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Nimax Theatres add a second night for Sasha Regan’s All Male The Pirates of Penzance

Due to overwhelming demand, Sasha Regan’s award-winning all-male take on W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan’s ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ will run for a second night at the Palace Theatre London

Nimax Theatres have added a second night for Sasha Regan’s all-male take on W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan’s ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ at the Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue.  The show will now run on Saturday 12^th December and Sunday 13^th December 2020 at 7:00pm.  News of the run was received on 18^th November, W. S. Gilbert’s 184^th Birthday year. 

The show’s producers, Sasha Regan and Ben De Wynter are delighted to extend the run.  “We have been inundated with requests for more dates,” explains Regan.  “There is a real demand from theatregoers who are crying out to see Gilbert & Sullivan’s much-loved operetta. Post-lockdown, people want to see something that makes them smile again. Gilbert & Sullivan’s traditional and very funny Victorian comic opera provides the perfect laughter tonic. It’s ideal for families.” 

Despite the current lockdown, theatregoers have not been dissuaded from booking ahead.  “Quite the opposite,” explains Regan.  “We’ve all been cooped up for a long time and families just want to see a Christmas show.  Nimax Theatres have rigorous cleaning regimes and strict Coronavirus rules on social distancing. We are all just trying to keep some of the oldest theatres in London running. I can’t thank Nimax enough for believing in this show and getting behind us.”

The production was first staged at her original 50-seater Union Theatre in Southwark over a decade ago. From day one it became a critically acclaimed overnight hit, winning Best Off-West End production in the 2009 WhatsOnStage Awards. Following several sell-out runs in the UK, the merry band of pirates toured Australia including a month-long run at Cate Blanchett’s Sydney Theatre – a tremendous feat for a small Off West End company.

The ornate Victorian Palace Theatre, originally known as the Royal English Opera House,  was commissioned and founded by the late theatrical impresario Richard D’Oyly Carte and designed by Thomas Edward Collcutt in the late 1880s. Carte who was already producing comic operas at his Savoy Theatre, decided to commission the Opera House as a home for grand operas.  The Royal English Opera House opened 10 years after the Savoy Theatre which championed Gilbert & Sullivan’s well-known “Savoy operas”.  Although their operettas never ran at the Royal English Opera House, it opened in January 1891 with Sir Arthur Sullivan’s ‘Ivanhoe’.  Sadly, Carte’s cherished opera house came under financial pressure leaving him with no alternative but to lease it and eventually sell it within one year of opening.

Throughout his life, Carte managed Gilbert & Sullivan and nurtured their careers including setting up the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company. Together these talented men introduced a new way of presenting light opera to families, touring these works to bring them out to the wider community. 

After performing at The Prince of Wales Theatre for the WhatsonStage Awards in 2010, Sasha Regan’s all-male ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ transferred to Wilton’s Music Hall and then moved to The Rose Theatre, Kingston before completing a Number One tour of Australia.  The All Male Company also toured with ‘Iolanthe’ (Critics Choice & Time Out’s top 10 musicals of 2010) which transferred to Wilton’s Music Hall where its sell-out run broke their box office records.  The all-male ‘Mikado’ opened at the Theatre Royal, Bath, before touring to cities including Winchester, Edinburgh, London, Exeter and Salford in 2017 and next year the all-male ‘H.M.S. Pinafore’ is set for another comeback tour which was postponed earlier this year due to Coronavirus.

Sasha explains: “Today, 18^th November, marks the librettist W.S Gilbert’s 184^th Birthday year.  What a lovely day to receive this news!” (press photo: Scott Rylander)

Runs on Saturday 12^th December and Sunday 13^th December 2020.

The Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 5AY

Tickets online: https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/pirates-of-penzance/

Box Office: 0330 333 4813

Performance Time: 7:00pm

Running time: 2 hours including an interval

For all group and school bookings, please contact: [email protected]. 
School bookings rate: £25

Creatives

Director and Co-Producer – Sasha Regan

Choreographer – Lizzi Gee

Designer – Robyn Wilson-Owen

Musical Director – Richard Baker

Associate Choreographer – Lee Greenaway

Lighting Design – Ben Bull

Casting – Adam Braham Casting

Marketing and Public Relations – Fiona Lockley
Co-produced by Ben De Wynter for HMS2020 Productions

Casting to be announced shortly.

Keep up with all our news and cast announcements.  Follow the Pirates on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/allmalepirates

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allmalepirates

FLOWERS FOR MRS HARRIS CAST ALBUM RELEASED ON 3 DECEMBER

Chichester Festival Theatre cast reunited for the first official recording of Richard Taylor and Rachel Wagstaff’s award-winning musical, based on Paul Gallico’s novel

Album released on CD and download on 3 December by SimG Records

‘On 29 July 2020, the entire Flowers for Mrs Harris cast and orchestra reunited, and stepped once more onto the Chichester Festival Theatre stage, almost two years since the show was performed there, to make this recording. In the grip of the COVID-19 global pandemic, this was perhaps the only such endeavour happening anywhere in the country at that time.’ **

Richard Taylor, composer & lyricist

The cast album of the hugely acclaimed musical Flowers for Mrs Harris, recorded by the Chichester Festival Theatre company, will be released on 3 December. With a book by Rachel Wagstaff and music and lyrics by Richard Taylor, Flowers for Mrs Harris captures the glowing humanity of the novel by Paul Gallico on which it is based.

‘The making of this cast album, made possible by Richard Taylor, was not simply a wonderful opportunity to capture one of the most beautiful British musical scores of recent years; it was also memorable for having employed some of our finest musicians and actors at a time when almost none of them had any work or proper financial support – a situation

that, sadly, persists.’ Daniel Evans, Artistic Director, Chichester Festival Theatre

**Watch a film about the making of the Flowers for Mrs Harris album at https://youtu.be/b3H7FAKy72k **

Flowers for Mrs Harris is the story of Ada Harris, a char-lady in post-war London whose drab life of dusting and scrubbing is transformed when she glimpses a Christian Dior dress in one of her client’s wardrobes and sets her heart on going to Paris to buy one for herself.

The 2018 Chichester Festival production was directed by Daniel Evans, with a cast led by Clare Burt (who won a UK Theatre Award for her performance), Joanna Riding and Gary Wilmot. Also in the cast are Claire Machin, Louis Maskell, Mark Meadows, Laura Pitt-Pulford, Nicola Sloane, Luke Latchman and Rhona McGregor.

Conducted by Tom Brady, the orchestra is Jon Laird, Kathryn James, Nicki Davenport, Vicky Lester, Abigail Burrows, Rhys Taylor, Laura Llewellyn-Jones, Owain Harries, Jane Salmon and James Turner.

The recording is produced by Richard Taylor and Mike Walker, engineered by Mike Walker, conducted by Tom Brady and orchestrated by Richard Taylor. It is produced for SimG Records by Simon Greiff.

Flowers for Mrs Harris was first produced at Sheffield Theatres in 2016 where it won three UK Theatre Awards including Best Musical. The Chichester Festival Theatre production opened in September 2018, and was presented in association with Vicky Graham, Joseph Smith and Bob Bartner.

The cast album is available to pre-order from 19 November from iTunes and from Dress Circle at https://www.dresscircle.london/flowers-for-mrs-harris-original-cast-recording-13136-p.asp

AUDIENCES ASKED TO “SAVE A SEAT” THIS CHRISTMAS
 TO RAISE FUNDS FOR BIRMINGHAM REPERTORY THEATRE
AND BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET 

This festive season, audiences are being asked to Save A Seat as part of a new fundraising campaign by Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Birmingham Royal Ballet. 

As the two Birmingham organisations continue their ongoing creative partnership with The Nutcracker at The REP, which runs from 14 – 22 December, audiences are being asked to make a donation to help fill the 50% of seats which will be left empty across all performances to allow for social distancing measures. All proceeds will be split equally between The REP and Birmingham Royal Ballet with the first 500 donations also matched by a generous donor and supporter.  

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many arts organisations being unable to open and perform in front of audiences for over seven months. Since March, over 80% of The REP’s income has come to an abrupt and unexpected halt, however, the theatre’s talented workforce has committed to finding inventive new ways of engaging a diverse spectrum of people and communities. Wardrobe teams have committed to making scrubs for NHS staff, Kitchen staff have provided meals for children in poverty through Open Kitchens and the theatre’s industry-leading Learning team have continued to engage with schools and young people.  

Birmingham Royal Ballet and The REP came together this October to be the first in the city to open their doors and present live performance with the world premiere of Lazuli Sky. 

Rachel Cranny, Head of Fundraising at The REP said; “2020 has proven to be a trying time for theatres and arts organisations across the country as performances have been cancelled and theatres forced to close. We hope that Save A Seat will enable our supportive and loyal audiences to help us in theoretically filling some of the empty seats left vacant due to social distancing measures. The Nutcracker at The REP will be the ideal opportunity to bring magic and joy to audiences at the end of a difficult year and, with the addition of the Save A Seat campaign, raise some vital funds at the same time.” 

Matt Freeman, Director of Development at Birmingham Royal Ballet said: “The impact of COVID-19 has had a huge impact on Birmingham Royal Ballet. With so much uncertainty, it has been very difficult for the company to confirm plans and performances or to deliver its outstanding and truly life changing education work to the thousands of young people across Birmingham who would ordinarily benefit from this. However, thanks to the generous and ongoing support of our individual supporters, trusts and sponsors we have continued to focus on what is possible. We were thrilled to deliver our first show back at The REP on the 22 October and that this partnership continues with a reimaged version of our classic, The Nutcracker, this Christmas. We are also delighted to partner with them on the Save A Seat campaign. All donations received will enable both organisations to stage other live performances during this uncertain time, and to plan confidently into the future.” 

Arts organisations do not exist in isolation and are part of an industry wide ecosystem, by supporting the Save A Seat initiative, audiences can help to enable both organisations to recover and rebuild. Donations will have a direct impact on both organisation’s ability to stage and produce performances during and after the pandemic, and to offer opportunities to a huge range of freelance staff, artists and participants. 

Audiences can donate to Save A Seat when booking tickets for The Nutcracker at The REP or donations can be made separate to a booking at birmingham-rep.co.uk. 

As national lockdown measures continue into early December, The Nutcracker at The REP will provide audiences with a joyous end to 2020. To ensure peace of mind when booking, if performances were unable to go ahead all ticket holders will be offered a full refund. 

In line with current Government regulations, The REP has taken a number of carefully managed steps and precautions to help audiences feel safe and enjoy their chosen performance. The theatre has introduced a series of new safety measures such as socially distanced seating within household bubbles only, hand sanitising stations, temperature checks and additional cleaning. More information can be found at birmingham-rep.co.uk. 

The REP will be monitoring the situation closely regarding government advice around performances in outdoor and indoor venues, with a number of contingencies in place. The priority, as always, will be the safety of audiences, performers and staff. 

Birmingham Repertory Theatre Charity Number 1149800.
Birmingham Royal Ballet Charity Number 1061012. 

NORFOLK & NORWICH FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES DATES FOR 2021

Daniel Brine Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Norfolk & Norwich Festival has confirmed that the 2021 Festival will take place between 14 – 30 May. Following its cancellation in 2020, and the continuing worldwide pandemic, the 2021 edition of the arts festival will be a one-off adaptation, with programme and presentation designed especially for Covid-times.

Daniel Brine said: “We, like the whole arts sector, have been navigating the complications thrown upon us by Coronavirus and so I’m really overjoyed to be able to announce that we will be staging a Festival in 2021.”

The Festival, which will mark its 249th year in 2021 usually attracts audiences of around 80,000 for its international programme of music, performance, visual arts and literature in venues and outdoor spaces across Norwich and Norfolk.

Mr Brine explained: “As a Festival, we have no fixed venue, and have been able to be fleet-of-foot, reactive, opportunistic. We have the ability to adapt to a degree, so we have been working to create an exciting, adapted and safe programme for the 17 days next May.

During the pandemic we have been reminded of the value that art has in our lives. People have been listening to music, watching box sets, reading, and streaming theatre to bring moments of respite and connection. We have been doing our bit over the summer, providing support and relief for some of those worse affected through creative projects across the region. But we are all missing the magic, the shared experiences that live art and performance bring us. It’s important that the people of Norfolk and Norwich can have a Festival to look forward to next year and we’re working on something that as many as possible can enjoy.

But it isn’t just about audiences. Delivering a Festival will provide a tremendous boost for the local economy and bring vital employment opportunities for artists, freelance crew and arts workers, all of whom have been heavily affected over the last 8 months.”

The full programme for 2021’s Norfolk & Norwich Festival will be announced in March 2021.

OFFSTAGE BUT NOT OFFLINE

Darlington Hippodrome offers online sessions for all ages throughout November

Darlington Hippodrome in association with The D Project is running regular online sessions available to all ages in a move to keep people active in body, mind and spirit during November. Whether you love to dance, keep fit, read or challenge your general knowledge, Darlington Hippodrome offers something for everyone in addition to the on-going sessions for the Hippodrome’s Youth Theatre and Dance groups.

Monday Movers – each Monday 10am to 12pm – is a gentle movement and dance class aimed at people aged 65+ although any age is welcome. The sessions allow participants to develop balance, co-ordination and make new friends.

Each Tuesday from 6.15pm there is an hour of Dance Fitness with Debbie for people aged 16 and over. This is a fun movement and exercise session to music aimed at raising your fitness, your heart rate and your spirits.

Sling and Sway this Thursday (19 November) from 10am to 11am is a gentle movement class for baby and parent / carer designed to get you moving in a safe fun way with your baby safely in a sling or baby carrier.

Friday night is Hippodrome Quiz night streamed live on Facebook with a 7.30pm start with our resident quizmaster Julian. Split the household into teams or play on your own – it’s all just a bit of general knowledge fun.

On Saturday 21 November there’s the opportunity to get the whole family involved in a Dance Taster Session from 12pm to 1pm. Suitable for all ages this session aims to encourage intergenerational fitness and fun through a variety of dance styles, music and fitness. You don’t have to be with a family, this class is for everyone.

For those who love to read there is a Book Club event on Friday 27 November at 10am. Join Cait from the Hippodrome for a relaxed and informal online discussion of the classic Dickens novella A Christmas Carol. If you don’t have the book there are many free versions available online.

Councillor Andy Keir said “Moving sessions online ensures that the Hippodrome remains an important hub for the people of Darlington and further afield to remain connected and at the same time keeping mentally and physically active which is so important in these difficult times.”

All sessions (except the Friday night quiz) are held over Zoom. For details on how to book and get involved please call the box office on 01325 405405 or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

FOLLOWING CRITICAL ACCLAIM WHAT A CARVE UP! EXTENDS UNTIL 2 DECEMBER

• THE BARN THEATRE, LAWRENCE BATLEY THEATRE & NEW WOLSEY THEATRE’S DIGITAL CO-PRODUCTION OF WHAT A CARVE UP! BY HENRY FILLOUX-BENNETT HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL THE END OF THE SECOND NATIONAL LOCKDOWN

• THE PRODUCTION, BASED ON JONATHAN COE’S CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED NOVEL, IS DIRECTED BY TAMARA HARVEY.

• THE CAST ALSO INCLUDES ALFRED ENOCH, SHARON D. CLARKE, STEPHEN FRY, CELIA IMRIE AND SIR DEREK JACOBI

The Barn Theatre in Cirencester, the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield and the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich have today announced that following overwhelming critical and public acclaim their digital co-production of Henry Filloux-Bennett’s reimagining of Jonathan Coe’s critically acclaimed satirical novel, What a Carve Up!, has been extended until 2 December.

What a Carve Up!, which marks the first collaboration between the three regional theatres, will now complete its run on the final date of England’s second national lockdown.

The digital production, directed by Tamara Harvey (Home, I’m Darling), chronicles the events leading up to the ‘Winshaw Murders’. Filled with murder, mayhem and madness, the murder mystery turns a satirical eye on what it is like to be a member of one of the most corrupt, powerful and toxic families in the country.

The production features an all-star cast including Jonathan Bailey as Henry Winshaw, Samuel Barnett as Michael Owen, Robert Bathurst as Thomas Winshaw, Fiona Button as Josephine Winshaw-Eaves, Sharon D. Clarke as Kim Bolton, Alfred Enoch as Raymond Owen, Rebecca Front as Hilary Winshaw, Stephen Fry as Patrick Mills, Celia Imrie as Joan Simpson, Sir Derek Jacobi as Findlay Onyx, Griff Rhys Jones as John Stephens, Dervla Kirwan as the Brunwin Advert and Tamzin Outhwaite as Interviewer 2020.

The cast is completed by: Catrin Aaron, Jamie Ballard, Jack Dixon, Julian Harries, James McNicholas and Lizzie Muncey.

The murder mystery is written by Henry Filloux-Bennett (Nigel Slater’s Toast), based on the award-winning novel by Jonathan Coe, directed by Tamara Harvey (Home, I’m Darling) with sound design and music by Harry Smith (Henry V, Private Peaceful), voiceover editing by Annie May Fletcher and set design by Holly Piggott.

What A Carve Up! is a co-production by the Barn Theatre, Lawrence Batley Theatre and New Wolsey Theatre with Dusthouse as associate producers.

The play, is available internationally, running until 2 December 2020. Tickets can be purchased at whatacarveup.com with audience members receiving a screening link which will activate on their booked performance date for a 48-hour period. A premium option, consisting of a physical programme and pre-theatre dining recipe card, is available for UK residents.

The recipe card included in the premium option has been curated by world-renowned chef Asma Khan. Owner of the prestigious Darjeeling Express in London’s Soho, Asma Khan was the first British chef to be profiled on Netflix’s award-winning documentary series Chef’s Table and in 2019 was named number one on Business Insider’s “100 Coolest People in Food and Drink” list.

A portion of the proceeds raised by What A Carve Up! will be donated to a freelance fund to support the creative workforce that the theatres would not be able to survive without.

The production is kindly supported by Blackmagic Design.

THE PRINCE OF EGYPT, the new hit musical based on the acclaimed DreamWorks Animation film, is pleased to announce that Ghostlight Records will release its original cast recording on CD online and in stores on Friday, November 20. The album is currently available in digital and streaming formats. Featuring the “miraculous music” (Time Out London) of Stephen Schwartz, the album is produced by Dominick Amendum and Stephen Schwartz, with Kurt Deutsch serving as Executive Producer. 

Performances of THE PRINCE OF EGYPT will resume at London’s Dominion Theatre in the Spring of 2021 pending UK Government advice relating to COVID-19.

With a cast and orchestra of almost 60 artists, “this truly phenomenal production” (BBC London)has music and lyrics by Grammy® and Academy Award®-winner Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell), a book by Philip LaZebnik (Mulan, Pocahontas) and features 10 brand new songs written by Stephen Schwartz, together with five of his acclaimed songs from the DreamWorks Animation film (“Deliver Us,” “All I Ever Wanted,” “Through Heaven’s Eyes,” “The Plagues,” and the Academy Award®-winning “When You Believe,” which was a global hit for Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey as well as a UK and Ireland chart-topping winner’s single for The X-Factor). “Brought to life in truly epic fashion” (The Mirror), THE PRINCE OF EGYPT premiered at London’s Dominion Theatre on February 25, 2020.

“An utterly stand-out cast” (WhatsOnStage) of 43 features  Luke Brady (Moses), Liam Tamne (Ramses), Christine Allado (Tzipporah), Alexia Khadime (Miriam), Joe Dixon (Seti), Debbie Kurup (Queen Tuya), Gary Wilmot (Jethro), Mercedesz Csampai (Yocheved), Adam Pearce (Hotep), Tanisha Spring (Nefertari), Silas Wyatt-Barke (Aaron), Simbi Akande, Casey Al-Shaqsy, Joe Atkinson, Danny Becker, Felipe Bejarano, Pàje Campbell, Adam Filipe, Soophia Foroughi, Natalie Green, Jack Harrison-Cooper, Rachael Ireson, Kalene Jeans, Christian Alexander Knight, Jessica Lee, Oliver Lidert, Jay Marsh, Scott Maurice, Carly Miles, Sam Oladeinde, Alice Readie, Christopher Short, Molly Smith, Ricardo Walker, Danny Williams, Niko Wirachman and Sasha Woodward together with young performers Leo Babet, Jonah Collier, Taylor Jenkins, Mia Lakha, Iman Pabani and Hannah Selk.

Journey through the wonders of Ancient Egypt as two young men, raised together as brothers in a kingdom of privilege, find themselves suddenly divided by a secret past. One must rule as Pharaoh, the other must rise up and free his true people; both face a destiny that will change history forever.

“This lavish stage production” (The Guardian) is directed by Scott Schwartz with choreography by Sean Cheesman;set designs by Kevin Depinet; costume designs by Ann Hould-Ward; lighting design by Mike Billings; sound design by Gareth Owen; projection designs by Jon Driscoll; illusions by Chris Fisher; wigs, hair and makeup design by Campbell Young Associates; orchestrations by August Eriksmoen; musical supervision and arrangements by Dominick Amendum; musical direction by Dave Rose, casting by Jim Arnold CDG and children’s casting by Verity Naughton CDG. 

THE PRINCE OF EGYPT is produced by DreamWorks Theatricals (a division of Universal Theatrical Group), Michael McCabe and Neil Laidlaw together with John Gore, Tom Smedes and Peter Stern, Ramin Sabi, The Araca Group, James L. Nederlander and Michael Park.

A milestone in cinematic achievement and first released in 1998, DreamWorks’ The Prince of Egypt captivated audiences across the world and has been hailed as “one of the greatest animated films of all time” (Evening Standard) , “epic cinema” (Radio Times) and “a stunning film” (The Guardian).

GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS has become the leading independent force in Original Broadway Cast Recordings – building a library of over 200 records over the past 20 years, featuring some of the most successful Broadway musicals and solo albums by Broadway’s brightest stars. Founded by Grammy Award winner Kurt Deutsch, Ghostlight has won Grammy Awards for The Band’s Visit, The Book of Mormon, In the Heights and Beautiful – The Carole King Musical. Ghostlight has also released solo albums from Patti LuPone, Kelli O’Hara, Sutton Foster, Billy Porter, and more. The label continues to support the new generation of musical theater composers and has developed extensive relationships with Jason Robert Brown, Michael John LaChiusa, and David Yazbek, as well as Lin-Manuel Miranda, Pasek & Paul, Tom Kitt, Joe Iconis, and Shaina Taub. Ghostlight Records is part of the Arts Music division at Warner Music Group. ghostlightrecords.com

“THE PRINCE OF EGYPT” TRACK LIST         

1. Deliver Us

2. Faster

3. One Weak Link

4. Footprints on the Sand

5. Seti’s Return

6. Dance to the Day

7. All I Ever Wanted

8. Make it Right

9. Moses in the Desert

10. Through Heaven’s Eyes

11. Faster (Reprise)

12. Never In a Million Years

13. Act I Finale

14. Return to Egypt

15. Always on Your Side

16. Simcha

17. Deliver Us (Reprise)

18. The Plagues

19. For the Rest of My Life

20. Heartless

21. When You Believe

22. Never in a Million Years (Reprise)

23. Act II Finale

MATTHEW HORNE, EMILY ATACK, ADELAYO ADEDAYO, LUCY BRIGGS-OWEN AND JAKE FERRETTI JOIN THE WEST END CAST OF

THE UNDERSTUDY

PALACE THEATRE LONDON

MONDAY 7^TH – TUESDAY 8^TH DECEMBER 2020

Joining the stellar cast of The Understudy, which will once again raise funds for the UK’s theatre industry, is Matthew Horne, Emily Atack, Adelayo Adedayo, Lucy Briggs-Owen,  and Jake Ferretti. A perfect pre-Christmas treat for theatre lovers, this exclusive semi-staged rehearsed reading of The Understudy will run for two nights only at London’s Palace Theatre.

The play forms part of the initiative first launched by the Lawrence Batley Theatre in May, with proceeds once again being split between Acting For Others, the Equity Charitable Trust and The Theatre Development Trust, run by the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre.

Directed by Giles Croft, The Understudy is written by Henry Filloux-Bennett and will be accompanied by Dusthouse’s wonderful animation from the play’s online version. Having previously recorded their lines in isolation, this will be the first time the actors will be performing together in the flesh as they swap their makeshift recording studios at home for the real life stage.

Based on the novel by the best-selling author David Nicholls, The Understudy tells the story of an underdog – a failed husband, a failing father, a failing actor, and the impossible choice he’s going to have to make between stealing the show and stealing another man’s wife.

Actor Stephen McQueen has just landed a dream West End role. Well, that’s not quite true – he’s going to be is understudying film star (and 12^th Sexiest Man in the World) Josh Harper in the brand-new show ‘Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know’, but still…Whilst he’s waiting for his time to shine, he reflects on his career – one that has spanned everything from (non-speaking) Rent Boy 3 in ‘The Bill’ to his recent starring role as Sammy in the (low-budget) regional tour of ‘Sammy The Squirrel’s Seriously Silly Safari’.

With this new job Stephen’s stage career may be destined for the dizzying heights, but not everything is going quite as well. Stephen’s wife left him two years ago, wondering if he’d ever grow up; his daughter wonders when he’ll get an actual job; worst of all, he’s starting to fall for the leading man’s wife.

The Understudy was originally commissioned by The Lowry, Salford.

Highlighting the Northern experience, venues
and women writers unite for Burn Bright
Monday 14th December, 8pm

Burn Bright’s digitally commissioned anthology series Better In Person returns this winter with a northern-centric instalment, partnering with acclaimed venues to amplify the voices of northern writers who identify as women. Plagued with harsher lockdown conditions throughout the pandemic the company are keen to offer a platform for these stories to be shared. Bringing together five talented women writers to capture the reality of the north, Better In Person promises to be an eye-opening event.

The company are thrilled to partner with the Hull Truck Theatre, Live Theatre, Octagon Theatre and the Stephen Joseph Theatre to make this opportunity possible, commissioning writers who identify as women from Bolton, Bradford, Hull, Newcastle and Scarborough. The writers involved are Shannon Barker, Olivia Hannah, Rachel Hogg, Zoe Iqbal and Kat Rose-Martin.

Better In Person’s third iteration will be directed and hosted by company co-founder Tori Allen Martin, showcasing an intimate, hilarious, and very human collection of online conversations as we continue navigating a life of new rules, regulations and lockdowns. These five thoughtprovoking new plays will be showcased via Zoom on Monday 14th December at 8pm. Recordings of the previous events are currently available for pay per view on the Burn Bright website, for a limited time only.

Sarah Henley, Co-Founder of Burn Bright, comments, This industry can sometimes feel like it’s purely made up of “no’s” and closed doors (particularly if you don’t necessarily move in the ‘right crowd’) so Tori and I are completely overwhelmed at the ‘yesses’ from these power-house theatres for Better in Person! We feel like their seals of approval are a real show of validation for our efforts in turning a negative into a positive, and impetus for the sea-change we want to drive in terms of equality for women playwrights; a very encouraging end to an exceptionally challenging year!

Lotte Wakeham, Artist Director of Octagon Theatre adds, I’m delighted that the Octagon is
partnering with Burn Bright on this project to champion the voices of Northern women. It will be wonderful to collaborate with these other fantastic Northern venues as well and I’m sure audiences will really enjoy the performance in December.

Furthering the partnership with the regional venues, a representative from each theatre will
donate their time and expertise to Burn Bright’s Time Bank initiative. This pioneering scheme provides industry insight and mentorship for women writers looking to further their career development.

Danielle Tarento presents
‘Christmas LIVE at Charing Cross’
a season of fabulous festive treats featuring a host of stars

Tuesday 15 December at 7pm
Benjamin Scheuer in Concert

American singer-songwriter and guitarist Benjamin Scheuer performs a brand new solo set, including songs from his Drama Desk Award-winning show ‘The Lion’, and from his forthcoming album for Parlophone (UK) & Atlantic/Canvasback(USA.)

Featuring special guest Max Alexander Taylor.

Watch the music video for Benjamin’s new song, ‘Lafayette Square’, which he will be performing at the concert, here: https://benjaminscheuer.lnk.to/LafayetteSquareFA

Monday 21 – Wednesday 23 December at 7pm
A Very Movie Christmas
A Musical Holiday Celebration with Trevor Dion Nicholas and Guests

Celebrate this Christmas with music from the classic films we love to watch every holiday season, featuring songs from ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’, ‘Dr Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas’, ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’ and ma more. Bring the festive spirit from your screen, live to the London stage as Trevor Dion Nicholas, a three-piece rock band and some very special guests electrify your Christmas in a concert event not to be missed!

Monday 28 December at 7pm
Emma Hatton – Songbird

Known and loved by thousands worldwide for her portrayal of iconic characters such as Elphaba and Eva Peron in the West End productions of ‘Wicked’ and ‘Evita’, Emma Hatton presents her sellout show ‘Songbird’, a celebration of Eva Cassidy, whose stirring and emotional interpretation of iconic songs coupled with her untimely death at the young age of 33 touched the world. Audiences can look forward to stunning arrangements of Eva’s songbook, including ‘Fields of Gold’, ‘Over the Rainbow’ and of course, ‘Songbird’, in a way only Emma can deliver – with warmth, fragility and heart.

Tuesday 29 December at 7pm
Mr and Mrs Price’s
Holiday Special

Join newlyweds Stuart Matthew Price and Heather Lundstedt for a festive celebration of song, stories and survival. Whether you love Broadway, Opera, Pop or Swing, these critically acclaimed artists offer something for everyone as they share their journey through 2020 with a sprinkle of holiday cheer.

Wednesday 30 December at 2pm
Shaza Sings Liza

“The command and presence of a seasoned veteran”

Before creating the role of Sloane in Jim Steinman’s ‘Bat Out Of Hell’, Sharon Sexton was most recognised for her award winning portrayal of Liza Minnelli in a one-woman play that toured extensivelythroughout the UK & Europe, enjoying great success and many nominations and wins on the UK fringe circuit.

Sexton will step back into Minnelli’s shoes for this very special concert. Featuring a host of anecdotes, memories and hits from musical legends such as Sondheim, Kander and Ebb and Charles Aznavour,  this promises to be an unmissable afternoon for Sexton and Minnelli fans alike! 

Wednesday 30 December at 7pm
Farewell 2020 with Sexton & Fowler

Rob Fowler and Sharon Sexton met when cast as Falco and Sloane in Jim Steinman’s ‘Bat Out Of Hell’, which they have performed in Manchester,  London and Toronto.

Join these West End performers as they musically recap their way through what has been a rollercoaster of a year and take you on a journey filled with ”the heart, vocals and chemistry that they are so loved for” (Rewritethistory)
Danielle Tarento presents
‘Christmas LIVE at Charing Cross’

Charing Cross Theatre
The Arches Villiers Street
London WC2N 6NL

www.charingcrosstheatre.co.uk

Box office: 08444 930650

Tickets:
front row premium £40,
general admission £30,
balcony £10

All shows are 90mins
(approx)
with no interval

A booking fee applies to phone and internet
orders; no booking fee to personal callers

The box office is open
from 1 hour
before curtain time on
performance days
for personal callers

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