Category: Uncategorized

Watford Palace Theatre in association with Rifco Theatre Company present:
Abigail’s Party
The classic joyous satire on the aspirations and tastes of a new middle class set against the backdrop of multicultural 1970s Britain
by Mike Leigh | Directed by Pravesh Kumar
Watford Palace Theatre, 29 April – 23 May 2020
@watfordpalace | #AbigailsPartyWatford | watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk

Set against the backdrop of an evolving Britain of the 70s, this fresh production shows the classic Mike Leigh satire in a new light. Performed in traverse with intimate on-stage seating offering audience the chance to join Beverly and Laurence’s soireé, bringing them closer to the experience.

Abigail’s Party stars Harvey Virdi as Beverly, the role famously originated by Alison Steadman, and is directed by Pravesh Kumar, Artistic Director of Rifco Theatre Company, Watford Palace Theatre’s Resident Company.

Welcome to 1970s suburbia and its heady mix of free-flowing drinks, classic disco and cheese & pineapple sticks. Aspirational Beverly and her estate agent husband Laurence are hosting drinks for their newlywed neighbours. They are joined by a very anxious Susan, who has been banished from her daughter Abigail’s party. As the evening goes on, marital tensions rise and tempers flare as the characters’ true natures are hilariously but ruthlessly exposed.

Harvey Virdi leads the cast as Beverly. Harvey is best known as series regular Dr Misbah Maalik in Hollyoaks, Mrs Malik in Citizen Khan and Teetu’s Mum in Bend It Like Beckham. In theatre she has worked extensively at the RSC and Leicester Haymarket, as well as frequently collaborating with Watford’s own Rifco Theatre Company – both as an actress and a writer (Meri Christmas, Miss Meena and the Masala Queens).

Director Pravesh Kumar said, ‘I’m thrilled to be directing one of my favourite plays by Mike Leigh. I wanted to bring a freshness to it by casting Harvey Virdi as Beverly and open the play to whole new audience that may not have seen it. I’m really excited to be bringing this production to the Watford Palace Theatre in traverse, with intimate on-stage seating so that our audiences can get a feel part of the party mayhem.’

Pravesh Kumar is the Artistic Director of Rifco Theatre Company. He started the company in 2000 to make a different kind of theatre for a community that could not see themselves represented on English stages. He has been at the forefront of bringing new British Asian audiences into theatres all over the country. His theatrical directorial debut was in 2000 with a UK tour of Bollywood – Yet Another Love Story. He has gone on to achieve critical acclaim for Rifco’s productions: Dishoom!, Pyar Actually, Miss Meena & the Masala Queens, Laila The Musical, Britain’s Got Bhangra, Happy Birthday Sunita, It Ain’t All Bollywood, There’s Something About Simmy, Airport 2000, Meri Christmas, Where’s My Desi Soulmate?, The Deranged Marriage and Break The Floorboards. His short film, Gods on Mountains was nominated for the Satyajit Ray Short Film Award. Most recently Pravesh wrote the book for the acclaimed rap musical, Mushy: Lyrically Speaking. Pravesh is currently writing a new main stage musical and leads on the Rifco Associates programme finding new British Asian voices of the future.

Mike Leigh OBE is a celebrated English writer and director of film and theatre. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, at Camberwell and Central Art Schools in London, and at the London Film School.

CARRIE HOPE FLETCHER

TO STAR IN TITLE ROLE IN

ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER’S

CINDERELLA

WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION

TO BEGIN PERFORMANCES ON FRIDAY 28 AUGUST

New version of the classic story from Killing Eve’s Emerald Fennell

Further information and exclusive priority purchase for tickets at

www.andrewlloydwebberscinderella.com

Carrie Hope Fletcher will play Cinderella in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s highly anticipated new production at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, with performances confirmed to begin on Friday 28 August, producers have announced today.

Tickets will go on General Sale on Friday 20 March. For all information, including exclusive priority purchase for tickets, see www.andrewlloydwebberscinderella.com

Carrie Hope Fletcher has starred in Heathers (Theatre Royal Haymarket), The Addams Family (UK Tour), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK Tour), Mary Poppins (Prince Edward Theatre), and is currently playing Fantine in Les Miserables at the newly named Sondheim Theatre.

Carrie is the recipient of 3 Whatsonstage Awards and a prolific writer of children’s Fiction. Her passionate support for body positivity has, together with her acting, music and writing career, attracted loyal followings across her social media platforms and saw her named in the 2019 Sunday Times Influencer List as one of the top 100 influencers in the United Kingdom.

The production, a complete reinvention of the classic fairytale, is based on an original idea by Emerald Fennell, the Emmy Award nominated lead scriptwriter of the second season of international smash hit Killing Eve, with a brand new score from the legendary composer and lyrics by David Zippel.

Fennell’s new film A Promising Young Woman, that she has written and directed and which stars Carey Mulligan, will open this Spring.  As an actress she played Patsy Mount on the BBC’s Call The Midwife and currently depicts Camilla Parker Bowles on the Netflix hit The Crown.

The show’s lyrics are by David Zippel, a multi-award winner for Broadway productions including City of Angels, The Goodbye Girl, The Woman in White and Liza at the Palace, as well as for work on film including Disney’s Hercules and Mulan, both of which received Oscar nominations.

Cinderella will be directed by Laurence Connor, with choreography from JoAnn Hunter, who previously partnered on School of Rock and the recent, sold out production of Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at The London Palladium. 

Andrew Lloyd Webber said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that Carrie will be our Cinderella at the Gillian Lynne Theatre this Autumn.  She has totally wowed my fellow writers and creative team and was a big success at the sing through of the show late last year.

I am hugely confident that she will make this new take on Cinderella very much her own, and I’m looking forward to working and recording with her as soon as possible.”

All further creative team and cast announcements regarding Cinderella will be made at a later date.

Ahead of Cinderella’s arrival at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, owners LW Theatres will carry out internal upgrade work to the building including the addition of more toilets, refurbishment to areas of the auditorium and Front of House, as well as the potential increase in seating capacity on the circle level of the theatre.

JUDI DENCH

IN CONVERSATION WITH GYLES BRANDRETH

I  REMEMBER IT WELL

13 NIGHTS ONLY AT THE BRIDGE THEATRE

Fane and the London Theatre Company present Judi Dench live at the Bridge Theatre in conversation with Gyles Brandreth.For 13 nights only I Remember It Well runs from 20 March – 4 April 2020. 

Since her theatre debut with the Old Vic over 60 years ago, Dench has gone on to play some of the most iconic roles in theatre, film and television. 

This is a rare opportunity to see one of our best-loved actresses in conversation and performance.

All performances begin at 7.30pm.  Ticket are from £15.   Booking opens today for Bridge Priority members with public booking opening at 10am on 19 February 2020.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Address:                               Bridge Theatre, 3 Potters Fields Park, London, SE1 2SG

Box Office:                           0333 320 0051 or [email protected]

Access:                                0333 320 0051 or [email protected]

Website:                               www.bridgetheatre.co.uk

Twitter:                                @_bridgetheatre

Instagram:                           _bridgetheatre

Facebook:                             facebook.com/bridgetheatrelondon

BARRY & FRAN WEISSLER AND DAVID IAN 
PRESENT THE FIRST EVER UK AND IRELAND
TOUR OF
 THE SMASH HIT MUSICAL
 

OPENING AT 
BORD GÁIS ENERGY THEATRE 
14TH NOVEMBER 2020

Barry & Fran Weissler and David Ian present the first ever UK and Ireland tour of the smash hit Broadway and West End musical Waitress, opening at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on 14th November 2020. Further venue and on-sale details can be found below. Full casting to be announced soon.

Waitress is based on the 2007 movie written by Adrienne Shelley. Music and lyrics are written by GRAMMY award-winning, singer-songwriter sensation Sara Bareilles, who recently appeared on the Graham Norton TV show, performing the hit song from the show She Used To Be Mine. With a book by Jessie Nelson, direction by Tony-award winner Diane Paulus and choreography by Lorin Latarro, Waitress has garnered multiple awards and nominations in both America and the UK, receiving acclaim from both audiences and critics alike.

Waitress opened on Broadway on 24th April 2016 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, where it ran until 5th January 2020. Waitress celebrated its official opening night at the Adelphi Theatre in London’s West End on 7 March 2019. In addition to London, Waitress is currently on a North American tour, and is set to open in Australia, the Netherlands and Japan.

Waitress tells the story of Jenna, an expert pie maker in a small town, who dreams of a way out of her loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county and the town’s new doctor may offer her a chance at a new life, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes to happiness. But Jenna must find the courage and strength within herself to rebuild her life. This beautiful musical celebrates friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.

Book by Jessie Nelson
Music and lyrics by Grammy Award-winner Sara Bareilles
Based upon the motion picture written by Adrienne Shelley
Directed by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus

Waitress was originally produced by Barry & Fran Weissler and Norton & Elayne Herrick. The tour is produced by Barry & Fran Weissler and David Ian Productions.

LISTINGS

WAITRESS UK & IRELAND TOUR

Saturday 14 November – Saturday 21 November 2020
Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
Grand Canal Square, Docklands, Dublin, Ireland
Public on sale: 21 February

Tuesday 24 November – Saturday 28 November 2020
Churchill Theatre
High St, Bromley BR1 1HA
Public on sale: 21 February

Monday 30 November – Saturday 5 December 2020
Manchester Opera House
3 Quay St, Manchester M3 3HP
Public on sale: 21 February

Tuesday 12 January – Saturday 16 January 2021
Edinburgh Playhouse
18-22 Greenside Pl, Edinburgh EH1 3AA
Public on sale: 21 February

Tuesday 26 January – Saturday 30 January 2021
Sheffield Lyceum Theatre
55 Norfolk St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 1DA
Public on sale: ON SALE SOON

Monday 1 February – Saturday 6 February 2021
Sunderland Empire
4-5 High St W, Sunderland SR1 3EX
Public on sale: 21 February

Monday 8 February – Saturday 13 February 2021
Hull New Theatre
Kingston Square, Hull HU1 3HF
Public on sale: 21 February

Monday 15 February – Saturday 20 February 2021
Cliffs Pavilion
Station Road, Southend on Sea, Essex SS0 7RA
Public on sale: 25 February

Tuesday 23 February – Saturday 27 February 2021
His Majesty’s Theatre
Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen AB25 1GL
Public on sale: 28 February

Tuesday 9 March – Saturday 13 March 2021
Bristol Hippodrome
St Augustine’s Parade, Bristol BS1 4UZ
Public on sale: 21 February

Monday 15 March – Saturday 20 March 2021
Eastbourne Theatres
Compton St, Eastbourne BN21 4BP
Public on sale: 21 February

Monday 29 March – Saturday 3 April 2021
Birmingham Hippodrome
Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham B5 4TB
Public on sale: ON SALE SOON

Further dates to be announced soon.

JAY McGUINESS, KIMBERLEY WALSH &

DANIEL CASEY STAR IN THE

WORLD PREMIERE OF

SLEEPLESS, A MUSICAL ROMANCE

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED

Jay McGuiness, Kimberley Walsh and Daniel Casey will star as Sam, Annie and Walter respectively in SLEEPLESS, A Musical Romance, based on the original screenplay Sleepless in Seattle. They are joined by Harriet Thorpe as Eleanor, Tania Mathurin as Becky and Jake Sharp as Rob. SLEEPLESS will premiere in London on 1 April 2020 at the newly opened Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London, with previews from 24 March.

SLEEPLESS is a new musical with a book by Michael Burdette and music and lyrics by new British writers Robert Scott and Brendan Cull and will feature a 12-piece jazz orchestra.

Also in the cast are Charlie Bull, Colin Burnicle, Christie-Lee Crosson, Laura Darton, Leanne Garretty, Matt Holland, Ross McLaren, Gary Murphy, Dominique Planter, Annie Wensak and Benjamin Wong. Theo Collis, Mikey Colville and Jack Reynolds will share the role of Jonah.

Jay McGuiness came to fame as part of the successful boy band The Wanted. His fame widened when he won Strictly Come Dancing in 2015 with professional dancer Aliona Vilani. He and fellow bandmate Siva won the celebrity version of Channel 4’s Hunted in 2018, raising money for Stand Up To Cancer. Jay is also a regular contributor to the BBC’s The One Show and most recently starred in Rip It Up – The 60’s and BIG The Musical in London’s West End.

Kimberley Walsh rose to prominence in the record-breaking girl band Girls Aloud. During their 10 years together, the group achieved twenty consecutive top ten singles in the UK, including four number ones, with over 4.3 million single sales and 4 million albums sold in the UK alone. In 2012, Kimberley was runner up in Strictly Come Dancing. She has starred as series regular Rebecca in Disney’s The Lodge, played Claire Butterworth in the second series of Channel 4’s Ackley Bridge, and appeared in children’s movies Horrid Henry and All Stars. In the West End she starred as Princess Fiona in Shrek The Musical, Jovie in Elf the Musical, joined Denise Van Outen for a week-long run at Cadogan Hall in Sweet Charity and most recently starred in BIG The Musical at the Dominion Theatre.

Daniel Casey is best known for playing DS Gavin Troy in the first six seasons of Midsomer Murders (ITV 1). He most recently played regular characters in Emmerdale (ITV 1), EastEnders (BBC 1) and Coronation Street (ITV 1). His theatre work includes The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (National Theatre), Yes, Prime Minister (Theatre Clwyd) and Abigail’s Party (UK tour)

Harriet Thorpe is best known for her roles as Carole in the BBC’s The Brittas Empire and Fleur in Absolutely Fabulous. Harriet has performed extensively with French and Saunders, in Girls on Top, Mirrorball and The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle. She also worked with Victoria Wood in Victoria Wood’s Mid Life Christmas. She recently finished a critically acclaimed run in Mame opposite Tracie Bennett, which played Hope Mill Theatre Manchester, Northampton Royal & Derngate and Salisbury Playhouse. Her West End credits include The Dresser, Great Britain, Wicked, Cabaret, Crazy for You, Mamma Mia! and Les Misérables. Films include The Writers Group, The Lady in the Van, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Calendar Girls, Zeffirelli’s Young Toscanini, Greystoke: the Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes and Merchant Ivory’s Maurice.

Tania Mathurin most recently appeared in the West End musical Come From Away. Other recent theatre includes Day of the Living (RSC), The Comedy About A Bank Robbery (Criterion), The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales) and Porgy & Bess (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre).

Jake Sharp is currently the alternate Dewey Finn in School of Rock at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. He previously played Bill Austin in Mamma Mia! and Ben in Going Out West (which he co-wrote for the New Diorama, London/Just The Tonic, Edinburgh Fringe).

SLEEPLESS is the enchanting new romantic musical comedy based on the original story and screenplay of the romcom classic Sleepless In Seattle. SLEEPLESS tells the heart-warming tale of Sam, who moves to Seattle with his eight year-old son, Jonah, following the tragic death of his wife. When Jonah phones a radio show, Sam is forced to talk about his broken heart and sleepless nights live on air, and he suddenly finds himself one of the most sought after single men in America and a great news story for feisty journalist Annie on the opposite side of the country. Can Jonah bring the two together on the top deck of the Empire State Building? A fresh and lively book alongside a brand-new musical score bring this most timeless of romantic comedies to life on stage.

SLEEPLESS will be directed by Morgan Young (White Christmas, Elf, Big), with set design by Morgan Large, costume design by Sue Simmerling, lighting by Ken Billington, video design by Ian William Galloway, orchestrations and arrangements by Larry Blank, musical supervision by Stuart Morley, musical direction by Chris Walker, wig and hair design by Richard Mawbey and casting by Sarah Bird CDG and Michael Donovan CSA.

The world premiere of SLEEPLESS will be presented by Michael Rose, Encore Theatre Productions Ltd. David Shor and Marc Toberoff. General Manager will be David Pearson.

For further details, please visit www.sleeplessthemusical.com.

Facebook: @SleeplessLDN

Instagram: @SleeplessLDN

Twitter: @SleeplessLDN

LISTINGS

Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre

3 Fulton Rd

Wembley Park

London HA9 0SP

Booking until 3 May 2020

Box Office:  0844 815 4865

Performances:

Tuesday – Saturday at 7.45pm*

Saturday and Sunday at 3pm

* The performance on 1 April will begin at 7pm

Tickets: from £20

Running Time:  2 hours, 15 minutes, including interval

Age guidance: Recommended for ages 5+

York Theatre Royal – until Saturday 22 February 2020

Reviewed by Marcus Richardson

4****

Virtually everyone must know the story of Oliver Twist, the boy famous for saying “Please Sir, I want some more”. The character was written by the equally famous writer Charles Dickens. Some may know the musical ‘Oliver!’, which also involved a televised competition called ‘I’d do anything‘, to find the new Nancy for the West-End run. Now, although York is no West-End, it still has an impressive amount of theatrical happenings, York Light Opera Company (YLOP) is one of several of York’s Am-Dram groups and has bought its own adaptation to the York Theatre Royal stage. ‘Oliver!’ is one of the several shows that I’ve seen done by YLOP and is a large scale production.

With most shows that YLOP has a hand in, there is always a large cast with a wide variety of ages. With some past shows the stage felt too crowded at times, but luckily this wasn’t the case for this production, it only really hit me how large the cast was when it came to the curtain call. The cast has a fair few children in the ensemble, as well as the speaking roles of Oliver, The Artful Dodger, and Charlie.

The title character Oliver was played in this performance by Alex Edmondson, who alternates the role with Matthew Warry. Edmondson did an amazing job for such a young actor, especially with the amount songs and lines having to be learnt. The Artful Dodger, Jack Hambleton, sharing the role with Sam Piercy, impressed me a lot with his singing talent and with the song Consider Yourself, a true cheeky chappy. The adults in the cast are equally talented with Rory Mulvihill as Fagen, Emma-Louise Dickinson as Nancy, Neil Wood as Mr Bumble and Charlotte Johnson as Bet, being of note.

The whole cast did a wonderful job and bringing the Cockney energy to York. The singing one of the highlights of the show, and I really enjoyed “Who Will Buy” scene, with the four sellers singing in counterpoint, just wow! I’m always amazed at the talent that is around. All the bigger scenes worked well and suited the stage. Not all the cast had two legs, we had a Bull Terrier by the name of Boswell, he shares the role with Roy, playing Bill Sykes dog, Bullseye, definitely a crowd favourite. Make sure you buy the programme as there is a fabulous question and answer section with the two dogs.

My only issue, just a small one, and which I’ve had in the past, is the scene changes taking too long, and being a bit clunky. I would rather have a simpler set than a long wait, for the stage to be ready for the next scene. That being said, the set looked pretty good and was used well. Something that is always nice about these shows, is that they have a live orchestra. This make for a better experience, and the music didn’t drown out the vocals, which is definitely a plus.

It was great to see a packed theatre, and such a buzz. We were up in the gods, but in the front row, our recommendation is to try and not to be seated here as the leg room is at a minimum and a bar across the balcony, plus we had a monitor just to the side, impeding our view. During the interval we moved back several rows, and what a difference, plenty of leg room and a great view, would sit there again.

Oliver is a great family show, perfect for a half-term treat.

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – until 29 February 2020

Reviewed by Jo Gordon

4****

Having been on the scene for a couple of decades now Mamma Mia certainly keeps the audiences coming back time after time; me included as this is possibly my fourth time, maybe even fifth, and I enjoy it now as much as the first.

Set on a beautiful Greek Island we follow the story of Donna and her soon to be wed daughter, Sophie. Sophie has never known who her father is and on finding her mothers diary from the year she was born discovers there are potentially three possibilities so she secretly invites them all onto the island for the big day. All three turn up and despite trying to hide them Donna soon discovers their arrival and is less than pleased!  

Hilarity ensues as the bride and grooms friends gather en mass to the island and Donna’s lifelong friends arrive to share the big day. As the story of Donna’s relationship with the three men unfolds (it was the 70’s!) they realise why Sophie has invited them, and each one believes they are her father with one still having feelings for the feisty Donna he fell in love with all those years ago.

The story is told throughout using the medium of ABBA; their back catalogue provides a song for every possible scenario in the production, from dancing scuba divers, misty eyed recollection and  broken hearts. Will Sophie get the answers she wants?

The set is very simplistic with an ocean blue background and a white Greek building we all recognise from those holiday programmes that make you wish you were somewhere else other than a rainy (insert your town here)! Its a fun production with lots of bright, sparkly costume changes and dance routines that would leave most of us gasping for air and clutching our chests.

There’s not many people who won’t recognise at least one of the ABBA songs and it wasn’t just me sat in the audience that knew them word for word and found it difficult to not leap to our feet and throw some shapes, especially when Dancing Queen came on…. the favourite one for gaggles of women on dance floors across the lands. However, there is one song that I know brings many a moist eye and if Slipping Through my Fingers leaves yours dusty dry I’m not sure we can be friends! An uplifiting, energetic toe tapping production and a must see. Grab your friends, squeeze into that sparkly jumpsuit and celebrate that inner Dancing Queen! 

Vaudville Theatre – until 30 August 2020

Reviewed by Cameron Sykes

5*****

Mischief Theatre return with magic, mistakes and an amount of glitter some might find offensive!

Mischief Theatre’s newest show Magic Goes Wrong is a spellbinding show that leaves the audience wondering what will happen but also how. Theatre under the premises of charity magical variety show indulges audience members with classical illusions, the David Blaine type magic was daring with mind reading along with some acrobatics to complete a well round show that would not be half bad as an actual magic show.

We begin with an audio introduction and safety warning by co writer Penn Jillette which as you would expect is filled with jokes (offensive amounts of glitter). Then the show begins properly with a parade of
the stars including ‘The Blade’, ‘The Mind Mangler’, Bar, Spitzmaus, The Great Sophisticato and guest for the evening Eugenia Banks

The first trick of the night is one created by Sophisticatos’s father the original Sophisticato in which this show is in his honour, “masochist on fire”. The trick goes well until ‘The Blade’ loses his trousers and can no longer partake in the dance routine and they forget to unlock Sophisticato from the apparatus. The next trick is the mind mangler who we quickly learn is a fraud with his heightened senses where he can taste a name, smell a job, touch the dead (or Gwyneth Paltrow) and have X-Ray vision, his tricks are spaced out during the night and he is assisted by Brian (his flat mate) as an audience member and the actual audience on occasion

The next act is ‘The Blade’ a David Blaine type who wows audience’s with his threats of daring and stupidity in equal measure with knife throwing (with a cameraman in the way), stabbing a card out of the deck (with his hand in the way), removing cheese from mouse traps, catching a bullet in his teeth and holding his breath under water during one of Sophisticato’s card tricks, all of these go horribly wrong for him as he ends up needing help in more way then one.

The final act is the European double act Bar and Spitzmaus the gymnastic contortionist who are the half siblings of Sophisticato (possibly) with one good one and one not so good they are the perfect foil for each other, they also assist the other magicians with there tricks resulting in some accidents.

The final of the first half is a more safety conscious version of sawing a woman in half that doesn’t end the way you would expect

The show continues though with more acts from Sophisticato and his father’s prized albeit deceased doves. The Blade and his shenanigans, Bear and Spitzmaus then perform a quick change act and The Mind Mangler shows of his x-ray vision to almost disastrous results

In summary Magic Goes Wrong is a brilliant masterpiece that Mischief and Penn and Teller should all be proud off and is easily worth all the critical acclaim it has received so far.

Planning Permission secured for new theatre to house

Soldier of Orange – The Musical in London

New Venue to be named Royal Docks Theatre

Planning permission has been granted by Newham Council for a 1.150 seat theatre to be built in London’s Royal Docks.  The new venue, named Royal Docks Theatre, is to be the purpose-built home for the acclaimed historical Dutch theatre experience Soldier of Orange – The Musical which is coming to London for the first time. Situated within the heart of the history and one of London’s heaviest bombed areas during The Blitz, the WWII theatrical experience will be at the centre of the Royal Dock’s regeneration.

The planning permission granted was for a temporary 1.150 seat theatre for 5 years plus a restaurant meaning the creation of up to 150 new jobs across construction, hospitality and for the production itself.

Soldier of Orange – The Musical is based on the autobiography of Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, a renowned Dutch resistance fighter and British RAF war pilot, who chronicled his remarkable WWII experiences in his book of the same name.

Soldier of Orange’s pioneering use of 360-degree ‘SceneAround’ staging – a revolutionary theatre technology especially engineered for this production and to be used in the UK for the first time – pulls the audience directly into Erik’s story, delivering a unique theatrical experience.

As the story unfolds, the entire seating platform with 1.150 seats rotates along a 360-degree panoramic set, by turns revealing an actual 150-foot-wide coastline with sea, sand and rainstorms, student dorms, interrogation cells, a palace and a real DC3 Dakota Airplane.

Soldier of Orange – The Musical is produced by NEW Productions. Producer Fred Boot of NEW Productions commented: “London was the location of our Queen in exile during the war. The UK plays a significant role in our history and this WWII story. Therefore, the UK has always had our priority and we are very pleased with this development for such a relevant location. The production and script are slightly adapted for an international audience, to ensure that it reflects the show as it has been embraced in Holland. We are looking forward to sharing this universal story of a group of friends, forced by war to make life-changing choices. It is a celebration of the time that the Allies came together to fight for our freedom and democracy.”

Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz, who is also the portfolio lead on inclusive economy, housing delivery, regeneration and planning, said: “It’s a real privilege to welcome this world class production to Newham and to London. It’s an exciting addition to our new plans for a dynamic and vibrant cultural offer in our borough and highlights our commitment to offer residents access to a rich, diverse and creative range of events and activities in Newham. It’s also a fantastic example of how an unused site can be transformed through meanwhile temporary uses.

“The Royal Docks is fast becoming a vibrant new cultural quarter in London, complimenting the exciting programme of creativity, art and academic excellence emerging in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park through the East Bank project. All of this will support our innovative community wealth building and inclusive economy agendas where all our residents benefit from the opportunities accelerating in Newham.”

Strategic Development Committee chair Councillor Daniel Blaney said: “This has the potential to attract thousands of visitors to the Royal Docks each year and reconnect them with one of London’s most historic landscapes.”

Soldier of Orange – The Musical has been seen by over 3 million people in Holland, has broken all Dutch theatre records and celebrated nine years of sold-out shows. Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema’s book was also adapted for a Dutch international hit film in 1977 directed by Paul Verhoeven (Basic Instinct, RoboCop, Total Recall, Elle), nominated for a Golden Globe and starred the late Rutger Hauer in the title role.

The UK production will be directed by renowned Dutch director Theu Boermans. The book is written by Edwin de Vries, with music and lyrics written by Americans Tom Harriman and Pamela Phillips Oland and set design by Bernhard Hammer. This first English production is adapted for the British stage by Jeremy Brock. The Associate producer is Mark de Kruijk.

To register for updates and information on when tickets go on sale go to www.SoldierOfOrange.com

 ENGLISH TOURING OPERA

RETURNS TO CHESTER THIS SPRING

WITH TRIO OF NEW SHOWS

Two Chester choirs will join ETO performers for

Giulio Cesare, Così fan tutte and St John Passion

Shows run from Tuesday 7 April to Thursday 9 April 2020

English Touring Opera returns to Storyhouse in Chester for Spring 2020 with a trio of stunning new shows to entertain audiences – Handel’s Giulio Cesare, Mozart’s Così fan tutte, and the St John Passion by J.S Bach.

English Touring Opera (ETO) follow the success of their Silver Lake/Seraglio in Autumn 2019 by bringing together the great pillars of the baroque and classical periods – Bach, Handel and Mozart – taking the new tour to venues across the country.

The English Touring Opera shows will be particularly special for two Chester choirs, who will sing alongside the ETO performers – Chester Festival Chorus and Chester Cathedral Saturday Singing Club.

English Touring Opera will return to Storyhouse from Tuesday 7 April to Thursday 9 April 2020. Tickets are on sale, including a limited number of £5 tickets for aged 26 and under.

The company’s aim for this new season is to platform exciting new creative leaders; target new audiences to opera; and continue to improve access to its work.

As part of its commitment to collaborating with community choirs throughout the tour, the ETO will engage with more than 500 local singers nationally through a dedicated outreach programme. At Storyhouse, Chester Festival Chorus and Chester Cathedral Saturday Singing Club will perform alongside the ETO.

Chester Festival Chorus was formed in 1981 by Martin Merry, a founder of Chester Summer Music Festival and Artistic Director from its inception in 1978 until 1985. The group has established itself as one of the North West’s leading large-scale mixed-voice choirs. At the annual Chester Summer Music Festival, the choir performed major choral works from composer including Handel, Mozart, Britten, Poulenc, and Tavener. Music director is Ellie Slorach.

The chorus made its first visit to the BBC Proms in 1992 when it gave the London premiere of John Tavener’s We Shall See Him As He Is. The chorus has since returned to the Proms on three occasions – with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (RLPO) in 1994; with the BBC Philharmonic in 1988; and once again with the RLPO in 2005. The chorus also appeared with the BBC Philharmonic and other choirs from the North of England at the opening choral concert at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall.

Chester Catherdral Saturday Singing Club perform at cathedral services throughout the year. Each term the singers learn popular songs and learn basic music theory, including good singing technique, posture, and breathing.

English Touring Opera’s resident period orchestra, the Old Street Band, will feature in all three shows on baroque and classical instruments, providing a rare opportunity to audiences across the country during its 44-date tour.

Storyhouse is encouraging music fans to experience a live show from English Touring Opera – Giulio Cesare, Così Fan Tutte, St John Passion – as the perfect introduction to opera.

Giulio Cesare will be performed on Tuesday 7 April 2020 at 7.30pm. This is one of Handel’s most celebrated opera. A story of passion and revenge, featuring a treasure trove of great arias with immense dramatic intensity. The opera follows the events surrounding Julius Caesar’s conquest of Egypt, as well as his uneasy alliance and romance with fabled Egyptian queen, Cleopatra. Due to its huge success in ETO’s Autumn 2017 tour, Artistic Director James Conway and Conductor Jonathan Peter Kenny rework their production of Handel’s Giulio Cesare. There is a pre-show talk in the Garret Theatre from 6.30pm. The opera is sung in Italian with English surtitles.

Così Fan Tutte will be performed on Wednesday 8 April 2020 at 7.30pm. Mozart’s combination of glorious music and farcical comedy make Così Fan Tutte an enduring favourite, a story of young love and fidelity. It is in many ways Mozart’s most perfect opera, and was his third collaboration with librettist Da Ponte, following their successes with The Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni. Conductor Holly Mathieson (NZ Opera, Scottish Ballet, Decca Classics) and Laura Attridge (ROH, Mahogany Opera Group, Waterperry Opera) collaborate for the first time on this new production, which is set in 1930s Alexandria – a decade of contradictory gender politics and a city of flourishing cosmopolitanism, and sung in Jeremy Sams’ fluent and witty translation. There is a pre-show talk in the Garret Theatre from 6.30pm. The opera is sung in English with English surtitles.

St John Passion will be performed on Thursday 9 April 2020 at 7.30pm. Following the overwhelming success of English Touring Opera’s performances of the great choral masterpieces of J.S Bach, the ETO will presentSt John Passion in an immersive and semi-staged performance. Professional soloists perform with Chester Festival Chorus and the Old Street Band for a distinctive and reimagined production. The ETO has commissioned new translations of the chorales from theological and literary figures including Anglican Priest, journalist and broadcaster Dr Giles Anthony Fraser, and former Archbishop Of Canterbury and poet Dr Rowan Williams. The opera is sung in English and German with English surtitles.

Tickets for English Touring Opera are on sale now priced from £20.50. Each ticket is subject to a £1.50 booking fee. There are a limited number of £5 tickets for aged 26 and under.

LISTING INFORMATION

ENGLISH TOURING OPERA

Tuesday 7 April 2020 – Thursday 9 April 2020

STORYHOUSE

Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR

TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2020 – GIULIO CESARE

Sung in Italian with English surtitles

Pre-show talk in the Garret Theatre at 6.30pm

Show starts at 7.30pm

WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL 2020 – COSÌ FAN TUTTE

Sung in English with English surtitles

Pre-show talk in the Garret Theatre from 6.30pm

Show starts at 7.30pm

THURSDAY 9 APRIL 2020 – ST JOHN PASSION

Sung in English and German with English surtitles

Show starts at 7.30pm

Tickets from £20.50 – each ticket is subject to a £1.50 booking fee

A limited number of £5 tickets for aged 26 and under

HOW TO BOOK

Online:            Visit www.storyhouse.com

By Phone:       Call 01244 409 113

In person:       Visit the Ticket Kiosks at Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR

Website:         www.storyhouse.com

Facebook:       www.facebook.com/storyhouselive/

Twitter:           @StoryhouseLive