Category: Uncategorized

NEW SEMESTER ROLL CALL!

CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE LIMITED SEASON AT @SOHOPLACE AND 2024 UK TOUR OF

BY LAURENCE O’KEEFE & KEVIN MURPHY

DIRECTED BY ANDY FICKMAN

WINNER OF

BEST NEW MUSICAL

WHATSONSTAGE AWARDS

****

Daily Telegraph, The Independent, Metro, Daily Express, Daily Mail,

The Stage, Attitude, Sunday Express, The Arts Desk, Broadway World

*****

The New European, City AM

Following smash hit West End seasons at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, two national tours and record-breaking runs at London’s The Other Palace, the WhatsOnStage ‘BEST NEW MUSICAL’ winner, the beloved Heathers the Musical is back in the West End for only six weeks from 22 May before embarking on its third UK tour from 24 July at the Theatre Royal Windsor. Full dates and venues can be found at www.heathersthemusical.com

The 2024 class of Westerberg includes 13 cast members making their West End debuts, with Jenna Innes (Les Miserables) making it beautiful in blue returning as Veronica Sawyer, having wowed audiences up and down the country last year when she first took on the role. She will be joined by Keelan McAuley (Clueless; Grease) taking on the mysterious, Jason “J.D” Dean.

Starring as the titular ‘Heathers’ are Esme Bowdler (ITV’s I have a Dream finalist) as the formidable Heather Chandler, Sedona Sky (professional debut) as Heather Duke and Daisy Twells (Heathers) as Heather McNamara.

The 2024 register is completed by Amy Miles (professional debut) as Martha Dunnstock, Lucy Sinclair (Rehab the Musical, We will Rock You) as Ms. Fleming/Veronica’s Mom, Iván Fernández González (Bhangra Nation; Joseph) as Kurt Kelly, Jason Battersby (Just for One Day)as Ram Sweeney, Alexander Service (Heathers) as Kurt’s Dad/Big-Bud/Principal, Conor McFarlane (Once; Heathers)as Ram’s Dad/Veronica’s Dad/Coach, Ben Fenwick (Pippin in Concert)as Beleaguered Geek, Madeleine Hargrave (Hairspray) as Midwestern Surfer Punk, Eliza Bowden (Heathers)as New Wave Party Girl, May Tether (Very Very Bad Cinderella; Heathers)as Drama Club Drama Queen, Jasmine Cole (Crazy Coqs Cabaret)as Young Republicanette, Kelly Sweeney (Six (NCL); Hair) – as Stoner Chick, Lewis Asquith (Heathers)as Hipster Dork and Bradly Doko (Sideshow in Concert)as Preppy Stud.

Produced by Bill Kenwright Ltd and Paul Taylor-Mills, this high octane, black comedy, rock musical based on one of the greatest cult teen films of all-time that starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, is back with a bang!

Greetings and salutations! Welcome to Westerberg High, where popularity is a matter of life and death, and Veronica Sawyer is just another of the nobodies dreaming of a better day.

But when she’s unexpectedly taken under the wings of the three beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams of popularity finally start to come true.

That is until JD, the mysterious teen rebel, turns up and teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but its murder being a somebody.

The award-winning writing team, Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy’s hit musical adaptation has enjoyed successful runs in Los Angeles and New York, and its European premiere saw it become the highest grossing show at The Other Palace, having sold over 20,000 tickets across the initial run and selling out prior to its opening gala performance. It had similar success transferring to the Theatre Royal Haymarket. The show then broke records again back at its original home, The Other Palace, as the longest running show in the venue’s history.

The musical is directed by acclaimed American screen and stage director Andy Fickman, with choreography by Gary Lloyd, design by David Shields, lighting by Ben Cracknell and sound by Dan Samson.

NEW CASTING ANNOUNCED

RHEA NORWOOD AS SALLY BOWLES,

LAYTON WILLIAMS AS THE EMCEE,

SALLY ANN TRIPLETT AS FRAULEIN SCHNEIDER

AND

FENTON GRAY AS HERR SCHULTZ

IN

THE MULTI AWARD-WINNING, CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED

WEST END PRODUCTION

OF

CABARET

AT THE KIT KAT CLUB

FROM 3 JUNE 2024

The producers of the multi award-winning, critically acclaimed West End production of CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB are delighted to announce new principal casting.

From 3 June 2024, star of the Netflix smash hit series Heartstopper Rhea Norwood will play Sally Bowles and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and Bad Education star Layton Williams will play The Emcee. They will be joined by Sally Ann Triplett as Fraulein Schneider and Fenton Gray as Herr Schultz. 

Rhea Norwood and Layton Williams will play the roles until Saturday 21 September 2024.

CABARET recently celebrated the milestone of 1000 performances at the KIT KAT CLUB and is currently booking until February 2025. kitkat.club

Rhea, Layton, Sally Ann and Fenton join Michael Ahomka-Lindsay as Clifford Bradshaw, Wilf Scolding as Ernst Ludwig, Jessica Kirton as Fraulein Kost/Fritzie, Liv Alexander as Texas, Natalie Chua as Frenchie, Laura Delany as Rosie, Taite-Elliot Drew as Hans, Damon Gould as Victor, El Haq Latief as Helga, Grant Neal as Herman/Max, Hicaro Nicolai as Lulu and Travis Ross as Bobby. The cast is completed by Rebecca Lisewski, Ela Lisondra, Nic Myers, Andy Rees, Toby Turpin and Patrick Wilden.

Nic Myers plays the role of Sally Bowles once a week.

The prologue company are Rachel Benson, Ami Benton, Onyemachi Ejimofor, Joseph Hardy, Liz Kamille, Andrew Linnie, Aine McLoughlin, Jack William Parry, Jazmyn Raikes, Oliver Stockley and Ena Yamaguchi.

Rhea Norwood trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. She is probably best known for playing Imogen Heaney in the Netflix hit, Heartstopper, and will also appear in the third series later this year. Her other screen credits include the Amazon Prime comedy Your Christmas or Mine 2 and the Channel 4 drama Consent. Cabaret marks Rhea’s professional stage and West End debut.

Layton Williams recently reached the final of Strictly Coming Dancing. His many theatre credits include Jamie in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie in the West End and on the International Tour, Angel in Rent at The Other Palace, Kiss Me, Kate at the Sheffield Crucible, the national tour of Hairspray, Billy in Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace and The Car Man and Lord of the Flies, both for Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures. His TV credits include Stephen Carmichael in Bad Education, Benidorm and Beautiful People and his film credits include Rocketman, The Bad Education movie and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. 

Sally Ann Triplett most recently appeared as Gran in The Witches at the National Theatre and Aunt Eller in Oklahoma! at the Wyndham’s Theatre. Her many other West End credits include Donna in Mamma Mia!, Roxie in Chicago, Grizabella in Cats, Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Rizzo in Grease, Ruby Keeler in Jolson and Miss Berta in Acorn Antiques The Musical. She has also appeared on Broadway in Finding Neverland and Sting’s The Last Ship. She is well known for representing the United Kingdom twice at the Eurovision Song Contest in the 1980s.

Fenton Gray’s many West End credits include Gus in Cats, Blood Brothers and Les Misérables. He has appeared many times with the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company playing lead roles in productions of The Mikado and The Yeoman of the Guard on tour throughout the UK, in the West End and extensively throughout the US. His other credits include Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors at Leicester Haymarket and Into the Woods at Manchester Library Theatre.

Rhea Norwood is not scheduled to perform on Wednesday 5 June (matinee), Thursday 13 June (evening), Wednesday 19 June (matinee), Thursday 27 June (evening), Wednesday 3 July (matinee), Thursday 11 July (evening), Wednesday 17 July (matinee), Thursday 25 July (evening), Wednesday 31 July (matinee), Thursday 8 August (evening), Wednesday 14 August (matinee), Thursday 22 August (evening), Wednesday 28 August (matinee), Thursday 5 September (evening), Wednesday 11 September (matinee) and Thursday 19 September (evening. At these performances, the role will be played by our alternate Sally Bowles, Nic Myers.

Layton Williams is not scheduled to perform on Saturday 29 June (matinee and evening), Tuesday 16 July (evening), Wednesday 17 July (matinee and evening), Monday 5 August (evening), Friday 13 September (evening) and Saturday 14 September (matinee and evening). At these performances, the role will be played by Toby Turpin.

This unique production of CABARET opened in December 2021 to critical and audience acclaim, widely praised as the ultimate theatrical experience. In April 2022 it won a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards. The production has also won three prestigious Critics Circle Awards as well as the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Design for designer Tom Scutt.

The Broadway production of CABARET starring Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin opened last month at the KIT KAT CLUB at the August Wilson Theatre and recently received nine Tony Award nominations.

Transforming one of London’s most famous theatres with an in-the-round auditorium and reimagined spaces, before the show guests are invited to enjoy and explore the Kit Kat Club with pre-show entertainment, drinks and dining all on offer. When booking, guests receive a ‘club entry time’ to allow enough time to take in the world of the Kit Kat Club before the show starts. But of course, the show really starts when you first join us in the club…

One of the most successful musicals of all time CABARET features the songs Wilkommen, Don’t Tell Mama, Mein Herr, Maybe This Time, Money and the title number. It has music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, book by Joe Masteroff. Based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood.

CABARET is directed by Rebecca Frecknall, set and costume design is by Tom Scutt with choreography by Julia Cheng. Musical supervision is by Jennifer Whyte and musical direction is by Ben Ferguson with lighting design by Isabella Byrd and sound design by Nick Lidster. The casting director is Stuart Burt and the original associate director and prologue director is Jordan Fein. The prologue composer and musical director is Angus MacRae.

CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions and Underbelly.

INITIAL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE

MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY’S MAJOR REVIVAL OF

STEPHEN SCHWARTZ AND JOSEPH STEIN’S THE BAKER’S WIFE

The Menier Chocolate Factory today announces initial casting for The Baker’s Wife – with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Joseph Stein. Gordon Greenberg directs Bobbie Chambers (Niece), Mark Extance (The Teacher), Josefina Gabrielle (Denise), Jack Gardner (Philippe), Hana Ichijo (Niece), Lucie Jones (Genevieve) Michael Matus (The Marquis), Robyn Rose (Niece), Clive Rowe (The Baker), David Seadon-Young (Antoine), Matthew Seadon-Young (Priest), and Joaquin Pedro Valdes (Dominique).

This renews the Menier Chocolate Factory’s collaboration with Schwartz, following their production of Pippin in 2011. The production opens on 17 July, with previews from 6 July, and runs until 14 September.

Tickets are on sale to the Menier mailing list from today; with public booking opening tomorrow. Full casting will be announced shortly.

THE BAKER’S WIFE

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and Book by Joseph Stein

Based on the 1938 French film of the same name by Marcel Pagnol and Jean Giono

6 July – 14 September

Director: Gordon Greenberg; Designer: Paul Farnsworth; Lighting Designer: Paul Anderson; Choreography: Matt Cole; Musical Supervisor and Orchestrator: Stuart Morley;

Musical Director: Dustin Conrad

The arrival of a new Baker and his younger wife turns a provincial French village upside down in this cult classic musical from the legendary Stephen Schwartz (composer of Godspell, Wicked, Pippin) and Joseph Stein (writer of Fiddler On The Roof).

Based on the film La Femme du Boulanger by Marcel Pagnol and Jean Giono, The Baker’s Wife is filled with some of Schwartz’s most ravishingly beautiful music, and will immerse the audience into world of Gallic charm in this first major UK revival since its West End première.

Directed by Gordon Greenberg (who previously directed Barnum at the Chocolate Factory), with choreography by Matt Cole (Olivier award winner for Newsies) and designs by Paul Farnworth, this brand new production plays for a limited 10-week season from 6 July.

Bobbie Chambers plays a Niece. Her theatre work includes Newsies (Wembley Park Theatre), Elegies for Angels, Punks & Raging Queens (King’s Head Theatre), Jack and the Beanstalk (Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury), South Pacific (Chichester Festival Theatre), Ordinary Days (Theatre Café), and Let’s Face the Music (Royal Albert Hall).

Mark Extance plays The Teacher. His theatre credits include The Motive and Cue, London Assurance (National Theatre), Don Juan in Soho, Yes, Prime Minister (West End), The Mirror and the Light (RSC), Copenhagen, Old Times (Theatre Royal Bath), The Mullah of Downing Street (The Theatre Chipping Norton), The Box of Delights (Wilton’s Music Hall), Correspondence (The Old Red Lion), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Squerryes Court), Play of Thrones (Union Theatre), Marriage (Belgrade Theatre Coventry), The School for Scandal, Dr Faustus (Greenwich Theatre), Pygmalion (The Old Vic) And Then There Were None (Agatha Christie Theatre Company), Uncle Vanya (ETT), Waiting for Godot, You Never Can Tell (Peter Hall Company at Theatre Royal Bath and West End), and Venice Preserv’d (Arcola Theatre).

Josefina Gabrielle returns to the Chocolate Factory to play Denise – she previously appeared in Merrily We Roll Along (also the Harold Pinter Theatre; Olivier Award nomination for Best Supporting Performance in a Musical), Two Into One and Sweet Charity (also Theatre Royal Haymarket; Olivier Award nomination for Best Supporting Performance in a Musical). Her other theatre credits include 42^nd Street (Sadler’s Wells, Toronto), Farewell Mister Haffman (Theatre Royal Bath), Les Misérables (Sondheim Theatre), Chicago (Phoenix and Adelphi Theatres), The Box of Delights (Wilton’s Music Hall), A Little Night Music (The Watermill Theatre), Stepping Out (Vaudeville Theatre), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), The King and I (UK tour), Me and My Girl, A Chorus Line (Sheffield Theatres), Hello Dolly! (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), The 39 Steps (Criterion Theatre), Tonight at 8.30 (Chichester Festival Theatre), The Witches of Eastwick (Prince of Wales Theatre), Oklahoma! (National Theatre and Gershwin Theatre), The Goodbye Girl (Albery Theatre) and Carousel (National Theatre). Her television work includes Miranda, Heartbeat – as semi-regular Debbie Black, Totally Frank, Born and Bred, Auf Weidersehen Pet, and Sunburn.

Jack Gardner plays Philippe. His theatre work First Encounters – Romeo & Juliet, Faith (RSC), Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Palace Theatre), and Peter Pan Christmas in Neverland (Wembley Arena and Birmingham NEC). His television work includes Ball and Boe Christmas Special; and for film, One Punch.

Hana Ichijo plays a Niece. Her theatre credits include The Sound of Music (Chichester Festival Theatre), George Takei’s Allegiance (Charing Cross Theatre), Anyone Can Whistle (Southwark Playhouse), and Little Women (Park Theatre).

Lucie Jones plays Genevieve. Her theatre work includes Pippin (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), 13 Going On 30 (BAC), Les Misérables (Sondheim Theatre), Wicked (Victoria Apollo Theatre), Treason (Cadogan Hall), Waitress (Adelphi Theatre, UK tour), A Christmas Carol (Dominion Theatre), Title of Show (London Coliseum), Girlfriends (LMTO), Legally Blonde (Curve, UK tour), Rent (St James Theatre, Uk tour), The Wedding Singer (UK tour), Ghost (Asian tour), American Psycho (Almeida Theatre), We Will Rock You (international tour), and The Prodigals (Edinburgh Festival). Her television work includes Sarah-Jane Adventures.

Michael Matus plays The Marquis. His theatre credits include Twelfth Night (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), 42nd Street (UK tour), Aspects of Love (Lyric Theatre), Hex (National Theatre), Singing In The Rain (Sadlers Wells and UK tour), La Cage aux Folles (Park Theatre), The Astonishing Time of Timothy Cratchit (Hope Mill Theatre), Richard III (Headlong), King Lear (Duke of York’s Theatre), Broken Glass (Watford Palace), The Wizard of Oz (Sheffield Theatres), The Frogs, The Return on the Soldier (Jermyn Street Theatre), Peter and the Starcatcher (Royal Theatre Northampton), The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre), Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Playhouse Theatre), Lend Me a Tenor (Gielgud Theatre and Theatre Royal, Plymouth), ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Oklamoma! (Chichester Festival Theatre) and Imagine This (New London Theatre). His television work includes Suspect, The Lazarus Project, Invasion, Shakespeare and Hathaway, The Split, Endeavour, A Prince Among Men, Then, A Perfect World, and This is Dom Joly.

Robyn Rose plays a Niece. Her theatre work includes Tammy Faye The Musical (Almeida Theatre), Hairspray (London Coliseum),and The Book of Mormon (Prince Edward Theatre); and for film, Wonka.

Clive Rowe playsThe Baker. His theatre work includes The Prince of Egypt (Dominion Theatre), Celebrating Sondheim (Chichester Festival Theatre), A Christmas Carol (The Old Vic), Sister Act (Dominion Theatre, Eventim Apollo, UK tour – Olivier Award nomination for Beat Supporting Actor in a Musical),  Blues in the Night (Kiln Theatre), The Wind in The Willows (UK tour), Guys and Dolls (Royal Albert Hall), Me and My Girl (Chichester Festival Theatre), Jack and the Beanstalk (Wimbledon Theatre), The Hothouse (Trafalgar Studios), The Ladykillers (West End and UK tour), Kiss Me Kate (Chichester Festival Theatre and The Old Vic), No Naughty Bits (Hampstead Theatre), The Wiz (Birmingham Rep/West Yorkshire Playhouse), Company (Donmar Warehouse), The Fantasticks (Duchess Theatre); Twelfth Night, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Trolius and Cressida (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Chicago (Adelphi Theatre), As You Like It (Wyndham’s Theatre), Simply Heavenly (Young Vic and Trafalgar Studio); and for the National Theatre, The Light Princess,  Carousel, Fuente Ovejuna, Caroline or Change, The Villains’ Opera, Money, Candide, Peter Pan, Guys and Dolls, Trackers (Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for Guys and Dolls and Olivier Award nomination for Best Supporting Performance in Carousel). Rowe has returned to the Hackney Empire on numerous occasions to play The Dame in their Christmas pantomime for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre for Mother Goose. For television, his work includes The Canterville Ghost, Will, So Awkward, Evermoor, The Kennedys, The Fun Police, All the Small Things, Doctor Who, Networked, Bloodrights, Say it with Music, American Voices, Paper Mask, After the War, Snakes and Ladders and Entertaining Angels Aware; and for film, Beauty and the Beast, Manderlay and Crime Strike.

David Seadon-Young returns to the Menier toplay Antoine – he previously appeared in Assassins and Aspects of Love.His theatre work includesOklahoma!, My Fair Lady (BBC Proms/Royal Albert Hall), The Man of La Mancha (Coliseum), An American in Paris (Dominion Theatre), Ghost (UK tour and Australia), A Damsel in Distress (Chichester Festival Theatre); Mamma Mia! (international tour), Jack and The Beanstalk (Hackney Empire), Oliver! (Theatre Royal Drury Lane) and Gone With the Wind (New London Theatre); and for film, Les Misérables.

Matthew Seadon-Young plays Priest. His theatre work includes Rockets and Blue Lights (Royal Exchange and National Theatre), Death of a Salesman (Young Vic and Piccadilly Theatre), Company (Gielgud Theatre), Assassins (Gate Theatre, Dublin), Big Fish (The Other Palace), Beautiful (Aldwych Theatre), Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace), Sweeney Todd (Coliseum), Urinetown: The Musical (The Other Palace and Apollo Theatre), The School for Scandal (Theatre Royal Bath), She Stoops to Conquer (National Theatre) and Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre); and for film, Les Misérables and Pride.

Joaquin Pedro Valdes returns to the Menier to play Dominique – he previously appeared in Pacific Overtures. His other theatre work includes Death Note (London Palladium), Then, Now & Next (Southwark Playhouse), Killing the Cat (Riverside Studios), The Lion King (UK and Ireland tour), Heathers the Musical (The Other Palace), Vanara the Legend (Hackney Empire), Miss Saigon, The King and I (UK and International tour), Fanny and Stella the Musical (The Garden Theatre), Matilda, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Red and The Last 5 Years (Manila Metropolitan Theatre).

Stephen Schwartz wrote the music and lyrics for the current West End and Broadway hit Wicked – which is due to be released as a two-part feature film; and has also contributed music and/or lyrics to Godspell, Pippin, The Magic Show, Working (which he also adapted and directed), Rags and Children of Eden. He collaborated with Leonard Bernstein on the English texts for Bernstein’s Mass, and wrote the title song for the play and film Butterflies are Free. For children, he has written songs for two musicals, Captain Louie and My Son Pinocchio. He has also worked in film, collaborating with Alan Menken on the songs for Disney’s Enchanted as well as the animated features Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and writing the songs for the DreamWorks animated feature The Prince of Egypt. His first opera, Seance on a Wet Afternoon, was produced at Opera Santa Barbara and New York City Opera. Schwartz has been inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and has been given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His many accolade include three Academy Awards and four Grammy Awards.

Joseph Stein won the Tony Award and Drama Critics Circle Award for Fiddler on the Roof. His other musicals include Zorba (Tony nomination, Drama Critics Circle Award); Rags (Tony nomination), Take Me Along (Tony nomination), Juno, Irene (starring Debbie Reynolds), The King of Hearts, All About Us, and So Long, 174^th Street. He also co-authored, with Alan Jay Lerner, Carmelina; and with Will Glickman, Mr. Wonderful, The Body Beautiful and Plain and Fancy. His plays are Enter Laughing, Before the Dawn, and Mrs. Gibbons’ Boys. He wrote the screenplays of Enter Laughing and Fiddler on the Roof, for which he won the Screen Writers Guild Award. In 2008, he was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame.

Gordon Greenberg returns to the Menier Chocolate Factory to direct, having previously directed Barnum. HIs current directing/writing projects include The Heart of Rock and Roll (which opened recently on Broadway to critical acclaim)  the hit Off-Broadway show Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors (director & co-writer with Steve Rosen; New World Stages & podcast starring John Stamos, Laura Benanti, & Annaleigh Ashford), a new musical about Picasso (director & co-writer with Stephen Schwartz & Caridad Svich), the NBC television series Most Talkative (co-executive producer/writer),  Crime and Punishment, A Comedy (director & co-writer with Steve Rosen; The Old Globe, San Diego), Single White Female (A.T.G.), The Wedding Banquet (Ang Lee, Hua Musicals, Taiwan), Ghost Tour, The Play, and the new comedy podcast series Rolling Calls starring Julie Halston & Richard Kind (co-writer with Steve Rosen). He co-wrote and directed the Broadway stage adaptation of Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn (Studio 54 for Roundabout Theatre Company and Universal Pictures Stage Productions) and directed  Guys And Dolls (Chichester Festival Theatre/Savoy Theatre/Phoenix Theatre), Working (59 E 59 in New York – also adapted), Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well… (Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Award nominations – also adapted), Johnny Baseball (Williamstown), Tangled (Disney), Blue Sky Boys (Capital Rep), Luck Be A Lady  (Asolo), Pirates! Or Gilbert and Sullivan Plunder’d (co-creator; Huntington/Paper Mill/Goodspeed/MUNY), Band Geeks! (also co-writer; Goodspeed), The Baker’s Wife (Paper Mill/Goodspeed), 1776 (Paper Mill), Floyd Collins (Signature), Yentl (Asolo) and Half A Sixpence (Goodspeed).

LISTINGS INFORMATION

MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY

POWER OF SAIL

Until 12 May

JERRY’S GIRLS

18 May – 29 June

THE BAKER’S WIFE

6 July – 14 September

Box Office:                         020 7378 1713 (£2.50 transaction fee per booking)

Website:                             www.menierchocolatefactory.com (£1.50 transaction fee per booking)

Tickets:                               Prices vary, as below from discounted preview tickets to premier seats. With the emphasis on ‘the sooner you book, the better the price’:

Please note at this time the restaurant is unable to open due to circumstances beyond the company’s control.

www.menierchocolatefactory.com

Twitter: @MenChocFactory

Instagram: @menierchocolatefactory

RICHMOND THEATRE CELEBRATES
125^TH BIRTHDAY IN 2024 – INITIAL CELEBRATIONS ANNOUNCED

2024 marks a momentous year for Richmond Theatre in West London, as the Grade-II listed venue celebrates its 125^th birthday. With further plans to be revealed, the theatre – who scooped three awards at the 2023 Richmond Business Awards – are delighted to announce the first of its celebrations.

First opening on 18 September 1899 with a performance of Shakespeare’s As You Like It, Richmond Theatre was designed by famed theatre architect Frank Matcham. Matcham designed a variety of iconic theatres across the UK, including The London Palladium, Hackney Empire and Bristol Hippodrome. At 125, Richmond is one of the oldest surviving examples of his work. Known as the Theatre Royal and Opera House until 1972, the venue underwent a significant refurbishment in the 1990s transforming into the building as we know it today. Over the last few years, Richmond Theatre has become known for being the home of high quality pre-West End drama, allowing audiences to see highly anticipated new shows before they hit the West End. In 2023 alone it saw three high-profile transfers with A Little Life, Vanya, and The Enfield Haunting.

Theatre Director, Allie Long, says: “I am incredibly proud to be a part of this momentous 125th Birthday year as the Theatre Director for Richmond Theatre. As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, I am thrilled for audiences to enjoy an exhilarating lineup of programming and events for 2024 that promises to captivate, inspire, and entertain. For the community and audiences of Richmond, we embark on a journey filled with unforgettable performances, opportunity to form affirming memories in our glorious venue, and continue the enduring magic of live theatre. Here’s to an extraordinary year ahead, celebrating the rich history and vibrant future of Richmond Theatre”.

All at Richmond Theatre are keen to make 2024 a celebratory year, and to begin have announced a selection of limited-edition merchandise to commemorate the theatre. Audience members will now be able to purchase tote bags, magnets, enamel pin badges, mugs and keyrings when they visit the venue. Prices start from just £3.50.

Additionally, the venue are delighted to announce the return of seat sponsorship especially for the 125^th year. Prices are £150 for 1 year or, if purchased during the birthday year, £125 for 5 years. Those who would like to become a part of the venue’s history can find out more and purchase their seat dedication here.   

Richmond Theatre will also be hosting a free open day for the community, with a date to be announced later in the year. Suitable for all ages, the day will allow visitors to feel like a star as they not only get to stand centre stage but peek behind the scenes. The event will include performances and technical workshops, an arts and crafts zone plus further opportunities to find out more about the history of the venue and what’s coming up for the rest of the year and beyond.

For those interested in performing at the Open Day, Richmond Theatre’s regular acting class Class Act will be hosting rehearsal sessions – participants can book spaces here.

For those who just can’t wait that long, have a read of the venue’s local history articles. The theatre will also be continuing to host monthly backstage guided tours, lead by an expert tour guide. For more information and to book tickets, see here.

RECORDING ARTIST &

WEST END & BROADWAY STAR

PETER JÖBACK

TO PERFORM

LIVE CONCERT AT CADOGAN HALL

SUNDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2024

Neil O’Brien Entertainment with FOURTH WALL LIVE are delighted to announce Scandinavian recording star and West End and Broadway performer PETER JÖBACKwill perform a solo concertlive at Cadogan Hall on Sunday 22 September 2024 at 6:30pm. Exclusive pre-sale begins at 10am on 9 May, with general on-sale at 10am on 10 May at www.fw-live.com and www.cadoganhall.com

PETER JÖBACK is a Scandinavian superstar, who has collaborated with musical icons such as Sia, Kate Pierson of the B52’s, Gale Ann Dorsey and ABBA’s Björn & Benny. Peter is a multiplatinum recording artist and has several Swedish Grammy nominations, including Artist of the Year, alongside various radio awards. He has won two Swedish Tony Awards for his work on the stage, and two of his TV specials have been nominated for the Silver Rose at the legendary tv-festival in Montreux. His feature film that Peter co-wrote, based on his life story, won the Audience Award at the Swedish Oscars in 2019. After successful performances in London’s West End and on Broadway, Peter was also handpicked by Cameron Mackintosh, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Hal Prince to play The Phantom in Phantom of the Opera on its 30^th anniversary on Broadway. Peter’s critically acclaimed album I Love Musicals was also released in Japan, UK and Scandinavia.

Peter has also recently released his new album Atlas, which includes ten future classics performed by Peter, produced by Ed Harcourt and co-written by Joback, Harcourt and Kathryn Williams. The album includes features from Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Ed Harcourt and received fantastic reviews in Sweden, with Peter performing incredibly successful release concerts there alongside special guest Ed Harcourt.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Sunday 22 September

Cadogan Hall

5 Sloane Terrace

London 

SW1X 9DQ

Performance: 6:30pm

Tickets from £18

Box Office: 020 7730 4500

Website: www.fw-live.com and www.cadoganhall.com

Instagram: @peterjoback

X: @peterjoback
Tiktok: @officialpeterjoback

National Theatre announces new productions for autumn 2024 and full casting for summer shows

• World premiere of Tanika Gupta’s play A Tupperware of Ashes,directed by Pooja Ghai with Meera Syal leading the cast.
• Emma D’Arcy, Tobias Menzies and Nina Sosanya among cast in The Other Place, a new play inspired by Antigone from National Theatre Associate Alexander Zeldin.
• Lyndsey Turner to direct David Oyelowo in his National Theatre debut in Shakespeare’s Coriolanus.
• Full casting announced for The Hot Wing King and The Grapes of Wrath.
• Dorfman theatre will close temporarily from mid-November 2024 for urgent infrastructure work.
• New Public Acts production Public Record announced, which will celebrate the community and music of Sunderland.  
• Applications now open for young people nationwide to take part in the 30^th anniversary of National Theatre Connections.

The National Theatre today announces two new productions for its South Bank stages this autumn: the world premiere of Tanika Gupta’s A Tupperware of Ashesin the Dorfman theatre from 25 September, and a new play by Alexander Zeldin inspired by Antigone called The Other Placein the Lyttelton theatre from 27 September, in association with A Zeldin Company. David Oyelowo will make his National Theatre debut this autumn in Lyndsey Turner’s new production of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus, which will play in the Olivier theatre from 11 September. Tickets for all three productions will go on sale to the public from Thursday 23 May, nationaltheatre.org.uk.

Following landmark capital investment from the government in the spring budget, the Dorfman theatre will close from mid-November 2024 following performances of A Tupperware of Ashes until mid-2025 to allow urgent renovations and infrastructure upgrades to be completed. This work will address the most urgent needs of the theatre; including the complete rewiring of the space, replacement of the ‘get in’ lift and flying system, and the replacement of lighting and dimming systems, to ensure the continued staging of new work in the space for decades to come.

Full casting has also been revealed for Katori Hall’s Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy The Hot Wing King, making its UK premiere in the Dorfman theatre from 11 July to 14 September, and for Frank Galati’s award-winning adaptation of John Steinbeck’s masterpiece The Grapes of Wrath, playing the Lyttelton theatre from 17 July to 14 September.

For The Hot Wing King, previously announced Kadiff Kirwan will be joined by Jason Barnett, Kaireece Denton, Olisa Odele, Simon-Anthony Rhoden and Dwane Walcott, directed by Roy Alexander Weise (‘Master Harold’… and the boys, Nine Night).

Joining previously announced Tony Award-winner Cherry Jones for The Grapes of Wrath will be Zoë Aldrich, Afolabi Alli, Rhys Bailey, Rachel Barnes, Brandon Bassir, Lin Blakley, Morgan Burgess, Tom Bulpett, Ryan Ellsworth, Amelia Gabriel, Christopher Godwin, Valentine Hanson, Greg Hicks, Harley Johnston, Natey Jones, William Lawlor, Mirren Mack, Maimuna Memon, Matthew Romain, Anish Roy, Michael Shaeffer, Robyn Sinclair, Tucker St Ivany, Emma Tracey, Harry Treadaway and Cath Whitefield, directed by Carrie Cracknell (Julie, The Deep Blue Sea).

Director of the National Theatre Rufus Norris said:

‘We are delighted to be welcoming three new productions to our South Bank stages this autumn, all created by some of the world’s greatest modern theatre-makers.  

‘These shows exemplify what we strive to do here at the National Theatre: to reinvestigate classics with Lyndsey Turner’s fresh take on Shakespeare’s Coriolanus in the Olivier; reimagine old stories into new plays that speak to audiences today with Alexander Zeldin’s The Other Place after Antigone in the Lyttelton; and staging new work from contemporary voices with Tanika Gupta’s A Tupperware of Ashes with Meera Syal in the central role in the Dorfman theatre. It is a rich slate exploring resonant stories and I cannot wait to share them with you all.

‘We will also undertake some important infrastructure work in the Dorfman theatre from mid-November. This work, made possible by significant investment from the government in the spring budget, will ensure the rich and varied new work we present will have the best possible environment in which to be brought to life for our audiences. We remain hugely grateful for this important, visionary investment in the future of the National Theatre.’

Olivier theatre

In the Olivier theatre, David Oyelowo (Selma, Lawmen: Bass Reeves) will make his return to the London stage in the title role of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus from 11 September to 9 November, directed by National Theatre Associate Lyndsey Turner (Under Milk Wood, The Crucible). Cast also includes Luke Aquilina, Anushka Chakravarti, Anton Cross, Patrick Elue, Peter Forbes, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Conor McLeod, Jordan Metcalfe, Richard Pryal, Jordan Rhys, Stephanie Street and John Vernon, with further casting to be announced.  

Unrivalled in the art of war, undefeated on the field of battle, Coriolanus is Rome’s greatest soldier. When a legendary victory brings the opportunity of high office, he is persuaded to stand for election. But while populist politicians tell the people what they want to hear, Coriolanus refuses to play the game. As Rome’s most celebrated warrior becomes its most dangerous enemy, the future of the city and its hero hangs in the balance.

The creative team includes director Lyndsey Turner, set designer Es Devlin, costume designer Annemarie Woods, lighting designer Tim Lutkin, sound designer Tom Gibbons, composer Angus MacRae, video designer Ash J Woodward,fight director Sam Lyon-Behan,casting by Bryony Jarvis-Taylor, voice coaches Cathleen McCarron and Shereen Ibrahim and staff director Júlia Levai.

Dorfman theatre

From 25 September to 16 November, Meera Syal (Behind the Beautiful Forevers) will perform in the world premiere of Tanika Gupta’s A Tupperware of Ashes in the Dorfman theatre. A vivid and heart-breaking family drama about life, immigration and the Indian spiritual cycle of death and rebirth to be directed byPooja Ghai.

An ambitious Michelin-star chef, Queenie is used to having the last word. But when her children notice gaps in her memory and her grip on reality loosening, they are faced with an impossible choice. As Raj, Gopal and Kamala battle to reconcile their life-long duty to their mother, the ramifications of their decision take on a heartbreaking permanence.

Tanika Gupta (A Doll’s House, Lyric Hammersmith) and Pooja Ghai (Artistic Director of Tamasha Theatre Company) reunite for their latest collaboration, following the critically acclaimed The Empress.

The cast includes Raj Bajaj, Natalie Dew, Marc Elliott, Stephen Fewell, Shobna Gulati, Avita Jay, Meera Syal and Zubin Varla.

Director Pooja Ghai is joined on the creative team by set and costume designer Rosa Maggiora, lighting designer Matt Haskins, composer Nitin Sawhney, sound designer Elena Peña, illusions director and designer John Bulleid, movement director Anjali Mehra, fight and intimacy directors Rachel Bown-Williams and Ruth Cooper-Brown for Rc-Annie Ltd, casting director Naomi Downham and staff director Layla Madanat.

Lyttelton theatre

In the Lyttelton, Lee Braithwaite (Cowbois), Emma D’Arcy (House of the Dragon), Jeremy Killick (The Confessions), Tobias Menzies (Game of Thrones) and Nina Sosanya (Love Actually) will appear in a new play inspired by Antigone titled The Other Place, in association with A Zeldin Company. Further casting to be announced.

Playing from 27 September to 9 November, The Other Place has been written and will be directed by National Theatre Associate, Alexander Zeldin (The Confessions; Faith, Hope and Charity), and includes music composed by Yannis Philippakis (Foals).

Two sisters reunite on the anniversary of the death of their father. Their uncle has remodelled their family home, in an attempt at a fresh start. But one sister’s sudden reappearance threatens to shatter this fragile idyll as she demands justice for the pain she carries. Amid the debris and the new extension, guilt, grief and greed battle it out in the family’s competing dreams of their future. When we are faced with the suffering of others, even those closest to us, can we look away?

Directed by Alexander Zeldin with set and costume design by Rosanna Vize, lighting design by James Farncombe, composer Yannis Philippakis, sound designer Josh Anio Grigg, movement director Marcin Rudy, casting director Alastair Coomer CDG, voice coach Cathleen McCarron and staff director Sammy Glover.

Public Acts

Following the epic multi-venue production of The Odyssey last year, Public Acts, the National Theatre’s nationwide community programme, returns in collaboration with Sunderland Culture and Sunderland Empire.

Director of Public Acts Emily Lim, Co-Director and Choreographer Dan Canham andSunderland-born musician Ross Millard (The Futureheads) are teaming up to develop a new production Public Record, a celebration of the people and music of Sunderland performed by community members and professional artists from across the city. Using a combination of dance and live music and set in a live recording studio, the piece will explore what it means to come together and make a record of who we are – to write our own history, to capture our present and to look forward to a shared future.

The production will take place from 25 – 27 April 2025 at The Fire Station in Sunderland, featuring over 50 people from partner community groups.

The National Theatre also today releases a new documentary, The Odyssey: A National Story, following the creation of the 2023 landmark Public Acts production The Odyssey which was reimagined with hundreds of community members in five episodes in Stoke-on-Trent, Doncaster, Trowbridge, Sunderland and at the NT. The documentary gives a unique insight into how this epic production was brought to life, highlighting the power of theatre to bring communities together. It has been created by award-winning director Hanan Abdalla and will be available to watch on the NT’s YouTube channel from 7pm, Tuesday 7 May.

National Theatre Learning

Over 7,500 young people aged 13–19 have taken part in Connections, the National Theatre’s annual youth theatre festival, this year, with 250 youth groups performing specially commissioned plays at one of 33 partner theatres across the UK. Ten groups will be selected to perform at the National Theatre on 25 – 29 June 2024.

Applications for Connections 2025, the festival’s 30th anniversary, are now open, offering young people the chance to perform new plays and get involved in all aspects of theatre-making. To take part in this anniversary year celebrating the talent of young people across the UK, visit the National Theatre website. Applications close on 8 July.

The National Theatre’sYoung Technicians Programme also returns this year, offering young people aged 14 – 18 the opportunity to develop technical skills, learn from top industry professionals about sound, lighting and stage and discover routes into the industry. Applications open on 13 May and close 1 July, with sessions taking place weekly at the National Theatre. As part of the creation of a pioneering National Theatre Skills Centre, supported by government investment, the National Theatre is committed to increasing engagement, opening career pathways and providing skills development and training opportunities for over 5,000 young people nationwide each year, inspiring the next generation of theatre makers and supercharging specialist skills needed across the sector.  

National Theatre on tour

The National Theatre’s global smash-hit production ofWar Horse, the unforgettable theatrical event based on Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel, embarks on a major 18-month UK and Ireland tour from 5 September 2024, officially opening in Salford on 22 September and touring through to 2026.

Current dates and venues are; New Wimbledon Theatre (5 – 14 September 2024), The Lowry, Salford (18 – 28 September 2024) Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (8 – 19 October 2024), The Marlowe, Canterbury (22 October – 2 November 2024), Sunderland Empire (5 – 16 November 2024), Theatre Royal Plymouth (26 November – 7 December 2024), New Theatre Oxford (10 December 2024 – 4 January 2025), New Victoria Theatre, Woking (14 – 25 January), Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin (29 January – 1 February), Grand Opera House, Belfast (4 – 15 February), The Regent Theatre, Stoke (4 – 8 March), Wolverhampton Grand Theatre (11 – 22 March), Theatre Royal Glasgow (25 March – 5 April), Liverpool Empire (8 – 19 April), Milton Keynes Theatre (22 April – 3 May), Nottingham Royal Concert Hall (6 – 17 May), Bristol Hippodrome (3 – 21 June).

War Horse, adapted by Nick Stafford and originally directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, has become the most successful play in the history of the National Theatre, winning more than 25 major awards and has been seen by over 8.3 million people worldwide. This all-new tour is co-produced with Michael Harrison, Fiery Angel, and Playing Field.

Creative development for the tour is being led by Tom Morris with revival director Katie Henry, featuring reimagined designs by Rae Smith and additional music by Adrian Sutton. Puppet design and fabrication by Adrian Kohler for Handspring Puppet Company, lighting design is by Rob Casey, movement and horse choreography is by Toby Sedgwick with puppet direction by Matthew Forbes. Animation and projection design is by Nicol Scott for 59 Productions, John Tams is songmaker and sound design is by Christopher Shutt. Casting is by Jill Green CDG and associate designer is Will Fricker.

Casting and further tour dates and venues to be announced. For more information and to sign-up for priority booking at these newly announced venues visit WarHorseOnStage.com. 

National Theatre Live and National Theatre at Home

Filmed live from the Olivier stage, Nye is now available to watch in cinemas through National Theatre Live and is the 100th title to release through the initiative. Audiences can still watch National Theatre Live Vanya with Andrew Scottin cinemas nationwide until 16 May 2024. Screenings can be found at:  ntlive.com.

National Theatre at Home will host its first live streamed premiere of the ‘triumphant new musical’ (★★★★★ WhatsOnStage) The Little Big Things at 7pm BST on 9 May 2024. Audiences around the world can come together to enjoy this ‘groundbreaking’ (★★★★ Time Out) production from the comfort of home on the theatre streaming platform. Viewers of the premiere can join the live conversation via social media using hashtags #TLBT and #NationalTheatreatHome. Find out more at ntathome.com.

Sunderland Culture, Sunderland Empire and National Theatre to create new Public Acts production celebrating the people and music of Sunderland

Sunderland Culture, Sunderland Empire and National Theatre today announce a new production as part of the National Theatre’s Public Acts nationwide programme that creates extraordinary acts of theatre and community.

Director of Public Acts Emily Lim, Co-Director and Choreographer Dan Canham and Sunderland-born musician Ross Millard (The Futureheads) are teaming up to develop a new production Public Record, a celebration of the people and music of Sunderland performed by community members and professional artists from across the city. Set in a live recording studio, we witness the community coming together to record an album and, in doing so, to make a record of who they are.

Using a combination of dance and live music the piece will explore what it means to come together to write our own history, to capture our present and to look forward to a shared future. The piece is being developed in collaboration with communitymembers and will feature an array of inspirational artists and musicians who represent the breadth of Sunderland’s rich cultural identity. 

The production will take place from 25 – 27 April 2025 at The Fire Station in Sunderland and will feature over 50 people from partner community groups.

Community groups across Sunderland will take part in weekly creative workshops with theatre-makers, theatre trips and creative social opportunities from June, building towards the production of Public Record next year.

The local partner community groups taking part will include:

• Back on the Map – working with and for local people to transform Hendon for the better. They work in the heart of the community to empower the people of Hendon by creating a better place, a stronger community and a local voice
• Connect Company – part of the beating heart of Sunderland Empire, a relaxed drama group for adults aged 18+ with additional needs. The group has toured shows and performed across the city of Sunderland
• Sunderland Nigerian Family Group – provides support for Nigerian families through shared experiences to encourage wellbeing for members and their children while navigating new cultures
• The Alumni Group – an intergenerational group formed of Sunderland community members who took part in the 2023 nationwide Public Acts production of The Odyssey

Director of Public Acts Emily Lim said, “We are so excited to be creating our next show in Sunderland with such an inspiring group of community partners and artists. Sunderland is a city with an incredible musical history where music making and community activism go hand in hand. We can’t wait to start work with our company, celebrating and honouring that spirit in the creation of our new show”.

Helen Green, Head of Performance at Sunderland Culture said, “We’re thrilled to be working on another prestigious project with National Theatre, especially one that is going to celebrate Sunderland’s fantastic musical landscape made even more exciting by the opportunity to incorporate some big dance routines. It’s an amazing opportunity for community members and local artists and musicians to create a new production alongside the National Theatre and Sunderland Empire. A key part of our ongoing collaboration with National Theatre is that community members with no experience of performing, as well as amateur musicians and dancers, will get to work with professional practitioners from around the UK as well as our own region who are hugely experienced and nationally respected. Those involved in The Odyssey last year had a brilliant time and a feature of Public Record is that some of those involved in last year’s production will be involved again this year.”

 Anthony Hope, Senior Creative Learning Manager at Sunderland Empire said: “National Theatre’s Public Acts programme presents an incredible opportunity to celebrate Sunderland’s creative and community spirit. Following our involvement in 2023’s Public Acts performance of The Odyssey, we look forward to once again supporting diverse voices and communities from across all corners of our city to take centre stage, showcasing how a shared community theatre experience on an epic scale has the power to bring people together and make a lasting positive change that will resonate for the long term.”

 Steven, a company member of The Odyssey, said, ‘”Being a lad who is born and bred in Sunderland it is an honour to be involved as we showcase what incredible, diverse talent and community spirit Sunderland has always had. Backed with the beautiful core values of Public Acts this will be a tremendous project.’

This new production follows last year’s epic multi-venue production of The Odyssey, reimagined with hundreds of community members in five episodes nationwide, including Sunderland. The fourth episode The Island of the Sun took place at The Fire Station in Sunderland in April 2023 and featured 24 local participants, with an epic finale production bringing performers from all five locations together on the National Theatre’s Olivier stage in August 2023.

  The National Theatre also today releases a new documentary, The Odyssey: A National Story, following the creation of the 2023 landmark Public Acts production The Odyssey which was reimagined with hundreds of community members in five episodes in Stoke-on-Trent, Doncaster, Trowbridge, Sunderland and at the NT. The documentary gives a unique insight into how this epic production was brought to life, highlighting the power of theatre to bring communities together. It has been created by award-winning director Hanan Abdalla and will be available to watch on the NT’s YouTube channel from 7pm, Tuesday 7 May.

Sisco Entertainment & Sweeney Entertainments Present

PETER ANDRE

In THE BEST OF FRANKIE VALLI AND THE FOUR SEASONS

AT THE DOMINION THEATRE IN LONDON ON 16 FEBRUARY 2025

As Part Of A Major UK Tour

Starring Peter Andre – The Best of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons is a spectacular high-pitched celebration of timeless music from one of the biggest selling groups of all time. As part of a major UK Tour in 2025, the show will play one night only at The Dominion Theatre in London on Sunday 16 February.

This nostalgic musical journey pays tribute to the life and career of those four boys from Jersey, who started singing under a street lamp but soon went on to become one of the most recognised groups in history.

From the streets of New Jersey to the dizzying heights of the West End and Broadway, this incredible music has delighted audiences for over five decades, The Best of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons features all your favourite songs including Sherry, My Eyes Adored You, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You and many more.

Featuring a supporting cast of incredible performers from smash-hit award winning West End musicals, The Best of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons will leave you on a ‘high’ and guarantee you’ll be saying ‘Oh, What A Night!

150 MILLION RECORDS SOLD

20 TOP TEN HITS

8 NUMBER ONE’S

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME

Tickets: https://www.nederlander.co.uk/whats-on/7123?event_id=7123

https://fourseasonsshow.com

Instagram: @fourseasonsshow

X: @fourseasonsshow

Facebook: /fourseasonsshow

⭐⭐⭐⭐

“A show of timeless classics was performed with joy and vulnerability and proved that these hits could still excite a crowd 50 years on – and no doubt win the approval of Mr Valli himself, too.”

– Worcester News

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“A non-stop journey through a host of hits in a tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons”

Birmingham Mail

CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE UK PREMIERE OF VISIT FROM AN UNKNOWN WOMAN BY CHRISTOPHER HAMPTON DIRECTED BY CHELSEA WALKER

Casting has been announced for Visit from an Unknown Woman; a new play by Christopher Hampton based on the compelling short story by Stefan Zweig.

Directed by Chelsea Walker, the play will have its UK premiere at Hampstead Theatre from 21 June to 27 July.

Set shortly before Nazi Germany’s occupation of Austria, Christopher Hampton’s riveting psychological drama will be brought to life by Natalie Simpson as the enigmatic Marianne and Thomas Levin as the captivating Stefan.   

Natalie Simpson won the prestigious Ian Charleson Award in 2017 and her recent stage appearances include Jack Absolute Flies Again and Three Sisters at the National Theatre. Making his London theatre debut, Danish-born Thomas Levin’s credits include Constellations and Ghosts, Aarhus Teater and the Danish TV drama series Borgen. Further casting is to be announced.

‘There’s this monstrous idiot – this monstrouselected idiot – who keeps telling his fellow-idiots to throw my books on a bonfire and beat me up in the street…’

Vienna 1934. Stefan is one of the world’s most successful authors – widely read, universally admired, and translated into every language. His is the life of a wealthy playboy, enjoying only the finest things in life – from luxurious world travel to the company of his most dazzling contemporaries in Europe’s most fashionable restaurants. Only two things cloud his prospects: the rise of the Nazi Party, and the sudden appearance of a woman who he clearly knows… but who he cannot, for the life of him, remember.

Christopher Hampton’s adaptation of the short story, Letter from an Unknown Woman, by Stefan Zweig published in 1922 receives its UK premiere following a triumphant run at Vienna’s Josefstadt Theater. Winner of multiple awards including two Oscars, Hampton’s plays include Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Tales from Hollywood, and The Philanthropist, and he is celebrated for his translations of Reza and Zeller. 

Chelsea Walker returns to Hampstead to direct following her acclaimed Hampstead Downstairs production of This Much I Know and Yous Two. Her recent work includes On the Beach (Sheffield): Missing Julie (Theatr Clwyd); Hedda Gabler (Sherman); Cougar (Orange Tree) and A Streetcar Named Desire (ETT). 

The full creative team comprises; Rosanna Vize (Designer), Bethany Gupwell (Lighting Designer), Peter Rice (Sound Designer), Max Perryment (Composter), Michela Meazza (Movement Director), Lucy Fennell (Intimacy Director) and Arthur Carrington (Casting Director).

Hampstead Theatre is currently staging the UK premiere of Stephen Adly Guirgis’ Between Riverside and Crazy, directed by Michael Longhurst on the main stage until 15 June, and also the world premiere of Richard Molloy’s The Harmony Test, directed by Alice Hamilton, in Hampstead Downstairs from 15 June.

Visit From an Unknown Woman plays the main stage at Hampstead Theatre from 21 June – 27 July.

Tickets are available from £10 and are on sale now via hampsteadtheatre.com

SPECIAL GUEST STAR

ALFIE BOE

TO JOIN

LUCIE JONES

LIVE AT CADOGAN HALL

ON SUNDAY 12 MAY 2024

FOURTH WALL LIVE and WestWay Music are delighted to announce that global singing sensation, Alfie Boe, will join Lucie Jones as a special guest star at her solo concert, live at Cadogan Hall on Sunday 12 May 2024. Tickets are on sale now at www.fw-live.com and www.cadoganhall.com

Speaking on next week’s event, Lucie said “This show will be a collection of songs from roles I’ve played, roles I’d love to play, bands and artists I adore and songs I’ve always wanted to sing. The band is awesome. My guests will blow everyone’s MINDS. I am so excited for these shows!”

Multi-platinum selling recording artist, ALFIE BOE OBE is one of the most powerful and prestigious UK born and bred voices, with almost 3 decades of a whirlwind career under his belt. The Grammy nominated star has won a Tony Award, multiple Classical Brit Awards and a Silver Clef Award.

Alfie’s recording career has acquired him eleven top 10 albums including two number 1’s alongside numerous sold-out headline tours in the UK as a solo artist and as part of his duo act with Michael Ball ‘Ball and Boe’. He also sold out a US tour with Classic Quadrophenia alongside Pete Townsend, Vegas with his solo Showstoppers debut and Lights On Broadway that he headlined in Japan.

Alfie has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the balcony at Buckingham Palace, The Horse Guards Parade for VE Day 70, multiple shows at The Royal Albert Hall, Opera Houses around the world, West End and Broadway theatre stages and many more. Alfie also released the official Platinum Jubilee National Anthem as a duet with Sarah Brightman.

Alfie landed his first Broadway role in La Bohème, for which he won a Tony award. His Broadway and West End credits since include lead roles in Finding Neverland on Broadway, The Mikado, Carousel and Jean Val Jean in Les Miserables. He has played Jean Val Jean in the West End and Broadway as well as celebrating the show’s 25th Anniversary at London’s O2 Arena and most recently, The All-Stars Concert version of the show alongside Michael Ball and Matt Lucas. In the classical world, Alfie has performed in La Traviata, as Tamino in The Magic Flute, Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni, Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Ferrando in Cosi Fan Tutti.

In 2016 he partnered with Michael Ball to form the duo ‘Ball and Boe’. The pair released the number 1, double platinum album Together, followed by an equally successful release of Together Again. They have since had another 3 chart topping records and continue to sell out Arena tours across the UK.

In 2023, Alfie released his most recent solo album Open Arms, The Symphonic Songbook. He also sold out a headline solo tour in the UK and released a Sunday Times Bestselling Memoir book, Face The Music. This followed his appearance in BBC1’s Freeze The Fear with Whim Hoff. Alfie is set to go back on the road in May this year for his Encore tour.

LUCIE JONES first came to prominence when she reached the finals of ITV’s The X Factor in 2009. Quickly winning the hearts of the nation, she became a household name to the millions of viewers who supported her and watched her perform week after week. Lucie performed in the sell-out X Factor Arena Tour in 2010 before joining the West End cast of Les Miserables, playing the role of Cosette. Since then, Lucie has performed all over the world as a solo artist and in many musical theatre productions to great success. Other musical theatre credits include: Meatloaf in We Will Rock You (World Arena tour), Victoria in American Psycho the Musical (Almeida Theatre), Holly in The Wedding Singer (UK tour), Martha in Treason (Cadogan Hall), Christmas Past & Future in A Christmas Carol (Dominion Theatre), Heidi in Title of Show London, Molly in Ghost the Musical, Fantine in Les Miserables (Queen’s Theatre), Jenna Hunterson in Waitress (Adelphi Theatre & UK tour), Maureen in Rent (UK tour), Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (Curve & UK tour) and Elphaba in Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre). In 2023, Lucie completed a UK tour with the 50 piece Fulltone Orchestra. She most recently returned to the West End cast of Les Miserables, where she played Fantine at the Sondheim Theatre and Jenna Rink in workshops for 13 Going on 30: The Musical at Battersea Arts Centre.

In 2017, Lucie represented the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest in Ukraine, and subsequently released her first solo single and music video for her song ‘Never Give Up on You’. Lucie performed this track at the live final to a worldwide audience of over 300 million viewers, garnering the best result for the UK in many years.

In 2020, Lucie performed a live solo concert to a sell-out audience at London’s Adelphi Theatre, accompanied by the London Musical Theatre Orchestra. The concert was recorded for a self-titled live album released in 2020. Lucie toured in late 2021 with her live band concluding in another sell-out house at His Majesty’s Theatre, London.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Sunday 12 May

Cadogan Hall

5 Sloane Terrace

London 

SW1X 9DQ

Performance: 2.30pm & 6.30pm

Tickets: From £16

Box Office: 020 7730 4500

Website: www.fw-live.com and www.cadoganhall.com

Instagram: @luciejones1

X:  @luciejones1
Tiktok: @thatluciejones