Category: Uncategorized

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford – until 8 February 2020

Reviewed by Antonia Hebbert

3***

Handsome, charming tennis star Tony Wendice has settled down into seemingly blissful married life. His wife thinks he doesn’t know about her past affair, but we know that he knows, and that he has a secret of his own: he married to get rich, and now he wants to be rich and single. This has the ingredients of a fiendish whodunnit, except that you actually do know who the villain is, and exactly why and how he plans to do away with his victim, while giving himself a cast-iron alibi. The perfect crime … but will he get away with it?

The beginning is rather slow and wordy, as Wendice has to explain everything, but once the plot is unhatched, it’s gripping and fun, with a neat twist to keep you focusing on those important clues. It helps that the quick-footed Wendice is played by that nice Tom Chambers, who won series six of Strictly Come Dancing. He’s entirely believable as the controlling husband who seems to be doing all he can to protect his wife (Sally Bretton, who makes the best of being a baffled innocent with hardly any words). Christopher Harper brings a swagger to the proceedings as the sharp detective inspector. Michael Salami is the lover who just happens to be a specialist in murder mysteries.

Dial M for Murder is best known for the 1954 film version by Alfred Hitchcock, but this production has replaced moody 1950s glamour with classic 1960s styling. David Woodhead’s set is a delight, as are some of the outfits. Ben and Max Ringham provide an atmospheric soundscape. It all makes for an entertaining evening, though the play itself feels pretty dated – the role of the wife in particular is awfully thin.

Mayflower Southampton  – until 8 February 2020

Reviewed by Jo Gordon

5*****

Kay Mellors award winning TV series Band of Gold has made a return but this time on the stage. Set in Bradford around the early 90’s we follow the lives of a group of women trying their best to survive despite addictions, single parenting and austerity. To help pay their rents and feed the kids they feel the only option is to work The Lanes as prostitutes which in turn brings in fines from the police, which leads to working more clients to pay the fines that turns into loans from unscrupulous loan sharks and the vicious circle continues!

The streets are unsafe but brothels are illegal so Anita (Laurie Brett) allows the girls to use her flat for a small fee on the days her lover George (Mark Sheals) stays at home with his wife, or so she thinks he is!

Young Mum Gina (Sacha Parkinson) is new to it all after struggling to make ends meet selling Avon and in debt with the local “Finance Expert” (Joe Mallalieu)  whilst dealing with a violent estranged husband (Kieron Richardson). She gets taken under the wing of long time lane worker Carol (Emma Osman)  who tries her best to put her off and teach her the ways of the job while dealing with her own issues of single parenting, debts and the compulsive cleaning and bleaching of her house.

All three women answer to the street savvy Rose (Gaynor Faye), self proclaimed Queen of the lanes who turned to prostitution many years before to fund her drug addictions which bring with it lots of heartache.

Their lives are beautifully intertwined as each characters personal story starts to unravel before us, the audience soon gets drawn in to the highs and lows as it has quite an intimate feel to it and despite being quite dark at times there is still plenty of humour. There are lots of twists and turns to the plot but each one has its place to bring their stories together.

As the curtain goes up, Kay Mellor’s comforting Northern tones request we tell all about the play but don’t share the surprises, so I will honour that and you will have to find out for yourselves! One little thing I will say is if you’re a fan of the washing up glove you’re in for a treat…….!!!

The set works well with clever transitions turning the stage from internal scenes in houses and pubs to the dark, seedy and sometimes dangerous lanes. You will hear some well known tunes at times too that will instantly put you in the right era.

An incredibly strong and talented cast that tell a story about equally strong women and despite the years passing by, is sadly still as relevant today in modern times of austerity as when Kay first began researching for Band of Gold in the 80’s.

Beautifully Gritty.

Royal & Derngate Theatre, Northampton – until 8 February 2020

Reviewed by Boo Wakefield

5*****

My companion turned to me at the end of the first act of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical and all she could say was “wow”!

Directed by Marc Bruni, Beautiful is the story of Carole King’s life from a gawky, enthusiastic wannabe 16 year old singer/song writer getting her first break in 1958, through the 60s up to 1970 when she released her first solo album. This true story is told through the songs she composed with her husband Gerry Goffin, who wrote lyrics to her music. They are constantly challenged by Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, another song writing couple, who are as keen to write the next number one as they are and are their best friends. King’s marriage is not a happy one with Goffin struggling under the pressures of needing to produce the next hit alongside King’s need for him to be part of a normal family life with their young daughter.

The story runs smoothly through the incredible 26 songs written mainly by King and are sung by the ensemble as the story progresses. Songs we all know from the Righteous Brothers, the Drifters and the Shirelles to name but a few are belted out with obvious joy and passion from this talented group. Josh Prince’s choreography sits perfectly in these performances, taking you right back to the 60s. Alejo Vietti is a magician as the costume designer – the typical 1960’s dress that Little Eva wears as King’s nanny which then changes to a fabulous shimmering silver and purple dress for her to perform “Locomotion” in, with one smooth motion on stage is amazing. This is all complimented by the staging which seems to constantly move, sometimes as if by magic, so that the story never seems to falter. Derek McLane, as Scenic Designer, has been so clever to not over complicate the large space The Durngate Auditorium gives, the larger of the two stages at Northampton, allowing room for the performers to move with the staging as they perform their many songs.

The two couples, Carole King (Daisy Wood-Davis) and Gerry Goffin (Adam Gillian) alongside Cynthia Weil (Laura Baldwin) and Barry Mann (Cameron Sharp) are a quirky mixture of characters who compliment each other. Weil and Mann are a light relief with Weil’s sharp wit and Mann’s constant hypercondria to King’s often down to earth, almost dowdy character and Goffin’s struggles with the pressures and temptations of the music industry. This quartet are exceptional, both vocally and dramatically, and deliver a quality performance throughout.

But Daisy Wood-Davis really is the star of the show. She shows her immense skills as an actor transforming from a dream-filled innocent teenager through to her 30s as a mother struggling to cope with her huge success and disastrous marriage seamlessly. Her voice is electrifying – from her first song (“So Far Away”) to her rendition of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”, Wood-Davis draws you into her character with such emotion and is mesmerising.

My companion turned to me at the end of the second act and all she could still say was “wow” along with the regret that the story didn’t continue into a third act. Beautiful is beautiful – a great evening of musical theatre and one you should definitely see.

Alhambra Theatre, Bradford – until 8 February 2020

Reviewed by Aimee Liddington

5*****

More than 50 years after Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice gave life to it, this biblical story (turned musical comedy) is still one of the most colourful, bright and uplifting productions to grace our country’s stages. The script retells and elaborates on the ‘coat of many colours’ story of Joseph from the Bible’s Book of Genesis and the Bible never looked so good!

You will be blown away by the dazzling array of talent showcased by the cast in this exuberant musical. Alexandra Doar opens the show phenomenally in her professional debut as Narrator. Her voice is flawless and her omnipresence allows the scenes to transition effortlessly. This, coupled with the natural stage presence, embodiment of character and strength of voice of Mark McMullan (who plays Joseph) only begins to describe the level of ability of this group of actors. Last, but certainly not least, the comedic value of ‘the brothers’ will have you in fits of giggles as they interact with each other and each of them seem masters in the trio of skills of acting, singing and dancing.

Intricate stage design, beautiful costumes and perfectly timed lighting effects elevate the production to advanced heights. The audience is transported from Israel to Egypt with pop-up, life-size sheep, recreations of a Sphinx and Egyptian tapestry. The costumes are fabulous, in particular, the transformation of Joseph’s ‘coat of many colours’ from start to finish. The wardrobe team have obviously taken great care in analysing how the coats work on the stage and their use of colour has a huge impact in the final scenes. Similarly, the lighting team have ensured that their lighting changes match seamlessly with the words spoken by the characters. In the song ‘Joseph’s Coat’ the back of the stage changes colour as the colours are listed in the song which has a striking overall effect.

This production will have you singing along almost immediately and will leave you smiling ear to ear. ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ is a timeless classic and this troupe certainly do it justice.

WATERSIDE FAMILY RAVE

Families of Bucks and beyond, are you raring to rave?! The Waterside Family Rave is sure to have you throwing shapes, chasing bubbles and generally having immense family fun at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre on Sat 28 Mar from 2pm.

You can expect classic garage and house music bangers in the venue’s main auditorium complete with craft area to keep the little ones entertained. Play together, dance together and soak up the festival feel all in the safe surroundings of Aylesbury’s landmark theatre.

Whether you’re a parent itching for something new to do, or a grandparent young at heart, this event is designed to be fun for families regardless of age – and offers a fully licensed bar for bigger kids aged 18+!

Theatre Director Lee Duffy said: “We always love having the chance to share our flat floor layout with visitors – and the Family Rave is the perfect excuse to see it in all its glory! It’s our 10th birthday year and we want this to be the first of many inclusive events celebrating a decade of Aylesbury Waterside Theatre.”

Tickets for this spring’s must-do family event are available now. Call the Box Office on 0844 871 7607 (bkg fee. Calls cost up to 7p per min plus your phone company’s access charge) or visit atgtickets.com/aylesbury (bkg fee).

Sonia Friedman Productions presents
THE SHARK IS BROKEN
Written by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon
Directed by Guy Masterson
 

• THE SELL-OUT, SMASH HIT OF THE EDINBURGH FRINGE 2019 TRANSFERS TO THE WEST END FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED RUN.
   
• TAKING AUDIENCES BEHIND-THE-SCENES OF THE ICONIC BLOCKBUSTER JAWS, THIS IS THE 2ND PRODUCTION THAT SFP HAS ANNOUNCED AT THE AMBASSADORS THEATRE THIS YEAR.
   
• CO-WRITTEN BY ROBERT SHAW’S SON IAN, THIS BRILLIANTLY FUNNY, DEEPLY MOVING NEW PLAY IMAGINES WHAT HAPPENED ON BOARD THE ORCA WHEN THE CAMERAS STOPPED ROLLING.
   
• IAN SHAW STARS AS HIS FATHER ROBERT SHAW, ALONGSIDE DEMETRI GORITSAS AS ROY SCHEIDER AND LIAM MURRAY SCOTT AS RICHARD DREYFUSS.
   
• TICKETS ARE ON GENERAL SALE THIS FRIDAY FROM £10. OVER 500 TICKETS PER WEEK WILL BE AVAILABLE AT £27.50 OR UNDER.
   

Cape Cod, 1974: shooting on JAWS has stalled. The film’s lead actors – Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss – are stuck on a boat, frustrated by foul weather and a faulty mechanical co-star. Awash with alcohol and ambition, three great white sharks start to bare their teeth…

The Shark is Broken reveals the hilarious and moving behind-the-scenes drama on one of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters.

Sonia Friedman Productions is delighted to announce its second production at the Ambassadors Theatre in 2020. After a sell-out, critically acclaimed premiere at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe, Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon’s brilliantly funny play will arrive in the West End from May 11th. Tickets will be on general sale from £10 this Friday.

The Times ★★★★★
“Did I mention waves? Get ready for this play to make some. Do they need a bigger boat? Actually, I think they are going to need a bigger theatre — and soon.”

Metro ★★★★★
“This play packs plenty of bite.”

The Telegraph ★★★★
“Something unexpectedly profound and emotionally serrated lurks below the apparently frothy surface of this dive behind the scenes of the making of JAWS.”

The Arts Desk ★★★★
“This play deserves a life beyond the Fringe; yes, they’re going to need a bigger theatre”

The Stage ★★★★
“An intoxicating combination of behind-the-scenes gossip and contemplation of the nature of popular art.”
 

COME WHAT MAY: THE ULTIMATE TRIBUTE TO MOULIN ROUGE

Enjoy this all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza as you enter the secret world of one of the greatest movie-musicals of all time as Come What May: The Ultimate Tribute to Moulin Rouge comes to Darlington Hippodrome for one night only on Wednesday 4 March.

Bursting at the seams with timeless classics including Come What May, Your Song, Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend, Roxanne and Lady Marmalade plus hit songs from The Greatest Showman and other iconic movie musicals.

Travel back in time as the children of the revolution take you on a thrilling non-stop journey into the sexy, disreputable and glamorous underworld of Paris.

Sweeney Entertainments, co-founded by Julie and Peter Sweeney, has been providing a wide repertoire of top-quality touring shows for theatre and corporate events for over fifteen years both in the UK and internationally and now boasts a repertoire of fourteen touring productions. Julie said “This is our most exciting new production for 2020. The songs of Moulin Rouge are unforgettable…a spectacular combination of classic songs brought to life under the glitz and glamour of the Moulin Rouge.”

It’s a ‘Spectacular, Spectacular’ evening of unforgettable dancing, dreams, adventure and above all – love.

Come What May: The Ultimate Tribute to Moulin Rouge is at Darlington Hippodrome Wednesday 4 March.

For more information or to book call 01325 405405 or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

JAMIE WILSON AND WHOOPI GOLDBERG

ANNOUNCE

CLIVE ROWE

TO JOIN THE CAST OF THE SMASH HIT MUSICAL

UK AND IRELAND TOUR OPENING AT

CURVE, LEICESTER ON 21 APRIL 2020

LONDON SEASON AT THE

EVENTIM APOLLO FROM 21 JULY 2020

MORE TICKETS FOR LONDON SEASON ON SALE

FRIDAY 7 FEBRUARY AT 10.00AM

Producers Jamie Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg are delighted to announce that Olivier award- winning actor Clive Rowe will join the cast as ‘Eddie Souther’ in the smash-hit musical “SISTER ACT”. He will play the part in Leicester, Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield, Manchester and London. In London, Clive will star opposite Whoopi Goldberg as ‘Deloris Van Cartier’ and Jennifer Saunders and ‘Mother Superior’. Brenda Edwards will play ‘Deloris Van Cartier’ at selected performances during the London season and all venues on the UK and Ireland tour. Casting for the role of Mother Superior on the UK and Ireland tour and the full company will be announced soon.

Tickets for the recently announced extra week of performances in London go on sale at 10.00am this Friday, 7 February.

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.

The pantomime paved with gold! Royal & Derngate announce their 2020 pantomime, Dick Whittington, now on sale!

Royal & Derngate are delighted to announce that this year’s pantomime will be paved with gold in the classic family production of Dick Whittington, running from Thursday 10 December 2020 to Sunday 3 January 2021.

Audiences will join the handsome hero Dick Whittington as he heads to London to seek fame, fortune and happiness, with this trusty cat Tommy in tow. Guided by the magical Fairy Bow Bells on an adventure that sends him from London town to the High Seas headed for Morocco this year’s action-packed pantomime will be full of laughter, music and dance.

Staged by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s biggest pantomime producer and the team behind Royal & Derngate’s annual festive offering, this year’s production goes on sale to those with priority access (including group bookers and members) from Wednesday 5 February, with general on sale from Wednesday 12 February.

There are concessions, generous discounts for groups and special rates for schools available for selected performances. Tickets prices start from £12*, and with thousands of festive theatregoers attending Royal & Derngate’s pantomime each year, early booking is advised. With a special earlybird offer, customers can get 25% off tickets in the top three price bands on many performances when booking before the end of February.

Speaking on the title announcement, Qdos Entertainment Managing Director Michael Harrison said: “We’re all extremely excited to be staging Dick Whittington in Northampton this year, the first time the title has been performed at the Royal & Derngate in almost twenty years. Our timeless tale will be brought to life with star casting, stunning scenery and special effects and all the magic that Northampton audiences have come to expect from us.”

Royal & Derngate Chief Executive Jo Gordon said: “Dick Whittington promises to be great fun for all the family, a real treat for all ages. We pride ourselves on offering a truly family friendly experience at Royal & Derngate, and it’s always a pleasure to see so many young people discovering the joy of theatre for the first time at Christmas.”

Can Dick Whittington outwit the evil rodent King Rat, free London from his team of revolting rodents and win the beautiful Alice’s hand in marriage? Audiences should book now to find out in the ultimate magical pantomime adventure!

For more information about Dick Whittington performances and prices and to book, visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk or call Box Office on 01604 624811.

Delight at international award for home-grown production

Bath’s egg theatre is celebrating after a production which began life as part of their Incubator programme to develop new works, has scooped a major award at a theatre festival in Philadelphia.

Bath based performance poet Toby Thompson first presented I Wish I Was A Mountain as a scratch performance at the egg’s annual Incubator showcase in 2017. Since then this innovative piece of theatre, based on a fairy tale by Herman Hesse, has been developed into a full-scale performance which has been highly acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, with The Guardian describing Toby as “a star in the making”.

Last month, I Wish I Was A Mountain was presented at the annual IPAY (International Association for Performing Arts for Youth) Showcase in Philadelphia, alongside productions and companies from South Korea, Canada, USA, Australia, Chile, Sweden, Ireland and Belgium, where it was awarded the prestigious Showcase Victor Award, for the show that is voted the most popular at the festival by more than 400 delegates in attendance.

This award is a huge achievement for all involved with the new work programme at the egg theatre, as well as for Toby himself. Toby was originally a member of the egg’s Young People’s Theatre, when at the age of 16, he was asked to perform one of his early poems for Kate Tempest and Cicely Berry at the RSC, and later at the Roundhouse and House of Lords. Since then, he has appeared at most major UK festivals, including Glastonbury, and regularly on the spoken word circuit, with commissions from the RSC, the Royal & Derngate Theatre in Northampton, and Bath-based charity 5x5x5=creativity.

Becky Vowles, creative stage manager and production manager of I Wish I Was A Mountain, came up through the ranks of Young People’s Theatre productions at the egg and is now a much sought after production manager for many Bath and Bristol-based theatre companies.

I Wish I Was A Mountain is produced in association with award-winning Bristol-based theatremakers Travelling Light and was originally commissioned by Imaginate and Brighton Dome. It is directed by Lee Lyford, a former artistic director of the TRB Young People’s Theatre and now the Artistic Director of Cardiff based Theatr Iolo, and designed by Anisha Fields whom The Guardian highlighted as one of the twelve UK Theatre Practitioners to look out for in 2020.

The egg theatre is the Theatre Royal Bath’s performance space for children and young people, programming a range of high quality touring productions aimed at children and families, and housing the Theatre Royal’s Theatre School and Bath Theatre Academy.

The Incubator, the egg’s idea development programme, has been running since 2014. The aim is to deepen the quality of art available for young audiences, and to inspire theatre makers to think about children and their place in our society differently, by giving artists space, time and support. The egg offers three selected artists the opportunity to develop a piece of theatre for a young audience over the course of a year.

For further information regarding the Incubator, future showcases, scholars past and present, where to watch or how to book the work created, contact Creative Producer Tim Bell: [email protected]