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Theatre Royal Bath receives lifeline grant from Government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund

Theatre Royal Bath has been awarded £955,192 as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure they have a sustainable future, the Culture Secretary has announced today.

Theatre Royal Bath is one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support. £257 million of investment has been announced today as part of the very first round of the Culture Recovery Fund grants programme being administered by Arts Council England. Further rounds of funding in the cultural and heritage sector are due to be announced over the coming weeks.

Since closing its doors to the public in March, the Theatre Royal Bath is estimated to have lost over £1.5million, with the absence of audiences in Bath for the high quality touring productions and the hugely popular Summer Season. The closure of the West End also hit hard as the record-breaking production of Blithe Spirit had to close just one week into its scheduled twelve week run. Arts Council England funding and support from Innovate UK earlier in the year ensured that The Egg could continue with some innovative provision for outreach and educational activities, and this further funding will ensure that plans can continue for the Theatre’s socially-distanced Welcome Back Season which opens this week, and to continue to plan into 2021.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said:

“This funding is a vital boost for the theatres, music venues, museums and cultural organisations that form the soul of our nation. It will protect these special places, save jobs and help the culture sector’s recovery. 

“These places and projects are cultural beacons the length and breadth of the country. This unprecedented investment in the arts is proof this government is here for culture, with further support to come in the days and weeks ahead so that the culture sector can bounce back strongly.”

Chair, Arts Council England, Sir Nicholas Serota, said:

“Theatres, museums, galleries, dance companies and music venues bring joy to people and life to our cities, towns and villages. This life-changing funding will save thousands of cultural spaces loved by local communities and international audiences. Further funding is still to be announced and we are working hard to support our sector during these challenging times.”

Theatre Royal Bath Director, Danny Moar, said:

“We are thrilled to receive this news, especially in the week we open our Welcome Back Season after a seven month closure. This funding will help us keep our doors open into the Spring of 2021 and beyond. We are delighted that the importance of our work for the people of Bath and beyond has been recognised in this way”

Following the announcement of the first round allocation of the Culture Recovery Fund, I’m pleased to share a statement from Jon Morgan, director of Theatres Trust, who comments:

With £500m in grants to be divided across all artforms, we always knew that the Culture Recovery Fund would not be enough to support every organisation in need, that there would be winners and losers.

As the theatre sector has been particularly impacted by the pandemic, we are pleased to see that a good number of theatres have been successful in this first round and hope to see more funded in subsequent rounds. It is also welcome that it includes treasured local theatres and important theatres on the touring network.

However, there will also be many theatres that were unsuccessful and this news will have a terrible impact on those organisations, their staff, the artists they work with and the communities they serve. We had hoped that November would bring good news about when theatres might reopen fully, but with the Prime Minister’s announcement of a three-tier lockdown system that now looks unlikely.

There is still a real danger of more redundancies and ultimately losing theatres that add so much to their local areas, to people’s sense of place and to town centre economies.

Theatres Trust will do all it can to support theatres to navigate through the challenges ahead, through our advice service, seminars and grants programme. We are continuing to raise money to help theatres through the #SaveOurTheatres campaign with Crowdfunder.

THE TURBINE THEATRE RECEIVES LIFELINE GRANT

FROM GOVERNMENT’S £1.57BN CULTURE RECOVERY FUND

The Turbine Theatre has been awarded £90,000 as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure they have a sustainable future, the Culture Secretary has announced today.

The Turbine Theatre is one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support. £257 million of investment has been announced today as part of the very first round of the Culture Recovery Fund grants programme being administered by Arts Council England. Further rounds of funding in the cultural and heritage sector are due to be announced over the coming weeks.

Founded in August 2019, new energy drives everything at The Turbine Theatre, from festivals of brand-new works, world premieres of new productions and classic stories reimagined for contemporary audiences.

​

Every story is a journey and The Turbine Theatre aims to be just the first stage for every idea, risk and labour of love that is brought to life in this electric new environment.

Paul Taylor Mills, Artistic Director, The Turbine Theatre said:

“The events of the last year have been life-changing for those working within the theatre industry. At The Turbine Theatre we’ve tried to be as resilient as we can be but the challenges of the last 7 months have been unfathomable. Over this time we’ve continued to entertain audiences through our outdoor festival, we’ve employed a variety of freelancers to work on our shows and still programmed emerging talent. Furthermore, we’ve raised over £60,000 through our #FundForFreelancers support fund. 

The support from the Cultural Recovery Fund will allow us to retain staff, continue to promote new musicals / artists and ensure we’re able to hit the ground running for when we’re finally able to open our doors. I’m desperate that this will be sooner rather than later.

Theatre remains an important part of so many people’s lives and not just the people who work within the industry. Its value to the economy and indeed the health and wellbeing of those that call this great country home should never be under estimated. I’m honoured that we’ve been chosen as one of the organisations trusted to get us back to a vibrant and meaningful future for the arts.”

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said:

“This funding is a vital boost for the theatres, music venues, museums and cultural organisations that form the soul of our nation. It will protect these special places, save jobs and help the culture sector’s recovery. 

“These places and projects are cultural beacons the length and breadth of the country. This unprecedented investment in the arts is proof this government is here for culture, with further support to come in the days and weeks ahead so that the culture sector can bounce back strongly.”

Chair, Arts Council England, Sir Nicholas Serota, said:

“Theatres, museums, galleries, dance companies and music venues bring joy to people and life to our cities, towns and villages. This life-changing funding will save thousands of cultural spaces loved by local communities and international audiences. Further funding is still to be announced and we are working hard to support our sector during these challenging times.”

MIZ ROCKS AGAIN!

LAST YEAR’S SENSATIONAL SELL-OUT

L E S   M I S É R A B L E S  –  T H E   S T A G E D   C O N C E R T

RETURNS THIS CHRISTMAS TO THE WEST END AT THE SONDHEIM THEATRE

5 DECEMBER 2020 FOR SIX WEEKS ONLY

MICHAEL BALL, ALFIE BOE, CARRIE HOPE FLETCHER AND MATT LUCAS

LEAD A COMPANY OF OVER 50 ACTORS AND MUSICIANS

WWW.LESMIS.COM

Cameron Mackintosh today (12 October 2020) officially confirms the return of Les Misérables –The Staged Concert for a six-week limited run at the Sondheim Theatre from 5 December 2020 – 17 January 2021 to coincide with the musical’s 35^th year on Shaftesbury Avenue and following Saturday night’s spectacular musical extravaganza on Britain’s Got Talent. 

With a reduced seating capacity of 750, Covid safety measures and social distancing are in place front of house, on stage, backstage and throughout the building. Tickets go on sale at 12noon on 13 October 2020 for priority booking and general on sale at 12noon on 14 October 2020.  The cast for this six-week run will include Michael Ball as Javert, Alfie Boe as Jean Valjean, Carrie Hope Fletcher as Fantine and Matt Lucas as Thénardier. At certain performances John Owen-Jones will again play the role of Jean Valjean.

Cameron Mackintosh with First Night Records and Warner Music this week announced that Les Misérables –The Staged Concert cast recording is now available to pre-order at https://LesMiserables.lnk.to/TheStagedConcert for a release on 20 November 2020.  Recorded at the Gielgud Theatre last year with the same all-star cast the DVD is now also available to pre-order at https://LesMiserables.lnk.to/TheStagedConcert

The critically acclaimed new production of Les Misérables which opened in January of this year will hopefully re-open at the Sondheim Theatre sometime in the Spring as soon as the Government has withdrawn social distancing and reached Stage 5 allowing full capacity audiences.

Statement from Cameron Mackintosh

“Seven months on from the enforced closure of our theatres, one of Britain’s most successful world beating industries faces being decimated, with the desperate loss of thousands of jobs.  The future of our cultural heritage hangs in the balance while the Government battles to find the best way out of this crisis.  Like so many people, I want to go back to work.

The Chancellor has said we need to live with this virus without fear and as a theatre producer and theatre owner that is exactly how I and my colleagues feel – the show must go on – but safely for both audiences and everyone onstage as well as backstage.  Time to grab the masks of comedy and tragedy once more!

The only show of mine that I can consider opening at this time is the hugely successful all-star staged concert of Les Misérables which I produced last year for a sell-out 16 week run at the Gielgud Theatre. 

As the production exists it will only require slight re-staging to play safely with social distancing both on stage and throughout the auditorium.  Our priority is always that our companies and audiences are in a safe, healthy environment so they can fully enjoy a wonderful show in a beautiful theatre. 

To comply with regulations the theatre’s capacity has to be reduced to just over 750 seats.  The authors and theatre have waived their royalties and rent to give the show a chance to break even and our leading artists have all agreed to work for appreciably less than their normal salaries.   With such a big spectacular show it is a risk, but with manageable production costs and a short run it is not a catastrophic one. 

It is encouraging to see flickers of theatrical life again both in the West End and the subsidised theatre.  Most of the recently opened productions have been selling out their reduced capacities despite the ever changing and confusing public messaging.

Of course as Producer of the fully staged version of Les Misérables which brilliantly reopened the Sondheim at the beginning of the year, I am hugely concerned for that wonderful cast to start performing again as I am for my other great companies and productions of Hamilton, The Phantom of the Opera and Mary Poppins.  As an industry we are all crying out for certainty and a date when the major productions that cannot operate viably with any social distancing can plan to return.  Realistically this can’t happen before next spring due to the Government’s current ever-changing and confusing guidelines and the practical time we need to get these big productions back up.  We also require a commitment from the Government to underwrite Covid insurance without which major long running shows will find it almost impossible to take the risk of reopening. Remounting these shows will cost several millions each and we will only be able to have one go at this if the industry is to survive. 

With several shows now being announced, the West End is determined that theatregoers can look forward to Christmas in the traditional way with at least a handful of great shows.  However, this is just a warm-up allowing us to flex our atrophied artistic muscles in preparation for the whole of UK theatre hopefully returning from next Spring.  In December, Michael Harrison is also bringing his star-studded Pantoland Christmas show to the Palladium for a short season – guaranteed to make you collapse with laughter. The Play That Goes Wrong will be doing everything right at the Duchess Theatre, Six will be knocking them for six at the neighbouring Lyric Theatre and next door Everybody’s  still Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre – all of us hopefully helping to bring much needed crowds back to the West End’s bars, restaurants and hotels.

It is time to tear down the barricades and let tomorrow come.  The beautiful new Sondheim Theatre will re-open its doors so audiences can once again leap to their feet thrilled by Hugo’s timelessly uplifting story of the survival of the human spirit told through Boublil and Schönberg’s amazing iconic score – Let The People Sing.  Happy Christmas to us all.”

Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Les Misérables is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and is based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel with additional material by James Fenton and adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird.

Les Misérables -The Staged Concert is being staged without any financial help from the Culture Recovery Fund or the National Lottery.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Theatre:                    Sondheim Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 6BA

Dates:                       5 December 2020 – 17 January 2021

Website:                    www.lesmis.com

ITV’S BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT LINK

Leeds Playhouse – until 17 October 2020

Reviewed By Dawn Smallwood

5*****

It is a delight to see the Leeds Playhouse re-open their doors since they had to close them in March due to COVID-19 Lockdown. This season they are presenting a series of short works which includes Connecting Voices. This is co-produced with Opera North and is taking place over three weekends in safe settings. La Voix Humaine is one of the three works which is part of Connecting Voices.

Some solo excerpts from Francis Poulenc’s La Voix Humaine are presented by Annette Saunders’ piano accompaniment and solely sung by Gillene Butterfield, portraying Elle. The work explores the solo voice with expression and power and is excellently portrayed by Butterfield. The set up is creative with the use of telephones, from different eras, being used as props for vocal expression. This resonates very much how staying at home was not an option during lockdown and how such communication, telephone and digital, are crucial inclusively for keeping in touch with friends and loved ones and also a lifeline for situations.

This production, under the direction of Sameena Hussain, is approximately 45 minutes but packed with powerful and expressive vocal and musical content. It is definitely a welcome back production with maximum engagement.

It was announced tonight on Britain’s Got Talent that the concert production of Les Misérables will be performed across the Christmas period from 5 December at the Sondheim Theatre.

Sir Cameron Mackintosh and Michael Ball made the announcement after a performance of songs from Mary Poppins, Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables

Starring Michael Ball, Matt Lucas, Alfie Boe, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Amara Okereke, Shan Ako, Rob Houchen, Bradley Jaden and more, the piece will have a company of over 50, according to reports. John Owen-Jones will also perform for some nights in the six-week season.

Until lockdowns began, Les Misérables was running at the venue, starring Jon Robyns, Rachelle Ann Go, Bradley Jaden, Shan Ako, and Lily Kerhoas. The show is penned by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and is based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel with additional material by James Fenton and adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird.

The concert production was last seen in the West End last year, when it played for four months while the Sondheim Theatre was being renovated.

Further details and on-sale dates are to be revealed.

DISNEY THEATRICAL GROUP LAUNCHES WELLBEING RESOURCE FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS

To mark the forthcoming opening of Disney’s Frozen the Musical in the West End, Disney Theatrical Group has created a resource for primary schools that supports wellbeing. Designed to be used flexibly at Key Stage 2, and using the much-loved Frozen characters, pupils can explore the landscape of emotions, helping them build resilience, create strong friendships and celebrate the fact that we are all unique.

With wellbeing now a key part of the curriculum, this brand-new resource examines a variety of areas which impact primary age children, including emotions, trust, friendship and uniqueness. It also provides teachers with an adaptable framework to help support and deliver the resource’s four lesson plans.

Through fun and engaging activities, pupils will be enabled to gain confidence in speaking positively about their feelings, and given the vocabulary to do so in a safe environment. They will explore different scenarios through the eyes of the familiar Frozen characters in the form of puppets. On the way, they will learn how to manage emotions, resolve conflict and celebrate what makes them special.

After participating in these activities, the pupils will create their own short drama, which can be performed in a peer-led assembly.

Nancy Shakerley, Education and Outreach Manager at Disney Theatrical Group, “With wellbeing now a vital part of the curriculum, Frozen the Musical has delivered a creative resource with content that supports teachers to deliver lessons around sensitive topics. Utilising the characters of Frozen, known and loved by children nationwide, it provides them a shorthand to understand the topics being explored. Whilst meeting the classroom objectives and curriculum, this resource gives the children the freedom to explore emotions, friendships, trust and uniqueness in a fun, interactive way, using the structure of four adaptable lesson plans.”

Jake Philpott,  member of Disney Theatrical Group’s Teacher Advisory Board commented, “The Frozen the Musical Wellbeing materials are a brilliant resource, and definitely fit with the new objectives and nationwide focus on children’s wellbeing and the spotlight on the child as a ‘whole’, with research showing that the earlier you can get children talking about their emotions, the better. The ability to use it flexibly is essential, given the demands on the timetable – and making the questions focused on Olaf gives the distance and the freedom for children to respond freely as they can reflect their feelings.”

To sign up for the resource, please go to: www.nationalschoolspartnership.com/initiatives/frozenmusicalwellbeing.

The first 100 schools that sign up will receive the resource in hard copy, including the puppets which can be assembled using split pins.

 With music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, book by Jennifer Lee, and directed by Michael Grandage, Disney’s Frozen opens at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 14 April 2021, with previews from 2 April, and is booking until 24 October 2021. The cast includes  Samantha Barks (Elsa) and Stephanie McKeon (Anna), Craig Gallivan (Olaf), Oliver Ormson (Hans), Obioma Ugoala (Kristoff), Richard Frame (Weselton), and alternating the role of Sven, Mikayla Jade and Ashley Birchall; with Jeremy Batt, Cameron Burt, Lauren Chia, Laura Emmitt, Emily-Mae (Bulda), Danielle Fiamanya, Hannah Fairclough, Matt Gillett, Joe Griffiths-Brown, Emily Lane, Justin-Lee Jones, Jason Leigh Winter, Jacob Maynard, Leisha Mollyneaux, Gabriel Mokake (King Agnarr), Sarah O’Connor, Jemma Revell, Jacqui Sanchez (Queen Iduna), Jak Skelly (Oaken/Bishop), Jake Small, Isabel Snaas, Joshua St. Clair (Pabbie), Monica Swayne, and Anna Woodside.

Frozen – produced by Disney Theatrical Productions under the direction of Thomas Schumacher – opened on Broadway in March 2018 to box office records, and three Tony Award® nominations including for Best Musical. In addition to the opening in London, the musical recently embarked on a North American tour, and new productions will open in Australia later this year, and in Japan and Hamburg within the next year.

Frozen was released in cinemas in 2013, winning multiple awards, including two Academy Awards® for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song (“Let It Go”), the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film and the BAFTA for Best Animated Film. It was written and directed by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, withmusic and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Frozen 2, which debuted in November 2019, had the biggest-ever opening for an animated film worldwide and is the highest grossing animated film of all time. 

Twitter @FrozenLondon

Facebook /FrozenLondon

Instagram @FrozenLondon

FrozenTheMusical.co.uk

DISNEY THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS (DTP) operates under the direction of Thomas Schumacher bringing live entertainment events to a global audience of more than 20 million people a year in more than 50 countries. Current London: The Lion King, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary at The Lyceum, and Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward Theatre.  Other London credits: Aladdin, the Olivier-nominated play Shakespeare in Love and DTP’s inaugural production Beauty and the Beast, which won the Olivier Award for Best Musical.  Other productions on Broadway and around the world: Newsies, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins, a co-production with Cameron Mackintosh, TARZAN® and Elton John & Tim Rice’s Aida.  Other successful stage musical ventures have included productions of Disney’s High School Musical, Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame in Berlin, and King David in concert.

Worldwide, its ten Broadway titles have been seen by over 200 million theatregoers, and have been nominated for 20 Olivier Awards, winning the honour five times. When performances resume worldwide, Disney Theatrical Productions’ slate of 20 produced or licensed productions will mean a Disney musical is being performed professionally somewhere on the planet virtually every hour of the day.

THE STARS TURN OUT TO SUPPORT THEATRE ROYAL
WINDSOR AS IT RE-OPENS FOR AN AUTUMN/WINTER 2020
SEASON

Star casting has now been completed for Theatre Royal Windsor’s
Autumn/Winter Season which will reopen the theatre after more than seven
months of closure.

A.R GURNEY’S LOVE LETTERS
MARTIN SHAW & JENNY SEAGROVE

“WINDSOR ON AIR SEASON”

AGATHA CHRISTIE’S LOVE FROM A STRANGER
IAIN GLEN & CHARLOTTE EMMERSON

ALAN BENNETT’S THE LADY IN THE VAN
JENNY SEAGROVE, ROBERT DAWS & MATTHEW COTTLE

WILLIAM DOUGLAS HOME’S
LLOYD GEORGE KNEW MY FATHER
FELICITY KENDAL, TOM CONTI & CHARLIE STEMP

HERB GARDNER’S A THOUSAND CLOWNS
WILL YOUNG

SEASON DIRECTED BY ROY MARSDEN

FURTHER STAR CASTING ANOUNCED FOR
“WINDSOR ON AIR”

We are thrilled to announce more special guest stars joining us for our Windsor
On Air Season, presenting shows in the style of vintage radio broadcasts.

GAME OF THRONES’ IAIN GLEN TO STAR ALONGSIDE HIS
WIFE CHARLOTTE EMMERSON IN
LOVE FROM A STRANGER – Tue 20 – Sat 24 October

Iain Glen, from mega-hit TV series Game of Thrones, is to star alongside his
wife Charlotte Emmerson in Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie’s gripping
psychological thriller Love from a Stranger.

Screen star Iain is best known for his appearances in the Resident Evil film series and for his role as Ser Jorah Mormont in Game of Thrones. Iain was
Olivier Award nominated for his performances in The Blue Room opposite
Nicole Kidman and the RSC’s The Crucible. Charlotte performed alongside Martin Shaw at Theatre Royal Windsor last year in Gaslight. Charlotte made her West End debut in Tennessee Williams’ Baby Doll

The pair are joined by TV and Stage favourite Liza Goddard and Soldier Soldier’s Ben Nealon in this adaptation by Frank Vosper.

JENNY SEAGROVE WILL STAR AS THE LADY IN THE VAN
ALSO CONFIRMED: ROBERT DAWS, MATTHEW COTTLE, SARA
CROWE, ELIZABETH COUNSELL & ASHLEY D GAYLE
THE LADY IN THE VAN – Tue 27 – Sat 31 October

Leading film, stage and TV actress Jenny Seagrove will be joined by prolific
stage and screen actor Robert Daws and TV and theatre regular Matthew
Cottle who will perform as the two Alan Bennetts, along with West End star
Sara Crowe, whose credits include Private Lives, Hay Fever and The Constant
Wife, and Ashley D Gayle who starred in last year’s West End production and
UK Tour of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin and the UK Tour of Holes.

We are also delighted to have Elizabeth Counsell joining us – the stage, screen
and TV actress holds an extra special connection to Theatre Royal, as her
father John Counsell, and actress mother Mary Kerridge, ran the theatre for
more than 50 years.

FELICITY KENDAL AND TOM CONTI STAR IN
LLOYD GEORGE KNEW MY FATHER
WITH SPECIAL GUEST STAR CHARLIE STEMP
LLOYD GEORGE KNEW MY FATHER – Tue 03 – Sat 07 November

Legendary TV and theatre actress, The Good Life’s Felicity Kendal; iconic film
and stage actor Tom Conti; and Charlie Stemp, double Olivier nominated ‘Best
Actor in a Musical’ for his roles in Half a Sixpence and Mary Poppins, will star in
classic comedy Lloyd George Knew My Father written by William Douglas
Home. They are joined by Robert Duncan (Drop the Dead Donkey), Eric Carte
(Johnny English Reborn) and Elizabeth Carter (Rain Man, Dreamboats and
Petticoats).

WILL YOUNG MAKES HIS WINDSOR DEBUT IN A THOUSAND CLOWNS
WITH: ANDREW LANCEL AND HIS REAL-LIFE SON ISAAC LANCEL-WATKINSON
A THOUSAND CLOWNS – Tue 10 – Sat 14 November

Olivier-award nominated, multi-platinum recording artist, and star of the silver
screen, Will Young will star in Herb Gardner’s witty comedy-drama A
Thousand Clowns.

He will be joined by star of Coronation Street and The Bill, Andrew Lancel, and
his real-life son Isaac Lancel-Watkinson.

With multiple TV, Theatre and film credits including: Skyfall, Baghdad Central,
Black Mirror and The National Theatre: Beatrice Curnew joins the cast.

The Playhouse, Leeds  – 7th & 8th of October 2020

Reviewed By Sally Richmond

5 ***** 

Wow!  Simply, wow – is the best word to describe how it felt to be back at the Leeds Playhouse. After many months of feeling bereft and deprived of seeing a live theatrical performance, it was a true joy to once again have my imagination and emotions ignited, provoked and transcended by a new and unique creation in the form of Dr Blood’s Old Travelling Show.  

A world without the arts doesn’t bear thinking about and due to the amazing Playhouse team, who ensure every covid-19 health and safety measure is in place and adhered to, there is no reason why we should be denied our cultural and artistic rights!  There was a real sense of community cohesion as the audience stood together (socially distanced of course) to witness this most extraordinary and outlandishly good outdoor performance.  

Friends and foes, behold the shocking spectacle Dr Blood and be enthralled by a grotesque tale that goes beyond a narrative – blending gore with the ridiculous.  Nefariously dark, this pacy and intriguing  tale is set in the lurid and hideous underworld of a northern town; where the souls of three powerful pillars of the community are tested.  Will they succumb to corruption when they have the opportunity to make lots of money?   Predictably, in this ‘dog eat dog world’ – it’s of no surprise that greed and ambition win resulting in mayhem and horrific, fatal bloody murders.  

Through their dynamic use of film and technology, Imitating the Dog have once again created a highly entertaining and slick show that is brimming with riotous energy and alarming edgy drama,  What should have been pure chaos as it involved: puppets, a blood splattered screen, rolling film, switching roles before your very eyes and with punk tunes playing in the background – was actually done seamlessly and with pin-sharp timing.  Every scene burst with macabre madness as the power-crazed trio had the depths of their base and hideous inner selves explored and exploited.  How far will some people go for money?  All the way it seems ….  

Dr Blood’s Old Travelling Show is storytelling at its absolute best – thrilling, off-beat and most inventive.  Eerily comical and delightfully off-the-wall, this tragic tale shows us that sometimes the bad do end badly and that we all have ‘free will’ to go on whichever path we choose.  

It was bliss to be back at the Leeds Playhouse and so immensely moving to hear the applause and cheers at the end of the show because for many, watching live performances fulfils essential emotional and spiritual needs.  We’ve missed you! 

NEW ADAPTATION OF MICHAEL MORPURGO’S PRIVATE PEACEFUL

TO PLAY LIMITED TWO-WEEK SEASON

AT THE GARRICK THEATRE, LONDON

FROM 7 NOVEMBER 2020

WITH GALA NIGHT ON WEDNESDAY 11 NOVEMBER

FOUR PERFORMANCES AT BRISTOL OLD VIC PRIOR TO WEST END

First new production to be staged indoors in London’s West End since theatres were closed in March 2020

Jack Maple & Brian Zeilinger-Goode for Take Two Theatricals, and the Barn Theatre (Iwan Lewis, Artistic Director) are delighted to present the West End transfer of Simon Reade’s adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s PRIVATE PEACEFUL. This new production by BoxLess Theatre opened as part of the Barn Theatre’s first outdoor theatre festival, BarnFest, in August 2020 and transferred to the main space of The Barn Theatre the following month, becoming one of the first major indoor productions in the UK since the COVID lockdown and garnering 4- and 5-star reviews.  It will now be part of Nimax Theatres’ plans to reopen its theatres and will be the first new production to be staged indoors in London’s West End since the Government closed theatres in March.  The limited two-week season at the Garrick Theatre will run from 7 to 22 November 2020, with a Remembrance Day Gala and Press Night in aid of the Royal British Legion and Farms for City Children (founded by Michael and Clare Morpurgo) at 7pm on Wednesday 11 November.  There will also be a special 11.01am performance on 11 November.  Audience capacity will be reduced and distanced for the two-week run.  

The West End run will be preceded by four performances at Bristol Old Vic at 7.30pm on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 October and 2.30pm (with a BSL interpreter) and 7.30pm on Saturday 24 October. 

“I’ve had nearly eighteen years of yesterdays and tomorrows, and tonight I must remember as many of them as I can. Tonight, more than any other night of my life, I want to feel alive!” PRIVATE PEACEFUL relives the life of Private Tommo Peaceful, a young First World War soldier awaiting the firing squad at dawn. During the night, he looks back at his short but joyful past growing up in the countryside: his exciting first days at school; the accident in the forest that killed his father; his adventures with Molly, the love of his life; and the battles and injustices of war that brought him to the front line.

Michael Morpurgo said of the transfer, “Private Peaceful, the play adapted for the stage by Simon Reade, has had a long and remarkable journey. From book to play to film, the story has grown in stature with each transformation.  But perhaps now has been the most remarkable moment.  With theatres shut down all over the country, The Barn Theatre in Cirencester decided to put on its first indoor show, one of the first in the country, a new co-production by BoxLess Theatre and Take Two Theatrical of Private Peaceful, taking all necessary precautions, a production that has garnered glowing reviews, and is shortly on its way to the Garrick Theatre in London.  This is our theatre at its courageous best: powerful, innovative, unforgettable. Theatre is on its way back, coming home!”

Simon Reade added, “Private Peaceful is arguably the most moving and profound of all Michael Morpurgo’s extraordinary stories. Since I first adapted it for the theatre as a one-man show in 2004, it has toured the world, been adapted into a large-cast play for schools and youth theatres, recorded for BBC Radio 4 and made into a feature film starring George Mackay and Jack O’Connell.

“And now comes this refreshing new production from BoxLess Theatre and the enterprising Barn Theatre, Cirencester, which has reinvented the original stage play, blazing a trail for audiences hungry to return to
theatre and celebrate all humanity as we live on through these dark times; it is a beacon of hope and a thing of joy for all of us.”

Private Tommo is played by Emily Costello.  Emily is the first female performer to play Tommo on the professional stage and her performance has been described by Michael Morpurgo as “extraordinary”.  This production of PRIVATE PEACEFUL is the first to have two cast members rather than being a solo piece, as it was originally written.  James Demaine will play Charlie and other roles.  It has been staged so that the two actors never touch and are socially distanced.

The production is directed by Alexander Knott, with Zöe Grain as associate director and movement director and composition by James Demaine.  Sound design is by Harry Smith and lighting design by Sam Rowcliffe-Tanner. Associate producers are Julie Clare, and Thomas Hopkins & Michael Quinn for GingerQuiff Media.

PRIVATE PEACEFUL is a BoxLess Theatre production. It is produced by Jack Maple & Brian Zeilinger-Goode for Take Two Theatricals, and the Barn Theatre (Iwan Lewis, Artistic Director).

PRIVATE PEACEFUL at the Garrick Theatre will mark the West End debuts of the cast and the creative team.

Capacity at the Garrick Theatre has been reduced to comply with COVID-19 Secure guidelines for social distancing plus robust risk mitigation. In addition to hand sanitation, face coverings and track and trace, other measures will include contactless tickets, temperature testing and the deep clean and sanitation of the theatre.

Website: www.PrivatePeacefulPlay.com

Twitter/Instagram: @PvtPeacefulPlay

LISTINGS INFORMTION

PRIVATE PEACEFUL

7 – 22 November 2020

Garrick Theatre

2 Charing Cross Road

London WC2H 0HH

Box Office: 0330 333 4811

Tickets: from £15 (excluding booking fees)

Performances: Tuesdays to Saturdays at 7pm; Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Saturdays at 3pm*; Sundays at 1pm & 5pm

*Additional 11.01am performance on Wednesday 11 November

Running time:70 minutes

Age guidance:9+