Author: FairyPoweredProductions

ORANGE TREE THEATRE ANNOUNCES FULL CAST FOR

TERENCE RATTIGAN’S IN PRAISE OF LOVE

With Playhouse Creatures currently in performances and rehearsals starting for the London première of the RSC production of Ben and Imo,Orange Tree Theatre (OT) today announces full casting for Terence Rattigan’s In Praise of Love.Amelia Sears directs Daniel Abelson (Mark Walters), Joe Edgar (Joey Cruttwell), Claire Price (Lydia Cruttwell) and Dominic Rowan (Sebastian Cruttwell).

In Praise of Love opens on 3 June, with previews from 24 May and runs until 5 July.

IN PRAISE OF LOVE

By Terence Rattigan

24 May – 5 July 2025

Cast: Daniel Abelson (Mark Walters), Joe Edgar (Joey Cruttwell), Claire Price (Lydia Cruttwell) and Dominic Rowan (Sebastian Cruttwell)

Director: Amelia Sears; Designer: Peter Butler; Lighting Design: Bethany Gupwell; Sound Designer and Composer: Elizabeth Purnell; Casting Director: Helena Palmer CDG; Production Manager: Pam Nichol

Honesty between people who love each other is the thing that matters least in this life.

England, 1973. Estonian refugee Lydia and her Marxist literary critic husband Sebastian both worked in wartime intelligence. They excel at keeping secrets – from friends, from each other, and even from themselves. But their world is crumbling. The arrival of Lydia’s admirer, a best-selling American author, sparks their complex deceptions into an explosion of family truths.

A perceptive and deeply moving drama, In Praise of Love is Rattigan’s penultimate play, and loosely based on the relationship between the actor Rex Harrison and his wife Kay Kendall. Orange Tree audiences loved Terence Rattigan’s French Without Tears and While the Sun Shines. This is a rare chance to see a haunting and provocative play by one of the twentieth century’s most popular playwrights.

Terence Rattigan was one of Britain’s greatest playwrights. His plays include French Without Tears, After the Dance, Flare Path, Love In Idleness, While the Sun Shines, The Winslow Boy, The Browning Version, Harlequinade, Adventure Story, Who is Sylvia?, The Deep Blue Sea, The Sleeping Prince, Separate Tables, Variation on a Theme, Ross, Man and Boy, A Bequest to the Nation and Cause Célèbre. His screenplays include French Without Tears, The Way to the Stars, Journey Together, While the Sun Shines, The Winslow Boy, The Browning Version, The Prince and the Showgirl, Separate Tables, The Sound Barrier, The Man Who Loved Redheads, The Deep Blue Sea, Goodbye Mr Chips, Conduct Unbecoming and A Bequest to the Nation. His television plays include Heart to Heart, All On Her Own and High Summer.

Daniel Abelson returns to the Orange Tree to play Mark Walters having previously appeared in Amsterdam (also Theatre Royal Plymouth). Other theatre credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Opera North), Machinal (The Old Vic, Theatre Royal Bath Ustinov Studio), Circa (Old Red Lion Theatre), The Rivals (Watermill Theatre), William Wordsworth (ETT, Theatre by the Lake), Once in a Lifetime (Young Vic), The Mighty Waltzer (Royal Exchange Theatre); Me, As a Penguin (Arcola Theatre, The Lowry, West Yorkshire Playhouse), Country Magic (Southwark Playhouse), Macbeth (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Shadow of a Gunman (Glasgow Citizens Theatre), 5/11, King Lear, The Government Inspector, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Seven Doors, Thermidor, The Seagull and Holes in the Skin (Chichester Festival Theatre). His television credits include Humans, I Shouldn’t Be Alive, Jonathan Pie’s American Pie, Robin Hood and The Royal Today; and for film, The Rack Pack.

Joe Edgar plays Joey Cruttwell. His theatre credits include The Cabinet Minister (Menier Chocolate Factory), Just For One Day (Old Vic Theatre) and Hitchhiker (Teastain Theatre). His television credits include The Crown.

Claire Price returns to the Orange Tree to play Lydia Cruttwell having previously appeared in Poison. Other theatre credits include Something in the Air (Jermyn Street Theatre), Raya (Hampstead Theatre), The Taming of the Shrew/Measure for Measure, When Did You Last See My Mother (Battersea Arts Centre); for the RSC credits include Volpone, Don Carlos, Brand (the later also Theatre Royal Haymarket); King Lear (Duke of York’s Theatre), Things We Do For Love (Theatre Royal Bath, UK tour); for Sheffield Theatres, credits include The Winter’s Tale, The Daughter-in-Law, Company, The Pride, Richard III, Much Ado About Nothing and The Tempest (also The Old Vic); Fifty Words (Theatre Royal Bath Ustinov Studio, Arcola Theatre), The Way of the World (Chichester Festival Theatre), Little Platoons (Bush Theatre), Mary Stuart (Theatr Clwyd), The White Devil (Menier Chocolate Factory), The Lady from the Sea (Birmingham Rep), Coriolanus, Blood Wedding (Bloomsbury Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Dark Room, Love in a Wood (New End Theatre Hampstead), Dead White Males (Nuffield Theatre), As You Like It, Twelfth Night (Liverpool Playhouse), The Relapse, Cyrano (National Theatre) and Dr Faustus (Bristol Old Vic). Her television credits include The Capture, Call the Midwife, Home Fires, Capital, The Coroner, The Outcast, Apparitions, London’s Burning, The White Lady, Murder in Mind: Sleeper, Out of this World, The Knock, Whistleblower, Twelfth Night, Poirot: The Hollow, Dalziel & Pascoe and Rebus; and for film, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Jump, Hereafter, Cuckoo and Solo Shuttle.

Dominic Rowan returns to the Orange Tree to playSebastian Cruttwell having previously appeared in Winter Solstice. Other theatre credits include The Invention of Love, The Divine Mrs S, Giving (Hampstead Theatre), The Good Life (Theatre Royal Bath), The Jungle (Playhouse Theatre, St Anne’s Warehouse, Curran Theatre), A Woman of No Importance, Stepping Out (Vaudeville Theatre), The Tempest, Measure for Measure, Henry VIII, A New World, As You Like It (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Cherry Orchard, After Dido (Young Vic), Medea, Happy Now?, Dream Play, Iphigenia at Aulis, Mourning Becomes Electra, Three Sisters, The Talking Cure, Private Lives (National Theatre), A Doll’s House (Young Vic, Duke of York’s Theatre, BAM New York), The Village Bike, Way to Heaven, Forty Winks (Royal Court Theatre), The Misanthrope (Comedy Theatre), The Spanish Tragedy (Arcola Theatre), Under the Blue Sky (Duke of York’s Theatre), A Voyage Round My Father, Lobby Hero (Donmar Warehouse), The Importance of Being Earnest (Oxford Playhouse), Sexual Perversity in Chicago (Sheffield Theatres), The Merchant of Venice, Two Gentlemen of Verona and Talk of the City (RSC). His television credits include Dalgliesh, Agatha Raisin, The Crown, Trying, Catastrophe, Press, Henry IV, Restless, Law & Order: UK (as series regular Jacob Thorne), Catwalk Dogs, Baby Boom, Trial and Retribution, The Lavender List, The Family Man, Rescue Me, Lost World, Swallow, North Square, Hearts and Bones, A Rather English Marriage, Between the Lines, Devil’s Advocate, No Bananas, Emma and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall; and for film, Tulse Luper Suitcases.

Amelia Sears’ directing credits include Years of Sunlight (Theatre503), Home, Brimstone and Treacle, Ant Street (Arcola Theatre), The Girl’s Guide to Saving the World (HighTide Festival), Pedestrian (Bristol Old Vic, Underbelly and UK tour) and The Last Five Years (Duchess Theatre). As Associate Director credits include Ghosts (Duchess Theatre), Twelfth Night (Donmar Warehouse season at Wyndham’s Theatre), Bliss (Royal Court Theatre), One Evening, Four Quartets (Lincoln Centre), Al Gran Sole Carico D’Amore (Salzburg Opera Festival), Some Trace of Her, The Year of Magical Thinking and Statement of Regret (National Theatre). For film her credits include the award-winning short films THREE and Ceresand her upcoming debut feature Ceres. She was recently selected as one of the BFI – LFF cohort for the 2024 London Film Festival.

ORANGE TREE THEATRE 

LISTINGS

1 Clarence Street, Richmond, TW9 2SA

Box Office: 020 8940 3633 (Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm)

orangetreetheatre.co.uk

Performance times:

Monday – Saturday 7.30pm

Thursday and Saturday 2.30pm

PLAYHOUSE CREATURES

Until 12 April 2025

Audio Described Performance: Wednesday 9 April at 7:30pm

Captioned Performance: Tuesday 8 April at 7:30pm         

OT on screen: Tuesday 15 – Friday 18 April

Touring to:

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford

Tue 22 – Sat 26 Apr

Tuesday – Saturday 7.30pm

Thursday and Saturday 2.30pm

Box Office: 01483 440 000 / www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

Theatre Royal Bath

Mon 28 Apr – Sat 3 May

Tuesday – Saturday 7.30pm

Wednesday and Saturday 2.30pm

Box Office: 01225 448844 / www.theatreroyal.org.uk

BEN AND IMO

19 April – 17 May 2025

OT UNDER 30 NIGHT: Friday 2 May

Audio Described Performance: Wednesday 14 May at 7:30pm    

Captioned Performance: Tuesday 13 May at 7:30pm

Relaxed and distanced performance: Wednesday 7 May at 7:30pm

OT on screen: Tuesday 20 – Friday 23 May

IN PRAISE OF LOVE

24 May – 5 July 2025

OT UNDER 30 NIGHT: Friday 20 June

Audio Described Performance: Wednesday 2 July at 7:30pm

Captioned Performance: Tuesday 1 July at 7:30pm

Relaxed and distanced performance: Wednesday 25 June at 7:30pm

OT on screen: Tuesday 8 – Friday 11 July

ABOUT THE ORANGE TREE THEATRE

We are a local theatre with a global reputation.

A show at the Orange Tree is close-up magic: live, entertaining, unmissable. We’re an intimate theatre with the audience wrapped around the stage. We believe in celebrating what it means to be human. We believe in putting people at the centre of the stories we tell. And we believe in the power of a writer’s words, an actor’s voice, and an audience’s imagination to transport us to other worlds and other lives.

We punch above our weight to create world-class productions of new and contemporary drama, revitalise classics and re-discoveries, and introduce children and young people to the magic of theatre.

We are deeply rooted in our local community in South West London. We work with thousands of people aged 0 to 100 in Richmond and beyond through participatory theatre, bringing generations together to build confidence, connection, and joy. Our ground-breaking Primary Shakespeare and Shakespeare Up Close projects pack the theatre with children and ignite a spark to last a lifetime.

We’re a registered charity (266128). With only 180 seats and no support from Arts Council England, we rely on the generosity of our audiences and donors to raise £650,000 a year. These funds support our outstanding work on stage and in the community and invest in the next generation of talent.

Orange Tree Theatre was this year awarded Theatre of the Year at The Stage Awards.

Artistic Director Tom Littler 
Executive Director Hanna Streeter 

Website orangetreetheatre.co.uk | Email [email protected] 
X @OrangeTreeThtr | Facebook/Instagram OrangeTreeTheatre

FULL CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR

THE MINISTRY OF LESBIAN AFFAIRS

AT KILN THEATRE

Kiln Theatre, Antic Productions and Damsel Productions today announce the full cast and creative team for The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs, Iman Qureshi’s musical comedy about community, belonging, and the power of finding your voice. The production runs at Kiln Theatre, 13 June – 12 July 2025 (Press Night: Friday 20 June) following a sold-out run at Soho Theatre.

Hannah Hauer-King directs Fanta Barrie (My Lady Jane, Amazon) as Ellie, Olivier Award-winner Liz Carr (The Normal Heart, National Theatre) as Fi, Zak Ghazi-Torbati (Hot Gay Time Machine, Soho Theatre Trafalgar Studio/The Other Palace) as The Men, Leah Harvey (Sweetpea, Sky Atlantic) as Lori, Georgie Henley (The Chronicles of Narnia, Disney) as Ana, Mariah Louca as Bridget (The Doctor, Almeida Theatre), Serena Manteghi (English, Kiln Theatre / RSC) as Dina, and Shuna Snow (Big Mood, Channel 4) as Connie. 

The creative team includes Anna Reid (Designer), Zoe Spurr (Lighting Designer), Nicola T Chang (Co-Sound Designer, Composer & Co-Musical Director), Tingying Dong (Co-Sound Designer), Viki Calver (Co-Musical Director), Stuart Burt CDA CSA (Casting Director), Yael Elisheva (Assistant Director), and Danielle Levy (Costume Supervisor).

Amit Sharma, Artistic Director & CEO of Kiln Theatre, said: “What an absolutely phenomenal cast we have for The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs. Iman’s play celebrates love, identity and community with heart and humour – and with this cast it has all of the above in abundance. I can’t wait for audiences to come and see this brilliant play!”

Iman Qureshi, writer, said: “Any one of these marvellous cast members would be a coup, but together our Ministry is an absolute tour de force. In this difficult political, cultural and economic environment for new writing, I am overjoyed that our much loved, sell-out show is being revived at the Kiln Theatre, and I can’t wait for Kilburn High Road to transform into the unofficial lesbian stomping ground of summer 2025. Don’t sleep on tickets, they’re going fast!”

Hannah Hauer-King, director, said: “I couldn’t be more excited to have such an incredible group of artists bringing this story back to life. It really is a dream cast, with new company members Liz Carr, Leah Harvey, Georgie Henley, Zak Ghazi-Torbati and Serena Manteghi bringing new energy to the show, Shuna Snow returning as much-loved Connie the choir director, Fanta Barrie returning as life of the party Ellie, and Mariah Louca as the irreplaceable Brig.”

A Kiln Theatre, Antic Productions and Damsel Productions co-production

THE MINISTRY OF LESBIAN AFFAIRS

by Iman Qureshi

directed by Hannah Hauer-King

13 June – 12 July 2025

The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs, the only lesbian choir in the country, are trying to win their place on the Pride mainstage. In a run-down church hall with an OWL (Older, Wiser Lesbian) at the helm, the rag tag choir navigate love, loss, and trying to agree on song choices. But despite their best intentions, they find that harmony comes at a price. 

Packed with laugh out loud moments and lots of lesbian drama, this heart-warming musical comedy returns following its sold-out premiere at Soho Theatre in 2022.

The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs premiered at the Soho Theatre in a co- production with Damsel Productions in 2022.

Fanta Barrie | Ellie         

Fanta Barrie graduated from Rose Bruford in 2018 and went straight into Songlines (High Tide/Edinburgh Festival).             
              
Theatre credits include: Belly Up (Turbine Theatre); The Loved Ones (Gate Theatre); The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs (Soho Theatre); The Lovely Bones (UK Tour); The Amber Trap (Theatre 503/Damsel productions) and The Cereal Café (The Other Place).            
              
Television credits include: My Lady Jane (Amazon).

Liz Carr | Fi

Theatre credits include: The Normal Heart (for which she won an Olivier award for Best Supporting Actress in a Play), And Others (National Theatre); Unspeakable Conversations (Druid Theatre); Assisted Suicide The Musical (Royal Festival Hall); The Ugly Girl, In the House of the Moles (Bluecoat Theatre, Liverpool); It Hasn’t Happened Yet (Wolverhampton Arena); George Dandin, Mother Courage, The Vagina Monologues (Graeae Theatre Company); The Exception & The Rule (Young Vic).

Television credits include: Loki Season 2 (Marvel Studios); The Witcher Series 2 & 3 (Netflix); Good Omens Series 2 (Amazon Studios); Better Off Dead?, This Is Going To Hurt, Then Barbara Met Alan, Who Do You Think You Are?, Criptales, Les Miserables, Silent Witness, CBeebies Bedtime Stories (BBC); Devs (DNA Films) and The OA Series 2 (Netflix). 

Film credits include: Infinite (Paramount); Le Accelerator (Filmrage) and The Beaten (Short Film).

Zak Ghazi-Torbati | The Men     

Theatre credits include: The Hypochondriac (Crucible Theatre Sheffield); The Busy Body (Orange Tree Theatre); Scratches (Jermyn Street Theatre); Hot Gay Time Machine (Soho Theatre/Trafalgar Studio/The Other Palace); A Girl, Standing (Theatre503); Twelfth Night (European Tour); Antigone/Lysistrata and Measure for Measure (Cambridge Arts Theatre).             

Television credits include: I Hate You (Big Talk Productions); Doctors (BBC) and The Age of Outrage (BBC Wales).    

Radio credits include: Cymbeline (BBC Radio 4).  

Leah Harvey | Lori

Theatre credits include: Emelia (Shakespeare’s Globe); Girl in the Machine (Young Vic); As You Like It (@SohoPlace); The Wonderful World of Dissocia (Theatre Royal Stratford East); Small Island (National Theatre); Yous Two (Hampstead Theatre); The Tempest (The Donmar at King’s Cross Theatre/St. Ann’s Warehouse, New York); Henry IV and Julius Caesar (The Donmar at King’s Cross Theatre).

Television credits include: Sweetpea (Sky Atlantic); A Gentleman in Moscow (Paramount+); Foundation – Seasons 1 and 2 (Apple TV+ – BAFTA Nominated for Best Supporting Actress 2022); Search and Destroy (Hulu); Les Miserables (BBC One) and Uncle (BBC).

Film credits include: Tuesday (A24); Fighting With My Family (Channel 4 Films); On The Road (Revolution Films) and Dustbin Baby (BBC).

Georgie Henley | Ana

Georgie Henley is an actress, writer and director. She is best known as young Lucy in all three Narnia franchise films. She is a graduate of Cambridge University, where she starred in and directed many theatre productions and wrote and directed her first short film, Tide.         

Television credits include: The Diplomat (Netflix), Partygate (Channel 4 – Royal Television Society Award for Best Single Drama).

Mariah Louca | Bridget

Theatre credits include: The Doctor (Almeida Theatre/Adelaide Festival/UK tour/West End/Park Avenue Armory, New York); Multiple Casualty Incident (The Yard); Burnt at the Stake (Or the Whole of the Truth) (Shakespeare’s Globe); The Ministry Of Lesbian Affairs (Soho Theatre); Best Of Enemies (Young Vic/Noël Coward Theatre); Maryland (Royal Court/Battersea Arts Centre); Queer Upstairs (Royal Court); Cherry Jezebel(Liverpool Everyman); Suspect Device (Kabosh Theatre/Outburst Festival, Belfast); All Mod Cons (Lyric Theatre, Belfast); Julius Caesar, Playing For Time, A Dream, The Sheffield Mysteries, 20 Tiny Plays About Sheffield (Sheffield Crucible); Tuesdays At Tesco’s, Bloom, Blossom, Bloom (Southwark Playhouse); Bumps(Theatre503); Ajar(Theatre By The Lake/Graeae); The Interview (The Mono Box/PLAYSTART) and The Vagina Monologues (Theatre Deli).        

Television credits include: the forthcoming What It Feels Like for a Girl (BBC); Waterloo Road, Eastenders, Casualty and Doctors (BBC).   

Film credits include: the forthcoming rom-com Jingle Bell Heist and Re-displacement (short).              

Serena Manteghi | Dina

For Kiln: English (Also RSC).

Theatre credits include: Otherland(Almeida); Bleak Expectations (Criterion); Hound of the Baskervilles (UK Tour); Hamlet (Shakespeare’s Rose); Eurydice (Soho Playhouse, NY); Build a Rocket (Stephen Joseph/ UK Tour); The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (Stephen Joseph); Echoes (Brits Off Broadway); My Mother Said I Never Should (The Other Place); The Railway Children (Kings Cross); HEART (Traverse); Mucky Kid (Theatre503); Agammemnon, Macbeth (Southwark Playhouse); The Tartuffe (York Theatre Royal); Some Small Love Story (Arts) and The Beggar’s Opera (York Theatre Royal).

Television credits include: The Diplomat (World Productions/Alibi); The Other Half (RangaBee/ Dave) and Mrs Wilson (Bronte Films/BBC).

Film credits include: Miss Jihadi (Heavy Wait Productions).

Shuna Snow | Connie

Shuna trained at The Poor School. She has worked for the RSC, the National Theatre and extensively in London/UK regional theatre.

Theatre credits include: The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs (Soho Theatre); The Swell (The Orange Tree); Brideshead Revisited (ETT); Uncle Vanya, Three Sisters, Julius Caesar The Winter’s Tale (Mercury Theatre Colchester). Iron (Offies Awards nominated Best Actress – Old Red Lion Theatre); Hamlet (Actors From The London Stage, US tour).

Television credits include: Big Mood (Channel 4).

Film credits include The Boy In The Woods.

Iman Qureshi | Writer
Iman Qureshi is an award-winning writer for stage and screen. Her break-out play The Funeral Director won the prestigious Papatango New Writing Prize in 2018 and premiered at Southwark Playhouse directed by Hannah Hauer-King. Her next play The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs also directed by Hauer-King, premiered on the Soho Theatre’s main stage in 2022 to great acclaim. She held the position of writer in residence at the National Theatre for a year in 2023 and is now writing a new play under commission. She is also developing new work with the Almeida, English Touring Theatre, Papatango, and the Royal Court and she is developing a new musical. For screen, she completed a two year first look deal with Paramount+ in 2021 and previously her short Home Girl, directed by Poonam Brah was selected by Film London for their London Calling short film slate and was later selected for the 2019 BFI Flare Festival. Her short film The Ceremony (Open Sky) was selected for the Vancouver International Film Festival 2022, and won Best Screenplay at the Artists Forum Festival of the Moving Image.

Hannah Hauer-King | Director
Hannah Hauer-King is an Olivier Award nominated and award winning director and dramaturg. Directing work includes: The Swell (Hightide Festival/Orange Tree Theatre – Oliver Award nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Affiliate Theatre), The Brief Life and Mysterious Death of Boris III, King of Bulgaria (Arcola Theatre/New York), The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs, Fabric, Fury (Soho Theatre), The Funeral Director (Southwark Playhouse/ UK tour), Circle Game (Southwark Playhouse), Call Me Fury (Hope Theatre), The Amber Trap (Theatre503), Grotty, Breathe (Bunker Theatre), Revolt She Said Revolt Again (RCSSD), Clay (Pleasance Theatre)and Dry Land (Jermyn Street Theatre). Associate/Assistant work includes: Fiddler On The Roof (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), The Wife of Willesden (Kiln Theatre, ART Boston and BAM NY), Romeo & Juliet (Shakespeare’s Globe), Daytona (Park Theatre & Theatre Royal Haymarket), Radiant Vermin (Soho Theatre) and Titus Andronicus (Greenwich Theatre). Cabaret works includes: Witt n Camp (Soho Theatre), Siblings (Crazy Coqs) and Lilith (Bunker Theatre). Hannah is the co-founder of Damsel Productions and was Resident Director at the National Theatre Studio.

Kiln Theatre Listings

269 Kilburn High Road, London, NW6 7JR

Box Office: 020 7328 1000

www.KilnTheatre.com

SHANGHAI DOLLS

Until 10 May 2025

Tickets:                               £15 – £40

Access performances:

Audio Described               8 May, 7.30pm, preceded by a Touch Tour

Captioned                           26 and 28 April, 7.30pm

Relaxed                               3 May, 2.30pm

Special performances:

Post show Q&A                 24 April, 7.30pm

THE MINISTRY OF LESBIAN AFFAIRS

13 June – 12 July 2025

Tickets:                               £15 – £40

Access performances:

Audio Described               10 July, 7.30pm, preceded by a Touch Tour

Captioned                           3 July, 7.30pm

Relaxed                               9 July, 2.30pm

Special performances:

Alcohol Free                      30 June, 7.30pm

Post show Q&A                 26 June, 7.30pm

COVEN

31 October – 13 December 2025

Tickets:                               £15 – £40

Access performances:

Audio Described               11 December, 7.30pm, preceded by a Touch Tour

Captioned                           1 December, 7.30pm

Relaxed                               3 December, 2.30pm

Special performances:

Alcohol Free                      17 November, 7.30pm

Post show Q&A                 18 November, 7.30pm

SEAGULLS

12 February – 21 March 2026

Tickets:                               £15 – £40

Access performances:

Audio Described               12 March, 7.30pm, preceded by a Touch Tour

Captioned                           19 March, 7.30pm

Relaxed                               14 March, 2.30pm

Special performances:

Alcohol Free                      16 March, 7.30pm

Post show Q&A                 10 March, 7.30pm

PLEASE PLEASE ME

16 April – 23 May 2026

Tickets:                               £15 – £40

Access performances:

Audio Described               7 May, 7.30pm, preceded by a Touch Tour

Captioned                           14 May, 7.30pm

Relaxed                               20 May, 2.30pm

Special performances:

Alcohol Free                      27 April, 7.30pm

Post show Q&A                 12 May, 7.30pm

Danielle Tarento and Tony Award winner Annaleigh Ashford to co-produce the UK premiere of the Off Broadway smash hitTHE WHITE CHIP at Southwark Playhouse

The White Chip

written, autobiographically, by Sean Daniels
Directed by Matt Ryan

Southwark Playhouse Borough
77-85 Newington Causeway,
London SE1 6BD
9th July – 16th August 2025

Despite spending more time drunk than sober, Steven McAlister has managed to graduate from college, create an extremely successful theatre group, get married, and thrive in a dream job at one of the most prestigious regional theatres in the United States.

Sure, it’s gratifying to go to an AA meeting where they reward you with a white chip token just for showing up, but does he really have a problem?

Even with an ailing father, a marriage on the rocks, and his professional life careening out of control, Steven has a carefully constructed balancing act that keeps it all together – until it all falls apart.

Told with humour, honesty, and compassion, The White Chip is about living with addiction and coming alive through recovery.

Cast to be announced.

Creative team includes:
Director Matt Ryan
Designer Lee Newby
Lighting Designer Jamie Platt
Sound Designer Max Pappenheim

The UK premiere is produced by Danielle Tarento and Annaleigh Ashford.

Sean Daniels said: “It’s an honour to get to work with Danielle Tarento and Annaleigh Ashford to bring The White Chip to London. After the response we had in New York – the mix of laughter-filled shows and someone saying ‘I’m ready to get help’ after every performance – we knew we wanted to keep this going as long as we could. When you write a comedy about recovery you hope it finds the right people, people who get your dark sense of humour – from actors to producers to audience – and how lucky am I that it has.”

The show premiered in New York at 59E59 Theaters and was most recently produced at The Susan & Ronald Frankel Theater at MCC Theatre by Tony® Award winning actress Annaleigh Ashford alongside Hank Azaria, Jason Biggs, and fellow Tony® Award winner John Larroquette. The play received widespread acclaim, earning a coveted New York Times Critics’ Pick.

Performing Recovery
The production is working closely with Performing Recovery, the public face of the Addiction Recovery Arts Network, a non-profit organisation which promotes, connects and shares creative recovery practices thereby reducing the stigma of addiction-recovery. A percentage of every ticket sold will be donated to Performing Recovery.

Leon Clowes, co-founder of the Addiction Recovery Arts Network, will be reading The Alcoholic’s Tarot for anyone with burning questions after the show. As an artist with lived experience of addiction, he offers light-hearted readings of your alcoholic misfortunes using his adapted tarot cards. He’ll also be available after each performance to offer support, advice and guidance or just to chat about anything that may have come up for audience members during the play.

He said: “Performing Recovery is delighted that Tarento Productions is the first major sponsor of our network and magazine. Our mission is to ensure that the arts are the driving force behind changing the conversation around addiction, so to be supported and partnered with one of London’s top theatre producers and to have the opportunity to work along-side her on The White Chip is game changing for us.”

The production is delighted to be partnering with Club Soda and sponsored by Everleaf.

Club Soda is a global mindful drinking movement that helps people change their drinking habits. Through events, courses, community support, and better drinks, they empower individuals to make choices that work for them.

They said: “Alcohol-free drinks are a vital part of creating an inclusive arts experience, and we’re excited to see more theatres beginning to embrace this. With a play that invites reflection on drinking habits, it’s powerful to see the theatre make that conversation tangible. Offering a delicious, adult alcohol-free option shows that choosing not to drink isn’t a compromise – it can actually make your night out even better.”
Everleaf was founded by a conservation biologist turned mixologist who knows the world’s plants and how to use them. They make non-alcoholic aperitifs with nature’s tastes, textures and aromas so bartenders and consumers can craft great drinks. Everleaf variants take inspiration from the natural world, from the crisp and refreshing notes of Everleaf Marine, to the bittersweet Everleaf Forest, and vibrantly aromatic Everleaf Mountain., all of which will be available throughout the run.

Sean Daniels
Sean Daniels is a leading voice in using the arts to defeat addiction. He is an internationally known theatre director, writer, and artistic director, known for new work and innovative community-based leadership. His play, The White Chip, a New York Times Critics’ Pick, has been performed around the world as a catalyst for community conversation and connection. He is the Director of the Recovery Arts Project and serves as the Anti-Stigma Director for Live Tampa Bay, where his geotargeted anti-stigma campaign reached almost 13 million people in eight weeks. A USF analysis of the program found that it had “significant impacts in aspects of nearly every domain of  addiction stigma.” He’s coordinated and led recovery events with organisations like Tampa Bay Rays, City of Tampa, and been a speaker with the Clinton Global Initiative, SAMHSA, and Hazelden/Betty Ford. He’s currently coordinating mental health education efforts for Redwood on Broadway, and heading up the Clinton Foundation’s initiative to make all Broadway theatres recovery friendly. His op-ed in the Los Angeles Times about Matthew Perry’s passing and the stigma of relapses was read over 200,000 times. In the arts world, Sean has been named “one of the top 15 up and coming artists in the U.S., whose work will be transforming America’s stages for decades to come” and “One Of 7 People Reshaping and Revitalizing The American Musical” by American Theatre magazine.Talkbacks
On Thursday 17th July, Soberistas founder Lucy Rocca and Alcohol Change’s Brie Barros will be discussing ‘What Happens If I Don’t Want to Drink Anymore?’ following the show.

You can find more about the Soberistas online community here: https://soberistas.com/home

Alcohol Change is a national UK charity who provide support and advice: https://alcoholchange.org.uk/

On Wednesday 6th August, following the captioned performance, “Through an Addict’s Looking-Glass” author Waithera Sebatindira and music industry and diversity professional Paul Bonham will be
discussing ‘Is Addiction a Disability?

You can read more about Waithera Seantindira’s book here:
https://www.hajarpress.com/books/through-an-addicts-looking-glass

At both talkbacks, the guests will be in conversation with Performing Recovery’s Leon Clowes and taking questions from the audience. They are free to all ticket-holders for that night’s performance.

LISTINGS INFO

Danielle Tarento and Annaleigh Ashford
present

THE WHITE CHIP
by Sean Daniels

Directed by Matt Ryan

Location:
Southwark Playhouse Borough,
77-85 Newington Causeway,
London SE1 6BD

How To Get There:
The nearest stations are
Borough and Elephant & Castle

Performance Dates & Times:
9th July – 16th August at 7pm
(2.30pm Tuesdays and Saturdays)
Captioned performance on 6th August

Box Office link
southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/the-white-chip/

Ticket Prices:
Pioneer Preview £12
Previews £18
Full price £32
Concession £26

Age Guidance: 11+

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DIEGO ANDRES RODRIGUEZ

JOINS RACHEL ZEGLER IN

JAMIE LLOYD’S PRODUCTION OF

TIM RICE AND ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER’S

EVITA

AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM

SUMMER 2025

Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals and Jamie Lloyd forThe Jamie Lloyd Company today announce Diego Andres Rodriguez as Che in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita. He joins the previously announced Rachel Zegler (Eva Perón), with full cast and creatives to be announced. The production, directed by Jamie Lloyd, opens at The London Palladium on Tuesday 1 July, with previews from 14 June, and runs until 6 September 2025.

Jamie Lloyd said today, “Before he even graduated, Diego made his professional debut as Artie in our production of Sunset Blvd. on Broadway, in which he also understudied and played the leading role, Joe Gillis. He is an incredible young actor and a fantastic vocalist. We’re so thrilled he will be making his West End debut in Tim and Andrew’s iconic musical.”

Diego Andres Rodriguez said today, “I’m beyond thrilled to be making my West End debut in Evita this summer at the historic London Palladium! Being directed by Jamie Lloyd again, working with The Jamie Lloyd Company’s incredible team, and playing Che opposite Rachel is an opportunity of a lifetime. This is a dream come true!”

For Evita, there will be 5,000 tickets available across the run at £25 exclusively for under 30s, key workers and those receiving government benefits. These tickets will be available across all levels of the theatre, and go on sale at a later date. Further information to be announced.

EVITA

Lyrics by Tim Rice; Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Directed by Jamie Lloyd

The London Palladium

Saturday 14 June – Saturday 6 September 2025

“The truth is I never left you”

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary Evita returns to the West End, reimagined by the visionary award-winning director Jamie Lloyd.

Featuring an iconic score including Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, Oh What A Circus, Another Suitcase in Another Hall, and the Oscar-winning You Must Love Me.

Fuelled by ambition and passion, Eva Perón rose from poverty to become the most powerful woman in Latin America. A symbol of hope to many Argentines, her star shone brightly as she captured the nation’s heart and divided its soul. 

Produced by Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals and Jamie Lloyd for The Jamie Lloyd Company by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Ltd.

Jamie Lloyd originally directed Evita at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre as part of their 2019 season.

Instagram:          @OfficialEvita

Facebook:           /EvitaTheMusical

TikTok:                 @EvitaMusical

Rachel Zegler makes her West End debut as Eva Perón

Theatre credits include: Romeo + Juliet (Circle in the Square Theatre, Broadway).

Film credits include: Snow White, Spellbound, Y2K, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (People’s Choice Award for Action Movie Star of the Year); Shazam! Fury of The Gods and West Side Story (NBR Award for Best Actress; Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical).

Diego Andres Rodriguez makes his West End debut as Che

For The Jamie Lloyd Company: Sunset Blvd. (St. James Theatre, Broadway).

Tim Rice

Tim Rice has worked in music, theatre and films since 1965 when he met Andrew Lloyd Webber, a fellow struggling songwriter. Rather than pursue Tim’s ambitions to write rock or pop songs they turned their attention to Andrew’s obsession – musical theatre. Their first collaboration, The Likes Of Us, did not set the musicals world alight, but their next three works together did – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita.

Tim has since worked with other distinguished composers such as Elton John (The Lion King, Aida), Alan Menken (Aladdin, King David, Beauty and the Beast), Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson (Chess), and Stuart Brayson (From Here To Eternity). He has also written with Freddie Mercury, Burt Bacharach, Graham Gouldman, Gary Barlow and Rick Wakeman among others. Many of his musicals continue to play around the world in a huge variety of productions, big and small.

In 2024 Tim toured England (22 towns/cities) to present an evening of his songs, mercifully performed by top singers and musicians rather than by him, to which he added reminiscence and comment, recalling their creation, success (or rejection) and the joy (usually) of working with great composers. The show, entitled My Life In Musicals, did so well that it is to be repeated in 2025, this time taking in Wales, Scotland and Ireland too.

Sir Tim’s interests beyond music, film and theatre include cricket and he founded his own team in 1973. Heartaches CC has now played over 750 matches and been on playing tours to the USA, Russia, France, Estonia, Hungary, Germany and South Africa. He was President of the world’s most famous cricket club, MCC, in 2002.

He has recently recorded a series of talks for BBC Maestro on Writing and Performing in Musical Theatre. He writes and presents a podcast (entitled Get Onto My Cloud) about his sixty-year career– playing hits and flops, out-takes and number ones.

He dedicates considerable time to several British educational institutions and charities, many connected with sport for disadvantaged children. He is a patron of the Bob Willis Fund (along with Bob Dylan!), an enterprise inspired by the late great English cricketer, dedicated to raise prostate cancer awareness.

He crops up here and there in all branches of the media drawing on his extensive knowledge of the history of popular music. He has won several awards, mainly for the wrong thing or for simply turning up, but since you ask: 1 Emmy, 5 Grammys, 3 Tonys and 3 Oscars, making him an EGOT. His shows have spent more weeks on Broadway than those of any other British lyricist. He was knighted by Her Late Majesty the Queen in 1994. Despite hints, he is not retiring just yet.

Andrew Lloyd Webber

Andrew Lloyd Webber has composed the scores of some of the world’s most famous musicals. Lloyd Webber has had shows running across the world for decades, including continually in London’s West End for 50 years.

When Sunset Boulevard joined School of Rock, CATS, and The Phantom of the Opera he equalled Rodgers & Hammerstein’s record of four shows running simultaneously on Broadway. He is one of the select group of artists with EGOT status, having received Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards. 

Lloyd Webber owns six London theatres including the iconic London Palladium and Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Reopened in July 2021, the latter was completely restored and renovated at a cost of over £60 million. It was one of the biggest projects ever undertaken by a private theatre owner in recent times. His mantra is that every penny of profit made from his theatres is ploughed back into the buildings. 

Lloyd Webber is passionate about the importance of musical education and diversity in the arts. The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation provides 30 performing arts scholarships every year for talented students with financial need and supports a range of projects such as the Music In Secondary School Trust and commissioning research into diversity in theatre. 

Andrew Lloyd Webber has composed music for globally significant moments, including Olympic ceremonies and World Cup celebrations. He has been asked to compose for many royal occasions, the most recent being “Make a Joyful Noise”, an Anthem for the Coronation of King Charles III. 

Andrew Lloyd Webber was knighted in 1992, created an honorary life peer in 1997, and made a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter by King Charles III in 2024. 

Jamie Lloyd directs. His credits for The Jamie Lloyd Company include Much Ado About Nothing and The Tempest (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Romeo & Juliet (Duke of York’s Theatre), Sunset Blvd. (St. James Theatre, New York/Savoy Theatre – winner of seven Olivier Awards including Best Director and Best Musical Revival; Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Director), The Effect (National Theatre/The Shed, New York), A Doll’s House (Hudson Theatre, New York – nominated for six 2023 Tony Awards including Best Direction of a Play and Best Revival of a Play), The Seagull (Harold Pinter Theatre), Cyrano de Bergerac (Playhouse Theatre/Harold Pinter Theatre/Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York – Olivier Award for Best Revival; Critics’ Circle Theatre Award for Best Director), Betrayal (Harold Pinter Theatre/Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre – nominated for four 2021 Tony Awards including Best Direction of a Play and Best Revival of a Play; Critics’ Circle Theatre Award for Best Director), Pinter at the Pinter (Harold Pinter Theatre), The Maids, The Homecoming, The Ruling Class, Richard III, The Pride, The Hothouse and Macbeth (Trafalgar Studios).

LISTINGS

The London Palladium

LW Theatres

Box Office: evitathemusical.com / 020 3925 2998

Saturday 14 June – Saturday 6 September 2025

Nottingham Concert Hall – until Saturday 12 April 2025

Reviewed by Louise Ford

5*****

She’ll be good to you!

We prepared ourselves with a cool gin, at the Yarn bar, for last night’s performance. A great choice for such a hot performance.

The Concert Hall was packed last night for the first performance of Chicago. The curtains are still tightly drawn but in front of them, to the left, is a spotlight, single black chair with a black cane and a black hat. Behind the curtains we can hear the band warming up, all discordant notes and familiar riffs.

The anticipation is mounting when the curtains are drawn back to reveal darkness. Slowly the set is illuminated to reveal the band, right at the centre of the action. We have the best seats in the house in this Chicago jazz club. We are straight into one of the most catchy songs in the whole production, there’s a lot of great songs to choose  from, “All That Jazz”.
The song is performed by Velma Kelly (Djalenga Scott). Her performance is initially ice cold but builds to a veritable orgy of dancing with the whole ensemble dancing and gyrating on set. The slow finger clicks build to an absolute crescendo of dance and raw energy. It’s absolutely spellbinding.

So to recap it’s 1924 and we are in Chicago. A city in the thralls of gangsters, prohibition, jazz clubs and the pursuit of fame and fortune. The story is based on two women who were accused, tried and acquitted of murdering their lovers in 1924. The outline of their stories in the, quality, programme warrants further research. These two stories which made the front-page of the Chicago Tribune were turned into a book and then a play by Maurine Dallas Watkins. The play first appeared on Broadway in 1926. The first film version was in 1942 and stared Ginger Rogers.

In 1975 Bob Fosse obtained the rights  to the book. He worked with John Kander and Fred Ebb (they of Cabaret fame),to create the first musical version. And the rest as they say is history. Over the intervening, nearly, 50 years the show has been performed in the US and the UK, with a host of glamorous performers taking the leading roles.

Back to the production,during the performance of All That Jazz we are introduced to our other murderess Roxie Hart (Janette Manrara). She is shown arguing with and shooting her lover, dead. Nobody leaves me!

After she is arrested, we get to meet the other inmates of Cook County Jail. There are six inmates all clearly innocent of the crimes they have been accused of. They tell their stories by performing “Cell Block Tango”, another great sexy routine.

We are also introduced to one of the larger than life characters, Mamma Morton (Brenda Edwards), who performs the fantastic When You’re Good To Mamma. Her voice and stage presence are electrifying.

Mamma is the prison’s mover and shaker and introduces Roxie to Billy Flynn (Dan Burton). The lawyer for hire with an eye on the cash and the next step to fame and front page headlines. Billy, all shiny shoes, smart suit and slicked back hair, hits the stage with another banger Razzle Dazzle, which captures the way he operates!

The Busby Berkeley inspired fan dance to which Billy performs “All I Care About is Love“ changes the tempo of the show and brings in a more thoughtful vibe. Although we are all left wondering how far can we trust Billy as he performs for the press and the jury. There is one particular reporter that Billy is keen to get on Roxy’s side, the soft heated Mary Sunshine (Jordan Lee Davies). She has her own secrets to hide!

All the while we see Roxy and Velma venting  for Billy’s and The Press’ attention to get their stories over and show their innocence. I say innocence, I mean they both admit that they did it, but “They Had it Coming”.

The court scenes are pretty pared back but the ventriloquist style rendering of “We Both Reached For The Gun” performed by Billy Flynn and Roxie Hart, is full on, and very funny.
As well as the main characters there is also Roxie’s cuckhold husband Amos Hart (Joshua Lloyd). He occupies a grey cardigan space on the stage in contrast to the rest of the cast, all sexily dressed. My favourite song is Mr Cellophane, which Amos sings and illustrates with a pair of white gloves.

The band is on stage throughout the performance and are integral  to creating that night club vibe. They are energetic and seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. They add a great dimension to the performance. Another big tick for live music and real live performers.

The ensemble who cover all of the supporting roles (inmates, journalists, etc), are energetic, sexy and work effortlessly and tirelessly to create a wonderful evening’s entertainment.

The ensemble’s costumes are sexy in the extreme!

You really have to admire the whole cast who can simultaneously dance and sing, without getting out of breath or missing a beat.

So let’s all rush down to a “whoopee spot where the gin is cold but the piano’s hot”!

ANOUSHKA LUCAS’ AWARD-WINNING ELEPHANT

TO RUN AT MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY

Originally commissioned and developed by the Bush Theatre and following two successful runs, Menier Chocolate Factory and Kindred Partners today announce that Anoushka Lucas’ Elephant will run at the Menier in a reimagined new production for a limited season.

Part gig, part musical love story, part journey through Empire – Elephant is a bold and magnetic exploration of identity in 21^st Century Britain which was conceived and produced in its original form by the Bush Theatre. It opened in the company’s Studio space where it became the fastest selling show in their history, before transferring a year later to their main theatre space to sell out success. Lucas received the Best Writer Award at The Stage Debut Awards and was nominated for Most Promising Playwright at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards.

Directed by Jess Edwards, Elephant opens at the Menier on 29 May, with previews from 22 May, and runs until 28 June. 

THE MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY AND KINDRED PARTNERS PRESENT

ELEPHANT

WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY ANOUSHKA LUCAS

Director: Jess Edwards; Designer: Georgia Wilmot; Lighting: Laura Howard; Sound: Xana

Video Design: Gillian Tan

At school, Lylah couldn’t ask questions – she had to be good, good, good or else she’d lose her scholarship. At home she couldn’t ask questions; her cousins said she talked weird, and her parents were distracted. Then, a piano came through the sky and landed in Lylah’s council flat, just for her. As she poured over the keys and sound flooded into all the rooms, Lylah fell in love.

Now an adult, Lylah is swept up in the excitement of a new romance and a budding music career. But something still doesn’t feel right. In a search for answers, she turns to her piano. Where did you come from? Why are you here? The unspoken truth of their shared history spills into the light.

Following a sold-out run in the Bush Theatre, writer and performer Anoushka Lucas reunites with original director Jess Edwards.

Anoushka Lucas’ other theatre credits include Rhinoceros (Almeida Theatre), A Face in the Crowd (Young Vic), Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!  (Young Vic and Wyndham’s Theatre – Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical), The Crucible (Sheffield Theatres), Henry V (Donmar Warehouse), After Life (National Theatre), Jesus Christ Superstar (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Chiaroscuro (Bush Theatre), and Sparks (Edinburgh Fest / Vault Festival). For film, her work includes Murder on the Orient Express and Been So Long. Her recording work includes her debut album Dark Soul; and her compositions include Sparks (BBC Radio 4 / Edinburgh Festival / Vault Festival), The Ballad of Klook and Vinette (Park Theatre / NAMT Festival NYC), and The Etienne Sisters (Theatre Royal Stratford).

Jess Edwards directs. She is a multi-award-winning director and writer, and an experienced dramaturg. Her work has appeared across London and Europe, including at Bush Theatre, Soho Theatre, Southwark Playhouse, Arcola, Theatre503, the Roundhouse, and HighTide. She has also directed extensively at the Edinburgh Festival. She won the Summerhall Lustrum Award (Passengers in 2019) and the MTR Best Musical Award (Sparks in 2018). As a writer, her first screenplay Clitorati won the Studio21 Drama Script Award and her first play, Spooky Action at a Distance was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY

DRACULA, A COMEDY OF TERRORS

Until 3 May

LIZA in TYPSY!

7-11 May

ELEPHANT

22 May – 28 June

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

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

www.menierchocolatefactory.com

Twitter: @MenChocFactory

Instagram: @menierchocolatefactory

Cinemas across the UK and Ireland from 6th April 2025

Reviewed by Emily Smith

5*****

SIX The Musical, written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, has become a global sensation since its first performance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2017 and its subsequent West End debut in 2019. Now, for the first time, a filmed version of the production featuring the original West End cast is available in cinemas across the UK. Recorded in 2022 at the Vaudeville Theatre (London), the new film version makes the hugely popular show accessible to even more audiences.

The original West End cast are reunited for this production, with Jarnéia Richard-Noel as Catherine of Aragon, Millie O’Connell as Anne Boleyn, Natalie Paris as Jane Seymour, Alexia McIntosh as Anne of Cleves, Aimie Atkinson as Katherine Howard and Maiya Quansah-Breed as Catherine Parr. The chemistry between the queens is clear from the start, and they all deliver brilliant performances in their respective roles, complete with flawless vocals and energetic choreography! Natalie Paris’s stand-out performance of Heart of Stone delivers both emotion and power, while Aimie Atkinson’s rendition of All You Wanna Do takes the audience on a journey from fun to sombre, a testament to her acting skills.

Given that SIX The Musical is a concert, it is near impossible to compare the live stage show to a filmed production; being in the theatre and witnessing the performances live is incomparable. That being said, the film, directed by Liz Clare, captures the heart of the show and the incredible performances of the queens and the live band in their full glory. The professional recording provides new insights and close-up angles that you don’t necessarily see during the live show, adding an appreciation to the incredible costumes and finer details of the queens’ performances. The only thing I question is the choice to switch from the professional filming to an in-audience angle when Catherine Parr is delivering her speech. While it provides a sense of reality of what being in the audience in the show is like, the filmed version, which has felt very professional up to this point, loses it’s shine.

SIX The Musical LIVE! is definitely worth a watch, whether you’re already a fan of the stage show or haven’t yet had the opportunity to see it live in the West End or on tour. You’ll walk away singing the songs and perhaps having learnt a little more about Henry VIII’s six wives and their reclaimed her-story.

RIVERSIDE STUDIOS 

UNVEILS THEATRE PROGRAMME FOR MAY 

FOUR UNMISSABLE SHOW AND SERIES OF INSPIRING WORKSHOPS COME TO THE WEST LONDON ARTS VENUE 

DEAR ANNIE, I HATE YOU (7 MAY – 1 JUNE), BROKEN (8 – 26 MAY), A STAN IS BORN (10 – 29 MAY), THE EMPIRE STRIPS BACK: A BURLESQUE PARODY (2 MAY – 17 AUGUST) 

TICKETS AND FURTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE HERE 

This May, the team at Riverside Studios is proud to present an electrifying line-up of theatre, comedy, and immersive experiences, alongside a range of hands-on creative workshops. From a poignant award-winning debut to a Shakespearean satire, a musical comedy, and an internationally-acclaimed burlesque parody, there is something for everyone this month. 

Following a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2024, Dear Annie, I Hate You (7 May – 1 June) makes its highly-anticipated London debut. Shortlisted for the BBC Popcorn Writing Award, this powerful play by writer-performer Sam Ipema explores the reality of facing a brain aneurysm at the age of 20. With Olivier-nominated Dan Balfour’s immersive sound design and multi-media elements, the production transforms the stage into the liminal space of the human brain. In association with Headway East London and Headway West London, this critically-acclaimed play is a darkly funny and deeply moving story of survival, disability, and self-discovery. 

Back by popular demand after receiving an Offie nomination and winning Best Writing at the Bitesize Festival 2024, Broken (8 – 26 May) returns to Riverside Studios. Set in Shepherd’s Bush, this modern verse play blends Shakespearean-esque grandeur with contemporary dialogue to satirise the highs and lows of romance and emotional rollercoaster of falling in and out of love. Described as “a classic in the making” (London Pub Theatres), Broken delivers lyrical storytelling, dry wit, and raw emotion in equal measure. 

After a sold-out Soho Theatre preview, a five-star run at Edinburgh Fringe, and a hit Camden People’s Theatre season, A Stan Is Born (10 – 29 May) returns to London! Written and performed by Alexis Sakellaris, this musical comedy tells the hilarious and heartwarming story of a queer kid’s obsession with various legendary pop divas — from Whitney and Mariah to Beyoncé and Aretha — and their quest to find their inner diva. With ten original songs and a dash of satire, this show is a must-see for lovers of all things pop. 

Due to overwhelming demand, the internationally-acclaimed  The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody (2 May – 17 August) extends its London debut at Riverside Studios! This raunchy, hilarious, and entirely unauthorised theatrical spectacle has played to over 300,000 audience members worldwide, with sold-out shows in New York, Chicago, Paris, and Mexico City. Featuring a cast of scantily-clad, sultry, and seductive intergalactic icons, this raucous show offers an unforgettably outrageous night out and promises to be like nothing you’ve seen before. 

Workshops at Riverside Studios 

For those looking to hone their creative skills, Riverside Studios will also be presenting a range of workshops in May, including: 

Creative Collaboration: Running an Artistic Company (4 May) 

Led by Psychonaut Theatre’s co-founders Arielle Zilkha and Francesca Fatichenti, this workshop is tailored for multidisciplinary artists who are not only navigating creative collaborations but also balancing their artistic pursuits with the administrative demands of working in a company.  

 
Interactive Theatre NOW! (11 May) 

Also, presented by Psychonaut Theatre, this workshop is made for performance-makers at any level who are curious to learn and discover how interactive and technological elements can enrich their performance toolkit.  

 
Riverscribes: Introduction to Screenwriting (13 May and 27 May) 

Netflix screenwriter Henry Fitzherbert hosts a one-off screenwriting workshop and masterclass designed to help and inspire participants with their own projects, be it a one-line idea or a completed draft. Henry will give creative and practical guidance on individual projects and cover the basics of what makes a successful screenplay. 

Riverscribes: Songwriting (7 May and 21 May) 

Led by musician, Scarlet Billham, Riverscribes Songwriting is a space to develop your skills, no matter what stage you are at with an idea. 

 
Riverscribes: Playwriting (28 May) 

A lively and supportive creative writing forum where you are invited to share, discuss and develop your work.  There will also be an opportunity to test out the scripts of the group with script-in-hand performances. 

Head of Programming, Rhys Williamson said: “This May at Riverside Studios, we continue our commitment to bold and diverse storytelling, offering audiences a compelling mix of thought-provoking drama, laugh-out-loud comedy, and groundbreaking performance. We’re thrilled to welcome these fantastic productions and workshops to our stage, bringing fresh perspectives and unforgettable experiences to West London.” 

Aylesbury Waterside – Sunday 6th April 2025

Reviewed by Rachel Clark

5*****

Standing ovation – the whole theatre was up dancing

Queen of the Night – a tribute to Whitney Houston 10th Anniversary Tour was on at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre last night. The ultimate tribute has been a sell out at the Royal Albert Hall and I am not surprised, the power of the voice was incredible. There was the 5 piece live band with an amazing saxophonist and backing vocals.

Lead Whitney was amazing and she was the fasted outfit changer ever! no sooner had she let the stage she was back on in a different outfit and hairstyle!

There also featured backing vocalist that also did a few solo’s and the backing vocalists as Anna Richard and Bethany Carter.

The performance was put on by Paul Roberts productions and it was exceptional.

The iconic songs or should I say hits were all there , I Wanna Dance with Somebody, One Moment in Time, I’m Every Woman, How Will I Know and Plenty more

Park Theatre announces five new shows to take them into 2026

• Park Theatre partners with Papatango Theatre Company to present the winner of the Papatango New Writing Prize, The Meat Kings! (Inc.) Of Brooklyn Heights*
• Following their highly successful Forsyte Saga, Troupe revive Noël Coward’s The Rat Trap on its 100^th anniversary
• Athol Fugard’s The Train Driver is based on true events in South Africa
• Additions to the Summer season include Theatre by the Lake’s Steel as part of their national tour, and a one night only evening of poetry and jazz with Maureen Lipman

X (Twitter): @ParkTheatre | www.parktheatre.co.uk

Park Theatre has announced five new shows, including two timely revivals at the start of 2026 and the winner of the Papatango New Writing Prize. The first time Park Theatre has partnered with Papatango Theatre Company will be on The Meat Kings! (Inc.) Of Brooklyn Heights by Hannah Doran, running throughout November. 2026 will start with the return of Troupe theatre after The Forsyte Saga with Noël Coward’s The Rat Trap a century after its premiere, and a revival of Athol Fugard’s The Train Driver to celebrate his work after his passing earlier in the year. Newly added to the Summer season are Steel by Lee Mattinson, and a special fundraiser with Dame Maureen Lipman.

In an evening of joyous entertainment. Maureen Lipman & Friends: Poetry & Jazz (11 May) is a stellar lineup from the worlds of poetry and jazz. With British poets Jeremy Robson and Pauline Prior-Pitt, multi-award-winning vocalist Jacqui Dankworth, acclaimed American jazz pianist Charlie Wood, British jazz stalwart Art Themen on sax, and an appearance from centenarian actress Thelma Ruby. With a number of surprise acts on the night, the evening will support Park Theatre’s initiatives including three programmes for those living with dementia and their carers, and also their access performances, ensuring there is at least one access performance for every run in the venue.

Steel comes to Park Theatre (11 – 14 June) as part of its national tour presented by Theatre by the Lake. Lee Mattinson’s play, set on the wet West Cumbrian coast, follows mates James and Kamran when one of them discovers he is heir to a single mile of the British railway system. The lads are forced on a town-wide treasure hunt where annihilated aunties, Snakebite-drenched drag queens and a zombie Princess Diana lay in wait. In a town once rich with coal seams and ore, with community and carnivals, with sea air and ale, James and Kamran are fed up with feeling different – tonight they’re painting the town technicolour and asking what it means to be a man in a play about first loves, forging identities and the wild, wild hearts of teenage boys.

For the inaugural partnering between Park Theatre and Papatango Theatre Company on the Papatango New Writing Prize, winning play The Meat Kings! (Inc.) Of Brooklyn Heights (30 Oct – 29 Nov) is Hannah Doran’s drama carving into the dark underbelly of America’s anti-immigration policies and the brutal sacrifices that drive the pursuit of prosperity. T is the new summer hire at Cafarelli & Sons, an iconic New York butcher, but life in a messy cutting room isn’t glamorous. With the American dream of a better life hanging in the balance, T and her colleagues-turned-competitors sweat for their jobs. Alliances form, romance sparks, and loyalties shift.

Kicking off 2026, The Train Driver (14 Jan – 7 Feb) is a timely revival of Athol Fugard’s soulful exploration of guilt, suffering, racial intolerance and the powerful bonds that grow between strangers, based on a true story. In December 2000, Cape Flats, South Africa, a woman steps in front of a train with her baby on the railway tracks between Philippi and Nyanga. Two months later Roelf, the train driver, has spent weeks searching for the identities of the victims. After a fruitless journey through shanty towns, he encounters an old gravedigger named Simon who helps the desperate man unburden his conscience.

And finally, returning to Park Theatre after their hugely successful The Forsyte Saga Part 1 and 2, Troupe will be giving Noël Coward’s The Rat Trap (28 Jan – 14 Mar) a stylish period revival on its 100^th anniversary. In fashionable 1920s Belgravia, Sheila, a talented novelist, and Keld, an aspiring playwright, embark on married life. Both are fiercely ambitious, but when Keld’s career takes off and Sheila’s doesn’t, professional jealousy and an affair have a devastating effect on their marriage.

Artistic Director Jez Bond said, “I’m pleased to announce four plays and a fundraiser – with both spaces boasting a piece of new writing and a revival to enthral our audiences. We’re pleased to be working with two producers new to us, to begin a partnership with Papatango and to welcome back Troupe Productions (following their success with The Forsythe Saga). As we enter our thirteenth year, and arts funding seems more challenging than ever, we’re honoured by the continued support of our fabulous friends of stage and screen; and are delighted to welcome back Maureen Lipman and friends for a fundraising evening of poetry and jazz.”

Park Theatre presents exceptional theatre in the heart of Finsbury Park, boasting two world-class performance spaces: Park200 for predominantly larger scale productions by established talent, and Park90, a flexible studio space, for emerging artists. In eleven years, it has enjoyed 10 West End transfers (including Rose starring Maureen Lipman, The Boys in the Band starring Mark Gatiss, Pressure starring David Haig and The Life I Lead starring Miles Jupp), two National Theatre transfers, 14 national tours, seven Olivier Award nominations, has won multiple OffWestEnd Offie Awards, and a Theatre of the Year award from The Stage as well as their inaugural Campaign of the Year award in 2025 for their work reaching underserved audiences with Canadian/ Korean comedy drama Kim’s Convenience.

Listings information

Park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, London N4 3JP

www.parktheatre.co.uk | 020 7870 6876*

* Telephone booking fee of £3 per transaction applies. All ticket prices are inclusive of a £1.50 building levy.

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Park200                                                                                                                                  11 May

Maureen Lipman & Friends: Poetry & Jazz | Presented by Park Theatre  

An evening of joyous entertainment. Dame Maureen Lipman leads a stellar lineup from the worlds of poetry and jazz – from renowned British poets Jeremy Robson and Pauline Prior-Pitt to multi-award-winning vocalist Jacqui Dankworth, acclaimed American jazz pianist Charlie Wood and British jazz stalwart Art Themen on sax, this is set to be a delightful evening to remember. With an appearance from centenarian actress Thelma Ruby and a number of surprise acts on the night, don’t miss this special event – all in aid of Park Theatre.

Running time: 1hr 50 mins (inc interval)

Sun 11 May 7pm | £89.50 – £39.50

Park90                                                                                                11 – 14 June | Press night: Fri 13 June

Steel | Presented by Theatre by the Lake in association with Park Theatre   

Written by Lee Mattinson, directed by Liz Stevenson
Cast includes: Suraj Shah, Jordan Tweddle
Part of National Tour

Two lads. Twelve hours. One million pounds.

On the wet West Cumbrian coast, James and Kamran have been mates for more than a decade. At seventeen, the world should be theirs but Workington’s a ghost town – an unemployment blackspot where lasses drink Bacardi by the pint and boys don’t cry.

When James discovers he is heir to a single mile of the British railway system, the lads are forced on a town-wide treasure hunt where annihilated aunties, Snakebite-drenched drag queens and a zombie Princess Diana lay in wait. But who rightfully owns the mile of steel? Why is Kamran in such a strop? And what really happens in the pub down by the docks?

In a town once rich with coal seams and ore, with community and carnivals, with sea air and ale, James and Kamran are fed up with feeling different – tonight they’re painting the town technicolour and asking what it means to be a man in a play about first loves, forging identities and the wild, wild hearts of teenage boys.

Running time: 85 mins (no interval)

Weds – Sat 7pm, 3.15pm matinees Thu & Sat | £25 – £15 (standard), £9.50 (access), £10 (Park Up 16-26 years, throughout the run

For full tour dates see www.theatrebythelake.com/whats-on/steel-on-tour/

Park200                                                                                  30 Oct –  29 Nov | Press night: Tues 4 Nov

The Meat Kings! (Inc.) Of Brooklyn Heights | Presented by Papatango Theatre Company and Park Theatre

World Premiere of the 2024 Papatango New Writing Prize Winner

Written by Hannah Doran, directed by George Turvey

T is the new summer hire at Cafarelli & Sons, an iconic New York butcher, but life in a messy cutting room isn’t glamorous. No-nonsense boss Paula tries to keep everyone in line, but the business is struggling:  when the season ends, someone’s for the chop.  

With the American dream of a better life hanging in the balance, T and her colleagues turned competitors sweat for their jobs. Alliances form, romance sparks, and loyalties shift. But how far will they go to secure their future?   

The Meat Kings… carves into the dark underbelly of America’s anti-immigration policies and the brutal sacrifices that drive the pursuit of prosperity. Winner of the 2024 Papatango New Writing Prize from a record-breaking 1,589 submissions, Hannah Doran’s fierce and blisteringly funny debut play is directed by Papatango’s Artistic Director, George Turvey (Shook, National Tour & Sky Arts), following previous Prize discoveries that have won Olivier, Critics’ Circle and OffWestEnd awards. 

Relaxed performance Thurs 13 Nov 5pm, captioned performance Fri 21^st 7.30pm

Mon – Sat 7.30pm, matinees Thu and Sat 3pm I £57.50 – £22.50 (standard), £29.50 – £20 (65+ Mon eve and Thu mat, bands B, C and D only), £18.50 (access), £10 (Park Up 16-26 years Band C & D throughout the run) I Previews 30 Oct – 1 Nov £15 – £35

Park90                                                                                                14 Jan – 7 Feb | Press night: Fri 16 Jan

The Train Driver | Presented by Proud Haddock and Sarah Lawrie in association with Park Theatre

Written by Athol Fugard, directed by Jimmy Walters

December 2000, Cape Flats, South Africa. A woman steps in front of a train with her baby on the railway tracks between Philippi and Nyanga.

Two months later Roelf, the train driver, has spent weeks searching for the identities of the victims. After a fruitless journey through shanty towns, he encounters an old gravedigger named Simon who helps the desperate man unburden his conscience. Based on a true story, The Train Driver is a soulful exploration of guilt, suffering, racial intolerance and the powerful bonds that grow between strangers.

After receiving its world premiere at the Fugard Theatre, Cape Town in March 2010, the play received it’s UK premiere in November 2010 at the Hampstead Theatre.

This production is the first UK revival in 16 years and will be directed by Jimmy Walters (Mrs Orwell, The Trackers of Oxyrhynchus) and presented by Proud Haddock and Sarah Lawrie in association with Park Theatre.

Running time: 75 mins

Dementia friendly performance 22^nd Jan 3.15pm, captioned performance 27^th Jan 7pm

Mon – Sat 7pm, 3.15pm matinees Thu & Sat | £25 – £15 (standard), £9 (access), £10 (Park Up 16-26 years, throughout the run I Previews 14 & 15 Jan (£15)

Park200                                                                                  28 Jan – 14 Mar | Press night: Mon 2 Feb

The Rat Trap | Presented by Ashley Cook for Troupe in association with Park Theatre      

100^th year anniversary production

Written by Noël Coward, reimagined by Bill Rosenfield

‘When two brilliant egoists marry… there is bound to be trouble.’

In fashionable 1920s Belgravia, Sheila, a talented novelist, and Keld, an aspiring playwright, embark on married life. Both are fiercely ambitious, but when Keld’s career takes off and Sheila’s doesn’t, professional jealousy and an affair have a devastating effect on their marriage.

Startlingly moving, but full of customary sparkling wit and dark humour, Noël Coward’s first play is given a stylish period revival for its centenary year. The Rat Trap is lovingly revised by Bill Rosenfield and presented by Troupe, who return to Park Theatre after their critically acclaimed production of The Forsyte Saga Parts 1 and 2.

Running time: 2hrs 20 mins (inc interval)

Captioned performance Weds 11 Feb 7.30pm, audio described performance Sat 14 Feb 3pm

Tues – Sat 7.30pm (plus Mon 2 Feb), matinees Tues, Thu and Sat 3pm I £57.50 – £22.50 (standard), £29.50 – £20 (65+ Tue & Thu mat, bands B, C and D only), £18.50 (access), £10 (Park Up 16-26 years Band C & D throughout the run) I Previews 28 – 31 Jan  £15 – £35