Author: FairyPoweredProductions

NATIONAL THEATRE & RUFUS NORRIS’ NEW PRODUCTION OF

Macbeth comes to Hull

The National Theatre is set to return to Hull in 2019 with Shakespeare’s most intense tragedy, Macbeth.

Following on from the company’s success with Hedda Gabler in 2017, this epic and visually daring production comes to Hull, one of only two Yorkshire venues, from 5-9 February 2019, as part of an 18-date tour of the UK and Ireland.

Sleep no more…The ruined aftermath of a bloody civil war. Ruthlessly fighting to survive, the Macbeths are thrust towards the crown by forces of elemental darkness.

Directed by NT Artistic Director Rufus Norris (Cabaret, London Road) and designed by Rae Smith (War Horse, This House) this new production propels Shakespeare’s classic title into a post-apocalyptic world of anarchy and uncertainty.

Rufus Norris said: “I’m delighted that Macbeth will be touring the UK and Ireland following its run in the Olivier Theatre earlier in the year. We’re really excited by what is coming out of the rehearsal room and it’s particularly rewarding to be able to take this brilliant play to so many towns and cities. We fully intend to give audiences a fresh and dynamic view of this timeless classic.”

Casting to be announced. Tickets for Macbeth will be on sale from 6 March from the Hull City Hall box office or by calling 01482 300 306. Visit our new website www.hulltheatres.co.uk to book online.

 

Cast Announced for Devil With The Blue Dress
The Bunker, 53A Southwark Street London SE1 1RU
Thursday 29th March – Saturday 28th April 2018

The world premiere of Kevin Armento’s thrilling political drama Devil With The Blue Dress will star: Emma Handy (Handbagged, Tricyle Theatre; Miss Julie, Chichester Festival Theatre; Flare Path, Theatre Royal Haymarket), Dawn Hope (Follies, National Theatre; The Scottsboro Boys, Young Vic Theatre and Garrick Theatre; Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, New Players Theatre and National Tour), Daniella Isaacs (Hear Me Raw, Soho Theatre, Arcola Theatre, Underbelly Edinburgh; Fleabag, BBC/Amazon; Mush and Me, The Bush, Holden Street Theatre Award winner at Adelaide Fringe, Underbelly – Ideas Tap Underbelly Award winner), Flora Montgomery (Gaslight, Royal Alexandra Toronto; Arcadia, English Touring Theatre; Quirk, BBC1) and Kristy Philipps (Hush, Paines Plough; Clean Break, ITV1; Vera, ITV)

Directed by The Bunker’s Artistic Director Joshua McTaggart, this exciting new production interrogates America’s biggest political sex scandal of all time: The Monica Lewinsky Scandal. The production unfolds across two timelines – in 1995 when the affair took place and in 1998 when it burst into public view and almost took down the Clinton presidency. In Armento’s dramatisation of this shocking scandal, we are taken along the corridors of power and through the closed doors
behind which the abuse of that power took place

Slyly exhuming the little blue dress that launched the biggest media circus of a generation, the five women who were at the centre of this infamous scandal collide on stage: A First Lady, a secretary, a daughter, a confidant, and an intern. A theatrical battle emerges over how it all went down, who were the heroes and villains, and why, twenty years later, we’re only beginning to grapple with one
of the most challenging questions in American political history: How do we respond to women seeking power, and the men who abuse that power?

Kevin Armento comments, England boasts such a rich tradition of political theatre and I’m thrilled to share this American story in that context at one of London’s most exciting new venues. This scandal was an even crazier spectacle than people remember and some of the most surprising details have been forgotten by history – in no small part because of who got to write that history. As both our countries pass through this major moment of cultural reckoning regarding abuses of power and the gender norms those abuses have enforced, it’s a story that merits new interrogation. The Bunker has been a fantastic partner in helping shape the play and setting a vision for how this unique spin on a political drama might unfold on stage.

PMJ Productions in association with Park Theatre presents the European Premiere of
FACELESS

Written by Selina Fillinger

Directed by Prav MJ  

17 Apr – 12 May 2018 | Park Theatre

“I think I’m ready to convert
– I know I need two witnesses for it to count so I Googled it”

 

After a sell-out run of Sket in 2016, PMJ Productions are proud to return to Park Theatre with the European premiere of Selina Fillinger’s play, Faceless.

 

Directed and designed by returning director Prav MJ, Faceless highlights the power of the internet and its far reaching consequences in the 21^st century. Inspired by a true court case¹, this insightful play follows the life of Susie, a suburban Chicago teenager who converts online from Christianity to Islam and tries to reach Syria. In the ensuing court case she finds herself portrayed as an enemy of the State and is prosecuted by a young female Muslim lawyer. 

Selina Fillinger is a Chicago-based actor and playwright, who recently graduated from Northwestern University, USA. Faceless was commissioned by Northlight Theatre and the subsequent Chicago production (2017) was nominated for a Joseph Jeff Award. Selina Fillinger is a 2018 recipient of South Coast Repertory’s Elizabeth George commission.

Accompanying the play are a series of free post-show talks with speakers including playwright Selina Fillinger, John Cameron OBE, Head of Helplines at NSPCC, barrister Tunde Okewale MBE and journalist James Fergusson, the author of “Al-Britannia, My Country – A Journey through Muslim Britain”. PMJ Productions are also partnering with the NSPCC, a young people’s health and wellbeing charity in order to inform the public about the help that they can access.

Faceless also inspired the curation of an art exhibition (curated by director Prav MJ) with YOUTH CLUB. The images reflect complex issues highlighted in the play including self-identity and the relationship of young women to digital technology in the 21^st Century. These images are part of an art exhibition, “GLOW”, celebrating women from across the world. The exhibition is curated by Melli Marie (Creative Director, Park Theatre) in Park Theatre’s gallery.

Cast and Creative Team

Written by Selina Fillinger, Directed and Designed by Prav MJ, Composed by José Albela,

Lighting Designed by Gareth Prentice, Sound Designed by Joe Dines

Cast: Fiona Gent, Paige Round, Sam Thorpe-Spinks, Matt Mella and Fearon McElroy

 

LISTINGS

FACELESS

Venue: Park 90, Park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, N4 3JP

Dates: 17 Apr – 12 May 2018

Age guidance: Suitable for 11+

Performances: Tue – Sat Evenings 7.45pm, Thu & Sat Matinees 3.15pm

Relaxed Performance: Tue 8 May, 3.15

Prices: Previews £14.50, Standard £18, Concessions £16.50, Child (Under 16) £13, Young Patrons (17 -24 Apr) £10, Groups – buy 1- ticket, get the 11^th free.
Booking: www.parktheatre.co.uk / 020 7870 6876

*10% telephone booking fee, capped at £2.50 per ticket.

JAMIE WILSON

with

GAVIN KALIN, JASON HAIGH ELLERY, ANTHONY CLARE and BROADWAY BABY PRODUCTIONS

present

CURVE’s production of

PRESENTED IN ASSOCIATION WITH PARAMOUNT PICTURES

AND WARNER BROS THEATRE VENTURES

 

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR WORLD PREMIERE

 

EMMA WILLIAMS AS ‘PAULA POKRIFIKI’

JONNY FINES AS ‘ZACK MAYO’

RAY SHELL AS ‘FOLEY’

IAN MACINTOSH AS ‘SID WORLEY’

JESSICA DALEY AS ‘LYNETTE POMEROY’

 

DIRECTED BY NIKOLAI FOSTER

CHOREOGRAPHED BY KATE PRINCE

 

BOOK BY DOUGLAS DAY STEWART AND SHARLEEN COOPER COHEN

BASED ON THE ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY BY DOUGLAS DAY STEWART.

 

OPENING AT CURVE
ON FRIDAY 6 APRIL 2018

 

The full cast for the World Premiere of “AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN – THE MUSICAL” is officially announced. Emma Williams will play ‘Paula Pokrifiki’, Jonny Fines is ‘Zack Mayo’, Ray Shell as ‘Foley’, Ian Macintosh as ‘Sid Worley’ and Jessica Daley as ‘Lynette Pomeroy’. The production will open at Curve onFriday 6 April 2018 with a national press night on Thursday 19 April before playing at theatres across the UK and Ireland until 15 September 2018. Full tour schedule below.

 

Nikolai Foster, Artistic Director of Curve and Director of ‘An Officer and Gentleman – The Musical’ said today “Douglas Day Stewart wrote An Officer and a Gentleman in response to his time serving in the American Air Force and the challenges he faced during training. It is a visceral, uncompromising and ultimately tender portrait of the these personal experiences and the lives of folk living near the training facility in the early 1980s.

 

“We are proud to have assembled such an accomplished company of actors, led by Emma, Ray, Jonny, Ian and Jess to create our production and realise this beautiful portrait of working class lives. All of us at Curve are excited to tell this story – set to a fantastic 80s playlist – and to be working with the talented team at Jamie Wilson Productions. Productions like this couldn’t be made without the support of our collaborators and we are thrilled to be working with Jamie and his team. Officer will certainly be a memorable moment in our theatre’s 10th birthday year.”

 

Four-time Laurence Olivier Award nominated actress Emma Williams will play ‘Paula Pokrifki’. Emma’s previous credits include ‘Truly Scrumptious’ in “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”, “Mrs Henderson Presents” and “Love Story”, all in the West End. This year Emma won the What’s On Stage Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for playing ‘Helen’ in Cameron Mackintosh’s revival of “Half A Sixpence” at the Noel Coward Theatre.

 

Jonny Fines will play the iconic role of ‘Zack Mayo’ – the role made famous by Richard Gere in the beloved 80s film. Jonny most recently played the role of ‘Rooster’ in the West End production of “Annie” at The Piccadilly Theatre.  Other theatre credits include the UK Tours of “The Sound of Music” and “Avenue Q”.

 

Ray Shell will play ‘Foley’. Ray is probably most famous for creating the roles of ‘Rusty’ in “Starlight Express” and ‘Nomax’ in “Five Guys Named Moe”, both in the West End.  His other theatre credits include the iconic productions of “Miss Saigon” and “Jesus Christ Superstar”.

 

Ian Macintosh will play ‘Sid Worley’. Ian is an Olivier nominated actor for his role in the West End production of “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical”, his other credits include “The Commitments” and “Rock of Ages”.

 

Jessica Daley will play ‘Lynette Pomeroy’. Jessica was a finalist on the BBC 1’s “Over The Rainbow” and previous theatre credits include “Mamma Mia!” In the West End and the UK Tour of “The Sound of Music”.

 

The cast also includes Keisha Atwell (“Legally Blonde” and “Grease” at Curve, “Annie”) who will play ‘Casey Seegar’, Andy Barke (“Nativity! The Musical” and “Legally Blonde” at Curve) in the role of ‘Louis Perryman’,Darren Bennett (“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” and “The Importance of Being Earnest”, “Grease” and the title role in “Scrooge the Musical” at Curve) in the role of ‘Bryon Mayo’, James Darch in the role of ‘Troy’, Nathaniel Landskroner (“Grease”, “Legally Blonde” and “Scrooge the Musical” at Curve) in the role of ‘Craig’, George Loannides (“Grease” at Curve and “Annie” and “Mamma Mia!”) in the role of  ‘Eduardo Cortez’, Joe Maxwell(“Jersey Boys” and “Scrooge the Musical” at Curve) in the role of ‘Fin Hooper’, Corinna Powlesland in the role of ‘Aunt Bunny’ and Rachel Stanley (“Legally Blonde” and “Scrooge the Musical” at Curve, White Christmas”) will play ‘Esther Pokrifki’.

 

Joining them will be David Burrows, Vanessa Fisher, Aimee Hodnett, Keiran McGinn and Rhys Whitfield.

 

This brand-new musical is based on the 1982 Oscar-winning film starring Richard Gere which tells the story of Zack Mayo who is in training to become a US Navy Pilot. When Zack rolls into boot camp with a bit too much of a swagger, drill Sergeant Foley doesn’t make life easy for him. When he falls for local girl Paula Pokrifki and tragedy befalls his friend and fellow candidate, Zack realises the importance of love and friendship and finds the courage to be himself and win the heart of the woman he loves. It’s only then he can truly become both an Officer and a Gentleman.

 

The musical includes the hit song from the movie ‘Up Where We Belong’ along, with 80’s classics such as‘Alone’, ‘Don’t Cry Out Loud’, ‘You’re the Voice’, ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fun’, ‘Heart of Glass’, ‘Toy Soldiers’and ‘Material Girl’ and features one of the most iconic romantic scenes ever portrayed on screen.

 

“AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN” is one of the highest grossing films of all time. The screenplay is by writer and director Douglas Day Stewart which was based on his personal experience as a Naval Officer Candidate. The book is co-written by Douglas and Sharleen Cooper Cohen. It is directed by Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster (“Annie”, “What the Butler Saw”, “Calamity Jane” and “Sunset Boulevard”), Choreographed by Kate Prince (Old Vic Associate Artist, “Everyone’s Talking About Jamie”, “Into The Hoods” and ZooNation), has Musical Supervision by Tony Award-winning Sarah Travis (Curve Associate Artist, “Sweeney Todd”, “Sister Act”) with Set and Costume design by Olivier Award nominated designer Michael Taylor (“The Winslow Boy”, “Scrooge the Musical” at Curve, “The Dresser”). Orchestrations are by George Dyer, Lighting Design is by Ben Cracknell, Sound Design by Tom Marshall and Video Design by Douglas O’Connell.

“AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN”

2018 UK TOUR

 

FRIDAY 6 APRIL – SATURDAY 21 APRIL

CURVE, LEICESTER www.curveonline.co.uk

 

TUESDAY 24 APRIL – SATURDAY 28 APRIL

LEEDS GRAND THEATRE www.leedsgrandtheatre.com

TUESDAY 1 MAY – SATURDAY 5 MAY

MAYFLOWER THEATRE, SOUTHAMPTON  www.mayflower.org.uk

MONDAY 7 MAY – SATURDAY 12 MAY

WYCOMBE SWAN www.wycombeswan.co.uk

TUESDAY 15 MAY – SATURDAY 19 MAY

BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME www.birminghamhippodrome.com

MONDAY 21 MAY – SATURDAY 26 MAY

LIVERPOOL EMPIRE www.atgtickets.com/liverpool

TUESDAY 29 MAY – SATURDAY 2 JUNE

BORD GAIS ENERGY THEATRE, DUBLIN www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie

MONDAY 4 JUNE – SATURDAY 9 JUNE  

LYCEUM THEATRE, SHEFFIELD www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

MONDAY 18 JUNE – SATURDAY 23 JUNE

THEATRE ROYAL NEWCASTLE www.theatreroyal.co.uk

 

MONDAY 25 JUNE – SATURDAY 30 JUNE

WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE www.wmc.org.uk

MONDAY 2 JULY – SATURDAY 7 JULY

EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE www.atgtickets.com/Edinburgh 

MONDAY 9 JULY – SATURDAY 14 JULY

MILTON KEYNES THEATRE www.atgtickets.com/Miltonkeynes

MONDAY 23 – SATURDAY 28 JULY

THEATRE ROYAL, NOTTINGHAM  www.trch.co.uk

MONDAY 30 JULY – SATURDAY 4 AUGUST

BRISTOL HIPPODROME www.atgtickets.com/bristol

MONDAY 6 AUGUST – SATURDAY 11 AUGUST

THE MARLOWE THEATRE, CANTERBURY www.marlowetheatre.com

 

MONDAY 13 AUGUST – SATURDAY 18 AUGUST

MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE  www.atgtickets.com/manchester

MONDAY 20 AUGUST – SATURDAY 25 AUGUST

THEATRE ROYAL, PLYMOUTH www.theatreroyal.com

 

MONDAY 27 AUGUST – SATURDAY 1 SEPTEMBER

REGENT THEATRE, IPSWICH https://apps.ipswich.gov.uk

MONDAY 3 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 8 SEPTEMBER

THE ALHAMBRA THEATRE, BRADFORD www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

MONDAY 10 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 15 SEPTEMBER

GLASGOW KING’S THEATRE www.atgtickets.com/glasgow   

Crucible Theatre, Sheffield – until 17 March.  Reviewed by Charlotte Brown

5*****

Watergate – one of the biggest scandals in American history is probably the most talked about political cover-ups ever (1972), which in 1974 prompted Richard Nixon to become the only US President in history to resign from office. On the day of his resignation, 400 million worldwide viewers watch Nixon leave the White House. Amongst those watching was the British journalist and chat show host David Frost.

Frost is eager to get an “access-all-areas” interview with Nixon. Nixon is equally as keen to take part, encouraged by his literary agent Irving “Swifty” Lazar, who believes the interview is the perfect opportunity to salvage Nixons’ reputation and make some money.

Along with friend and Producer John Birt, Frost travels to California to meet with Nixon to discuss the series of interview recordings. On the flight to California, Frost meets a young woman by the name of Caroline Cushing, and they begin a relationship.

Frost isn’t 100% sure what he wishes to gain from the interviews and after enlisting the help of two private investigators, decides to push for a confession. Both wish to control the story but only one can emerge the victor.

This gripping and compelling stage production (A Sheffields Theatre Production) of the controversial Frost/Nixon interview gives a behind-the-scenes look at what was twelve days of filming the most compelling interview of David Frosts career as a TV chat show host.

The two main leads – Daniel Rigby (David Frost) and Jonathan Hyde (Richard Nixon) are superbly convincing as the real deal. Although I wasn’t born in the 1970s I have seen snippets of the famous interview before this evening, so much so that despite being supported by an equally fantastic cast, I found myself transfixed on Rigby and Hyde for the full 90 minutes of this stellar performance. Hyde captured Nixons’ humorous side to a tee, making me believe that it IS okay for Politicians to take part in illegal activity(!) – I couldn’t help but love Nixon and see beyond the scandal. Rigby was equally likeable as the charmer socialite Frost. Overall Frost/Nixon is two hours of intense viewing not to be missed!

 

Soap stars line up for Birdsong: Celebrity casting for WW1 story at The Lowry

Birdsong 
Tue 3 – Sat 7 April

Alfie Browne-Sykes (Hollyoaks) and Riley Carter-Millington (Eastenders) to star in Rachel Wagstaff’s highly acclaimed adaptation of Sebastian Faulks’ best-selling novel Birdsong at The Lowry Tue 3 – Sat 7 April.

Riley Carter-Millington who played Kyle Slater in EastEnders hails fromStretford. He studied Drama at Eccles Sixth Form Centre and is the first trans-man to play a trans-male character in a British soap. Alfie Browne-Sykes played Jason Roscoe in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks from 2013 – 2016.

The cast will be headed by Tom Kay and Madeleine Knight as Stephen Wraysford and Isabelle Azaire. Tom Kay, appeared to great acclaim in a recent production of Journey’s End, performed on a First World War battlefield at Ypres.  Madeleine Knight’s television and film credits include Poldark and Florence Foster Jenkins.  Also in the cast are Olivia Bernstone, Alice Brittain, Alfie, Martin Carroll, James Findlay (winner of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award 2010), Liz Garland, Jeffrey Harmer and Simon Lloyd.

Birdsong tells a mesmerising story of love and courage, before and during the war. In pre-war France, a young Englishman, Stephen Wraysford, embarks on a passionate and dangerous affair with the beautiful Isabelle Azaire that turns their worlds upside down.  As the war breaks out, Stephen must lead his men through the carnage of the Battle of the Somme and through the sprawling tunnels that lie deep underground.  Faced with the unprecedented horror of the war, Stephen clings to the memory of Isabelle and the idyll of his former life as his world explodes around him.

Birdsong is directed by Alastair Whatley with Charlotte Peters, with set design by Victoria Spearing, lighting by Alex Wardle for Charcoalblue and sound by Dom Bilkey.

Birdsong is produced on tour by Anne-Marie Woodley and Jon Woodley for Birdsong Productions Ltd in association with The Original Theatre Company.

Birdsong is suitable for ages 12+

CAMERON MACKINTOSH’S ACCLAIMED

BROADWAY PRODUCTION OF

“LES MISÉRABLES”
RETURNS TO THE UK

FOR A MAJOR UK AND IRELAND TOUR

OPENING AT CURVE LEICESTER

ON 3 NOVEMBER 2018

After nearly a decade since the last UK tour sold out within days, Cameron Mackintosh is delighted to announce that his acclaimed Broadway production of Boublil and Schönberg’s musical “LES MISÉRABLES” will open at Curve Leicester for a season from Saturday 3 – Saturday 24 November 2018 (press night 14 November 2018 ), before playing the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin (5 December 2018 – 12 January 2019), Festival Theatre Edinburgh (22 January – 16 February 2019) and Manchester Palace Theatre (19 February – 30 March 2019). Further dates will be announced.

Cameron Mackintosh said, “Since I first conceived the new production of “Les Misérables” to celebrate the shows 25^th anniversary in 2009, this production has taken the world by storm – more than matching the success of the original, which can now only be seen in London.  I am thrilled that modern audiences have embraced this production as Les Mis for the 21^st century and it is playing to packed houses all over the world in many languages. It also inspired the hugely successful movie version starring Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Eddie Redmayne.

This latest version comes hot from its recent Broadway triumph (now once again on a sell-out tour of North America) and is even more spectacular than the original.  I am very proud that this extraordinary Boublil and Schönberg musical remains as fresh, thrilling and exciting as ever – and people are still storming the barricades for a ticket.”

This brilliant new staging has scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, and has been seen in North America, South America, Korea, Japan, Canada, Australia, Spain, France, Manila, Singapore, Dubai and Broadway.

Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, Boublil and Schönberg’s magnificent score of “LES MISÉRABLES” includes the songs, “I Dreamed a Dream”, “On My Own”, “Stars”, “Bring Him Home”, “Do You Hear the People Sing?”, “One Day More”, “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables”, “Master Of The House” and many more.  Seen by over 120 million people worldwide in 45 countries and in 22 languages, “LES MISÉRABLES” is undisputedly one of the world’s most popular musicals.

Cameron Mackintosh’s production of “LES MISÉRABLES” is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and is based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, additional material by James Fenton and original adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird. The original “LES MISÉRABLES” orchestrations are by John Cameron with new orchestrations by Christopher Jahnke and additional orchestrations by Stephen Metcalfe and Stephen Brooker. The production is directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell, designed by Matt Kinley inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo with costumes by Andreane Neofitou and additional costumes by Christine Rowland, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter, musical staging by Michael Ashcroft and Geoffrey Garratt, projections by Fifty-Nine Productions and music supervision by Stephen Brooker and Graham Hurman.

For further press information and images please contact

Simon Raw [email protected]

or Emily Webb [email protected] 020 3829 0930

LES MISÉRABLES UK AND IRELAND TOUR 2018/2019

lesmis.com

SATURDAY 3 – SATURDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2018

CURVE, LEICESTER

curveonline.co.uk – 0116 242 3595

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

WEDNESDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2018 – SATURDAY 12 JANUARY 2019

BORD GAIS ENERGY THEATRE, DUBLIN

bordgaisenergytheatre.ie – +353 (1) 677 7999

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 22 JANUARY – SATURDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2019

FESTIVAL THEATRE, EDINBURGH

edtheatres.com – 0131 529 6000

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 19 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 30 MARCH 2019

MANCHESTER PALACE THEATRE

atgtickets.com/venues/palace-theatre-manchester – 0844 871 3019

ON SALE 5 JUNE 2018

FURTHER DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED

Leicester Square Theatre – 25 March, 29 April.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Agatha Christie looms large over proceedings as Degrees of Error create an improvised murder mystery inspired by the audience’s (mostly filthy suggestions). Stephen Clements handles the crowd with charm as the investigating detective and spends most of the performance stifling giggles as he watches his fellow cast members wrangle suggestions and familiar mystery tropes into some semblance of a plot.

With the audience’s suggestion of a hen party, The Case of the Wet Tea Towel saw its West End debut. With set and costumes firmly embedded in the 1920s/30s, the cast’s idea of a hen party involved a sexually repressed chicken scientist’s pre-wedding party, crashed by her fiancé – no inflatable willies or strippers in sight.

The cast do not know who is the victim until they have had the chance to build up their characters, and they have no idea who the murderer is until the second half of the performance, which is full of backstory lunacy and revelations revealing each character’s possible motives. The big reveal isn’t the end of the show, with the unfortunate culprit having to re-enact the crime and try to remember all the clues they left.

The cast are talented and quick thinking, with Lizzy Skrzypiec excelling at throwing in some plot curveballs and innuendo. Clements interrupts occasionally to torture the actors with suggestions, with his insistence on hearing Mr Green’s poems about chickens producing a bizarrely brilliant ode to hens from Peter Baker. There are some storylines that fizzle out and a few jokes that don’t hit the mark, but the pace is fast and furious, and the cast have enough chemistry to land a big belly laugh immediately after any ill-judged decisions.

How any of the cast keep track of what was going on in this ridiculous show is a mystery in itself, and their slick and funny corrections and reminders to each other of plot points has the feel of The Play That Goes Wrong. Murder, mirth and madness are guaranteed – the perfect show for armchair detectives

The Space – until 10th March.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Burn Bright Theatre’s reimagining of Frankenstein sees Victor Frankenstein dying in infancy while his cousin Elizabeth is taken in by the Frankensteins and experiments with the power of life after their tragic deaths. 200 years after Mary Shelley’s novel was published, and with the centenary of women’s suffrage being celebrated, this feminist version is a refreshing and illuminating take on the classic story.

Performed in the round, with the cast prowling and emerging from all corners of the atmospheric performing space, lit beautifully by Andy Straw, director Katherine Timms uses the talented ensemble (Sarah Lawrie, Charlotte Peak and Carlton Venn) as dynamic narrators and chorus, with their ghostly whispering heightening the eerie tension. The laboratory scenes are particularly memorable, with the Latin phrases repeated by Elizabeth adding a mystical element to the creation of life. Writer Isabel Dixon makes Elizabeth a believable visionary, with Danielle Winter giving a haunted and passionate interpretation of the character. Having a female creature adds a whole new dimension to the creature’s responses to the world around her, with the destructive rage tempered by a tender regret and need to be loved. Instead of a companion, the creature demands that Frankenstein create a child for her to nurture, and Elizabeth Schenk’s skittish, visceral performance soars to a whole new level as she displays the grief of the bereft creature at its loss.

Shelley’s novel is well served in this fantastic adaptation, with no tricksy additions, simply the feminine versions of the main protagonists. The poor creature becomes even more pitiable in this version, and her gleeful violence more shocking.

Burn Bright’s Frankenstein is a must-see for Shelley fans and newcomers to the story – a dynamic, haunting production that will linger long in the memory.

TO ME, TO YOU, TO CINDERELLA

The Chuckle Brothers to Star in this year’s New Theatre pantomime

Following last year’s record-breaking pantomime run which saw over 40,000 festive theatregoers pass through its doors, Hull New Theatre has announced that the legendary Chuckle Brothers are to star in this year’s must-see fairy-godmother of pantomimes, Cinderella, from Thursday 6 December.

The Chuckle Brothers, who will play Cinderella’s best friends Buttons and Zip, are known to generations of people for their popular prime-time children’s television show Chucklevision, of which more than 290 episodes were made. The series proved so successful that in 2008, BAFTA presented Paul and Barry with an award for services to British children’s television.

During the mid-nineties Paul and Barry also recorded three series of their own TV game show and have toured the UK extensively, even releasing a charity single with Tinchy Stryder. The brothers have been a staple in pantomime, making audiences chuckle at major venues across the UK every Christmas for 50 years.

This year’s unmissable family show will be packed with all of the ingredients New Theatre audiences have come to expect from the cities’ biggest pantomime; lots of laughter, stunning costumes and sets, and quality entertainment for all ages, brought magically to life by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s biggest pantomime producer and the team behind the theatre’s annual pantomime.

Cinderella’s Executive Producer Jonathan Kiley said: “After the success of Peter Pan last year we’re delighted to be back once again in the beautiful, new-look New Theatre and to have the legendary Chuckle Brothers leading our fantastic cast. There’ll be laughs aplenty for Hull this festive season. We’re already planning lots of magical surprises so audiences should book now to ensure they don’t miss out.”

Councillor Terry Geraghty, Chairman of Hull Culture and Leisure Board, said: “For many families pantomime is their first taste of live theatre so it’s important that it’s a favourable experience.

“We’re delighted to welcome back the Chuckle Brothers for this year’s festive treat, Cinderella. Paul and Barry have always proved very popular with Hull audiences, their experience and unwavering enthusiasm are sure to delight audiences of all ages. ”

Audiences shall go to the ball this Christmas as Cinderella transforms from rags to riches, outwits her very Ugly Sisters, and with the help of her hilarious friend Buttons and one very magical Fairy Godmother, wins the heart of the dashing Prince Charming. (I think this just repeats what’s already been said elsewehere)Don’t miss your chance to see Cinderella, the Fairy Godmother of all pantomimes. The clock is ticking…book your tickets to the Ball today!

Book now at the Hull City Hall box office, call 01482 300 306 or visit our new website www.hulltheatres.co.uk to book online.