NHS workers invited to ‘Nye’ at National Theatre and Vue cinemas nationwide

NATIONAL THEATRE PARTNERS WITH THE NHS INVITING HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO WATCH NYE LIVE ON STAGE AND IN CINEMAS NATIONWIDE FOR FREE

  • The National Theatre has invited 400 NHS workers to watch Nye, a play charting the life of Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan and his battle to create the NHS, at the Olivier theatre on 23 April.
  • In addition, 1000 NHS workers from across the UK have been invited to watch this performance in cinemas through National Theatre Live, in collaboration with Vue cinemas.
  • Nye is the 100th title to be released through National Theatre Live since its inception in 2009.

The National Theatre has partnered with the NHS to give 400 NHS workers free tickets to watch a live performance of Nye – Tim Price‘s (Teh Internet is Serious Business) new play directed by Rufus Norris (Small Island), charting the life of Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan and his battle to create the NHS, playing in the Olivier theatre.

To celebrate Nye as the 100th release from National Theatre Live, the National Theatre in collaboration with Vue has also invited 1000 NHS workers nationwide to watch the live broadcast in cinemas on 23 April, extending its commitment to share impactful stories that inspire and unite people.

The National Theatre has worked with the NHS to ensure tickets are allocated across the NHS including doctors, nurses, and student doctors for both the South Bank performance and Vue cinema tickets.

Michael Sheen plays Nye Bevan in a surreal and spectacular journey through the life and legacy of the man who transformed Britain’s welfare state and created the NHS, in this co-production with Wales Millennium Centre. Confronted with death, Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan’s deepest memories lead him on a mind-bending journey back through his life; from childhood to mining underground, Parliament and fights with Churchill.

Rufus Norris, Director of Nye and Director of the National Theatre, said, “I am honoured to extend a heartfelt invitation to NHS workers to share in this powerful story. This moment epitomises the National Theatre’s commitment to extending the reach of theatre to audiences wherever they are, both at the South Bank and through National Theatre Live. In collaboration with the NHS, we celebrate not only a historic moment, but also the ongoing journey to make theatre an accessible experience for everyone.”

Amanda Pritchard Chief Executive of NHS England, said, “Since Nye Bevan launched the NHS in 1948, it has never stood still – our history is one of innovation and adaption to meet the changing needs of the public, but the principles and the unwavering dedication always remain the same. And that is why it is such an honour that we will be joined by a range of NHS staff – past and present – to watch Nye at the National Theatre while giving hundreds of others the opportunity to see it across the country.”

Toby Bradon, General Manager for Vue UK and Ireland, said, “We are passionate about making quality event cinema such as live theatre accessible throughout the country on the Big Screen, and we are delighted that our partnership with National Theatre goes from strength to strength as they make their 100th production available. In particular, we are happy to welcome NHS workers to our screens across the country so they can be a part of this premiere that celebrates the origins of such a vital institution.”

Production Photos of New UK Tour of The 39 Steps

THE 39 STEPS began performances at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch last Thursday 14 March.  Following the run at Queen’s Theatre, the production will then tour from Tuesday 2 April, with a Gala Night on Thursday 4 April at Richmond Theatre in London.  The tour will run through to Saturday 3 August.  

Patrick Barlow’s hilarious adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller ran in London’s West End for nine years, finally closing in 2015.  It won the Olivier Award and What’s On Stage Award for Best Comedy in 2007.  It also took Broadway by storm, winning two Tony Awards and a Drama Desk Award in 2008.  The play, with its quintessentially plucky spirit and dashing sense of British fun, has toured to 39 countries and played to over 3 million people worldwide.

This wonderfully inventive and gripping comedy thriller features four fearless actors, playing 139 roles in 100 minutes of fast-paced fun and thrilling action.

The 2024 UK Tour is brought to the stage by UK tour director Nicola Samer, with the original creative team of designer Peter McKintosh, lighting designer Ian Scott, sound designer Mic Pool and director of movement Toby Sedgwick.  Casting is by Abby Galvin.  The tour is a remount of the award-winning production directed by Maria Aitken and adapted by Patrick Barlow.  

THE 39 STEPS at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is A Fiery Angel in association with Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch production.  The 2024 UK Tour is produced by Fiery Angel.

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Adrian Lukis (BBC’s Pride and Prejudice) to star in the London premiere of Being Mr Wickham, Jermyn Street Theatre this June

Original Theatre present the London premiere of

Being Mr Wickham

Performed and written by Adrian Lukis; Directed by Guy Unsworth

Playing Jermyn Street Theatre from 5 to 22 June 2024

Adrian Lukiswho starred in the renowned BBC TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, returns to the role of Mr Wickham in the London premiere of Being Mr Wickham, presented by Original Theatre at Jermyn Street Theatre from Wednesday 5 June to Saturday 22 June 2024. Tickets are now on sale:  https://www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk/show/being-mr-wickham/

Coming to London direct from a hit run in New York in 2023, this one-man play written and performed by Adrian Lukis, and directed by Guy Unsworth, explores one of Jane Austen’s most charmingly roguish gentleman characters. 

Join Pride and Prejudice’s George Wickham on the eve of his sixtieth birthday to lift the sheets on what exactly happened thirty years on from where we left him, and discover his own version of some very famous literary events.

“Mr. Wickham is blessed with such happy manners as may ensure his making friends – whether he may be equally capable of retaining them is less certain”. Mr Wickham is ready to set the record straight. What really happened with Darcy? What did he feel about Lizzie? What happened at Waterloo? Not to mention Byron…

Adrian Lukis said: “I was last in a play at this wonderful little theatre over twenty years ago. I love this theatre and am thrilled to have been invited back in the company of the dashing old roue, Mr George Wickham. We have all grown older and perhaps a little wiser. I hope that the re-emergence of the (thoroughly misunderstood) George Wickham, will not tarnish its continuing upward trajectory… but, keep the till locked, and half an eye on your wallets and daughters. So, please grab a glass, settle back and give the old boy a chance to explain, why for so many years, we’ve all got him wrong …”.

Adrian Lukis is currently filming Lockerbie for Netflix/BBC as well as The Road Trip (Paramount+). He most recently wrapped George Clooney’s Boys in the Boat and can currently be seen in Chris Foggins’ Bank of Dave (Netflix), The Man Who Fell To Earth (Showtime) and Feel Good series 1&2 opposite Lisa Kudrow. He’s on our screens in Tom Shankland’s Sas: Rogue Heroes for Kudos/BBC as well as Anatomy Of A Scandal for Netflix.  Known to millions in the 90s as Lt. Wickham in the BBC’s Pride & Prejudice, Adrian has since remained a fixture on British TV. He has recently appeared in: Us (Objective), Poldark 4 (Mammoth Screen), Bulletproof (Sky), Vera (ITV), Bounty Hunter (Tiger Aspect), The Crown II (Netflix), Collateral (BBC) and Genius: Einstein (History Channel) to name a few. He can also be seen in The Voyage Of Doctor Dolittle (Disney), Judy (BBC Films), Amundsen (Motion Bur) and The Festival (Fudge Park).

Being Mr Wickham is produced by Original Theatre, performed and written by Adrian Lukis and directed by Guy Unsworth with design by Libby Watson, sound design by Max Pappenheim and lighting design by Johanna Town. 

Original Theatre’s Artistic Director Alastair Whatley said: “We are delighted to be giving Mr Wickham his London debut at the intimate (and centrally located) Jermyn Street Theatre whose proximity to the bright lights of the capital city will indeed suit his taste for the high life. After gallivants around the UK and more recently in New York we couldn’t be more thrilled to be at last giving Mr Wickham his London season.”

Founded in 2004, Original Theatre has toured extensively all over the UK, introducing its digital arm Original Online in 2020, producing several acclaimed online productions. The award-winning producer is behind recent hit productions of The Interview, Murder in the Dark, Agatha Christie’s The Mirror Crack’d, and The Time Machine – A Comedy at Park Theatre which was recently nominated for an Olivier Award, and is currently on tour. In 2022, Original Theatre was awarded a Critics’ Circle Theatre Award for exceptional theatre-making during the Covid lockdowns. 

-LISTINGS- 

Show: Being Mr Wickham

Venue: Jermyn Street Theatre,16b Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6ST

Dates: 5-22 June 2024; Monday to Saturday 7.30pm; Tuesday, Saturday 3.00pm

Running Time: 60 minutes

Box Office: https://www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk/show/being-mr-wickham/  020 7287 2875

Age Guidance: 10+
Content Warnings: none

Access information: no wheelchair access; for details of captioned performances and audio description introductions visit: https://www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk/access/

Category: theatre / drama 

UK Tour Announced of Stephen Daldry’s multi award-winning production of JB Priestley’s AN INSPECTOR CALLS

UK TOUR ANNOUNCED OF

J B PRIESTLEY’S CLASSIC THRILLER

AN INSPECTOR CALLS

OPENING

FRIDAY 30 AUGUST 2024

AT ALEXANDRA PALACE, LONDON

BEFORE VISITING 26 VENUES ACROSS THE UK

PW Productions is delighted to announce that following a sell-out tour in 2022, Stephen Daldry’s multi award-winning National Theatre production of JB Priestley’s AN INSPECTOR CALLS will embark on a UK Tour for 2024-25.

Opening at Alexandra Palace, where it will play for 3 weeks, the tour will then visit Stoke, Darlington, Bristol, Belfast, Leicester, Eastbourne, Liverpool, Aylesbury, Salford, Norwich, Southampton, Shrewsbury, Hull, Cardiff, Blackpool, Wolverhampton, Truro, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Sunderland, Sheffield, Bradford, Birmingham, Llandudno, Milton Keynes and Wimbledon. Casting to be announced.

When Inspector Goole arrives unexpectedly at the prosperous Birling family home, their peaceful dinner party is shattered by his investigations into the death of a young woman. His startling revelations shake the very foundations of their lives and challenge us all to examine our consciences. More relevant now than ever, this is a must-see for a whole new generation.

Since 1992, Daldry’s seminal production of An Inspector Calls has won a total of 19 major awards, including four Tony Awards and three Olivier Awards, and has played to more than 5 million theatregoers worldwide.

Director Stephen Daldry said: “We’re thrilled to be presenting another tour of An Inspector Calls and excited to be opening at the Alexandra Palace. When we first made this production at the National Theatre in 1992 we could never have dreamt that it would still be going 32 years later and be just as relevant today as it was when it was first written.”

Stephen Daldry is an award-winning Theatre, Film and Television Director & Producer. He has directed theatre productions for London’s West End & New York’s Broadway, including BILLY ELLIOT, THE INHERTIANCE & AN INSPECTOR CALLS, winning multiple Olivier & Tony awards.  His latest play STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW opened at London’s Phoenix Theatre in December 2023.

Stephen has directed 6 feature films which have all been nominated for major industry awards.  Netflix’s THE CROWN, which he serves as Executive Producer, recently released the final season, with Stephen back directing the last episode.

Stephen served as Producer on the opening & closing ceremonies for the LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS and was Artistic Director on VOGUE WORLD LONDON in 2023.

Stephen is the Chairman of refugee arts charity GOOD CHANCE and was the director of their award-winning production THE JUNGLE.  He serves on the board of THE PERLMAN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER in NY.

Aakash Odedra and Aditi Mangaldas’ new work to be performed at Birmingham Hippodrome

Aakash Odedra and Aditi Mangaldas’ new work to be performed at Birmingham Hippodrome

Image: Aakash Odedra and Aditi Mangaldas. Photo by Angela Grabowska

A new collaboration from two of the finest Kathak contemporary dancers on the world stage, Aakash Odedra and Aditi Mangaldas is set to be performed at Birmingham Hippodrome on Tuesday 9 April.

Telling the story of a taboo relationship between an older woman and a younger man, Mehek is a powerful and mesmerising duet, showing a physical exploration of the human heart, its desires, courage, and resilience.

Mehek marks the first full length duet of Mangaldas’ illustrious 50-year career and is Hippodrome Associate Aakash Odedra Company’s first major production since Samsara which has been touring the world to great acclaim since its creation in 2022.

Derived from the Hindi word for fragrance, the title Mehek alludes to the enduring power of memory and the essence of love itself.  As the story unfolds, elements of nature will be explored with a set of mirrors by Tina Tzoka evoking the expansive waters of the sea, complimented by an epic and intimate score by composer Nicki Wells. Live on stage music will be performed by Faraz Ahmed alongside two Indian percussionists, Ashish Gangani and Hiren Chate.

At the start of the creative process, the company worked with over 450 elders from communities across Leicester who were taking part in Mehek Live, a major learning and participation project funded by a Nationally Significant Project Grant from Arts Council England. Some of their personal stories and memories of life and love, told to Aakash Odedra, dramaturg Karthika Naïr and musician Hiren Chate, have fed into the final piece.

Mehek comes to Birmingham Hippodrome on Tuesday 9 April. Tickets are on sale now and can be booked at www.birminghamhippodrome.com or by calling 0844 338 5000* 

*calls cost 4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge. 

Casting Announced for Withnail & I at Birmingham Rep

CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR

THE WORLD PREMIERE

OF A NEW STAGE ADAPTATION OF

THE CULT FILM CLASSIC

WITHNAIL AND I

ROBERT SHEEHAN,

ADONIS SIDDIQUE & MALCOLM SINCLAIR

TO PLAY WITHNAIL, MARWOOD & UNCLE MONTY

Friday 3 – Saturday 25 May 2024

The Birmingham Rep

The BAFTA and IFTA nominated Irish actor Robert Sheehan will star as Withnail in Birmingham Rep’s brand new adaptation of Bruce Robinson’s 1987 British tragi-comedy film, Withnail and I, alongside Adonis Siddique as Marwood with Malcolm Sinclair as Uncle Monty.  

Directed by the double Olivier Award-winning Artistic Director of Birmingham Rep, Sean Foley and designed by Alice Power, itwill have its premiere at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, with performances from 3 May until 25 May 2024.

Robert Sheehan made his acting debut in Aisling Walsh’s acclaimed feature Song For A Raggy BoySince then, his screen credits include:  Season of the Witch, Cherrybomb, Killing Bono, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, The Road Within, The Song of Sway Lake, Anita B, The Messenger, Moonwalkers, Jet Trash, Geostorm, Bad Samaritan, Three Summers, Mute, Mortal Engines, the BAFTA winning Red Riding trilogy for Channel 43, the multi-IFTA winning Love/Hate, the BAFTA winning Misfits for E4 (for which he was BAFTA nominated), The Borrowers, Fortitude, Genius: Picasso, The Last Bus, The Umbrella Academy and the upcoming film Red Sonja.   His theatre work includes The Playboy of the Western World directed by John Crowley for the Old Vic, Richard III in The Wars of the Roses directed by Trevor Nunn for the Rose Theatre and Endgame directed by Danya Taymor for the Gate Theatre Dublin.


Adonis Siddique’s theatre credits include: The Crown Jewels in the West End, Saleem in East Is East (a Birmingham Rep co-production with the National Theatre); Dorian Gray in The Picture Of Dorian Gray  at the Pleasance Theatre in London, Crowther in The History Boys, Jav in Mismatched, a Sky Comedy/Birmingham Rep production, Quasim in Very Special Guest Star atSoho Theatre and Kyle in Dad at SouthwarkPlayhouse. Adonis was a creative collaborator and actor in Shunt’s Party Skills For The End Of The World at The Manchester International Festival.  His film & television credits include: Newark NewarkTin Star,  Tyrant, Beyond Reasonable Doubt for CNN and the feature film Me Myself and D.

Malcolm Sinclair is currently appearing at the National Theatre in Dear Octopus with Lindsay Duncan.  His other many theatre credits include The Inquiry at Chichester Festival Theatre,  My Fair Lady in the West End, The Light in the Piazza internationally and at the Royal Festival Hall,  An Enemy of the People at Nottingham Playhouse, This House at Chichester Festival Theatre and at the Garrick Theatre,  The Doctor’s DilemmaThe Habit of Art, The Power of Yes and House/Garden, History Boys and Racing Demonfor the National Theatre,  Ivanov at the Donmar Warehouse and Richard IIIUncle Vanya and The Comedy of Errors for the Royal Shakespeare Company.  His many TV credits include Andor in A Star Wars Story for Disney +,  Midsomer MurdersVirtuoso Silk,   Henry V,  The Hollow CrownFoyle’s WarHustleJudge John DeedA Touch of Frost and the US mini-series,  Scarlett.   His many films include: Drowning; The Man Who Knew InfinitySurvivorA Belfast storyThe Young VictoriaCasino Royale, V for Vendetta,  Keep The Aspidistra FlyingYoung Poisoner’s HandbookGod On The Rocks,  Now That It’s Morning and Success Is The Best Revenge.

Written and adapted for the stage by Bruce Robinson himself, the writer and director of the original film, the show will bring to life some of the most iconic comic characters ever created. The film, based on Robinson’s own unpublished novel, was produced by Handmade Films and starred Richard E GrantPaul McGann and Richard Griffiths.

Sean Foley said:  “Hilarious, tragic, and wild, Withnail and I, is a comedy like no other, and I’m thrilled to be working with the legendary Bruce Robinson to bring it to life on stage… In fact, where better for the extraordinarily funny tale of two unemployed actors who go on holiday, ‘by mistake’? Rightly regarded as one of the finest British film’s ever made, our world premiere stage version brings to life the classic dialogue, the insane situations, and above all the boozy, irresistibly hilarious relationship of one of the most famous slacker duo’s ever created…”

September 1969… the swinging ’60’s, rock ’n’ roll, counter culture bohemianism… and two young unemployed actors – the flamboyant, boozy Withnail, and the shy, contemplative Marwood – live in utter squalor in a flat in Camden Town, praying for a job… Their only visitor is their drug dealer, Danny; their only expeditions are to the local pubs; and their only friends each other… 

Needing a break from the atrocious state of their acting careers, they hit upon the idea of a nice holiday – and Marwood proposes a trip to a cottage in the Lake District, owned by Withnail’s wealthy Uncle Monty. Monty lives in Chelsea, and after a few drinks together, agrees to lend them the key to the cottage – for a price…

Regarded as one of the finest British film’s ever made, this world premiere stage version brings to life the classic dialogue, the insane situations, and above all the boozy, irresistibly hilarious relationship of one of the most famous slacker duo’s ever created…

‘We want the finest wines available to humanity, we want them here and we want them now!’

Withnail & I is produced for the stage by Birmingham Repertory Theatre alongside Handmade Films and George Waud for Groove International.

Casting is by Ginny Schiller.  Further cast and creative team details will be announced in due course.

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED SMASH-HIT STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW EXTENDS DUE TO PUBLIC DEMAND

★★★★★

The West End Event Of The Year”

Daily Telegraph

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED SMASH-HIT

STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW 

EXTENDS DUE TO PUBLIC DEMAND

★★★★★

‘Breathtaking Theatre’

The Guardian

THE WHATSONSTAGE AWARD-WINNER OF BEST NEW PLAY

AND NOW NOMINATED FOR 5 OLIVIER AWARDS INCLUDING BEST ENTERTAINMENT AND BEST DIRECTOR

IS NOW BOOKING UNTIL 15 DECEMBER

★★★★★

‘The First Shadow is a Scintillating Experience’

Metro

Sonia Friedman Productions and Netflix today announce that the critically acclaimed world première production of Stranger Things: The First Shadow extends until the 15 December 2024 at the Phoenix Theatre.

Written by Kate Trefry and with direction by Stephen Daldry and co-director Justin Martin, the production opened to rave reviews at the Phoenix Theatre on 14 December 2023. Recently winning the WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Play, and receiving 5 Olivier Award nominations including Best New Entertainment Play, Best Director, Best Set Design, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound Design.

★★★★★

“As a piece of total theatre, this is streets ahead of anything else”

Evening Standard

★★★★★

‘Sinister and thrilling trip balances horror and humour to great effect. This is exhilarating live theatre…’

Financial Times

Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions present 

STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW 

By Kate Trefry 

Original story by The Duffer BrothersJack Thorne & Kate Trefry 

Based on the Netflix Series, Stranger Things, created by the Duffer Brothers 

The Duffer Brothers act as creative producers, with 21 Laps Entertainment as associate producer. 

Directed by Stephen Daldry, with co-direction by Justin Martin, leading the world class award-winning creative team, the cast is Shane Attwooll (Chief Hopper), Kemi Awoderu (Sue Anderson), Chase Brown (Lonnie Byers), Christopher Buckley (Bob Newby), Ammar Duffus (Charles Sinclair), Gilles Geary (Ted Wheeler), Florence Guy (Karen Childress), Max Harwood (Alan Munson), Michael Jibson (Victor Creel), Oscar Lloyd (James Hopper Jr.), Louis McCartney (Henry Creel), Isabella Pappas (Joyce Maldonado), Matthew Pidgeon (Principal Newby), Calum Ross (Walter Henderson), Maisie Norma Seaton (Claudia Yount), Patrick Vaill (Dr Brenner), Alex Young (Virginia Creel), Ella Karuna Williams (Patty Newby), and Anika BoyleLily CrawfordFaith Delaney and Imogen Turner (alternating the role of Alice Creel); with Tricia Adele-TurnerLauren ArneySamuel BaxterReya-Nyomi BrownPatricia CastroLydia FraserIsaac GrynMark HammersleyBenjamin Lafayette, Tom PetersKingdom SibandaTiana SimoneDanny Sykes and Meesha Turner

ABOUT STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW

Hawkins, 1959: a regular town with regular worries. Young Jim Hopper’s car won’t start, Bob Newby’s sister won’t take his radio show seriously and Joyce Maldonado just wants to graduate and get the hell out of town. When new student Henry Creel arrives, his family finds that a fresh start isn’t so easy… and the shadows of the past have a very long reach.

Brought to life by a multi-award-winning creative team, who take theatrical storytelling and stagecraft to a whole new dimension, this gripping new adventure will take you right back to the beginning of the Stranger Things story – and may hold the key to the end.

STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW is written by Kate Trefry, directed by Stephen Daldry with co-director Justin Martin, set design by Miriam Buether, costume design by Brigitte Reiffenstuel, lighting design by Jon Clark, sound design by Paul Arditti, original music composition, orchestration, arrangements and supervision by D.J. Walde, illusions design & visual effects by Jamie Harrison & Chris Fisher, video design & visual effects by 59 Productions, choreography by Coral Messam, movement direction by Lynne Page, wigs, hair and make-up design by Campbell Young Associates, technical director is Gary Beestone for Gary Beestone Associates, props supervision by Mary Halliday, dialect by William Conacher, fight direction by Kev McCurdy, casting by Jessica Ronane Casting CDG with additional casting by Charlotte Sutton CDG, and international casting consultancy by Jim Carnahan.

STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW

LISTINGS

Phoenix Theatre

Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0JP

For further ticket information, performance schedule, full creative team and cast biographies,

please visit strangerthingsonstage.com and the official social channels:

Instagram.com/STOnStage

Tiktok.com/STOnStage

Facebook.com/STOnStage

Twitter.com/STOnStage

OPEN DOOR ANNOUNCE ELEVATE PARTICIPANTS FOR 2023/24

OPEN DOOR UNVEILS ELEVATE PARTICIPANTS FOR 2023/2024

Open Door have today unveiled the latest graduating actors selected to be part of Open Door Elevate, an initiative now in its fourth year, designed to help emerging talent from lower-income backgrounds as they enter the professional industry.

The individuals this year were put forward by some of the UK’s top Drama Schools and the selected seven actors were chosen by a leading industry panel made up of Open Door actor and founder David Mumeni, Shaheen Baig (Casting Director), Amy Ball (Casting Director), Claire Maroussas (Independent Talent) and Kate Morrison (B-Side).

The actors selected for the 2023/2024 Elevate Group are: Roman Asde (LAMDA), Sophie Cox (Guildhall School of Music and Drama), Rafe Slade (Italia Conti), Joseph Stanley (Bristol Old Vic Drama School), Kate Wilson (Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama) and Bethany Wooding (Guildhall School of Music and Drama). 

Open Door said today “We’re so excited to be working this group of exiting actors on our Elevate programme. After the success of last years graduates, never has it been more important to mentor new talent entering the industry.”

Previous Elevate participant Eva Morgan, will take on the lead role in upcoming Channel 4 series The Gathering and Ava Hinds-Jones is the current lead in Gen-Z for Channel 4.

Open Door was launched by actor David Mumeni in 2017 to help provide budding actors and behind-the-scenes creatives from low income households with the opportunity to enter the industry. The organisation counts Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson, Riz Ahmed and David Morrissey among its supporters and in December, was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the British Independent Film Awards. Its participants are already making waves in the industry, with graduate Jerome Lance featuring in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds, Dionne Brown currently appearing as a series regular in Criminal Record for Apple  TV alongside Cush Jumbo and Peter Capaldi, and taking on the title role in hotly anticipated Channel 4 series Queenie. Along with this Open Door are proud to have multiple participants landing roles at the National Theatre, Regents Park Open Air Theatre and at The Old Vic.

As factors such as the cost-of-living crisis and ongoing barriers to the industry continue to disproportionately impact on those from lower-income backgrounds, Open Door once again supports emerging talent preparing to graduate from Drama School who had not previously been involved with the organisation.

Open Door Elevate launched in 2022, with each Drama School in the Federation of Drama Schools invited to nominate two candidates who met the criteria of being a final year student on their respective B.A. Acting Course and who come from a household with a combined income of £33,000 per year or under.

The actors supported by Open Door Elevate will merge with those participating in the Open Door Graduating Group programme, which offers support to actors already part of Open Door as they prepare to transition from Drama School into the professional industry. The actors selected for Open Door Elevate will receive the same opportunities, enhancing the support they may receive at their drama school. Actors will participate in Q&As and workshops, with the recent programme including a workshop delivered by The Donmar Warehouse Artistic Director Michael Longhurst, audition workshops with the National & RSC, and Q&As with leading talent agencies including Independent Talent, United Agents, ARG, Emptage Hallet, Conway Van Gelder Grant, 42 Management and Curtis Brown.

For further information please visit opendoor.org.uk.

FULL CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR ENGLISH PREMIERE PRODUCTION OF MIDSUMMER

FULL CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR MERCURY THEATRE AND BARN THEATRE’S ENGLISH PREMIERE PRODUCTION OF DAVID GREIG AND GORDON MCINTYRE’S PLAY WITH SONGS

MIDSUMMER

MERCURY THEATRE FROM 3-18 MAY

BARN THEATRE FROM 22 MAY-22 JUNE

Mercury Theatre Colchester and the Barn Theatre in Cirencester have today announced the full cast and creative team for their English premiere production of David Greig and Gordon McIntyre’s play with songs MidsummerThe production marks the first co-production between the two venues.

Penned by award-winning playwright, David Greig, and composed by songwriter, Gordon McIntyreMidsummer is a rose-tinted musical rom-com that provides a fast-paced, funny look at love, life, and the ache of aging. The co-production will run from 3-18 May in Colchester and 22 May – 22 June in Cirencester.

One Midsummer night in Edinburgh, two ill-matched thirty-somethings – a high-powered, hard-drinking lawyer called Helena, who’s stuck in a dead-end affair with a married man, and a small-time crook called Bob – collide with one another for one short night of wild abandon, with hilarious consequences. It’s an unlikely coupling as both are all too aware, but it’s Midsummer and anything can happen…

The Mercury’s creative director Ryan McBryde (BaskervilleThe Comedy of Errors) will direct the riotously funny, touchingly romantic 90-minute tour d’amour in all its drunken, heartfelt glory.

The cast of Midsummer will be Ross Carswell (Girl From The North Country – UK Tour) as Bob, Karen Young (Kidnapped – National Theatre of Scotland) as Helena, Will Arundell (Kinky Boots – New Wolsey Theatre & Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch) as Narrator 1 and Laura Andresen Guimarães (Unbelievable – Mercury Theatre & West End) as Narrator 2.

Joining McBryde on the creative team is Libby Todd as Designer, Paul Herbert as Musical Director, Rory Beaton as Lighting Designer, Mark Melville as Sound Designer, Chihiro Kawasaki as Movement Director, Natalie Gallacher for Pippa Ailion Casting as Casting Director and Chani Merrell as Assistant Director.

McBryde said of the show, “David Greig is one of our most exciting writers and we’re delighted to be sharing his and Gordon McIntyre’s multi award winning romantic comedy with our audiences. Full of laughs and tinged with hope, this play with songs is an inventive, laugh out loud, love-song to everyone who has ever felt stuck in a rut: reminding us that no matter how repetitive, dull, or hopeless our lives might seem, change is always possible.”

Iwan Lewis, CEO & Artistic Director, Barn Theatre said, “In today’s world, it’s crucial for theatres to adapt and seek innovative approaches to their productions. For a small, independent theatre like the Barn, which harbours large aspirations yet operates without subsidies, finding the right partners can prove challenging. With the Mercury, we’ve discovered an incredibly inspiring ally. They not only share our vision but have also broadened our horizons, showing us what’s possible at the next level. ‘Midsummer,’ is a musical comedy that I’ve hoped to stage for many years and is the perfect production for our first collaboration.”

Tickets can be bought at www.mercurytheatre.co.uk and www.barntheatre.org.uk.

Syncopation Review

Bridewell Theatre, London – until 13 April 2024

Reviewed by Chelsea Kania

4****

A very good show

It’s 1912 and New York is on the cusp of becoming the cultural superpower it is today, charged with new politics and creative undercurrents: particularly music. Swept up by the beat are seamstress Anna and meatpacker Henry, eager to become a renowned dance duo – and with a little spark between them, maybe something more.

Director Karen Jemison (Blood Brothers, Pacific Overtures) brings Allan Knee’s ballroom-inspired play to life with the choreography of Strictly Come Dancing’s Jenny Thomas, and a score of classics arranged by musical director Fiz Shapur. Jemison states, “Syncopation has everything you could want in a play and more – wonderful Ragtime music, a touching comic drama with two highly engaging characters and lots of ballroom dancing!”

The dancing and romancing are performed by West End and Broadway performers Devon-Elise Johnson (Half a Sixpence, Mamma Mia, Titanic) as Anna, and Jye Frasca (Wicked, Jersey Boys, Mary Poppins) as Henry. Syncopation is not so much a full-scale musical as a quirky romantic drama with comedic elements and dancing to help tell it. The story itself is a bit repetitive at times, but impressive stamina is on display here; as the sole cast members, Johnson and Frasca occupy the stage for two and a half hours with grace and charisma that can’t be faulted.

Mayou Trikerioti and Joseph Thomas also work wonders with a spartan set and lighting. I say this with real delight; I’ve never seen shipping crates look so ethereally beautiful. Anna and Henry are inspired by real-life couple Irene and Vernon Castle, who chased their dancing dreams right into celebrity, popularising contemporary dance and music both on stage and for a burgeoning generation of moviegoers. Jemison’s minimalist production favours quality of talent over theatrical spectacle, but it does a nice job of imagining the backdrop of early modernising 20th century New York.

Syncopation is a spirited celebration of early American dreaming with dance at its core.