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Poet and Theatre Maker Matt Miller and Director Peader Kirk

commence Spring 2020 tour of their new co-created solo theatre performance FITTING

A theatrical genderqueer glamour fest, sprinkled with magic and ready to mess with your binaries

Theatre Makers Matt Miller and Peader Kirk have come together to co-create a solo theatre performance, FITTING, drawing on spoken-word storytelling, autobiographical accounts and physical theatre to explore themes of identity and belonging. 

Following on from a successful autumn tour, FITTING has commenced a Spring tour which will play Harrogate Theatre (20 February), Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle (25 February – 7 March excluding 1 and 2 March), Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield (13 March), Queen’s Hall, Hexham (25 and 26 March), Hat Factory Arts Centre, Luton (30 April) and The Old Joint Stock, Birmingham (21 – 23 May).  

Magic is everywhere. Wear a dress and people treat you one way. Try a pinstripe suit and, abracadabra, it’s like you’re a different person. If they say beauty is just skin deep, then why is appearance so important to the way we are treated? FITTING is a solo theatre show about Matt’s adventures in dresses and suits with some magic tricks up its sleeve. From interactions with strangers at bus stops to transgressive explorations in charity shops, follow Matt as they navigate and explode the ground between gender binaries. 

Alongside the show, two wrap-around participation activities have been developed – Conversation Café and Versions of You – designed to allow the public to engage with the questions which the show asks and to open a gentle, fun and supported dialogue about where they feel they fit.

Matt Miller is a poet and theatre maker who writes about place, identity and ways of belonging. They learned their craft with Nottingham based poetry collective The Mouthy Poets. In 2014, Matt was selected as one of BBC Radio Three’s Verb New Voices. Matt has been an artist in residence at Alphabetti Theatre and was one of Live Theatre’s inaugural Live Lab Artists. In 2018/19 Matt worked with The Mighty Creatives as a workshop facilitator. Matt has been praised for their ‘powers of urban storytelling’ (Ian McMillan, The Verb).

Peader Kirk is an Artist and Director working internationally in the fields of Performance and Sound Art. He makes work that engages directly with communities to ask questions about how we meet amidst difference and how we create change. His work has recently been shown at The Southbank Centre and The Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, The National Theatre of Greece in Athens, Academy of Fine Arts in Turin and The Hong Kong Repertory Theatre. Peader trained as a director with Robert Lepage at the National Theatre, London and with Eugenio Barba at CPR, Wales. 

Matt started working with Peader in 2016. Their first solo show together, STICKING performed to sold out audiences and was toured to Contact Manchester, Gala Theatre, as part of the Durham Book Festival, ARC Stockton and Alphabetti Theatre. They now return with the next in the series exploring LGBTQ+ topics questioning existing perceptions of non-binary gender.

FITTING is supported by ARC Stockton, Arts Council England and New Writing North. 

For further information about Matt Miller, visit: https://mattmillertheatre.com.

LISTINGS: SPRING 2020 TOUR

Title: FITTING

Running Time: 1hr

Age guidance: 14+

• Harrogate Studio Theatre, Harrogate

20th February 2020, 7.45pm

BOX OFFICE 01423 502 116 / https://www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk/

• Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle

25th February – 7th March 2020 (excluding 1 and 2 March), 7.30pm 

BOX OFFICE 0191 261 9125 / https://www.alphabettitheatre.co.uk

• Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield

13th March 2020, 7.45pm

BOX OFFICE 01484 430 528 / https://www.thelbt.org/

• Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham, 

25th & 26th March 2020, 7.30pm

BOX OFFICE 01434 652477 / https://www.queenshall.co.uk

• Hat Factory Arts Centre, Luton 

30th April 2020, 7.30pm

BOX OFFICE 01582 878100 / https://www.culturetrust.com

• The Old Joint Stock, Birmingham

21st – 23rd May 2020, 8pm

BOX OFFICE 0121 200 09461892 / https://www.oldjointstock.co.uk/ 

Salford ticket agency named best in the WORLD at industry conference in New York

The ticket agency owned and operated by The Lowry in Salford has been named ‘best in the world’ by the International Ticketing Association.
 
Quaytickets, which was founded in 2005 by The Lowry’s in-house box office team, saw off stiff competition to walk away with the coveted award.
 
Judges cited the ticket agency’s exemplary customer service record and embracing of new technology as reasons for the win.
 
Julia Fawcett OBE, chief executive of The Lowry, said: “We couldn’t be more thrilled. Quaytickets is the success story that just keeps on giving. When we founded the agency in 2005 we just wanted to share our venue expertise and box office service with similar venues and event organisers.
 
“Today, we have clients of all shapes and sizes across the country and all of the profits from those contracts – which amount to more than £1m since 2005 – support The Lowry in its charitable activities.”
 
Maureen Andersen, president of the International Ticketing Association, said: “We are thrilled that The Lowry & Quaytickets have been recognized as the 2020 INTIX Ticket Office of the Year.
 
“Their deployment of consummate audience and customer service that keeps a human touch, while blending strong data and technology, is an aspirational example for us all in the industry. Their mission of sustainability via their commercial activities and supporting a not-for-profit venue is an illustration of amazing service to the community at its highest level. We are honoured to have their leadership in our community of professionals in live entertainment.” 
 
Keith Kelly, The Lowry’s head of ticketing, collected the award in New York on behalf of the 100-strong Quaytickets team.
 
Quaytickets clients include: NIMAX Theatres, Nederlander Group, Mattel, Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club, Leeds Grand Theatre, Lancashire County Cricket Club, Regents Park Open Air Theatre, Stockport Plaza and East Lancashire Railway.

PRESENTERS AND PERFORMANCES ANNOUNCED FOR 20TH ANNUAL WHATSONSTAGE AWARDS

PRESENTERS AND PERFORMANCES ANNOUNCED FOR

20^TH ANNUAL WHATSONSTAGE AWARDS

The 20^th annual WhatsOnStage Awards take place on 1 March at the Prince of Wales Theatre, hosted by Jodie Prenger and Tom Read Wilson, and for the first time this year will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 2 hosted by Elaine Paige and Ken Bruce. Additional award presenters will be announce shortly.

Each of the 5 nominated productions for Best New Musical will perform live at the event – Bit of a Sort from Only Fools and Horses, You Will Be Found from Dear Evan Hansen, Can’t Stop the Feeling!/Roar from & Juliet, Welcome to the Rock from Come From Away, and She Used to be Mine from Waitress.

There will also be a performance of I’m Here by the cast of Curve Leicester and Birmingham Hippodrome’s production of The Color Purple, which is nominated in the Best Regional Production category, as well as two further numbers specially created for the evening. The event is co-produced by Paul Taylor-Mills.

Leading this year’s nominations is the new musical & Juliet – currently running at the Shaftesbury Theatre, with 13 nominations across acting and creative categories including nominations for leading actors Miriam-Teak Lee and Oliver Tompsett who play Juliet and Shakespeare respectively, supporting actor nominations for Jordan Luke Gage, Cassidy Janson and Melanie La Barrie, Best New Musical, Best Choreography, Best Costume Design, Best Graphic Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Set Design, Best Sound Design and Best Video Design. In the musical categories, Evita follows with 8 nominations and Mame and Waitress with 7 nominations each, and Come from Away and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat both with 5 nominations.

In the straight play categories, Best New Play is a contest between The Doctor, The Son, My Beautiful Laundrette, Life of Pi and Appropriate; and Best Play Revival nominees are Betrayal, Death of a Salesman, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Lungs and Present Laughter. The latter of these leads the play categories with 8 nominations; including Best Actor in a Play for Andrew Scott, Best Supporting Actress in a Play nominations for Sophie Thompson and Indira Varma and Best Direction for Matthew Warchus.

For the full list of nominations, please see below.

Tickets are available for the awards ceremony on 1 March via www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk from £25.00.

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THE 20^TH ANNUAL WHATSONSTAGE AWARD NOMINATIONS IN FULL:

BEST ACTOR IN A PLAY SPONSORED BY EDWARDIAN HOTELS

Tom Hiddleston – Betrayal

Andrew Scott – Present Laughter

Matt Smith – Lungs

Wendell Pierce – Death of a Salesman

Laurie Kynaston – The Son

BEST ACTRESS IN A PLAY SPONSORED BY TONIC THEATRE

Claire Foy – Lungs

Zawe Ashton – Betrayal

Hayley Atwell – Rosmersholm

Sharon D. Clarke – Death of a Salesman

Juliet Stevenson – The Doctor

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A PLAY

Alexander Vlahos – Peter Pan

Charlie Cox – Betrayal

Hareet Deol – My Beautiful Laundrette

Hammed Animashaun – A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Giles Terera – Rosmersholm

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A PLAY

Ria Zmitrowicz – The Doctor

Isabella Pappas – Appropriate

Monica Dolan – All About Eve

Sophie Thompson – Present Laughter

Indira Varma – Present Laughter

BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICAL SPONSORED BY DEWYNTERS

David Hunter – Waitress

Sam Tutty – Dear Evan Hansen

Jac Yarrow – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Oliver Tompsett – & Juliet

Charlie Stemp – Mary Poppins

BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL SPONSORED BY CAFÉ DE PARIS

Lucie Jones – Waitress

Katharine McPhee – Waitress

Miriam-Teak Lee – & Juliet

Tracie Bennett – Mame

Zizi Strallen – Mary Poppins

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL SPONSORED BY THE UMBRELLA ROOMS

Joe Sugg – Waitress

Jack Loxton – Dear Evan Hansen

Jordan Luke Gage – & Juliet

Oscar Conlon-Morrey – Only Fools and Horses

Jason Donovan – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL SPONSORED BY NEWMAN DISPLAYS

Laura Baldwin – Waitress

Marisha Wallace – Waitress

Cassidy Janson – & Juliet

Melanie La Barrie – & Juliet

Rachel Tucker – Come From Away

BEST NEW PLAY SPONSORED BY TICKETMASTER

The Doctor

The Son

My Beautiful Laundrette

Life of Pi

Appropriate

BEST PLAY REVIVAL SPONSORED BY JHI MARKETING

Betrayal

Death of a Salesman

Present Laughter

A Midsummer Night’s Dream [Bridge Theatre]

Lungs

BEST NEW MUSICAL SPONSORED BY h CLUB LONDON

Waitress

& Juliet

Dear Evan Hansen

Come From Away

Only Fools and Horses

BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL SPONSORED BY CONCORD THEATRICALS

Mary Poppins

Evita

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Mame

9 to 5 The Musical

BEST OFF-WEST END PRODUCTION SPONSORED BY LES MISERABLES

Fiver

The View UpStairs

High Fidelity

Preludes

Falsettos

BEST REGIONAL PRODUCTION SPONSORED BY MTI EUROPE

Mame

The Color Purple

Life of Pi

My Beautiful Laundrette

West Side Story [Royal Exchange Manchester]

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

Fabian Aloise – Evita

Matthew Bourne – Romeo & Juliet

Kelly Devine – Come From Away

Jennifer Weber – & Juliet

Nick Winston – Mame

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

Lez Brotherston – Romeo & Juliet

Katrina Lindsay – Small Island

Rob Howell – Present Laughter

Philip Witcomb – Mame

Paloma Young – & Juliet

BEST DIRECTION SPONSORED BY LOVETHEATRE

Marianne Elliott & Miranda Cromwell – Death of a Salesman

Robert Icke – The Doctor

Jamie Lloyd – Evita

Matthew Warchus – Lungs

Matthew Warchus – Present Laughter

BEST GRAPHIC DIRECTION SPONSORED BY HEXAGON PRINT

& Juliet – Dewynters

Captain Corelli’s Mandolin – Muse Creative Communications

Equus – Feast Creative

Evita – Feast Creative

Rosmersholm – Bob King Creative

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN SPONSORED BY WHITE LIGHT

Jon Clark – Evita

Ben Cracknell – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Howard Hudson – & Juliet

Jessica Hung Han Yun – Equus

Tim Lutkin & Hugh Vanstone – Present Laughter

BEST MUSICAL DIRECTION

Ian Eisendrath, Alan Berry & Team – Come From Away

Kimberly Grigsby – The Light in the Piazza

Alex Parker – Mame

John Rigby – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Alan Williams – Evita

BEST SET DESIGN SPONSORED BY SINE DIGITAL

Soutra Gilmour – & Juliet

Soutra Gilmour – Evita

Rob Howell – Present Laughter

Robert Jones – The Light in the Piazza

Rae Smith – The Night of the Iguana

BEST SOUND DESIGN SPONSORED BY STAGE SOUND SERVICES

Ben Harrison – Mame

Nick Lidster – Evita

Gareth Owen – & Juliet

Gareth Owen – Come From Away

Mick Potter – The Light in the Piazza

BEST VIDEO DESIGN SPONSORED BY PRG

Jon Driscoll – Small Island

Will Duke – Grief is the Thing With Feathers

Andrzej Goulding – & Juliet

P J McEvoy – Falsettos

Ewan Jones Morris – A Very Expensive Poison

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JAMIE WILSON AND WHOOPI GOLDBERG

ANNOUNCE

LESLEY JOSEPH

WILL JOIN THE CAST

AS ‘MOTHER SUPERIOR’

FOR THE UK AND IRELAND TOUR

OF THE SMASH HIT MUSICAL

OPENING AT CURVE, LEICESTER

ON 21 APRIL 2020

Producers Jamie Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg are delighted to announce that Lesley Joseph will join the cast for the UK and Ireland tour of the smash-hit musical, “SISTER ACT”. The show will open on 21 April 2020 at Leicester Curve and will visit Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield and Manchester. The UK and Ireland tour will re-open on 15 September at Birmingham Hippodrome and will finish its run in Milton Keynes on 5 December 2020. Full tour listings and casting details below.

Lesley Joseph will play the role of ‘Mother Superior’ and will star alongside the previously announced Brenda Edwards as ‘Deloris Van Cartier’. They will both perform all dates on the UK and Ireland tour. They are joined by Clive Rowe who will play ‘Eddie Souther’ in Leicester, Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield and Manchester.

Lesley Joseph is best known for playing ‘Dorien Green’ in the hugely successful sitcom “Birds of a Feather” alongside Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson. They recorded over 100 episodes over a period of nine years and returned to our screens in 2014 for a further three series. Lesley most recently appeared as ‘Frau Blucher’ in the West End production of the Mel Brooks musical “Young Frankenstein” for which she received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. Her other theatre credits include ‘Miss Hannigan’ in “Annie” at the West End’s Victoria Palace and also on national tour as well as the touring productions of “Calendar Girls” and “Thoroughly Modern Mille”. 

Brenda Edwards first came to the public’s attention when she became a semi-finalist in the 2005 series of ITV1’s The X Factor. Since then, she has become one of the most sought-after leading ladies in musical theatre. Her many West End and touring credits include ‘Killer Queen’ in “We Will Rock You” at the Dominion Theatre and original UK Tour, ‘Mama Morton’ in “Chicago” at The Adelphi Theatre, ‘Nettie Fowler’ in “Carousel” at London Coliseum, ‘Pearl Pastor’ in “Carmen Jones” at Royal Festival Hall, ‘Esta’ in “Moby Dick” at Union Theatre and  ‘Motormouth Maybelle’ in “Hairspray” on UK Tour . Brenda most recently starred in “White Christmas” in London’s West End at The Dominion Theatre and is a regular panellist on ITV’s Loose Women.

Clive Rowe won the Olivier award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for “Guys and Dolls” at The National Theatre and was also nominated for Best Supporting Performance in “Carousel”,also at The National Theatre. At 2009’s Oliviers, he was nominated for the Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre award for “Mother Goose” at Hackney Empire. His many West End and touring credits include “Ladykillers” at the Gielgud Theatre, “Chicago”at the Adelphi Theatre, “Sweet Charity”at the Donmar Warehouse, the UK tour of “The Wind in The Willows” and “Me and My Girl”at Chichester Festival Theatre.

Based on the iconic movie, this sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, sisterhood and music tells the hilarious story of the disco diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she won’t be found – a convent!  Disguised as a nun and under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. 

SISTER ACT has direction by Bill Buckhurst, choreography by Alistair David, Set Design by Morgan Large,  Lighting Design by Tim Mitchell, Sound Design by Tom Marshall and Musical Supervision by Stephen Brooker. Casting is by Stuart Burt. 

SISTER ACT features original music by Tony® and 8-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken(Disney’s Aladdin, Enchanted), lyrics by Glenn Slater, book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner with additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane. SISTER ACT is produced by Jamie Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg. Tom Leonardis, Head of Whoopi’s production company, will also be on the producing team.

SISTER ACT UK TOUR 2020

sisteractthemusical.co.uk

TUESDAY 21 APRIL – SATURDAY 2 MAY

CURVE, LEICESTER

www.curveonline.co.uk

*The role of Deloris Van Cartier will be played by Brenda Edwards

*The role of Mother Superior will be played by Lesley Joseph

*The role of Eddie Souther will be played by Clive Rowe

TUESDAY 11 MAY – SATURDAY 23 MAY

LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

www.leedsgrandtheatre.com

*The role of Deloris Van Cartier will be played by Brenda Edwards

*The role of Mother Superior will be played by Lesley Joseph

*The role of Eddie Souther will be played by Clive Rowe

MONDAY 25 MAY – SATURDAY 30 MAY

NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL

www.theatreroyal.co.uk

*The role of Deloris Van Cartier will be played by Brenda Edwards

*The role of Mother Superior will be played by Lesley Joseph

* The role of Eddie Souther will be played by Clive Rowe

TUESDAY 9 JUNE – SATURDAY 20 JUNE

SHEFFIELD LYCEUM

www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

*The role of Deloris Van Cartier will be played by Brenda Edwards

*The role of Mother Superior will be played by Lesley Joseph

* The role of Eddie Souther will be played by Clive Rowe

MONDAY 22 JUNE – SATURDAY 4 JULY

MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE

ww.atgtickets.com/Manchester

*The role of Deloris Van Cartier will be played by Brenda Edwards

*The role of Mother Superior will be played by Lesley Joseph

* The role of Eddie Souther will be played by Clive Rowe

TUESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER

BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME

www.birminghamhippodrome.com

*The role of Deloris Van Cartier will be played by Brenda Edwards

*The role of Mother Superior will be played by Lesley Joseph

TUESDAY 29 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 3 OCTOBER

DUBLIN BORD GAIS ENERGY THEATRE

https://bordgaisenergytheatre.ie/

*The role of Deloris Van Cartier will be played by Brenda Edwards

*The role of Mother Superior will be played by Lesley Joseph

MONDAY 12 – SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER

WALES MELLENIUM CENTRE

https://www.wmc.org.uk/

*The role of Deloris Van Cartier will be played by Brenda Edwards

*The role of Mother Superior will be played by Lesley Joseph

MONDAY 19 – SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER

IPSWICH REGENT THEATRE

Home

ON SALE SOON

*The role of Deloris Van Cartier will be played by Brenda Edwards

*The role of Mother Superior will be played by Lesley Joseph

MONDAY 2 – SATURDAY 7 NOVEMBER

STOKE, REGENT THEATRE

www.atgtickets.com/venues/regent-theatre/

ON SALE SOON

*The role of Deloris Van Cartier will be played by Brenda Edwards

*The role of Mother Superior will be played by Lesley Joseph

MONDAY 9 – SATURDAY 14 NOVEMBER

DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

*The role of Deloris Van Cartier will be played by Brenda Edwards

*The role of Mother Superior will be played by Lesley Joseph

MONDAY 16 – SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER

LIVERPOOL EMPIRE

www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire/

ON SALE SOON

*The role of Deloris Van Cartier will be played by Brenda Edwards

*The role of Mother Superior will be played by Lesley Joseph

MONDAY 23 – SATURDAY 28 NOVEMBER

NOTTINGHAM THEATRE ROYAL

Home

*The role of Deloris Van Cartier will be played by Brenda Edwards

*The role of Mother Superior will be played by Lesley Joseph

MONDAY 30 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 5 DECEMBER

MILTON KEYNES THEATRE

www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre/

ON SALE SOON

*The role of Deloris Van Cartier will be played by Brenda Edwards

*The role of Mother Superior will be played by Lesley Joseph

Old Red Lion Theatre – until 8 February 2020

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Showing as part of ORL’s ‘Where Are We Now?’ Festival of Emergent Artists, Mother Must Die?! by Fantastic Garlands is a weird and wonderful treat. Twins Jocasta and Jupiter come to their family home, Pen Hera Heights every Halloween to dutifully celebrate their mother’s birthday.

A letter with detailed instructions of the night’s arrangements is waiting, along with a chest containing childhood toys and bizarre outfits for the sisters to wear. Everything is distinctly off kilter as Jocasta begins preparations alone, but gets even more bizarre when Jupiter turns up in Brownie uniform. (She’s not a member, she just likes to watch and craft.) The animosity and sibling rivalry between the two is written well, with witty barbs being thrown back and forth as well as tantalising titbits about their childhood and family. Jocasta has one eye, and Jupiter has the use of only one arm, and the causes of the injuries are eventually revealed, as well as the fate of the family as mother’s footsteps/walking stick bang ominously from a distant room.

There are hints about witchcraft – Jupiter is living in Pendle Hill, and the shifting nature of the rooms in the mansion on the edge of the cliff, but the women’s approach to killing their mother is very down to earth and non-mystical. The various attempts and celebrations become as repetitive and hopeless for the twins as the joyless birthday celebrations they endure each year, and become more and more ridiculous and amusing for the audience.

Olivia Thompson as Jocasta and Libby Radliffe as Jupiter are lots of fun as the squabbling siblings, with great physical comedy and amazing chemistry. The bonkers plot is more Carry On Poe than true horror, but there are moments of unease as the cast make you believe that you are trapped in the dark crumbling mansion with them.

Lots of macabre fun with enough wacky twists and turns to keep you laughing throughout.

York Theatre Royal – Friday 9 February 2020

Reviewed by Michelle and Marcus Richardson

4****

The Three Musketeers, an old time favourite novel, written by Alexandre Dumas. It is a tale of brotherhood, heroism and love. Le Navet Bete Theatre Company, based in Exeter, have won numerous awards for their various comedy shows. As part of their UK they are playing a few shows at the York Theatre Royal.

A total of four actors play over 30 characters ranging from royalty to barmen and of course the musketeers themselves. This band of merry men are made up of Dan Bianchi, Nick Blunt, Al Dunn and Matt Freeman. Each coming on the stage as themselves and introducing the crazy creation that they are about to perform to the audience. The whole play is set as if it was a group of kids playing make believe as summer starts. We are frequently reminded and encouraged to use our imagination as bikes depict horses, West Country accents instead of French ones and jokes about fruit juices being spiked with coke (cola).

There are some seriously funny characters, but one of the characters that stood out the most was Milady DeWinter played by Freeman, a sexy femme fatal with blue eyes like alpine lakeside. There was a bit of audience participation when several members were required to throw stuffed ducks onto the stage for Milady DeWinter, in order to show off her impressive shooting skills. It was entertaining to see about 20 soft toys flying through the air onto the stage, only to be shot down, courtesy of a little bit of work from the sound technician. It worked wonderfully well and had all of us chuckling away.

There were numerous costume changes, so many it was hard to keep up, all with the help of Abi Cowan, the stage manager. These super quick changes didn’t always go to plan, but this only added to the fun.

The play is full of slapstick, cheesy jokes and moments where the plot is completely lost and yet somehow we get through the story. There appear to be mishaps and mistakes aplenty, but are they really mistakes or part of the show? That is for the cast to know and the audience to wonder. These so called unscripted parts were very funny and added that extra dimension to an already funny show.

This show has a somewhat pantomime feel to it, full of energy and is great for all, we really enjoyed hearing the children in the audience laughing along. The actors are clearly having a blast, and so did we. A wonderful whirlwind of a show.

Jack Studio Theatre – until 22 February 2020

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

5*****

The story of Charlie Chaplin’s rise from childhood poverty to film icon is told in heart-warming style in Arrows & Traps’ latest show. Writer and director Ross McGregor explores Chaplin’s life with incredible sensitivity and intelligence, jumping between the older Chaplin (Conor Moss) on the set of City Lights and his childhood in Victorian London.

Chaplin’s obsessive knowledge of where every cent is spent on his productions doesn’t stop him from insisting on days of takes trying to achieve a perfection and authenticity that frustrates and baffles the cast and crew, and Laurel Marks’ attempts to offer a flower in a way that matches his vision are hilarious. McGregor shows the chaos and uncertainty of young Charlie’s life that feed his controlling nature as an adult with a deft touch, with Toby Wynn-Davies as half brother Sydney, Benjamin Garrison as his drunken father, and Clare Aster as his tragic mother.

The older Chaplin sits and voices his younger self as Lucy Ioannou plays Charlie as a boy. She never speaks throughout the play, instead miming and clowning expertly as Charlie before morphing into the Tramp character and eventually becoming a resented alter ego. The scenes between Charlie and his mother as they mimic neighbours and she criticises his stance and lines echo his with Laurel Mark’s actress, but unlike him, Charlie’s mother can find the exact words to share her ideas. While it is sometimes hard to tear your eyes away from the action, Conor Moss’ expressions as he sits on the side-lines are exquisite.

There are, as always with Arrows & Traps, magical sequences choreographed to differing music styles that evoke the cruelty of the workhouse, the madness of the music hall and the rapid production style of silent movies with humour and pathos.

The cast all give outstanding performances, but Clare Aster’s heart breaking portrayal will haunt you and Lucy Ioannou is simply phenomenal as the Tramp, making a brilliantly choreographed and nuanced performance seem instinctive and spontaneous, just like the great man himself.

An enthralling and emotive production with an unforgettable central performance – another unmissable show from Arrows & Traps.

Royal & Derngate Community Choir to make guest appearance with Leee John of Imagination at The Roadmender

Royal & Derngate Community Choir (RDCC) are delighted to be making a special guest appearance when Leee John of Imagination performs at Northampton’s Roadmender in an intimate one-off show on Friday 27 March.

With a remarkable career spanning over three decades and with record sales in excess of over 30 million albums, the incomparable Leee John and his group Imagination had many amazing hit singles and platinum, gold and silver albums. Classics such as Body Talk, Just An illusion, Flashback, Music and Lights and Changes, established their position as essential ‘80s crossover hit-makers and an influence for future generations in the music industry.

Founding member, lead singer and songwriter Leee John continues to delight fans around the globe with his timeless classic hits and new music releases, and has appeared with many world renowned artists such as The Jacksons, Earth Wind and Fire, Kool and the Gang, Nile Rogers of Chic, Incognito and Kid Creole and the Coconuts.

Starting off as a seven week project, to coincide with the theatre’s redevelopment in 2005, Royal & Derngate Community Choir has evolved into a weekly activity for hundreds of individuals, providing regular performances, at the theatre, across the county and further afield. From a foundation was based in gospel music, their repertoire has widened to include soul, jazz, reggae and pop. Membership is diverse in terms of age and culture, made up of individuals from the local community who all share a passion for singing.

For more information about Leee John’s show at the Roadmender on Friday 27 March call the venue on 0333 577 1688 or visit www.theroadmender.com. In addition to the guest appearance by RDCC, Leee will be supported by Northampton’s very own RnB/Pop/Soul singer/songwriter extraordinaire, Lucien Moon.

DANCING QUEEN OF BLACKPOOL

SHIRLEY BALLAS
TO STAR AS THE FAIRY GODMOTHER IN

WHEN PANTOMIME RETURNS

TO BLACKPOOL WINTER GARDENS

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 60 YEARS

PLAYING AT THE OPERA HOUSE

SUNDAY 13 DECEMBER 2020 – SUNDAY 3 JANUARY 2021

The Winter Gardens Blackpool and Mark Goucher announced today that Shirley Ballas will star as The Fairy Godmother in Blackpool’s biggest ever family pantomime, CINDERELLA, at the Opera House Blackpool from Sunday 13 December to Sunday 3 January 2021. Tickets on sale now with further star casting to be announced soon. Shirley will not be performing on Saturday 19 December 2020 due to Strictly Come Dancing commitments.

www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk. 

Shirley Ballas said today “I’m so thrilled to be coming home to Blackpool this Christmas.  I have made so many special memories there.  To be coming back to be part of the first pantomime there in over 60 years is such an honour.  I can’t wait!”.

Shirley Ballas is a champion ballroom dancer and head judge on BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing. She is the only person ever to have won the British Open to the World Latin American Championships in Blackpool with two different partners and has won the title three times, having reached the final an impressive 17 times. She is a ten-time United States Latin American champion and the recipient of three Carl Alan Awards, the Oscars of the dance world. Shirley made her pantomime debut as Mother Nature in Jack and the Beanstalk in Liverpool, a role she reprised last year in Darlington. She was the subject of BBC1’s Who Do You Think You Are? and is a regular panellist on ITV’s Loose Women.

Michael Williams, Managing Director of the Winter Gardens said today “It’s great to be bringing a pantomime back to the Winter Gardens after such a long absence and the scale and quality of the production is set to be spectacular. After spending so many years dancing at the Winter Gardens, not to mention winning countless titles, to have Shirley cast in one of the lead roles is perfect.  We know that she will bring her own magic to the tale of Cinderella for thousands of families this Christmas and we are delighted to be welcoming her home. Tickets are already selling fast, so while Christmas feels far away at the moment, don’t delay as it’s set to be a real jewel in the crown of our 2020 programme.”

Producer Mark Goucher said today “We are thrilled to be working with Shirley Ballas on this exciting new production. Her elegance and long history with Blackpool makes her the perfect casting for this lavish pantomime. 

The Opera House has enjoyed years of Christmas musicals, but not since the production of Dick Whittington in 1956, has a family pantomime played at the Winter Gardens. To celebrate the return of pantomime to the venue, each performance will have over 100 tickets priced at just £10 providing unbelievable value and the opportunity for all to experience theatre at   Christmas time.

CINDERELLA is written by Samuel Holmes (Club Tropicana, Curtains, Shrek, Monty Python Live), Directed and Choreographed by Nick Winston (Annie, Club Tropicana, Fame, Royal Variety Performance), Musical Supervision & Arrangements are by Charlie Ingles with Special Effects by The Twins FX. CINDERELLA is produced by Mark Goucher for Charming Pantomimes in association with Winter Gardens Blackpool. 

Audiences can expect jaw dropping special effects, a fabulous fairy, stunning costumes, some very wicked ugly sisters and a toe-tapping soundtrack of hit songs that will have everyone singing along. So, polish your pumpkins, dust off your gowns and grab your glass slippers to find out if Cinderella will go to the ball. Will she find her Prince Charming or will the Ugly Sisters ruin the day?

WEST END CAST RECORDING OF

DOLLY PARTON’S

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL

RECORDED LIVE AT THE SAVOY THEARTE

IS RELEASED TODAY

The producers of Dolly Parton’s phenomenally successful 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL are delighted to announce that the West End Cast Recording is available to stream and download now. It can be found on all streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. https://slinky.to/9to5-TheMusical

Recorded live at the Savoy Theatre with the West End cast, led by Caroline Sheen, Amber Davies, Natalie McQueen, Bonnie Langford and Brian Conley, 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL has a rip-roaring score by the Queen of Country herself featuring Backwoods Barbie, Get Out and Stay Out, Shine Like the Sun and the of course, the title number. It tells the story of three workmates pushed to boiling point by their sexist and egotistical boss. Concocting a plan to kidnap and turn the tables on their despicable supervisor, will the ladies manage to reform their office – or will events unravel when the CEO pays an unexpected visit?

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL took the West End by storm in February 2019, where Dolly Parton attended the premiere and joined the cast on stage at the finale. Now celebrating its first birthday in London, the hit show continues to play to sold-out audiences in the capital as well as around the UK (embarking on the second leg of its national tour in May 2020) and, from April, Australia too!

The musical features a book by Patricia Resnick, the legendary film’s original screenwriter, and an original Oscar, Grammy and Tony award-nominated score by multi Grammy Award winner, country legend and pop icon Dolly Parton.

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL is written by Patricia Resnick, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. It is directed by Jeff Calhoun, choreography by Lisa Stevens, design by Tom Rogers, lighting design by Howard Hudson, sound design by Poti Martin, video design by Nina Dunn, original arrangements by Stephen Oremus & Alex Lacamoire, original Broadway orchestrations by Bruce Coughlin, musical supervisor, reductions & extra arrangements by Mark Crossland, musical direction by Andrew Hilton and casting by Victoria Roe and Anne Vosser.

Based on the 20^th Century Fox Picture. Originally produced on Broadway by Robert Greenblatt, April 2009.

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Selladoor Worldwide and Gavin Kalin Productions with Benjamin Lowy Productions, Glass Half Full Productions, Showtime Theatre Productions, Hartshorn – Hook Productions, Harmonia Holdings and Kilimanjaro Live.