Author: FairyPoweredProductions

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL
TO EMBARK ON MAJOR UK AND IRELAND TOUR

OPENING AT THE

BIRMINGHAM ALEXANDRA THEATRE

ON 11 OCTOBER 2018

Motown the Musical will embark on a major UK and Ireland tour opening at the Birmingham New Alexandra Theatre on 11 October 2018 where it will play until 3 November 2018 before visiting Leeds Grand Theatre (6 – 17 November 2018), Edinburgh Playhouse (20 November – 8 December 2018), Bristol Hippodrome (10 January – 2 February 2019), Bord Gais Energy Theatre Dublin (5 – 23 February 2019), Manchester Opera House (26 February – 23 March 2019) and Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff (26-March – 6 April 2019). Further dates and casting to be announced soon.

The London production of Motown the Musical continues to play to standing ovations at the Shaftesbury Theatre where it is about to enter its third year and is currently booking until 5 January 2019.

With music and lyrics from the Motown catalogue and book by Motown founder Berry Gordy, Charles Randolph-Wright’s production features a live orchestra playing 50 Motown tracks including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I’ll Be There, Dancing In The Street, Stop! In The Name Of Love, My Girl and I Heard It through the Grapevine and tells the story behind the classic hits.

Berry Gordy said today, “The UK has always been the gateway for Motown to the rest of the world.  While the west end production still continues to perform to great audiences, I’m thrilled that we are taking a second production of Motown the Musical to the rest of the UK.”

With just $800 borrowed from his family, Motown founder Berry Gordy, goes from featherweight boxer to heavyweight music mogul, discovering and launching the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and many more.  Motown the Musical uncovers the true story of the legendary record label that changed music history and created the soundtrack of a generation.  

Tony nominated Motown the Musical received its world premiere in April 2013 in New York and recouped its $18 million investment by the end of 2014.  The first US National Tour opened to critical acclaim in Spring 2014 in Chicago, grossing $20 million dollars during its standing room only sixteen-week run, and continues to play to packed houses across America.

Motown the Musical has music supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Ethan Popp, co-orchestrations and additional arrangements by Bryan Cook, dance arrangements by Zane Mark.  Choreography is by Patricia Wilcox and Warren Adams, scenic design by David Korins, costumes by Emilio Sosa, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design  by Peter Hylenski, video by Daniel Brodie and Wig design by Charles Lapointe. Motown the Musical is produced in the UK by Kevin McCollum, Doug Morris, Adam Spiegel and Berry Gordy.

Berry Gordy is the founder of Motown, the enterprise that nurtured the careers of, amongst others, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles,​ Diana Ross and The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Four Tops, ​Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5 and more​. Gordy is also a songwriter, producer, director, boxer, innovative entrepreneur, teacher and visionary.  Actively involved in the Civil Rights movement, he also released the recorded speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  His films include Mahogany and Lady Sings the Blues, which received five Academy Award nominations. He has been inducted​ into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, received ​a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, the Rhythm and Blues Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame Pioneer Award, the Grammy Salute To Industry Icon’s President’s Merit Award and was honoured by President Barack Obama with a Salute to Motown evening at the White House. Berry Gordy’s unparalleled contribution to music and popular culture is chronicled in his autobiography, To Be Loved: The Music, The Magic, The Memories of Motown.

The original Broadway cast recording of Motown the Musical is available via Motown Records, a label of UMG Recordings – www.classicmotown.com

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL – UK and Ireland tour 2018/2019

11 OCTOBER – 3 NOVEMBER 2018

BIRMINGHAM NEW ALEXANDRA THEATRE

ATGTICKETS.COM/Birmingham – 0844 871 3011

ON SALE 1 FEBRUARY 2018

6 – 17 NOVEMBER 2018

LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

leedsgrandtheatre.com – 0844 848 2700

ON SALE 24 JANUARY 2018

20 NOVEMBER – 8 DECEMBER 2018

EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE

ATGTICKETS.COM/Edinburgh – 0844 871 3014

ON SALE 1 FEBRUARY 2018

10 JANUARY – 2 FEBRUARY 2019

BRISTOL HIPPODROME

ATGTICKETS.COM/Bristol – 0844 871 3012

ON SALE SOON

5 – 23 FEBRUARY 2019

BORD GAIS ENERGY THEATRE DUBLIN

bordgaisenergytheatre.ie

ON SALE SOON

26 FEBRUARY – 23 MARCH 2019

MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE

ATGTICKETS.COM/Manchester – 0844

ON SALE SOON

26 MARCH – 6 APRIL 2019

WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE, CARDIFF

wmc.org.uk – 02920 63 64 64

ON SALE SOON

ANDREW HUGHES JOINS ENGLISH TOURING THEATRE AS A PRODUCER

English Touring Theatre today announces that Andrew Hughes joins the company as a Producer, having previously been Assistant to the Artistic Director at the Young Vic Theatre.

Andrew began his career as Producing Assistant with Punchdrunk, originally appointed through the inaugural year of the DCMS Jerwood Creative Bursaries programme, and went on to work with international touring company Blind Summit, independent Producer Vicky Graham and multi-disciplinary arts organisation Siobhan Davies Dance. As an independent Producer he most recently developed and produced Ross & Rachel by Olivier nominee James Fritz, which enjoyed a critically acclaimed, award-winning run at the Edinburgh Festival, a New York transfer and two subsequent UK tours.

Andrew Hughes said, “I’m so looking forward to joining Richard, Sophie and the whole ETT team during this exciting new chapter in the company’s history. Meeting diverse audiences across the country and beyond with thrilling, bold and challenging theatre feels more important as ever in an increasingly divided and politically complex 2018 UK.”

Richard Twyman, Artistic Director of English Touring Theatre said, “We’re delighted that Andrew will be joining the team at ETT. He brings with him a breadth of experience in some of the country’s leading companies whilst also being an exciting producer in his own right. As we celebrate ETT’s 25 year commitment to touring, Andrew’s energy and expertise will be invaluable.”

ENGLISH TOURING THEATRE

English Touring Theatre is one of the UK’s most successful and influential touring companies, winning the UK Theatre Awards Best Touring Production in 2014, 2015 & 2016. The company works with leading artists to stage an eclectic mix of new and classic work for audiences throughout the UK and overseas; theatre that is thrilling, popular and engaged in the contemporary world. At the heart of everything ETT does is the passionately held belief that everyone, wherever they are in the country, deserves to have access to the very best theatre. In 2017 ETT toured to 40 venues throughout the UK. The company’s co-production of Othello, with Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory, ran at Wilton’s Music Hall May 2017, Sam Holcroft’s Rules for Living toured in Autumn 2017 and Conor McPherson’s The Weir continues its nationwide tour this year.

CINDERELLA WILL BE STEPS ABOVE THE REST

LEE LATCHFORD-EVANS ANNOUNCED AS PRINCE CHARMING IN ST HELENS THEATRE ROYAL EASTER PANTO

Boot-scoot on down to St Helens Theatre Royal this Easter as Regal Entertainments are egg-static to announce that Steps pop-group member Lee Latchford-Evans will play the role of Prince Charming in their panto, Cinderella.

Guaranteed to be Steps above the rest, the show will be on stage from Saturday 24th March – Sunday 15th April, and tickets are on sale now.

Best known as one fifth of pop-phenomenon Steps, Lee has and still is achieving incredible success with the Brit award-winning band, selling in excess of 20 million records worldwide with famous hits such as Stomp, It’s the Way You Make Me Feel, 5,6,7,8 and recent iTunes Number 1 single Scared Of The Dark. The band recently released their fifth studio album, Tears on the Dancefloor last April which also hit Number 1 on the UK iTunes chart and has since gone Gold.  Steps recently completed their Party on the Dancefloor UK tour selling out 22 arenas across the UK and Ireland.

No stranger to panto, Lee has starred in Snow White, Jack and the Beanstalk, Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast among others.

The star has also appeared on the St Helens Theatre Royal stage as love lothario Bob, in Regal Entertainments’ 2015 production of Rita, Sue and Bob Too! Other stage productions include Bill Kenwright’s All Creatures Great and Small, and the West End production of Grease the Musical.

Lee said: “I’m really excited to be back performing at St Helens Theatre Royal. I received such a warm welcome from audiences when I was there in 2015 in Rita, Sue and Bob Too! This time I’m playing Prince Charming, I absolutely love pantomime it’s a great fun way to give the audience some escapism and the atmosphere is always incredible. 

“What makes it that little bit more special, being from Ellesmere Port, it’s like performing to a home-town crowd. I cannot wait! I’ll be seeing you at Easter, St Helens!”

Chantelle Nolan, Theatre Manager added: “I am delighted to announce Lee Latchford-Evans is playing the role of Prince Charming in our magical Easter panto this year. We can’t wait to hear his fantastic voice, and see some of those classic dance moves he’s been showing off on tour this last year!”

The rest of the show’s STEP-tacular all-star cast will be announced in the coming weeks, so Lee will soon know who will be playing his Dancing Queen at the Grand Ball.

Cinderella tells the story of a beautiful girl who is reduced to a life of servitude by her 2 ugly step-sisters, but that will all change when an invitation to a grand ball at the palace arrives.

With a bit of magic and some help from her friend Buttons, Cinderella is transformed in to the belle of the ball. But what will happen at the stroke of midnight?

Enchanted pumpkins, glass slippers, a sparkling fairy-tale carriage and lots of fun to entertain the whole family, be sure to book tickets early. It would be a tragedy to miss it.

Cinderella runs from Saturday 24th March – Sunday 15th April and tickets are on sale now!

For more information, please visit: www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com

Like us on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/St-Helens-Theatre-Royal

Follow us on Twitter: @TheatreRoyalStH

LISTING DETAILS

Regal Entertainments Ltd Present: Cinderella

Dates: Sat 24 Mar – Sun 15 Apr

Times: Various

Tickets: From £13*

*All prices are inclusive of a £1 per seat transaction fee. On-line bookings are subject to an additional 50p per seat on-line processing fee.

THEATRE ROYAL BOOKING DETAILS

Book in person at the Theatre Royal Box Office, Corporation Street, St. Helens, Merseyside WA10 1LQ (Mon–Sat 10am–5pm). Alternatively, call 01744 756 000 or log on to: www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com.

Alula Cyr: Hyena
UK Tour: Thursday 1st March – Tuesday 24th April 2018

Marrying precision and poignancy, Alula Cyr’s debut production celebrates female strength with awe-inspiring acrobatics and synchronised displays of sisterhood. Hyena is an exciting whirlwind of women, wheels, circus, dance and song. Here, the world’s first all-female Cyr wheel trio unveil inventive and previously untried forms of expression using the Cyr.

Hyena is a unique and profound experience that illuminates the thrill of physical ritual. Fiona, Jess and Lil trained in gymnastics, dance and music before studying together at the National Centre for Circus Arts from where they graduated in 2015 with a combined mission to bring more femalecentric circus to the UK.

Including never-before-seen set pieces such as the ‘Cyr Ball’ – a ball created with all the wheels to form a sphere in and around which the trio perform – Hyena is the boisterous and playful culmination of three years’ research into pioneering new ways of working with one of circus’s fastest evolving disciplines.

Co-creator Lil Rice explains, Hyena is a show about womanhood – it’s about beauty, power and the thin line we walk between being a human and a wild animal. We wanted to make a show that would inspire everyone, particularly women and girls, to find their voices and stand together.

The title Hyena references the matriarchal social system of brown spotted hyenas, which offered the company a reference point for the fierce and complex friendships formed between women that are explored in the show. Patterns of conflict and resolution draw from the trio’s own tribal solidarity.

Hyena screams girl power at the top of its lungs and, coincidentally, represents and embodies the essence of womanhood. A strong show that empowers and inspires (Miro Magazine).

Throughout the tour, Alula will be running workshops in partnership with each of the venues, aimed at inspiring young females to create socially aware work.

Hyena is supported by Arts Council England, Jacksons Lane, The National Centre for Circus Arts and SeaChange Arts and Produced by Alula Cyr.

Tour Dates
1st March Circomedia, Bristol, 7.30pm
St Paul’s Church, Portland Square, Bristol, BS2 8SJ

3rd March Deda, Derby, 7.30pm
Chapel Street, Derby, DE1 3GU

4th March Brighton TOM, Brighton, 7pm
The Old Market, 11a Upper Market Street, Hove, BN3 1AS

7th March Folkestone Quarterhouse, Folkestone, 7.30pm
Quarterhouse, Mill Bay, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 1BN

9th March Newbury Corn Exchange, Newbury, 7.45pm
Corn Exchange Newbury, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD

21st March Harlow Playhouse, Harlow, 7.30pm
Playhouse Square, Harlow, CM20 1LS

23rd March Junction Goole, Goole, 7pm
Paradise Place, Goole, East Riding Yorkshire, DN14 5DL

24th March Barnsley Civic, Barnsley, 7.30pm
The Civic, Hanson Street, Barnsley, S70 2HZ

12th & 13th April The Albany, Deptford, 7.30pm, as part of Circusfest
Douglas Way, London SE8 4AG

24th April Forum Theatre, Malvern Theatre, Malvern, 7.45pm
Grange Road, Malvern, WR14 3HB

February 28th – March 4th, VAULT Festival

Coming to London after a barnstorming, critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe 2015, Wound Up Theatre’s Bismillah! An ISIS Tragicomedy, now has its London debut at VAULT Festival this Spring, exploring the strange new reality of youth in modern day Britain and examining social alienation, radicalisation, disenfranchisement and the rock band Queen.

“bold and thought-provoking” The Guardian

Dean joined the army, Danny joined the Islamic State. Bismillah! is their time together as captive and guard. Set in 2015 in a basement in Northern Iraq, Bismillah! uses humour and compassion to approach an incredibly vital discussion around the experiences of disenfranchised young people in modern Britain.

This hilarious and heartbreaking production examines the impact of racial, social, economic and religious politics on youth in society. It’s a show which tackles huge contemporary issues: from rising social tensions and the fall out of interventionist foreign policies to working in Weatherspoons and the ever-rising price of a standard meal deal.

★★★★★“brilliantly acted and superbly written(…) side-splitting and touching” Broadway Baby

Bismillah! stormed the Fringe during its critically acclaimed run at the 2015 Edinburgh Festival. It was listed for the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award and was endorsed by Nihal Arthanayake on the BBC Asian Network. Since its Fringe run, the show has been in development with Sevan Greene at London’s Theatre Royal Stratford East. VAULT Festival marks the show’s London theatrical debut.

Wound Up Theatre, joined by award-Winning producer Sofi Berenger and director Jonny Kelly, produce award winning theatre-maker Matthew Greenhough’s script. Wound Up produce social and politically aware theatre, which discusses seismic issues, through comedy – facilitating discussions and challenging ideas. The company’s first play, Delusions of Adequacy, explored youth unemployment, and #VILE: The Untimely Demise of a Manufactured Pop Star, exploring the impact of celebrity culture and social media on mental health in working class Northern Communities.

Mad As Hell
Jermyn Street Theatre, 16b Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6ST
Wednesday 7th February – Saturday 24th February

Documenting the scandalous relationship between Peter Finch and Eletha Barrett in Hollywood, Cassie McFarlane’s Mad As Hell will continue Jermyn Street Theatre’s Spring Scandal Season. A battle between race and prejudice and the courage of love, Mad As Hell will reveal for the first time how the backdrop to Finch’s iconic performance was as fiery as the role he played.

This explosive play will star Stephen Hogan (Redwater, BBC; Transformers, The Last Knight, Paramount; Peer Gynt, National Theatre), Vanessa Donovan (forthcoming films include I Love London and The Marker) and Alexandra Mardell (Mine, The Courtyard theatre; Vera, ITV).

Inspired by her mother’s retelling of the story of Finch and Barrett and the Jamaican reaction to Finch’s relationship with a local woman of the ‘wrong class’, Cassie McFarlane has researched and revisited Jamaica for Mad As Hell. Recipient of the Evening Standard Most Promising Newcomer for her role in the pioneering Black British film Burning an Illusion, McFarlane found a lack of roles for Black British actors at the time led her to instead write and produce short films for the BFI, Channel 4, and ZDF in Germany, and to direct plays at theatres including Soho Theatre.

A bar in Jamaica. The early 1960s. When womanising, hell-raising film star Peter Finch meets Eletha Barrett, a charismatic island girl, they both get more than they bargained for. As Finch begins his Oscar- winning performance in Network, racial and class tensions threaten to upstage the on screen narrative.

Writer and director Cassie McFarlane comments, Like many Jamaicans, I have known the story of Peter and Eletha since childhood. I think it will speak to many people about Hollywood, about prejudice, and about mixed-race relationships. I am excited to be bringing their amazing story to life in Mad As Hell, and to direct its world premiere in the middle of the West End.

Dai Fujikura Portrait
Wigmore Hall, 36 Wigmore Street, London W1U 2BP
Saturday 17th February 2018, 7.30pm

Following the successes of previous years’ ‘Avex Recital Series’, Avex now launch their 2018 programme with a special Dai Fujikura Portrait concert featuring musicians from around the world, performing works for shamisen (a traditional Japanese instrument), toy piano, violin, saxophone, and a quintet comprising oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon and piano. This evening of beautiful sound colours and contrasting sonority will also mark several UK premières as well as a world premiere of a piece for solo piano.

The incredible artists who will be performing at Wigmore are Mei Yi Foo (piano and toy piano), HONJOH Hidejiro (shamisen), Yu Kosuge (piano), Rie Koyama (bassoon), Masanori Oishi (saxophone), Enno Senft (double bass), Philippe Tondre (oboe), Bartosz Woroch (violin), Makoto Yoshida (clarinet) and Teunis van der Zwart (horn).

Dai Fujikura is acclaimed worldwide and has been awarded many important prizes throughout his career including the Royal Philharmonic Society Award, Otaka Prize, Akutagawa Composition Award, WIRED Audi Innovation Award, the Paul Hindemith Prize, and The Silver Lion Award from Venice Biennale 2017. His works include operas, orchestral pieces, ensemble works, chamber music, and film scores that cross over into the contemporary world with strong connections to experimental, pop, jazz and improvisation.

Having received numerous international co-commissions, Dai Fujikura’s music has been performed in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. He recently held the composer-in-residence position at Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra. In the UK, he has received two BBC Proms commissions, his Double Bass Concerto was premiered by the London Sinfonietta, and in 2013 the BBC Symphony Orchestra gave the UK premiere of his Atom. Recently, Dai has been named the artistic director of the Born Creative Festival in Tokyo Metropolitan Theater for 2017.

Hiroyuki Nakashima, President at Avex Classics International, comments, Avex Classics International is committed to nurturing the best young musical talent and giving them an international platform. From intimate recitals to huge multimedia presentations, we engage audiences of all ages and nationalities in the unique power that defines the best musical performances and artists. Our return to Wigmore Hall demonstrates the best of Japanese talent and we are delighted to be back at this renowned hall.

Dai Fujikura Portrait looks back across Fujikura’s whole career as far as some works from his time at college. He describes Frozen Heat for Solo Piano (1998) like meeting an old friend.

Neo for Solo Shamisen (2014) was Fujikura’s first composition for the shamisen. Until this point he had always associated Japanese instruments as the clichéd music heard in Japanese restaurants outside of Japan. When this work was commissioned he cast aside these preconceptions and carried out extensive research into the history of the instrument. His attraction to the shamisen was the concept of adding ‘noise’ to the sound, something unthinkable in western classical music; he treated this piece like a guitar solo in a rock concert.

While many of the works have been composed specifically for the artists who will perform them at Wigmore, every few years Fujikura composes for himself which allows him to go back to basics and experiment with new methods and systems. SekSek and Ayatori for Solo Piano (2011) is one such work. With works like this, Fujikura imposes strict limits on the piece. For instance, he might develop a rule where ‘no more than three notes can be played at the same time’, or ‘no pedal’, or ‘right hand and left hand always move together’.

Bringing together an incredible range of award-winning musicians from around the globe, Dai Fujikura Portrait offers an opportunity to celebrate the work and achievements of this incredible composer.

Dai Fujikura comments, I am delighted to have a portrait concert at the renowned Wigmore Hall with all-star musicians from all over the world. Many of the works have been specially written for these musicians, for both traditional Japanese and western instruments. I am curious to hear 20 years of my music played together at this concert which includes compositions dating back to 1998 as well as a world premiere. What a way to celebrate my 40th!

The second concert in Avex’s 2018 series will held on Saturday 2nd June. This Rachmaninov programme will be performed by Yuki Ito (cello) and Sofya Gulyak (piano)

Darlington Hippodrome – until 20 January 2018.  Reviewed by Lindsay Sykes

3***

New Jersey Nights is a concert style production which takes the audience through a celebration of greatest hits by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. With a distinct party atmosphere, there is no story line, making this a show purely about the music. It has a very different feel to the hit musical Jersey Boys, and as far as tribute acts go, these boys are up there with the best.

Opening in Ruby’s Bar with the six dancers evoking the era of the late 50’s and early 60’s with their costumes and dancing, they remain on stage for most of the show embellishing it with their enthusiasm.  The set comprises of a bland makeshift bar set-up (backboards on wheels portraying the walls, a bar and to the right a table and chairs), it doesn’t look particularly inviting. However as the four piece band take their places, initially behind the bar walls while a lone barman fiddles with the vintage radio for a signal, the stage soon becomes alive.

Lead vocals are shared between the four performers – Joshua Dever, William Hazel, Duncan Heather and Ricky Rojas – who have all toured extensively with the production previously. Kicking off the show with Oh What a Night and continuing with hits including Sherry, Walk Like a Man, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Let’s Hang On, Grease and Who Loves You. This is balanced with slower numbers such as My Eyes Adored You and Fallen Angel and a beautifully sung acapella version of Silence is Golden.

Aside from the main Valli numbers the girls in the show perform two songs from Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound. As they are the dancers it is obvious that they are lip-synching which is a shame in a live show.  However it is a nice nod to one of the musical influences of the Four Seasons and allows the three girls to take centre stage.

A show like this, with few unscripted moments, thrives on banter and all four are excellent at creating a rapport with the audience. It’s a smart move, as the format of the show – songs followed by a short piece of narration – could feel quite sterile without that spark.  All four performers seems to be having a good time and it shows in their enthusiasm

On a snowy January evening this show is well worth the effort of going to see to banish the post Christmas blues.  The evening came to a close with a megamix which brought almost the entire audience to their feet. Everybody was dancing and singing without a care in the world and I noticed some truly impressive moves. The singers produce a fine performance of the Four Seasons including all of the falsetto and harmonies. If you love the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and are prepared to take New Jersey Nights for what it is you will have a fun-filled night. In Darlington until January 20th and on tour around the UK