Category: Uncategorized

DEAFINITELY THEATRE ANNOUNCE UK TOUR DATES FOR SARAH KANE’S 4.48 PSYCHOSIS

Deafinitely Theatre presents 

4.48 Psychosis

By Sarah Kane

A co-production with New Diorama Theatre

Director: Paula Garfield; Designer: Paul Burgess; Lighting Designer: Joe Hornsby

Composer & Sound Designer: Chris Bartholomew; Visual Consultant: Alim Jayda

★★★★ “The sheer courage and passion that has been thrown behind this intelligent production of a daringly experimental play wins out, and what lingers is its cry for love.” Time Out

Deafinitely Theatre today announce tour dates for their critically acclaimed production of Sarah Kane’s 4.48 Psychosis­, a co-production with New Diorama Theatre,which enjoyed a sell-out London run last year.Artistic Director of Deafinitely Theatre, Paula Garfield’s production tours to Derby Theatre from 8 – 10 November, ahead of performances at Wales Millennium Centre from 20 – 23 November. Full cast to be announced shortly.

“I had a night in which everything was revealed to me.

How can I speak again?”

The early hours of the morning. You’re alone, with only your thoughts. How did you get here? And how do you get out? Sarah Kane’s searing, final play in a ground-breaking new production from Deafinitely Theatre.

Award-winning Deafinitely Theatre bring its celebrated bilingual approach to Sarah Kane’s lyrical and haunting final play about mental health.

Directed by Paula Garfield, 4.48 Psychosis is performed in British Sign Language and spoken English for the very first time.

In addition, Deafinitely Theatre will run a training and education programme to accompany the production, including post show talks, events and access to additional resources. Further details to be announced.

4.48 Psychosis contains strong language and explores issues of mental health, depression and suicide. Recommended age: 16+

★★★★ “A heartfelt look at what it feels like to live with a profound disability, and just how isolating that can be.” Guardian

Sarah Kane was born in 1971. Her first play, Blasted, was produced at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs in 1995. Her second play, Phaedra’s Love, was produced at the Gate Theatre in 1996. In April 1998, Cleansed was produced at the Royal Court Theatre Downstairs, and in September 1998, Crave was produced by Paines Plough and Bright Ltd at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh. Her last play, 4.48 Psychosis, premièred at the Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Upstairs in June 2000. Her short film, Skin, produced by British Screen/Channel Four, premièred in June 1997. Sarah Kane died in 1999.

Paula Garfield directs. She previously directed 4.48 Psychosis at New Diorama Theatre and Derby Theatre, for which she was shortlisted for Best Director by Broadway World UK 2018. Her other credits for Deafinitely Theatre include Horrible Histories – Dreadful Deaf, Contractions – which wonthe Off West End Award for Best Production, Two Chairs, Motherland, Children of a Greater God, Playing God, Double Sentence and Gold Dust. She also devised and directed The Boy and the Statue for Deafinitely at the Tricycle Theatre and on a London schools’ tour.  Garfield has directed two productions at Shakespeare’s Globe – Love Labour’s Lost, for the Globe to Globe Festival as part of Deafinitely’s 10th anniversary, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  Her other directing work includes Tanika’s Journey (Southwark Playhouse) Grounded (Park Theatre). This year Garfield was the recipient of a Tonic Award for her work with Deafinitely Theatre.

An actor, director, workshop leader and organiser, Garfield has worked on a variety of television, film and theatre projects over the past fifteen years. In 2002 she established Deafinitely Theatre with Steven Webb and Kate Furby after becoming frustrated at the barriers that deaf actors and directors face across the arts and media. She has produced and directed many plays and worked extensively in TV, including Channel Four’s Learn Sign Language, Four Fingers and a Thumb, BBC’s Hands Up and Casualty, plus appearances in every series of the BBC’s deaf drama, Switch.

This production is made by possible by the generous support of:

Arts Council England, Autograph Sound Recording, Edwardian Hotels London and Wellcome.

4.48 Psychosis                                                                                                                       Listings

Derby Theatre

8 – 10 November

Box Office: 01332 59 39 39

www.derbytheatre.co.uk

Wales Millennium Centre

20 – 23 November

Box Office: 029 2063 6464

www.wmc.org.uk/en/

WIGGLING INTO HIS 50^th YEAR!

THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW

Four stories from the wonderful world of Eric Carle

Wiggling into London this Summer

To celebrate 50^th Anniversary of the book

At Troubadour White City Theatre

From Wednesday 7 August to Sunday 1 September 2019

One of the most iconic characters in children’s literature will wiggle his way to London this Summer in celebration of a major birthday. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show will play a limited 4-week run at Troubadour White City Theatre from Wednesday 7 August to Sunday 1 September, to mark the 50^th Anniversary of Eric Carle’s beloved book.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show features a menagerie of 75 enchanting puppets during a magical show that faithfully adapts four of Eric Carle’s best loved books for the stage. The 50^thAnniversary production will feature a brand-new line-up of stories for 2019; Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, the return of The Very Lonely Firefly and, of course, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Eric Carle said: “I am delighted that the 50th anniversary of The Very Hungry Caterpillar will be celebrated with such an enchanting production, and that my friends in London will be able to share the same enjoyment I felt when seeing my characters come to life on stage.”  

Eric Carle’s books have captivated generations of readers with their iconic hand-painted illustrations and distinctively simple stories, introducing millions of children to a bigger, brighter world, and to their first experience of reading itself. Carle has illustrated more than seventy books, most of which he also wrote, and more than 132 million copies of his books have sold around the world.

His best-known work, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has nibbled its way into the hearts of millions of children all over the world, and in 2019 celebrates its 50^th Anniversary. Since it was first published in 1969 it has been translated into 62 languages and sold over 50 million copies worldwide,remaining one of the bestselling children’s books of all time.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show is adapted for the stage by director Jonathan Rockefeller, whose production sees four master puppeteers weave their way through Eric Carle’s stories, bringing to life 75 magical puppets that faithfully recreate the wonderfully colourful world of Carle’s illustrations.

Jonathan Rockefeller said: “We’re excited to bring new Eric Carle stories to the London stage alongside perennial favourite ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’. ‘Brown Bear’ is another of Eric’s best loved characters embraced by our little – and very enthusiastic – audience members!”

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show firstpremiered in Australia in 2015 before opening in New York at the Acorn Theatre in January 2016. The New York production broke box office records and attracted celebrities with families including Chelsea Clinton, Emily Blunt, Neil Patrick Harris and Diane Sawyer. The show has since played two West End seasons at the Ambassadors Theatre in 2016 and 2017.

www.HungryCaterpillarShow.com

Facebook.com/HungryCaterpillarShow

HOME Theatre Season, Autumn 2019 – Spring 2020

• Manchester’s HOME announces 2019/2020 theatre programme in full
   
• Featuring artists including Bryony Kimmings, Emma Rice, Lemn Sissay and Jackie Kay and partnerships with the Royal Court, National Theatre Scotland, Forced Entertainment and 1927.
   
• Continuing HOME’s work to make theatre accessible to d/Deaf audiences with two new productions from Ad Infinitum and Told by an Idiot.
   
• Building on HOME’s commitment to artist development with new commissions by Chanje Kunda, Javaad Alipoor, Gecko and Mind the Gap, Company Chameleon and Scottee.  
   
• The return of hugely successful Orbit and Push Festivals

HOME, Manchester has today announced its theatre programme for Autumn 2019 into Spring 2020 featuring brand-new HOME commissions, returning favourites, UK premieres and brand-new work.

Opening the season is HOME’s co-production with National Theatre Scotland: Jackie Kay’s Red Dust Road. Jackie is the Scottish national poet, or Makar, Chancellor of the University of Salford and HOME patron, and her memoir has been gloriously adapted by Tanika Gupta. The season also features the regional premiere of Debris Stevenson’s semi-autobiographical Poet in Da Corner, direct from the Royal Court, and the UK premiere of Forced Entertainment’s Out of Order. Following a sold-out run of their inaugural production, Emma Rice’s Wise Children return with new show Malory Towers, and HOME Associate Artists 1927 also return to headline Christmas at HOME with new-show Roots. More Christmas theatre fun is offer for families with Little Angel’s adaptation of David Walliams’ The Slightly Annoying Elephant.

The line-up also features work from the Young Vic, Roundhouse, Breach Theatre, Bryony Kimmings, English Touring Theatre, Brief’s Factory, Little Angel and a special guest appearance from the safari rangers from Chester Zoo at a December Family Fun Day.

Two new productions building on HOME’s work to integrate captioning alongside bilingual English and BSL performers also feature. Both Ad Infinitum and Told by an Idiot make their debut with HOME-commissioned Extraordinary Wall of Silence and The Strange Tale of Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurelrespectively.

Further HOME commissions include Manchester artists Chanje Kunda’s Plant Fetish  first seen at Push Festival 2019 – and Company Chameleon’s The Shadow. Frequent collaborators Gecko team up with Mind the Gap for new commission A Little Space.These add to previously announced commissions by associate artist Scottee with his swansong production Class and Javaad Alipoor’sRich Kids. This work continues HOME’s commitment to developing distinctive new work, underlined by the recent HOME 2020 Commission announcement, and the appointment of new Associate Director Jude Christian.

Finally, rounding out the jam-packed season are two HOME calendar staples. September’s fourth annual Orbit Festival presents 10 shows in 15 days from some of the most exciting theatre companies and performers working in the UK today. Push Festival will then return in January showcasing the wealth and breadth of creative talent in north west England, across multiple art-forms and spaces.

Director and CEO Dave Moutrey said:

“This is a very exciting time for HOME’s stages as we create, collaborate and play host to distinctive work and stories that speak up for our city. Featuring old friends and new artists, our journey to reach more people, develop more ground-breaking ideas and support a new generation of artists continues as we move toward our fifth birthday year.

We are committed to creating original work that excites and engages the people of our city, and to developing the careers of artists – especially those who call Manchester home. With the recent appointment of Jude Christian as our new Associate Director, over the next few years we will increase our investment in developing new work and support even more of this exciting new generation of artists.”

To view the full season brochure homemcr.org/September-theatre-season

EXTRA PREVIEW PERFORMANCE ADDED ON 5 JUNE 2019

WITH 1500 SEATS AT £15

LOTTERY TICKET POLICY ANNOUNCED WITH 15 TICKETS FOR £15 AT EVERY PERFORMANCE

An additional preview is announced today for the upcoming Manchester season of The Book of Mormon, on Wednesday 5 June at 7:30pm at the Palace Theatre. This will be the first chance for fans to see the much-anticipated Broadway smash hit.

1500 tickets for the first Manchester preview will cost only £15 and go on sale at 10am on Thursday 30 Mayonly at the Palace Theatre Box Office.

Tickets for this preview performance are only available in person via the Palace Theatre Box Office which will open at 10am on Thursday 30 May 2019. Up to two tickets may be purchased per customer on a strictly ‘first come-first served’ basis with coffee available at the Palace Theatre for those who get there early. Valid ID must be shown during the transaction (this ID will be used for identification on the day of the performance). All tickets are subject to availability and cannot be re-sold.

The Book of Mormon also announces details of a ticket lottery from 6 June, for which 15 tickets will be sold at £15 by ballot before each performance at the Palace Theatre, Manchester.

Entries will only be accepted in person, at the Box Office beginning two and a half hours prior to each performance. Two hours before curtain, names will be drawn at random for a limited number of tickets priced at £15 each.

“The best musical of this century.”

Ben Brantley, The New York Times

The Tony®, Olivier® and Grammy® award-winning show, has extended performances at the Palace Theatre, Manchester through to Saturday 10 August via www.thebookofmormonmusical.com and at the Palace Theatre Box Office.

The cast of The Book of Mormonin Manchester will be led by Kevin Clay as Elder Price and Conner Peirson as Elder Cunningham, recreating their roles from the Broadway and US touring productions. They are joined by Nicole-Lily Baisden as Nabulungi, Will Hawksworth as Elder McKinley, Ewen Cummins as Mafala Hatimbi, Johnathan Tweedie as Joseph Smith and Thomas Vernal as the General.

The company will include Jed Berry, David Brewis, Melissa Brown-Taylor, Chinasa, Sanchia Amber Clarke, Tre Copeland-Williams, George Crawford, Jordan Lee Davies, Jemal Felix, Patrick George, Isaac Hesketh, M-Jae Cleopatra Isaac, Evan James, Alex James-Hatton, Nicole Louise, Fergal McGoff, Jesus Reyes Ortiz, Lawrence Rowe, Lukin Simmonds, Chomba S Taulo, Brad Veitch, Tommy Wade-Smith, Sharon Wattis and Jacob Yarlett.

Trey Parker and Matt Stone are the creators of the Emmy and Peabody award-winning television show,  South Park, now in its twenty-second season, and the feature films South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut and Team America: World Police.

Robert Lopez co-created the Broadway musical Avenue Q and co-wrote the songs for Disney’s Frozen and Coco. He is one of only fifteen artists to win all four major entertainment awards – Emmy®, Grammy®, Oscar® and Tony® Awards.   

The Book of Mormon follows a pair of Mormon boys sent on a mission to a place that’s a long way from their home in Salt Lake City.

Since making its world premiere in March 2011 at New York’s Eugene O’Neill Theatre, where it won nine Tony® Awards, including Best Musical, The Book of Mormon has been performed on three continents and won over thirty international awards. The musical has smashed long-standing box office records in New York, London, Melbourne, Sydney and cities across the U.S.

The London production opened in February 2013, winning four Olivier Awards® including Best New Musical, and breaking the record for the highest single day of sales in West End history. It has sold out every one of its 2605 performances to date at the Prince of Wales Theatre.

Book, Music and Lyrics are by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone.  Directed by Casey Nicholaw and Trey Parker, The Book of Mormon has choreography by Casey Nicholaw, set design by Scott Pask, costume design by Ann Roth, lighting design by Brian MacDevitt, sound design by Brian Ronan, orchestrations by Larry Hochman and Stephen Oremus and music supervision and vocal arrangements by Stephen Oremus.

The Book of Mormon is produced by Anne Garefino, Scott Rudin, Important Musicals and Sonia Friedman Productions.

Kevin Clay and Conner Peirson are appearing with the support of UK Equity, incorporating the Variety Artistes’ Federation, pursuant to an exchange programme between American Equity and UK Equity.

Palace Theatre, Manchester

Box Office: 0844 871 3019*

www.atgtickets.com/venues/palace-theatre-manchester  

* Calls cost 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge.

www.thebookofmormonmusical.com | @bookofmormonuk

Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough – until 31 May 2019

Reviewed by Sara Garner

3½***

Pictures of Dorian Gray is a 90-minute play about the price we would pay for eternal youth and beauty. This play introduces the audience to the dark and mysterious side of Oscar Wildes work. Wilde explores the idea of sin and redemption in a rambling narrative that also includes his legendary wit and reflection and wonderful language.

Artist Basil Howard (Helen Rebuen) is painting his finest work to date. The subject and now his muse is the beautiful and charming orphan Dorian Gray (Stanton Wright). He believes that Dorian’s exquisiteness is responsible for inspiring his art. It’s through Basil that Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton (Richard Keightley) and the two become great friends. His pleasure-seeking view of the world enthrals the young beauty, leading him to believe that beauty and pleasure are the only things in life worth pursuing. The seductive power of Lord Henry would corrupt anyone. A series of shocking and supernatural events are set into motion which will destroy Dorian. Howard is left powerless as Dorian slips further into depravity in the fulfillment of pleasure with no thought to how this affects the people around him and he regrets introducing them. Augustina Seymour plays Sibyl Vane who is the 1st victim of Dorian’s thoughtlessness. Rebuen plays the vulnerability and general nature of Howard well as doing Keightly in his portrayal of the gregarious Wotton.

There is little explanation for why the beautiful and charming Dorian suddenly turns into a cold-hearted, immoral cad at what seems to be the drop of a hat. The cross-gender roles were slightly confusing at times. The narrative worked well to evoke emotions however at times this was a little overpowering. The timeline of 18 years of depravity was slightly unclear with the obvious clue of Howard and Wotton utilizing walking sticks.

With no real set changes for any of the scenes, it gets a little static, but changes in lighting work well to convey the right atmosphere.

It has been cleverly adapted by Lucy Shaw and directed by Tom Littler with Set and lighting designed by William Reynolds.

Overall a very powerful and physical adaptation of this famous novel. It still has such resonance with our modern-day lives and the pursuit of perfection via social media. The cast switch roles at different performances, giving the audience a choice of four versions. Will the story feel different with a male or a female Dorian Gray?

ACCLAIMED ACTOR & DANCER

RICHARD WINSOR

REPRISES HIS MEMORABLE ROLE AS THE ICONIC TONY MANERO

IN BILL KENWRIGHT’S AUTUMN 2019 TOUR OF

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER

OPENING AT THE NEW VICTORIA THEATRE WOKING

FROM 6 AUGUST 2019

Ignite The Inferno. Feel The Fever. Like Never Before.

Richard Winsor will be leading the Autumn 2019 tour of Bill Kenwright’s reimagined and revitalized production of Saturday Night Fever,as the iconic Tony Manero.

Winsor has performed around the world, starring as the principle dancer with Matthew Bourne for ten years. He then landed the lead role in the cult dance film, StreetDance 3D and then went on to play Caleb Knight in the BBC flagship medical drama, Casualty.

Opening at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking from 6 August 2019, the nationwide tour will then continue to strut its way to Malvern, Southampton, Leeds, Nottingham, Chester, Coventry,Cheltenham, Belfast, Aberdeen and Milton Keynes.

Saturday Night Fever tells the story of Tony Manero and his reckless yet thrilling road to dancing success. The musical features the Bee Gees’ greatest hits including Stayin’ Alive, How Deep Is Your Love, Night Fever, Tragedy and More Than a Woman as well as ‘70s favorites Boogie Shoes, Disco Inferno and for the first time will feature a group playing the Bee Gees live on stage.

The ‘70s classic Paramount/RSO movie is based on the New York Magazine Article Tribal Rites of the New Saturday Night written by Nik Cohn in 1976, which was an instant hit when it was released in cinemas. The album remains the best-selling movie soundtrack of all time.

Whilst paying homage to the movie, this new stage version promises more drama, more music and hot new choreography. It is directed and produced by Bill Kenwright, with choreography by Olivier Award winning Bill Deamer, designs by Gary McCaan, lighting by Nick Richings, and sound by Dan Samson. The stage adaptation is by Robert Stigwood in collaboration with Bill Oakes.

LISTINGS

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER

2019 AUTUMN UK TOUR

Website: www.kenwright.com                               

Twitter: @BKL_Productions

Instagram: @bklproductions

New Victoria Theatre, WokingTues 6th – Sat 10th August	Atgtickets.com/woking0844 871 7645
Malvern TheatresTues 13th – Sat 17th August	Malvern-theatres.co.uk01684 892277
Mayflower Theatre, SouthamptonTues 20th – Sat 24th August	Mayflower.org.uk023 8071 1811
Grand Theatre, LeedsTues 27th – Sat 31st August	Leedsgrandtheatre.com0844 848 2700
Theatre Royal, NottinghamTues 3rd – Sat 7th September	Trch.co.uk0115 989 5555
Story House, ChesterTues 10th – Sat 14th September	Storyhouse.com01244 409 113
Belgrade Theatre, CoventryTues 17th – Sat 21st September	Belgrade.co.uk024 7655 3055
Everyman Theatre, CheltenhamTues 24th – Sat 28th September	Everymantheatre.org.uk01242 572 573
Grand Opera House, BelfastTues 1st – Sat 5th October	Goh.co.uk028 9024 1919
His Majesty’s Theatre, AberdeenTues 8th – Sat 12th October	Aberdeenperformingarts.com01224 641122
Milton Keynes TheatreTues 15th – Sat 19th October	Atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes0844 871 7652

Blue Elephant Theatre – until 25 May 2019

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

3½ ***

Wooden Arrow Productions promising new play mixes personal drama with stories of well-known victims of knife crime in an engaging and thought-provoking production.

It’s the summer of 2018, and Michael (Samuel Awoyo) and his girlfriend Liv (Barbara Dadson) are waiting for their results after the first year of college. After a stop and search while buying booze for a party, Michael is frustrated and when he sees his best mate Charlie (Pierre Moullier) in a dodgy situation with a drug dealer, he rushes in and gets stabbed.

The charming and cheeky introduction to the characters means that you are invested in them straight away, and watching the aftermath of the incident and its effect on Michael’s loved ones is emotional. The dialogue does sometimes feel like a therapy session, but this is what the family need to work through during this devastating time. Michael, who Awoyo manages to keep likeable even with his belligerent and selfish attitude at the beginning of the play, is changed most, developing a calmer and more mature outlook, while his seemingly more level-headed brother (Michael McGarry) wants revenge.

The family relationship and friendships are beautifully written and performed, with Ella Baulcomb a hoot as Mum, and Pierre Moullier delightful as the hapless but loveable Charlie.

Interspersed with the story are spoken word segments detailing the brutal murders of Stephen Lawrence, Jane Clough and others. These are accompanied by sympathetic and disturbing movement by the cast to create a powerful impression.

The frustration and injustice felt by the family as the police fail to find the attacker builds to a shared monologue about the growing danger of knife crime, calling for education and the government to take responsibility rather than apportion blame. But writer Rees Jenkins wisely ends the play on a lighter, hopeful note giving Michael the last word as he explains his zen-like sense of justice with an impish glint in his eye – making this message much more appealing and relatable to younger audiences.

KILN THEATRE ANNOUNCE GALA EVENT TO CELEBRATE FIRST ANNIVERSARY IN THE NEWLY REFURBISHED THEATRE

Kiln Theatre today announce a special one-off fundraising gala on 5 September, one year to the day since the newly refurbished theatre reopened on Kilburn High Road.

To mark this special occasion, Susie McKenna is bringing together some of the finest talent in theatre – Sharon D Clarke, Debbie Kurup, Clive Rowe, Gemma Sutton and Jim Carter, accompanied by Mark Dickman for an unforgettable night of music, comedy and much more. Further names will be announced shortly.

Artistic Director of Kiln Theatre, Indhu Rubasingham, said today, “We opened our doors on 5 September 2018 by the skin of our teeth and we want to invite you to celebrate with us a year since this beautiful building came into being. This is an exciting time for Kilburn and Brent as we advance towards 2020 and being London Borough of Culture. This is an exclusive event to celebrate and to raise funds to stage our productions, to reach out to the different communities in our borough and to keep our ticket prices as low as possible so we can aspire to be a theatre for all.”

Every ticket includes a signed programme, a sparkling wine reception on arrival and drinks and canapes after the show. There will also be an auction with ‘money can’t buy’ lots, and a raffle across the evening.

All proceeds from the evening are in aid of Kiln Theatre, helping the company to create innovative productions, make drama available to our local community and aspire to be a theatre for all – connecting everyone, whatever their background, through the power of performance.

Sharon D Clarke, Debbie Kurup, Clive Rowe, Gemma Sutton will appear in Susie McKenna’s production of Blues in the Night at Kiln Theatre from 18 July to 7 September.

ABOUT KILN THEATRE

Based in Kilburn, Kiln Theatre creates internationally renowned, high-quality, engaging and innovative work which presents the world through a variety of different lenses, amplifying unheard voices into the mainstream. Led by Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham and Executive Director Daisy Heath, it makes theatre that crosses continents and tells big stories about human connections across cultures, race and languages.

We encourage artists of all ages and backgrounds. Our work is commissioned specifically for our theatre and produced by Kiln Theatre’s artistic team, as well as additional work which is programmed in collaboration with national or international partners.

Recent productions include White Teeth by Zadie Smith, adapted by Stephen Sharkey, Holy Sh!t by Alexis Zegerman, Approaching Empty by Ishy Din, The Son by Florian Zeller and The Half God of Rainfall by Inua Ellams. Recent collaborations include the National Theatre, Tamasha and Sundance Theatre Lab (US).

The ambitious Creative Learning programme aims to champion the imagination, aspiration and potential of the Brent community young and old. It invests in creating meaningful relationships with young people to inspire and encourage their creativity, their confidence and self-esteem. It works with older people to create a thriving community around the theatre.

Tickets can be purchased via the website: www.kilntheatre.com

www.KilnTheatre.com

Twitter: @KilnTheatre / @KilnCinema

CHANNING TATUM’S MAGIC MIKE LIVE HEADS TO BERLIN

MAGIC MIKE LIVE BERLIN

TO PREMIERE AT POTSDAMER PLATZ NOV 26, 2019

LAS VEGAS (May 23, 2019) – With two successful stage productions in Las Vegas and London, MAGIC MIKE LIVE will now thrill audiences in Berlin, Germany beginning this fall.  Channing Tatum’s acclaimed male revue, inspired by the hit “Magic Mike” film franchise, will take the stage at the newly remodeled Club Theater at Potsdamer Platz on Nov. 26, 2019, with preview performances beginning November 16, 2019. Visit MagicMikeBerlin.de for the most up to date information about the show, ticket availability and VIP Experience packages.

“When we launched our show in Las Vegas two years ago, we had no idea what was going to happen. It was surreal to see something we had been talking about for so long come to life. The fact that people reacted the way they did and that over 300,000 people have come to see it still blows my mind. Then we decided to go to London and the show has absolutely killed it there.  So, we started talking about where we wanted to go next. We wanted to go to a place where we could take the experience to a whole new level and from the first moment we arrived, we fell in love with Berlin and it became clear to us that this is where we had to launch our new production!” said Director, Channing Tatum.

Curated by Tatum and co-directed by Tatum and film franchise choreographers Alison Faulk, Teresa Espinosa and Luke Broadlick, MAGIC MIKE LIVE Berlin will feature 20 world-class artists performing acrobatic and dance routines intertwined with one-of-a-kind acts, in front of, behind and all around the audience.

“After launching the flagship production in Las Vegas, and then having the incredible experience of reimagining the show for London’s West End, the Magic Mike Live team is thrilled to be able to bring our biggest, boldest, most ambitious production yet to Berlin,” shared Executive Producer Vincent Marini. “We can’t imagine a better home for the show than one of Europe’s greatest cities.”

This summer, the former Adagio Nightclub in Potsdamer Platz will undergo a multi-million-euro transformation into the Club Theatre. The redesign of the venue, being led by the Magic Mike Live team, and Magic Mike’s franchise production designer Rachel O’Toole, in partnership with MediaLane Germany and Karhard Architects, will be a further evolution of the now iconic home of the Las Vegas production, where the original company recently celebrated two years and 1,000 performances. “The immersive staging, the cutting-edge technical equipment, the incredibly detailed production design and the bespoke layout of the intimate 600-seat venue combine to create a one-of-a-kind, curated, 360-degree experience for the audience that is absolutely unique to this show and this venue.’” said Michael Hildebrandt, Managing Director of MediaLane Germany.

“I was totally enthralled by the Las Vegas show and knew from the first second that I would love to bring it to Germany,” shared MediaLane CEO Iris van den Ende. “I’m proud that this show’s Continental European debut will be in Berlin.”

MAGIC MIKE LIVE is produced in Berlin by Channing Tatum, Steven Soderbergh, Reid Carolin, Greg Jacobs, Peter Kiernan, and Nick Wechsler in collaboration with Medialane B.V., Vincent Marini, Creative House Productions, Bruce Robert Harris & Jack W. Batman, TSG Entertainment & Ashley DeSimone and Richard Winkler. MAGIC MIKE LIVE production credits include:

Director: Channing Tatum

Written by: Channing Tatum and Reid Carolin

Co-Director and Choreographer: Alison Faulk

Associate Director and Choreographer: Teresa Espinosa

Associate Director and Choreographer: Luke Broadlick

Production Design: Rachel O’Toole

Composer and Music Supervisor: Jack Rayner

Scenic Design: Rob Bissinger and Anita La Scala

Lighting Design: Philip Gladwell

Sound Design: Nick Kourtides

Costume Design: Marina Toybina

Aerial Design and Choreography: Dreya Weber

Production Management: Don Gilmore and Henriët Wunnink

Casting: Katie Zanca and Candice Fox

Executive Producer: Vincent Marini 

MAGIC MIKE LIVE Berlin

Club Theater at Potsdamer Platz – Marlene Dietrich Platz 1, 10785 Berlin

MAGIC MIKE LIVE Berlin begins performances Nov. 16, 2019

MAGIC MIKE LIVE Berlin will perform an apx. 90 min. show Tuesday through Sunday at 7:30 p.m. with a 10 p.m. performance on Friday and Saturday. Performance schedule is subject to change without notice.

MAGIC MIKE LIVE Berlin is intended for audiences 18 years of age and older.

Tickets starting at €54.90 are on sale now at www.magicmikeberlin.de or 01806 – 999 0000 

Connect with the show on social media @MagicMikeLiveBerlin

Wishes Granted for Hull New Theatre’s Pantomime, as Casting for Aladdin is announced.

Hull New Theatre has announced that Blue star Simon Webbe, Benidorm favourite Jake Canuso and film and television legend Robin Askwith will embark on a magic carpet ride into Old Peking for this year’s spectacular annual pantomime, Aladdin, from Thursday 5 December.

Since joining the BRIT award-winning boyband in 2001, Simon Webbe and his bandmates have sold over 14 million records worldwide, releasing five critically acclaimed studio albums and headlined several UK tours. In 2011, to coincide with their tenth year in the music industry, Blue represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest with their entry I Can. While the group took a well-earned break, Simon launched his own solo career that saw him take to the West End stage in Sister Act the Musical alongside Shelia Hancock and Whoopi Goldberg, as well as Three Little Pigs at the Palace Theatre.

Simon’s numerous television appearances include Strictly Come Dancing where he was a runner-up in the 2014 series; I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! and ITV2’s The Big Reunion. In 2015, Simon made his pantomime debut for Qdos Entertainment and since then has starred in Jack and the Beanstalk in Northampton and High Wycombe, and Aladdin in Bradford last year. In 2018 he released his third studio album, Smile and still regularly tours with his Blue bandmates.

Joining him as the Genie of the Ring will be Benidorm’s bartender Jake Canuso. Best known for his role as Matteo in the long-running ITV comedy, Jake most recently visited Hull in the sold out UK tour of Benidorm Live which saw him reunite with many of his much-missed co-stars. Jake’s other television credits include Splash!, Hustle, Shameless, The Hour and Bad Education. He also appeared in the hit movies Nine opposite Daniel Day Lewis and Judi Dench, and The Dark Knight Rises alongside Christian Bale and Gary Oldman.

Also joining the line-up as the evil sorcerer Abanazar is film and television star Robin Askwith. A regular on the big screen throughout the 70s Robin went on to appear in numerous television shows including Public Eye, Dixon of Dock Green, Z-Cars, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) and, most recently, Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Benidorm. His extensive stage work includes numerous farces including Run for Your Wife, One for the Road and Dead Funny, and the title role in Brecht’s The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui and the Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Starring as Aladdin’s brother Wishee Washee is comedian Neil Hurst. Best known for his roles in The Syndicate and Fresh Meat, Neil was also a co-host of ITVs All Star Family Fortunes, and most recently starred alongside John Malkovich and Rupert Grint in The ABC Murders for the BBC. Neil most recently appeared at the Hull New Theatre in Fat Friends The Musical to audience and critical acclaim.

Janice Wincott, Theatre and Halls Manager, Hull Culture and Leisure said: “we are thrilled that in this, Hull New Theatre’s 80th year, our hugely popular festive production will feature such a star-studded cast. Aladdin is a firm family favourite and this incredible line-up is sure to delight all our audiences from seasoned attendees to first time visitors.”

With tickets flying out of the Box Office, audiences shouldn’t leave it any longer to book their tickets for this year’s must-see production packed full of audience participation, laughter, music, a wish-granting genie and plenty of panto magic.

Tickets for Aladdin at Hull New Theatre, from 5-29 December 2019, are on sale now. Book at the Hull City Hall Box Office, call 01482 300 306 or visit the website www.hulltheatres.co.uk to book online.