendour that you can only truly achieve within the four walls of a theatre. It has been 14 months since I set foot inside a theatre, and it was great to be back. I arrived at my designated time, mask at the ready and joined the queue, eager to get inside. Once through the doors and temperature checked I eagerly took the stairs up to my seat to find I was too early. At least it gave me time to chat to one of staff who was busily wiping everything over.

Opening on the very first day they possibly could, York Theatre Royal showcased the many talents and diversity that local York artists have to offer. With over 200 applicants they managed to whittle down to 22 acts, performing their pieces in 5 minute slots. Harry Gration, ex local news reporter and a great YTR ambassador, hosted the show and welcomed us all back with a heartfelt speech. Over the next 2 ½ hours, including interval, we were treated to an eclectic feast through music, dance, comedy, word and poetry.

It is hard to pick out a few acts but the ones that I enjoyed most included The Art Of Losing, a trio of contemporary dancers moving effortlessly together and apart, vibrant with their neon socks. She Can Go Anywhere by Story Craft Theatre, using a sheet as a puppet to tell their story. I was truly fascinated with their ability to create a figure so effortlessly out of a sheet. Where Are We Now, You And I? This was an impassioned piece by Maurice Crichton, an active member of York’s amateur theatre community. I suppose you could call it a love letter to the theatre itself, touching on his feelings of loneliness, a part of his soul missing, not having a stage or theatre to come to. This resonated with me and I would imagine virtually everyone in the theatre, audience and artists alike.

This was a truly diverse show, not afraid of covering racism, gender identity, embracing our own individuality, through personal encounters and experiences, which mould us into what we are. It is important to have such a diverse collection, as many stories that have gone dark are now being given the opportunity to be told.

It was a show where there was something for all tastes, this whole show encapsulated what York has to offer.

What a refreshing welcome back to the theatre

***DEAR EVAN HANSEN | OFFICIAL FILM TRAILER & FIRST LOOK IMAGES***

In Cinemas 22^nd October 2021

Universal Pictures is delighted to debut the trailer and first look images for DEAR EVAN HANSEN.

The breathtaking, generation-defining Broadway phenomenon becomes a soaring cinematic event as Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Ben Platt reprises his role as an anxious, isolated high schooler aching for understanding and belonging amid the chaos and cruelty of the social-media age.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Stephen Chbosky (The Perks of Being A Wallflower, Wonder), the film is written for the screen by the show’s Tony winner Steven Levenson with music and lyrics by the show’s Oscar®, Grammy and Tony-winning songwriting team of Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman).

Featuring Grammy winning songs, including the iconic anthem “You Will Be Found,” “Waving Through a Window,” “For Forever” and “Words Fail,” Dear Evan Hansen stars six-time Oscar® nominee Amy Adams, Oscar® winner Julianne Moore, Kaitlyn Dever (Booksmart), Amandla Stenberg (The Hate U Give), Colton Ryan (Apple TV+’s Little Voice), Nik Dodani (Netflix’s Atypical), DeMarius Copes (Broadway’s Mean Girls) and Danny Pino (NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit).

Dear Evan Hansen is produced by Marc Platt (La La Land, Into the Woods, Mary Poppins Returns) and Adam Siegel (2 Guns, Drive), and is executive produced by Michael Bederman, Steven Levenson, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Universal Pictures will distribute the film in all territories.

Genre: Musical Drama

Cast: Ben Platt, Amy Adams, Julianne Moore, Kaitlyn Dever, Amanda Stenberg, Nik Dodani, Danny Pink

Directed by: Stephen Chbosky

Screenplay by: Steven Levenson

Music & Lyrics by: Benj Pasek & Justin Paul

Based on: The stage musical by Steven Levenson, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul

Producers: Marc Platt, Adam Siegel

Executive Producer: Michael Bederman, Steven Levenson, Benj Pasek, Justin Paul

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Playful Productions, Stage Play and Cedella Marley present 

GET UP, STAND UP! 

THE BOB MARLEY MUSICAL

• NEW IMAGES FROM A REHEARSAL WORKSHOP HAVE BEEN RELEASED OF ARINZE KENE WHO WILL STAR AS BOB MARLEY IN THE FORTHCOMING MUSICAL
  
• TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE UNTIL 3 APRIL 2022 FROM WWW.GETUPSTANDUPTHEMUSICAL.COM

Following a rehearsal workshop in April, producers are delighted to release images of Arinze Kene who will star as Bob Marley in the new musical Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical which begins performances at the Lyric Theatre on 1 October 2021 with an opening night on 20 October.

‘It’s not all that glitters is gold, half the story has never been told’ 

Lively up yourself and celebrate the story of Jamaica’s global superstar, as the electrifying new production, Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical, bursts into life from June 2021 at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue.

From the hills of rural Jamaica, armed only with his overwhelming talent and righteous beliefs, Bob Marley applied himself with resolute determination to achieve international acclaim for his prophetic musical message – a gospel of love and unity.

With unlimited access to Marley’s platinum-selling catalogue of music, the multi award-winning team of Lee Hall (writer), Clint Dyer (director) and Arinzé Kene (playing Bob Marley) capture the rebellious spirit and story of this universal icon.  A euphoric company of performers fuse with the finest reggae musicians to bring this triumphant tale of passion, political unrest and progress from Trenchtown to the West End.

Lose yourself to the rhythm of ‘Exodus’, ‘No Woman No Cry’, ‘Waiting in Vain’, ‘Three Little Birds’, ‘I Shot the Sheriff’, ‘Could You Be Loved’, ‘Redemption Song’ and many more.

‘One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain’.

Choreographer – Shelley Maxwell

Musical Supervisor – Phil Bateman

Set Designer – Chloe Lamford

Lighting Designer – Charles Balfour

Sound Designer – Tony Gayle

Costume Designer – Lisa Duncan

Video Designer – Tal Yarden

Casting Director – Pippa Ailion CDG

Musical Director – Sean Green

Polka launches pop-up space at
Centre Court Shopping Centre in Wimbledon
with family show

Maanika and The Wolf
Thursday 29th July – Sunday 29th August 2021

This summer, while Polka Theatre’s building gradually starts to re-open its doors after an £8.5m redevelopment, the team are setting up shop in Centre Court Shopping Centre with a new popup theatre space. Maanika and The Wolf, created and directed by Polka’s own Artistic Director Peter Glanville, is a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, perfect for 3-6 year olds.

Maanika and The Wolf blends the past and the present, the real and the imagined, as a grandmother returns to her childhood bedroom recalling stories from when she was a young girl. Talking to her granddaughter over Zoom, she brings her Indian dressing-up box back to life and re-enacts her own version of Little Red Riding Hood. But why is there another wolf on the phone and why does her granddaughter Ruby keep trying to change the story?

This incredible pop-up space transforms from Maanika’s house to the grandmother’s cottage and even into the wolf’s lair in the woods. The piece brings a delightful sense of playfulness to the telling of its story with a feeling of rediscovery that all the audience can share in, enhanced by newly composed music from British-Asian musician Arun Ghosh that reflects the overall cultural fusion. Designer Sophia Lovell Smith has used evocative fabrics and toys to bring to life the cultural heritage of the toy box and Maanika’s parents’ Indian upbringing. Additional dramaturgical support is from Sudha Bhuchar, co-founder of Tamasha Theatre Company.

Peter Glanville comments, “Prior to our re-opening season at Polka Theatre this autumn, following a major £8.5m redevelopment, Polka are delighted to be premiering Maanika and The Wolf at Centre Court Shopping Centre in Wimbledon . This is an exciting new venture for us – creating a pop-up theatre in the heart of the community, for our local audiences to enjoy.”

Polka temporarily closed for a major redevelopment in February 2019 and plans will soon be announced about its full reopening. In the meantime, Polka continues to offer activities to schools, community groups and the public, working with over 21,600 people last year. Polka is helping to keep children creative during lockdown, with a range of live, recorded and downloadable activities for children.

Sponsored by HPD Lendscape
Polka are grateful to Centre Court Shopping Centre and Romulus for their support.

BBC opens up extensive Shakespeare archive in new partnership with the Educational Recording Agency

The BBC is making hundreds of its Shakespeare programmes available free to schools, colleges and universities across the UK.

Hundreds of hours of radio and TV productions, interviews and programmes – spanning more than 70 years – are being released, catering for primary school children right through to post graduate students.

The collection includes vintage content, comedies including Monty Python and Upstart Crow, plus The Hollow Crown starring Ben Whishaw, Jeremy Irons and Tom Hiddleston, Russel T Davies’ production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Horrible Histories.

In total the combined collection will contain nearly 1,000 items, with more content added as it becomes available. 

It will be accessible from today to all UK schools, colleges and universities that hold a licence with the Educational Recording Agency.

Other highlights in the collection include:

•               The 37 classic productions in the BBC Television Shakespeare series.

•               An Age of Kings, the 15 part series of the RSC’s Shakespeare history plays.

•               The RSC’s production of As You Like It, broadcast in 1963, starring a young Vanessa Redgrave as Rosalind.

•               The earliest surviving production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream from 1958.

•               Maggie Smith and Robert Stephens in a 1967 production of Much Ado About Nothing.

•               A ballet based on The Winter’s Tale performed at the Royal Opera House.

•               Shakespeare Re-Told adaptations including Much Ado About Nothing with Billie Piper and Macbeth with James McAvoy.

•               BBC Four’s 2010 film Macbeth starring Patrick Stewart.

•               The RSC’s 2009 production of Hamlet with David Tennant in the title role.

Peter Rippon, Executive Editor, BBC Archive, said: 

“The BBC’s Shakespeare collection offers a fabulous insight into how interpretations and performances have evolved. It also gives us a glimpse of early performances by some of today’s most famous actors.

“The demand for audio and video content in education is growing sharply and this partnership with the ERA is a brilliant way for the BBC to open its precious archive in new ways.’’

Sharing the Shakespeare collection with schools, colleges and universities meets the second public purpose in the BBC’s Royal Charter, to promote education and learning.

Helen Foulkes, Head of BBC Education, said:

“The BBC prides itself on its contribution to educating the nation via BBC Bitesize and BBC Teach. In offering teachers the chance to view some of our greatest actors bring Shakespeare to life in the classroom, this partnership will provide an ideal complement to the extensive Shakespeare study resources we provide online.”

The collection is brought together through the ERA’s website to offer educators a streamlined, searchable platform from which to view the vast archive of BBC TV and radio productions.

Helena Djurkovic, CEO of ERA, said: 

“We are delighted to be partnering with the BBC to provide access to such a wealth of brilliant resources through our video streaming platform.

“Educators and students will be able to easily search a vast range of fantastic and historically important BBC broadcasts to support teaching, learning and research. From riveting productions dating back to the 1950s to contemporary interpretations and critical analyses of Shakespeare’s work, this BBC Archive is a clear illustration of the immense educational value of broadcast recordings to the education sector.”

The BBC Archive Centre in Perivale, West London, houses most of the BBC Archive collections across 8 vaults and 60 miles of shelving containing 15 million items, along with other sites around the UK. The BBC Archive team manages a diverse range of collections and supports research, re-use and access to BBC material.

The BBC Shakespeare Archive Resource can be found at www.era.org.uk/shakespeare-archive.

CASTING AND TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED FOR THE RSC’S 2021 PRODUCTION OF THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

PRODUCTION RUNS IN LYDIA & MANFRED GORVY GARDEN THEATRE IN STRATFORD-UPON-AVON THIS SUMMER, THEN TOURS TO NOTTINGHAM, CANTERBURY AND BRADFORD

Casting details are announced for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC) 2021 summer outdoor production of The Comedy of Errors which runs between 13 July – 26 September in the Lydia & Manfred Gorvy Garden Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.  This specially constructed outdoor performance space is located in the Swan Theatre Gardens, flanked by the River Avon and overlooked by the Swan Theatre.   

After its run in Stratford-upon-Avon, the production will then go on tour and perform indoors  at The Theatre Royal, Nottingham (22-24 October), The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury (27-30 October), and the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford (2-6 November), with London plans to be confirmed. These are three of twelve regional theatres with which the RSC works in long term, year-round partnership with local schools and adult community groups.  

The production, directed by Phillip Breen, was due to be part of the RSC’s 2020 season, but was postponed owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The 17-strong cast includes members of the original acting company, with several roles recast.  The 2021 production of The Comedy of Errors is sponsored by Darwin Escapes.  

A father ends up in the wrong country on the wrong day as a government makes hasty proclamations about travel.  A lonely son, while searching for his brother, loses himself.  Across town a wife starts to realise her husband is not the man she thought he was (but rather likes it). Will anything ever be the same again? 

Director Phillip Breen says: “When we first conceived of this Comedy of Errors back in 2019, we had no idea that the production would welcome the RSC’s audience back from a global pandemic. But this play of family reunions – people finding each other once again, people holding each other at sunset – seems entirely apt for this moment, and we can’t wait to get back to work with this fabulous company of actors; with this old play on a new stage for this very new world. I’m also delighted that later in the year we will be taking our outdoor production inside when we visit theatres in Nottingham, Canterbury and Bradford.” 

Jonathan Broadbent and Greg Haiste retain their roles as, respectively, Dromio of Syracuse and Dromio of Ephesus, whilst Hedydd Dylan (Adrianna), Guy Lewis (Antipholus of Syracuse) and Rowan Polonski (Antipholus of Ephesus) join the company.  Original cast member Avita Jay will now play Luciana. 

Jonathan Broadbent plays Dromio of Syracuse. His previous RSC credits include The Tempest, Queen Anne and Love for Love. Other theatre credits include Henry VI Parts I,II and III, Richard III, Henry IV Parts I and II and Henry V (Shakespeare’s Globe); The Wizard of Oz (Sheffield Crucible); and My Night with Reg (Donmar Warehouse/Apollo Theatre). Jonathan’s screen credits include The Crown, Silent Witness, EastEnders, and Kenneth Branagh’s film adaptations of The Magic Flute and As You Like It. 

Hedydd Dylan plays Adrianna. Previous RSC credits include Oppenheimer, The Shoemaker’s Holiday and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Other theatre credits include: Bartholomew Fair and The Merry Wives of Windsor (Shakespeare’s Globe), Mother Courage (Headlong/Manchester Royal Exchange) and The Cherry Orchard (Sherman Theatre). TV credits include: Emmerdale, Bang, Hinterland and Pobol Y Cwm. 

Greg Haiste will make his RSC debut as Dromio of Ephesus.  His numerous theatre credits include Quiz (Chichester Festival Theatre/Noël Coward Theatre); Richard II and Nell Gwynn (Shakespeare’s Globe/Apollo Theatre); 39 Steps (Criterion Theatre); and The Lady in the Van, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Hamlet and The Accrington Pals (West Yorkshire Playhouse). His TV credits include Pennyworth, Timewasters, Heartbeat, Jane Hall and Emmerdale, whilst film credits include The Current War, The Time of Our Lives and Starfish. 

Avita Jay plays Luciana. Her previous RSC credits include The Winter’s Tale. Other theatre credits include The Lovely Bones (Birmingham Rep); Billionaire Boy (NST Theatre/UK Tour); The Secret Garden (York Theatre Royal); and The Jungle Book (National Tour).  TV work includes Emmerdale, Silent Witness and Coronation Street. 

Guy Lewis makes his RSC debut playing Antipholus of Syracuse.  Theatre credits include: The Butterfly Lion (Minerva, Chichester Festival Theatre); Goodnight Mr Tom (Duke of York’s); Twelfth Night (Regent’s Park); A Christmas Carol (Birmingham Rep), Pygmalion, Measure for Measure and Hamlet (Clwyd Theatr, Cymru); and Hamlet and The Canterbury Tales (Northern Broadsides/New Vic). TV credits include Torchwood and Casualty. 

Rowan Polonski plays Antipholus of Ephesus.  Other RSC credits include The Hypocrite (RSC/Hull Truck); The Omission of the Family Coleman, Shakespeare in Love (Theatre Royal Bath); Cockamamy (Hope Theatre, Islington); Desert Rats (Arts Theatre) and Another Country (Trafalgar Studios).  TV works includes Doctor Who and Otherworld.  

The cast also includes: Toyin Ayedun-Alase (Courtesan), Antony Bunsee (Egeon), Alfred Clay (Dr Pinch), William Grint (2^nd Merchant), Zoe Lambert (Aemilia), Dyfrig Morris (2^nd Merchant Bodyguard), Baker Mukasa (Angelo), Patrick Osborne (Balthasar), Nicholas Prasad (Duke Solinus), Riad Richie (1^st Merchant/Young Egeon) and Sarah Seggari (Luce/Messenger).  

Phillip Breen’s previous RSC directorial credits include The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Provoked Wife and The Hypocrite. The production is designed by Max Jones with Lighting by Tina MacHugh, Music by Paddy Cunneen, Sound by Dyfan Jones, Movement by Charlotte Broom and Fights by Renny Krupinski. The 2021 production of The Comedy of Errors is sponsored by Darwin Escapes.