Author: FairyPoweredProductions

The Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield – runs until 13th October 2018.

Reviewed by Sophie Dodworth

3***

Fame! I’m gonna live forever is a line from a song that we (nearly) all know. Some of us have seen the film, some of us have danced away to the main number from the soundtrack in a nightclub somewhere and some of us may be avid fans of the theatre production. Either way, we all have in some way, shape or form heard of this production and that must be what helps sell the show as this production, even though many a talented performer on stage, really isn’t as strong as it should be in the shape of its story line.

This 30th anniversary tour comes from Selladoor Productions. It is based on the 1980 phenomenal pop culture film of the same name. Fame follows the lives of students at New York’s High School for the Performing Arts as they navigate their way through the highs and lows, the romances and the heartbreaks and the ultimate elation of life. This bittersweet but uplifting show explores the issues that confront many young people today: prejudice, identity, pride, literacy, substance abuse and perseverance.

There is some real talent on the stage for this show. Each and every performer is super talented and multifaceted. Jorgie Porter, playing Iris, makes a great impression for her first stage production, her dancing is remarkably beautiful and really works well alongside her on stage boyfriend Tyrone, played by Jamal Kane Crawford.

Stephanie Rojas plays Latino Carmen, her character brings life to the stage but her story ends in tragedy. Her voice is stunning and her dancing strong. Molly McGuire, playing Serena must have a huge well done and appreciation shown for her outstanding voice; even managing to not falter after running up a flight of stairs. It is sweet, clear and is the definition of a voice perfect for musical theatre.

A real standout moment has to be the solo number for Miss Sherman, played by Mica Paris. The solo of These Are my Children is a real moment; the attention of the audience is evident as Paris’ tones wash over the auditorium, evoking emotions when she sings about never being able to have a child of her own. She takes the loudest applause with her when she exits after this masterpiece.

Think of Meryl Streep is another great number for the show, sang by Molly McGuire, dramatic and impactful but leaving a smile on the faces in the audience. The highlight of the show has to be the final number and the one that we have all been waiting for of Fame. All the company injects every last inch of their energy in to it and it is colourful, loud and perfectly executed.

Fame could be a much stronger piece if they didn’t try to focus on the stories of so many individuals and maybe had a more concentrated, solid story line based on fewer members of the cast. Overall the production is bright and energetic and for fans, a must see.

Salisbury Play House – until 20 October 2018

Reviewed by Nicky Wyatt

3***

A fast moving and thought provoking play showcasing the difficulties that women struggled with to get the vote. Suffragettes were the gain of the male
dominated governments and lands during the early 1900s.

Her Naked Skin celebrates a 100 years since women got given the right vote. It’s a powerful play written by Rebecca lenkiewicz , with a strong female cast that
don’t pull their punches. The story tells of their struggles not only to get a vote
but a voice that is heard.

It is a thought provoking, toe curling story that not only shows the struggle for the vote but also feminism itself.

Celia Cain (Abigail Cruttenden) a wealthy lady that is heavily involved with the Union , is prepared to be imprisoned for following her beliefs and much to her husband’s William Cain ( Robert Hands)dismay often ends up there. Her dear friend and my stand out actor Florence Bowman ( Jane How) is also determined to be heard and suffer for her voice. On one of their rallies they meet factory machinist Eve Douglas ( Lorna Fitzgerald), she is a working class girl that gets caught up not only in the movement but also in an intimate relationship Celia, this doesn’t go in noticed by Florence, who doesn’t approve.

During their time in prison they are subjected to force feeding and other poor treatment. On the outside they enjoy illicit intimacy that is until Celia becomes bored of Eve.

It’s an interesting story. The actors are clearly passionate about the story, I found the many scene changes distracting and not always necessary for the few words that were spoken in some.

Bristol Hippodrome – until 13 October 2018

Reviewed by Lucy Hitchcock

4****

 

As a longtime fan of the film, I was excited to hear that this was coming to the stage … and I was not disappointed! We follow Marty the Zebra’s attempt to break out of Central Park Zoo and into the wild. Along with his friends Alex the Lion, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo, they end up in Madagascar and join a clan of lemurs, where hilarity ensues.

Alex the Lion is usually played by Matt Terry, however we had the privilege of seeing his understudy Brandon Gale, who was fantastic. He encapsulated the very essence of Alex the Lion and showed complete continuity with the film that the children in the audience were used to, whilst also bring his brilliant voice to the performance. He looked totally comfortable in the very simple but effective costume designed and created by Robert Allsopp and Laura Rushton. The depth of feeling shown by Gale was enhanced by the stunning lyrics that George Noriega and Joel Someillan added to the story. He was able to hold the audience right in his paws and even when he turned to the dark side after attempting to eat Marty, he still showed intense vulnerability and love which highlighted the brilliance of Gale’s performance. He truly was a king on the stage!

Marty and Gloria were also fabulous played by Antoine Murray-Straughan and Timmika Ramsey. Murray-Straughan relished his role as Marty, prancing on the stage and making the audience forget that he wasn’t a real zebra! He was quick witted, funny and showed complete confidence in his character. Ramsey also relished her role, bringing Gloria to life. She showed much more to the audience than the happy-go-lucky hippo, but also how to love themselves. Gloria is a hippo so has a large stature, but is comfortable in her skin and that love for herself is important for children to hear, even if it was just a few lines here and there; they still heard the message.

Jamie Lee-Morgan as Melman was a sure stand out performance. He had arguably one of the most coupled roles in the show and combined with the long neck of a giraffe, he was superb! The neck was part of his costume and he held a stick to manoeuvre the face as well as using buttons to blink the eyes and move the mouth as he spoke. He walked with poise and grace whilst bobbing the head to give the illusion of a giraffe on the stage; it was a remarkable piece of puppetry.

Shane Mcdaid, Laura Johnson, Jessica Niles and Victoria Boden as Skipper, Kowlaski, Private and Rico added small titbits of hilarity to the show. These 4 penguins were extremely well handled and sung with soaring harmonies that added boost to the choral songs. These 4 penguins were choreographed well and used each aspect of the stage, including popping out of the wings to sing. The only problem was that they were a tiny bit too small and in some angles you couldn’t see the expressions of the penguin or the puppeteer. Matthew Pennington as Lars was also able to make the audience feel as though they were seeing real animals on stage with his brilliant puppetry.

The star of the show was definitely Jo Parsons as King Julien. He had all the sass, humour and cockiness as the King of the film. He really used the audience to his advantage and improvised and accentuated some of his lines to make the audience howl. The stand out song was also performed by Parsons, with ‘I like to move it, move it’. The children were clapping, singing and dancing along and so were the adults. As soon as he entered the stage, the audience were in fits of laughter. The wit and timing of his lines were so perfect, he was truly spectacular and by far my favourite character in the show. He was able to grasp every member of the audience and made us all completely enthused with his performance.

If you get the chance to see this show, it is not one to be missed! The entire show is spectacular and will leave you with a ‘smile and wave’

X-FACTOR WINNER MATT TERRY TO CONTINUE IN 2019 TOUR OF MADAGASCAR THE MUSICAL

Madagascar – The  Musical has confirmed that X Factor Winner Matt Terry will continue in the role of Alex the Lion on the critically acclaimed UK tour for 2019.

Since winning X-Factor, Matt has been non-stop. He’s been recording music all over the world including Miami, LA and Scandinavia. After a top 3 hit with Ed Sheeran penned winner’s single When Christmas Comes Around, he released his debut album ‘Trouble’ in November 2017. His first single from the album,Sucker For You has had nearly 60 million streams on Spotify. After Sucker For You, Matt went back to his Spanish childhood by featuring on Enrique Iglesias’s smash single, Subeme La Radio alongside Sean Paul.  Matt’s role in Madagascar has been hailed as a triumphant debut theatre performance. Receiving 5 star reviews across the tour.

Matt tells us; ‘I’m having such an amazing time touring in Madagascar the Musical, the audiences have been fantastic and I’m so excited to be staying with the company to tour into 2019.  The show brings together everything you will know and love from the Dreamworks film with an immense score and amazing sets, costumes and puppets.  It’s an awesome night out for the whole family and I hope to see you there! ‘

Cast Including Jo Parsons, Brandon Gale, Antoine Murray-Straughan, Timmika Ramsay, Jamie Lee-Morgan, Shane McDaid, Laura Johnson, Jessica Niles, Victoria Boden, Matthew Pennington and Darren John will also continue into the 2019 tour.

Based on the smash DreamWorks animated motion picture, Madagascar – The Musical  follows all of your favourite crack-a-lackin’ friends as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar.

Alex the lion is the king of the urban jungle, the main attraction at New York’s Central Park Zoo. He and his best friends – Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippo – have spent their whole lives in blissful captivity before an admiring public and with regular meals provided for them. Not content to leave well enough alone, Marty lets his curiosity get the better of him and makes his escape – with the help of some prodigious penguins – to explore the world.

This wacky adventure for the whole family is brought to life by Selladoor Family, the producers behindJames And The Giant Peach, Seussical and The Owl And The Pussycat and Hartshorn – Hook, producers of the Olivier Award winning Rotterdam, Murder Ballad, Urinetown and American Idiot. Madagascar – The Musical is directed by award winning Kirk Jameson with choreography from Fabian Aloise. Designed by Tom Rogers, with Lighting design by Howard Hudson, Sound Design by Chris Whybrow, Musical Supervision from Mark Crossland Puppet design by Max Humphries and Puppet Direction from Emma Brunton.

Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip hip Hippo and those hilarious, plotting penguins as they bound onto stage in the musical adventure of a lifetime. Filled with outlandish characters, adventure galore and an upbeat score, you’ll have no choice but to “Move It, Move It!”

For tour and booking details visit www.madagascarthemusical.co.uk  and find us at @MadUKTour

LISTINGS

09 – 13 OCT             BRISTOL HIPPODROME – www.atgtickets.com/bristol  0844 871 3012 *

16 – 20 OCT             IPSWICH REGENT – www.ipswich.gov.uk  01473 433100

23 – 27 OCT             BRADFORD THE ALHAMBRA THEATRE – www.bradford-theatres.co.uk 01274 432000

06 – 10 NOV             DERRY MILLENNIUM FORUM – www.millenniumforum.co.uk 028 7126 4455

12 – 17 NOV             EXETER NORTHCOTT THEATRE www.exeternorthcott.co.uk  – 01392 72 63 63

04 – 08 DEC             BRIGHTON THEATRE ROYAL – www.atgtickets.com/brighton 0844 856 1111 *

2019

29 JAN – 02 FEB       GRIMSBY AUDITORIUM – www.grimsbyauditorium.org.uk 0300 300 0035

05 – 09 FEB             LIVERPOOL EMPIRE – www.atgtickets.com/liverpool 0844 871 3017*

19 – 23 FEB             READING HEXAGON – www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060

26 FEB – 02 MAR       YORK THEATRE ROYAL – www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk 01904 623568

05 – 09 MAR             LEICESTER HAYMARKET THEATRE – www.haytheatre.com 0116 296 1236

12 – 16 MAR            NEW VICTORIA THEATRE, WOKING – www.atgticket.com/woking 0844 871 7645*

19 – 23 MAR            FLORAL PAVILLION – www.floralpavilion.com 0151 666 0000

26 – 31 MAR             DUBLIN GAIETY THEATRE – www.gaietytheatre.ie 0844 847 2455

02 – 06 APR             MALVERN FESTIVAL – www.malvern-theatres.co.uk  01684 892277

09 – 13 APR             INVERNESS EDEN COURT – www.eden-court.co.uk – 01463 234 234

23 – 27 APR             BELFAST GRAND OPERA HOUSE –  www.goh.co.uk 028 9024 1919

30 APR – 04 MAY      OXFORD NEW THEATRE –  www.atgticket.com/oxford 0844 871 3020*

07 – 11 MAY            WOLVERHAMPTON GRAND – www.grandtheatre.co.uk 01902 429 212

14 – 18 MAY            EASTBOURNE CONGRESS – www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk 01323 412 000

21 – 25                             SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE –  www.swansea.gov.uk 01792 475715

28 MAY – 01 JUN      HULL NEW THEATRE – www.hulltheatres.co.uk 01482 300 306

 

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

RITA SIMONS TO STAR ALONGSIDE JOE MCFADDEN

 

IN WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION OF PETER JAMES’ SPINE-CHILLING

THE HOUSE ON COLD HILL

TOURING THE UK FROM JANUARY 2019

 

EASTENDERS’ CHARLIE CLEMENTS ALSO JOINS CAST

ALONGSIDE HOLLYOAKS VILLAINESS PERSEPHONE SWALES-DAWSON, MAKING HER PROFESSIONAL STAGE DEBUT

As previously announced, the thrilling work of multi-million selling author Peter James returns to theatres in January 2019 with the world premiere production of the spine-chilling stage play The House on Cold Hill – Adapted from his best-selling 2015 novel and based on the author’s own real-life experience in a haunted house, the play will star the previously announced, BAFTA nominated actor and winner of BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing 2017,  Joe McFadden (The Crow Road, Heartbeat, Holby City) as ‘Ollie Harcourt’ and joining him, as his wife ‘Caro Harcourt’, will be award winning actress Rita Simons, (who played the iconic Roxy Mitchell in Eastenders), as well as award winning actors, Charlie Clements (‘Bradley’ in EastEnders) as ‘Chris’, and Persephone Swales-Dawson (villainess ‘Nico Blake’ in Hollyoaks) as ‘Jade’, making her professional stage debut.

 

In Peter’s ghostly mystery, the Harcourt family – Ollie, Caro and daughter Jade – move into the house of the dreams that has been empty for the last forty years. However, their dream home quickly turns into the stuff of nightmares, as they begin to sense that they aren’t the only residents at Cold Hill…

 

The House on Cold Hill is a modern-day ghostly thriller that will send shivers down your spine and make you think twice about returning home to a dark, empty house after the show!

Rita Simons is best known for playing ‘Roxy Mitchell’ in BBC’s Eastenders, and is one of Britain’s best loved TV actresses. She won Most Popular Newcomer at the National Television Awards and other awards and nominations include Best Newcomer at the Digital Spy Soap Awards, Best Onscreen Partnership for her character partnership with Ronnie Mitchell played by Samantha Womack, Best Newcomer at the TV Now awards, a nomination for Best Newcomer at the British Soap Awards and Best Newcomer at the Inside Soap Awards. Rita has also appeared as Hannah in Mile High, Julie in Dream Team and recently toured the UK and Ireland as Paulette Bonafonte in hit musical Legally Blonde.  In Spring 2012, Rita was the subject of a major documentary film Rita Simons: My Daughter, Deafness and Me made by Leopard Films for primetime BBC1. Rita actively supports the charity RNID. Most recently Rita rave reviews for her performance as ‘Lisa Prescott’ in the film The Krays: Dead Man Walking, an untold chapter from the notorious legend of the Kray Twins.

 

Rita Simons said, “I am really thrilled to be starring in the House on Cold Hill along side such great actors as Joe, Charlie, Persephone and the rest the cast. I could not put it down when I first read the script – it’s a brilliant and modern day supernatural thriller that had me totally gripped and occasionally jumping out of my seat! I can’t wait to see audiences hopefully have the same reaction to it, in theatres around the UK.”

BAFTA nominated actor Joe McFadden is perhaps best known for playing series regular ‘Raf di Lucca in BBC1’s Holby City from 2014 – 2017, and as ‘P C Joe Mason’ in Heartbeat from 2010 – 2014. Other acclaimed TV roles include Sex, Chips and Rock n Roll, The Crow Road (for which he received a BAFTA nomination), Cranford and Take The High Road. His extensive theatrical credits include working with John Tiffany and the National Theatre of Scotland on The Missing, touring the UK with Alan Ayckbourn’s Haunting Julia, Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song Trilogy at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Rent at the Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End and Rainbow Kiss at the Royal Court. Last year he partnered with Katya Jones in BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing and captured the nations hearts, eventually winning the series to become the 2017 Strictly Champion.

 

Joe McFadden said, “It’s a real honour to be entrusted with the character of Ollie and the words of skilled wordsmith, Peter James. He’s created a story that is both chilling and an interesting portrayal of modern family life and will definitely make you think twice about buying that sprawling dream pad in the country!”

 

Charlie Clements starred in EastEnders from 2006 – 2010, winning several awards for his performance as ‘Bradley Manning’. Since leaving the soap, stage and screen credits include the UK tour of The Haunting, Faithat the Courtyard Theatre, and roles in Casualty and The Bill.

 

Persephone Swales-Dawson played serial killer ‘Nico Blake’ in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks from 2014-16, and returned in 2018. She won Best Bad Girl at the Inside Soap Awards in 2016. The House on Cold Hill marks her professional stage debut.

 

The House on Cold Hill becomes the fourth play in his box office smash hit and critically acclaimed stage franchise following the huge sell-out success of Not Dead Enough, The Perfect Murder and Dead Simple on stage. Nearly half a million fans have now seen his work on stage in 30 cities across the UK and Ireland, with stars including Claire Goose, Shane Richie, Jessie Wallace, Tina Hobley, Les Dennis, Jamie Lomas, Laura Whitmore, Robert Daws, and Dawn Steele.

The House on Cold Hill will reunite Peter James with two time Olivier-nominated theatre producer Joshua Andrews, the Olivier award winning director Ian Talbot and award-winning writer Shaun McKenna. Also joining the company are Padraig Lynch as ‘Fortinbras’, Tricia Deighton as ‘Annie’ and understudy Zoe Hickson, with further casting to be confirmed.

Peter James – author of the award-winning Det Supt Roy Grace series – has been acclaimed as ‘one of the most fiendishly clever crime fiction plotters’ (Daily Mail) and his brilliant international bestselling novels have been published in 37 languages and sold over 19 million copies worldwide. Earlier this year, the acclaimed author hit No. 1 again in the UK book charts for the 13^th consecutive time, with his latest page-turner, Dead If You Don’t.

 

His new thriller, Absolute Proof, was published in hardback on 4 October by Pan Macmillan. Inspired by an unforgettable, real-life phone call received by the author nearly 30 years ago, from a mysterious but altogether credible source, Absolute Proof marks a major milestone for publishing phenomenon Peter James, as his most epic and ambitious stand-alone thriller to date

CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE
UK AND IRISH PREMIERES OF THE
TONY AWARD-WINNING NEW MUSICALTHE REMARKABLE TRUE STORY OF THE SMALL TOWN THAT WELCOMED THE WORLD

ABBEY THEATRE, DUBLIN: 6 DECEMBER 2018 TO 19 JANUARY 2019

PHOENIX THEATRE, LONDON: FROM 30 JANUARY 2019

Casting has been announced for COME FROM AWAY the Tony Award-winning musical which will land in London for its long-awaited UK premiere at the Phoenix Theatre next year with performances from 30 January 2019, and a pre-West End engagement at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin from 6 December 2018 to 19 January 2019.

Telling the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded air passengers during the wake of 9/11, and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them, will be Jenna Boyd (Beulah and others), Nathanael Campbell (Bob and others), Clive Carter (Claude and others), Mary Doherty (Bonnie and others), Robert Hands (Nick, Doug and others), Helen Hobson (Diane and others), Jonathan Andrew Hume (Kevin J, Ali and others), Harry Morrison (Oz and others), Emma Salvo (Janice and others), David Shannon (Kevin T, Garth and others), Cat Simmons (Hannah and others) and Rachel Tucker (Beverley, Annette and others) with Mark Dugdale, Bob Harms, Kiara Jay, Kirsty Malpass, Tania Mathurin, Alexander McMorran,Brandon Lee Sears and Jennifer Tierney.

This joyous new musical recounts the incredible true story of how the residents of Gander, Newfoundland welcomed the passengers of planes from around the world. Cultures clashed, and nerves ran high, but as uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.

On 11 September 2001 the world stopped. On 12 September, their stories moved us all.

Earning widespread critical and audience acclaim, the multi award-winning musical continues sold-out, record-breaking engagements on Broadway, and in Canada, with a 60-city North American Tour recently launched in Seattle, an Australian production confirmed for summer 2019, and a feature film adaptation in the works.

Jenna Boyd’s previous theatre credits include Love on the Links (Salisbury Playhouse), The Wind in the Willows (UK Tour/ London Palladium), Oliver! and Simply Cinderella (Leicester Curve), How To Suceed In Business Without Really Trying (Royal Festival Hall), I Can’t Sing! (London Palladium), The Pajama Game (Chichester Festival Theatre), Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre) and Acorn Antiques (Theatre Royal Haymarket).

Nathanael Campbell most recently appeared in Guys & Dolls (Manchester Royal Exchange). His previous theatre credits include Sunny Afternoon (UK Tour), All That Lives (Ovalhouse), Back to the Future (Secret Cinema) and Macbeth (S4K National & International Tour).

Clive Carter’s stage credits include King The Musical: In Concert (Hackney Empire), Oklahoma! (Royal Albert Hall/ BBC Proms), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Wicked (Apollo Victoria), Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Palace Theatre), My Fair Lady(International Tour/ Larnaca Festival and Sheffield Crucible), Take Flight (Menier Chocolate Factory), We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre) and The Rat Pack (UK Tour).

Mary Doherty’s stage credits include Henry VI, All’s Well That Ends Well and Henry VIII (Shakespeare’s Globe), Anne Boleyn (English Touring Theatre/ Shakespeare’s Globe), Two Cities (Salisbury Playhouse), Inherit The Wind (The Old Vic), Our House (Cambridge Theatre), Grease (UK Tour), Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre), The Merry Wives of Windsor (Royal Shakespeare Company) and Avenue Q (Noël Coward Theatre).

Robert Hands’ stage credits include the original West End cast of Spamalot (Palace Theatre), Chicago (Adelphi Theatre), The Importance of Being Earnest (The Old Vic), The Woman in Black (Fortune Theatre), Troilus and Cressida (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Mamma Mia! (Prince of Wales Theatre) and The Schumann Plan (Hampstead Theatre). Robert was also a member of the all-male Shakespeare company, Propeller. Screen credits include Doctor Who, The House of Eliott, Anna and the King and Shine.

Helen Hobson’s credits include Mamma Mia! (Novello Theatre, Prince of Wales Theatre and UK Tour), Only The Brave (Wales Millenium Centre), Sunny Afternoon (Hampstead Theatre), The Sound of Music (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), The Human Comedy (Young Vic) and Blood Brothers (Phoenix Theatre).

Jonathan Andrew Hume’s stage credits include Disney’s The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre), Jesus Christ Superstar (UK Tour) and Alice in Winterland (Rose Theatre Kingston). Screen credits include Eastenders, Hope and Glory and the forthcoming movie Mary Poppins Returns.

Harry Morrison’s stage credits include Half a Sixpence (Chichester Festival Theatre and Nöel Coward Theatre), Assassins (Menier Chocolate Factory), Guys and Dolls and Kiss Me, Kate (Chichester Festival Theatre) and Crazy For You (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre/ Novello Theatre) and The Sound of Music (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre).

Emma Salvo’s stage credits include The Toxic Avenger (Arts Theatre), Sincerely, Mister Toad (UK Tour), Grease (Royal Caribbean) and Sleeping Beauty (Mercury Theatre).

David Shannon’s stage credits include Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre), The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre) and Matilda (Cambridge Theatre). He was Olivier-nominated for originating the role of John in The Beautiful Game (Cambridge Theatre). In Dublin, his stage credits include Romeo & Juliet and The Threepenny Opera (Gate Theatre) as well as By The Bog of Cats (Abbey Theatre). Screen credits include Vikings, Noah and 5 to 7.

Cat Simmons is known to television audiences as DC Kezia Walker in long running ITV series The Bill. Stage credits include Nancy in Oliver! (UK Tour), Jesus Christ Superstar (UK Tour), Simply Heavenly (Young Vic) and Ché Walker and Arthur Darvill’s musical premiere of Been So Long (Young Vic). Further screen credits include Life & Lyrics, No Angels and Casualty.

Rachel Tucker’s stage credits include Communicating Doors (Menier Chocolate Factory), The Last Ship (Neil Simon Theatre, New York), Farragut North (Southwark Playhouse), Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre, London and Gershwin Theatre, New York), We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre) and The Wizard of Oz (Belfast Lyric Theatre). She has toured venues in the UK and US with her own live performances and has released two solo albums. Television credits include the BBC series I’d Do Anything.

Come From Away features a book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein and is directed by Christopher Ashley, with musical staging by Kelly Devine, music supervision and arrangements by Ian Eisendrath, scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Gareth Owen, orchestrations by August Eriksmoen, and casting by Pippa Ailion CDG and Natalie Gallacher CDG.

A “Best Musical” winner all across North America, Come From Away has won the Tony Award for “Best Direction of a Musical” (Christopher Ashley), 5 Outer Critics Circle Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding New Broadway Musical,” 3 Drama Desk Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding Musical,” 4 Helen Hayes Awards (Washington DC) including “Outstanding Production of a Musical,” 4 Gypsy Rose Lee Awards (Seattle) including “Excellence in Production of a Musical,” 6 San Diego Critics Circle Awards including “Outstanding New Musical,” 3 Toronto Theatre Critics Awards including “Best New Musical,” 3 Dora Awards (Toronto) including “Outstanding New Musical/Opera” and “Outstanding Production,” and the 2017 Jon Kaplan Audience Choice Award (Toronto).

Come From Away was originally co-produced in 2015 by La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theatre, and presented in 2016 by Ford’s Theatre in Washington DC and Mirvish Productions at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, Canada, all in partnership with Junkyard Dog Productions. Come From Away (NAMT Festival 2013) was originally developed at the Canadian Music Theatre Project, Michael Rubinoff Producer, Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario, Canada and was further developed at Goodspeed Musicals’ Festival of New Artists, in East Haddam CT. The Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, and the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle WA also provided development support.

Come From Away is produced in the UK and Ireland by Junkyard Dog Productions and Smith & Brant Theatricals. The European premiere of Come From Away will be co-produced with the Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s National Theatre.

LISTINGS

COME FROM AWAY

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Phoenix Theatre
Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0JP

First performance: 30 January 2019
Opening Night: 18 February 2019

Performance schedule

Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm

Wednesday and Saturday matinee performances at 2.30pm

Box office details

Website www.ComeFromAwayLondon.co.uk
Telephone 0844 871 7615
Prices from £19.50 (from £10 during preview performances: 30 January to 16 February 2019)

Abbey Theatre
26-27 Lower Abbey Street, North City, Dublin 1, D01 K0F1, Ireland

First performance: 6 December 2018
Final performance: 19 January 2019
Opening Night: 11 December 2018

Performance schedule

Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm
Matinee performances at 2.00pm

Box office details

Website www.abbeytheatre.ie
Telephone 00353 1 87 87 222
Prices from €13

THE NEW STAGE PRODUCTION OF LESLIE BRICUSSE’S

DOCTOR DOLITTLE

ANNOUNCES SUPPORT IN AID OF WWF

UK & IRELAND TOUR OPENS ON 9 NOVEMBER 2018

The producers of the UK & Ireland Tour of Leslie Bricusse’s much loved musical Doctor Dolittle, which opens at the Churchill Theatre Bromley on 9 November, with a national press night at the New Theatre Oxford on 17 January 2019, are delighted to announce their support of WWF.

 

Eccentric Doctor Dolittle embarks on an extraordinary adventure to find the Giant Pink Sea Snail that holds the secret of life and makes the world a happier place. Helped by his human companions and an exotic menagerie of animal friends, including the Pushmi-Pullyu and trusty sidekick Polynesia the parrot, the larger-than-life Doctor Dolittle teaches us not only to talk to the animals but to listen to them as well!  

As audiences join the Doctor in learning how humans and animals can live together in harmony, the musical will be helping raise funds for one of the world’s largest conservation organisations, WWF.

Through supporting the work of WWF, the musical hopes to inspire and educate audiences on the actions they can take to help fight for our world. Whilst the elusive giant pink sea snail is a creature of fiction, there are many species today which are becoming a rarer sight to see. Sadly, over the past 50 years, there have been huge losses in wildlife in the UK and abroad. Numbers of iconic species have dropped – from the skylark and water vole in the UK, to polar bears and snow leopards around the world.

The show’s producer, John Stalker, commented: “Choosing to support the work of WWF through our bucket collections and in theatre fundraising events was a clear choice. The show highlights the need to create a world that lives in harmony with nature and it’s a great opportunity to inspire audiences across the UK and Ireland to take action.”

 

This new production of Doctor Dolittle, with book, music and lyrics by double Academy Award-winner Leslie Bricusse, will be part of the 50^thanniversary celebrations of the original film starring Rex Harrison and will feature the same songs, including the Academy Award-winning Talk To The Animals.  Featuring stunning visual puppetry, this new production, with the book reworked by Leslie Bricusse, will be directed by Christopher Renshaw.

 

The cast is led by Mark Williams in the eponymous role, along with Brian Capron as Albert Blossom/Straight Arrow, Vicky Entwistle as Polynesia, ,Adèle Anderson as Lady Bellowes/Poison Arrow, Mollie Melia-Redgrave as Emma Fairfax and Patrick Sullivan as Matthew Mugg. Mark Williams and Brian Capron will play the first ten venues on the tour, and  Adèle Anderson the first six.  Vicky Entwistle, Mollie Melia-Redgrave and Patrick Sullivan will play the entire tour. 

 

Also in the cast will be Femi Akinfolarin, Erica Jayne Alden, Lydia Bannister, Joel Bayliss, Evonnee Bentley-Holder, Jane Crawshaw, Emily Essery, Jacob Fisher, George Hankers, Catherine Hannay, Evan James, Leon Kay, Emma Lloyd, Owen McHugh, Ross Meagrow, Tom Norman, Emily Ann Potter, Ellie Seaton and Richard Vorster.  The role of Tommy Stubbins will be shared by Harry Cross, Elliot Morris, Quillan O’Meara McDonald, Louis Parker, Elliott Rose and Thomas Ryan.

 

The new stage production of Doctor Dolittle will be directed by Christopher Renshaw, with choreography by Josh Rhodes, design by Tom Piper, puppet design by Nick Barnes, puppet direction by Jimmy Grimes, lighting by Chris Davey, sound by Ben Harrison, and musical supervision by Mike Dixon.

Doctor Dolittle is based on the Doctor Dolittle stories by Hugh Lofting and the Twentieth Century Fox film. 

 

Doctor Dolittle is performed by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) Ltd.

 

The UK & Ireland Tour of Doctor Dolittle is produced by Music & Lyrics Limited, the producers behind the highly successful recent tours of The Addams Family, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Oklahoma!, Fiddler on the Roof, High Society and The King and I, in association with Churchill Theatre Bromley.

 

Website: www.doctordolittlemusical.com

Facebook: Doctor Dolittle The Musical

Twitter: @DolittleMusical

 

 

TOUR SCHEDULE

9 – 24 November 2018                   Churchill Theatre Bromley*⁺                                        020 3285 6000                                                                                                        www.churchilltheatre.co.uk                                        

11 December – 5 January 2019      The Lowry Salford*⁺                                                   0843 208 6000                                                                                                          www.thelowry.com                                                    

15 – 26 January                              Oxford New Theatre*⁺                                                0844 871 3020                                                                                                         www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford

29 January – 9 February                 Wolverhampton Grand Theatre*⁺                                01902 42 92 12

                                                        www.grandtheatre.co.uk                                            

12 – 23 February                            Newcastle Theatre Royal*⁺                                          0844 811 2121

                                                       www.theatreroyal.co.uk                                             

26 February – 9 March                   Hull New Theatre*⁺                                                      01482 300 306                                                                                                        www.hulltheatres.co.uk                                              

12 – 23 March                               His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen*                               01224 641122

                                                      www.aberdeenperformingarts.com                             

26 March – 6 April                         Royal & Derngate Northampton*                                 01604 624811                                                                                                          www.royalandderngate.co.uk                                     

9 – 20 April                                    Nottingham Theatre Royal*                                         0115 989 5555   

                                                      www.trch.co.uk                                                    

                                                                                                                            

23 April – 4 May                            Sheffield Lyceum Theatre*                                         0114 249 6000

                                                      www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk                                      

 

14 – 25 May                                  Festival Theatre Edinburgh                                         0131 529 6000

                                                      www.edtheatres.com                                                 

 

28 May – 8 June                            Alhambra Theatre Bradford                                        01274 432000

                                                      www.bradford-theatres.co.uk                                     

 

11 – 22 June                                 Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin                               0844 847 2455

                                                     www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie                                   

 

25 June – 6 July                            Millennium Forum, Derry                                            02871 264455

                                                     www.millenniumforum.co.uk                                      

  

9 – 20 July                                    The Marlowe, Canterbury                                            01227 8787787

                                                     www.themarlowetheatre.com                                     

                                                   

23 July – 3 August                        Glasgow King’s Theatre                                             0844 871 7648

                                                     www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre

 

6 – 17 August                               Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff                                02920 636464

                                                      www.wmc.org.uk                                                      

 

20 – 31 August                              Mayflower Theatre, Southampton                               02380 711811

                            www.mayflower.org.uk                                

 

3 – 14 September                          Blackpool Winter Gardens                                         0844 856 1111  

                            www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk             

                  

17 – 28 September                        New Wimbledon Theatre, London                               0844 871 7646

                                                      www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre

 

8 – 19 October                              Milton Keynes Theatre                                                 0844 871 7652

                                                      www.atgtickets.com/milton-keynes-theatre

 

22 October – 2 November             Birmingham Hippodrome                                            0844 338 5000

                                                      www.birminghamhippodrome.com                             On sale to be announced

 

⁺Adèle Anderson dates

*Mark Williams & Brian Capron dates

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre – until 13th October

Reviewed by Heather Chalkley

5*****

Still Alice is a powerful play dealing head on with the impact of young-onset dementia, adapted from the book by best selling author Lisa Genova. Still Alice is delivered through the eyes of Alice (Sharon Small) who is a successful career woman, mother and wife, living through the different stages of the disease. Eva Pope plays the mind of Alice (Herself), speaking her thoughts, prompting Alice to remember, often picking up on sixth sense cues that go unspoken in normal dialogue. It is such a simple technique that can leave the players exposed and has to be spot on to work. Small and Pope do not disappoint. The fluidity of the relationship between Alice (Small) and Herself (Pope) reflects the beginning, the middle and the end of the dementia as it takes hold. It gives us an insight into the abject fear, utter sadness and confusion it causes, ultimately the quiet serenity of not knowing.

Martin Marquez (John) gave a believable performance as the passionate, loyal, loving husband and father. He portrayed the responsibility his position in the family carried, having to balance what is best for everyone, sticking to what he believed was right. Lydia (Ruth Ollman) reflected perfectly the age old love/hate relationship between mother and daughter, softening and projecting unconditional love and affection for her mother towards the end. Thomas (Mark Armstrong) oozed the pain and frustration of a ‘mummy’s boy’, not able to believe or accept he was losing his mum, his best friend, until the end.

Throughout the piece the subtle changes in language lead you through the deeply moving, changing relationship between Alice (Sharon Small) and her family, her reality. The use of space, light and movement took you on the journey through Alice’s (Sharon Small) changing relationship with Herself (Eva Pope), becoming more and more distant, detached.The gentle finish was perfectly timed. A triumph for the director, David Grindley, and his Creative Team.

Lisa Genova can be proud of the continuing impact of her book, increasing the knowledge and a better understanding of young-onset dementia

BROS THEATRE COMPANY CELEBRATES 110^TH ANNIVERSARY WITH RETURN TO RICHMOND THEATRE WITH PRODUCTION OF

HIGH SOCIETY

Hot off the heels of its recent Best Musical win at the artsrichmond Swan Awards 2018, BROS Theatre Company returns to Richmond Theatre with its swell-egant, elegant production of Cole Porter’s HIGH SOCIETY.

This all-singing all-dancing family spectacular will sweep into the iconic Richmond Theatre from Tue 30 Oct – Sat 3 Nov, marking the first time a non-commercial company has performed the show in the theatre’s 119-year history. Press are invited to attend for review on Tue 30 Oct at 7.30pm.

 

And what of the story? It takes place in 1938 in Oyster Bay, Long Island, where a lavish wedding is about to take place. The unexpected arrival of her ex-husband and a potential suitor means that for the bride-to-be, there’s a choice to be made. With an irresistible Cole Porter score including sensational classics ‘True Love’, ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ and ‘Let’s Misbehave’, High Society offers a glimpse into the romances and dramas of the fashionable elite.

For show director Deb McDowell, HIGH SOCIETY is a natural choice for Richmond Theatre. ‘It’s such a pleasure to be bringing this classy show to Richmond Theatre – it’s the perfect venue. What could be better for banishing the blues this Autumn than a brilliantly comic and beautifully romantic Cole Porter musical!’

Past BROS shows at Richmond Theatre include Crazy For You in 2010, Oliver! In 2013 and 42nd Street in 2016 – all of which played to sell-out audiences. The company also have won the artsrichmond Award for Best Musical for two years running, with The Producers(2016) and Made In Dagenham (2017). As of 2018, BROS is the only non-commercial company still performing at Richmond.

BROS Theatre Company is celebrating 110 years of delighting audiences in the borough. BROS’ patron, Alan Titchmarsh, has been a part of the society and its work for many years including undertaking a variety of on-stage roles himself. Of HIGH SOCIETY, Alan says,“BROS Theatre Company’s productions, with their reputation for quality and originality, are eagerly looked forward to by a large audience. High Society is a hit show that offers a wealth of familiar songs, from ‘True Love’ to ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ and ‘Well Did You Evah!’  I can’t wait to see it, and urge all those who love this Hollywood favourite to book a seat now!”

 

High Society at Richmond Theatre

Tue 30 Oct – Sat 3 Nov

Tickets from: £14.65*

Show Link: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/high-society/richmond-theatre/

BAT OUT OF HELL – THE MUSICAL

WEST END SEASON MUST END

5 JANUARY 2019

The West End season of the award-winning Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical must end at the Dominion Theatre on Saturday 5 January 2019.  Meanwhile, the North American Tour opens in Toronto, Canada on 16 October 2018 and the German language premiere will open in Oberhasuen, Germany on 2 November 2018.

Jim Steinman’s Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical wowed critics and public alike when it played limited seasons at Manchester Opera House, London Coliseum and Toronto’s Ed Mirvish Theatre in 2017, and has been seen by over 650,000 people to date. It began previews at the Dominion Theatre on Monday 2 April, with a gala performance on 19 April 2018.  Earlier this year, the show’s producers announced a wide-ranging global partnership with the Invictus Games Foundation, the governing body of the Invictus Games, and a special Gala Performance of the musical in support of the Invictus Games Foundation will take place on Thursday 6 December 2018.

Bat Out Of Hell became one of the best-selling albums in history, selling over 50 million copies worldwide.  16 years later, Steinman scored again with Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell, which contained the massive hit I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That).

For the stage musical, the legendary and award-winning Jim Steinman has incorporated iconic songs from the Bat Out Of Hell albums, including You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth, Bat Out Of Hell, I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That) and Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad, as well as two previously unreleased songs, What Part of My Body Hurts the Most and Not Allowed to Love.

Jim Steinman’s Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical is a romantic adventure about rebellious youth and passionate love, set against the backdrop of a post-cataclysmic city adrift from the mainland.  Strat, the forever young leader of The Lost, has fallen for Raven, daughter of Falco, the tyrannical, ruler of Obsidian.  It scooped the ‘Evening Standard Radio 2 Audience Award’ for Best Musical in 2017.

The cast of Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical at the Dominion Theatre is led by Jordan Luke Gage as Strat and Christina Bennington as Raven, with Rob Fowler as Falco and Sharon Sexton as Sloane.  Also starring are Alex Thomas-Smith as Tink, Danielle Steers as Zahara, Wayne Robinson as Jagwire, Giovanni Spanó as Ledoux and Ryan Anderson as Blake.  At certain performances, the role of Strat will be played by Simon Gordon.  Also in the cast are Kyle Anthony, Emily Benjamin, Christopher Cameron, Georgia Carling, Natalie Chua, Jonathan Cordin, Rob Copeland, Hannah Ducharme, Isaac Edwards, Collette Guitart, Eric Hallengren, Vicki Manser, Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky, Aston Newman Hannington, Eve Norris, Joseph Peacock, Kyle Roberts, Craig Ryder, Dawnita Smith, Courtney Stapleton, Julie Stark, Charlotte Anne Steen, Sam Toland and Barney Wilkinson.

Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical has book, music and lyrics by Jim Steinman, direction by Jay Scheib, choreography by Emma Portner, with musical supervision and additional arrangements by Michael Reed, set design by Jon Bausor, costume design by Jon Bausor and Meentje Nielsen, video design by Finn Ross, lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe, sound design by Gareth Owen, orchestration by Steve Sidwell, casting by David Grindrod CDG, fight direction by Stuart Boother and musical direction by Robert Emery.

Jim Steinman’s Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical is produced by David Sonenberg, Michael Cohl, Randy Lennox & Tony Smith.

Website:  www.BatOutOfHellMusical.com

Twitter & Facebook:  @BatTheMusical

 

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Jim Steinman’s Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical

 

Dominion Theatre

268-269 Tottenham Court Road

London W1T 7AQ

Performances:  Mon-Sat at 7.30pm, Wed & Sat matinee at 2.30pm (N.B. Special Gala Performance on 6 December 2018 at 7.00pm)

 

Tickets:  from £15.00

Box Office:  0845 200 7982

Booking until 5 January 2019

Running Time:  2 hours 40 minutes (including interval)

Christmas 2018/19 Performance Schedule

Mon 17 December – 7.30pm

Tue 18 December – 7.30pm

Wed 19 December – 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Thurs 20 December – 7.30pm

Fri 21 December – 7.30pm

Sat 22 December – 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Mon 24 December – No Show

Tue 25 December – No Show

Wed 26 December – 7.30pm

Thurs 27 December – 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Fri 28 December – 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Sat 29 December – 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Mon 31 December – 7.00pm (Sing-A-Long Perormance)

Tues 1 January – 7.30pm

Wed 2 January – 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Thurs 3 January – 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Fri 4 January – 7.30pm

Sat 5 January – 2.30pm & 7.30pm