Author: FairyPoweredProductions

THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS
THE NEW MUSICAL BY
JULIAN FELLOWES, GEORGE STILES & ANTHONY DREWE

AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM
FROM JUNE 2017

Following a highly-acclaimed pre-West End engagement, the major new musical THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS will open in the West End at the world-famous London Palladium. Previewing from 17 June 2017, the production will open on 29 June 2017.

Leading actor, comedian and presenter Rufus Hound stars as the amazing Mr Toad with EastEnders and Shrek star Neil McDermott as Chief Weasel. The confirmed company will also include Jenna Boyd, Abigail Brodie, Jorell Coiffic-Kamall, Nicole Deon, James Gant, Evan James, Michael Larcombe, Bethany Linsdell, Ryan Pidgen, Adam Vaughan and Georgie Westall, with further casting to be announced shortly.

On Thursday 26 January, Jamie Hendry and Julian Fellowes introduced members of the cast and creative team at an exclusive launch event held on stage at the London Palladium where Rufus Hound and the company performed a selection of songs from the musical.

Rufus Hound is one of the UK’s leading actors, presenters and comedians, most recently seen on stage in Don Quixote (Royal Shakespeare Company), The Wars of the Roses (Rose Theatre) and as Freddy in the original West End production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels(Savoy Theatre). His other theatre credits include Neville’s Island (Chichester Festival Theatre) and One Man Two Guv’nors (Theatre Royal Haymarket). Television credits include Doctor Who (BBC), Cucumber (Channel 4), Drunk History (Comedy Central), A Touch of Cloth (SKY) and Hounded (BBC). He is also a regular guest on comedy panel shows such as Never Mind the Buzzcocks (BBC), Would I Lie To You? (BBC), and 8 Out Of 10 Cats (Channel 4).

Neil McDermott is best known for portraying Ryan Malloy in EastEnders (BBC). His stage credits include Lord Farquaad in Shrek The Musical (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane), Jean-Michel in La Cage Aux Folles (Menier Chocolate Factory) and Rolf Gruber in The Sound of Music (London Palladium). Further television credits include The Royal (ITV), Casualty(BBC) and Doctor Who: The Next Doctor (BBC).

Based on Kenneth Grahame’s treasured novel which has captivated generations of readers for over a century, THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS has been adapted for the stage with a book by Academy Award-winning screenwriter and Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes and Olivier Award-winning composer and lyricist duo George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

This riotous comedy follows the impulsive Mr Toad whose insatiable need for speed lands him in serious trouble. With his beloved home under threat from the notorious Chief Weasel and his gang of sinister Wild Wooders, Toad must attempt a daring escape leading to a series of misadventures and a heroic battle to recapture Toad Hall.

Featuring eye-poppingly beautiful design, exuberant choreography and a gloriously British score, The Wind in the Willows brings an explosion of anarchy, humour and heart to the world-famous London Palladium.

Tickets will be available from £15, with reduced price preview performances. No additional booking fees or charges are applied to tickets booked via www.WillowsMusical.com.

Produced by Jamie Hendry, MJE Productions and Josh Gilinski, in association with Theatre Royal Plymouth, THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh with choreography by Aletta Collins, design by Peter McKintosh, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Gareth Owen, wig & makeup design by Linda McKnight, orchestrations by Chris Jahnke and David Shrubsole and musical supervision by Simon Lee.

The Lowry, Salford Manchester.  21 January – 4 February 2017.  Reviewed by Margaret Baguley

The acclaimed National Theatre production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was one of the most enjoyable plays I’ve seen in a long while.

The acting was superb, the cast very funny, the scenery was very inventive, the lighting and music were intoxicating.

I thought it helped give an understanding of the mind of someone with autism. I loved the book and thought it came alive on stage due to Simon Stephens clever adaption of Mark Haddon’s novel.  The plot was easy to follow and Scott Reid gave a wonderful performance.   The whole production plunges us into Christopher’s world, from the storytelling , a clever play-within-a-play nod to the novel which is written as by Christopher himself, to the claustrophobic sounds, lights and projection that take over any time Christopher is overwhelmed.  I liked the use of a narrator (a calm and collected Lucianne McEvoy as teacher Siobhan acts as narrator) for some of Christopher’s thoughts and words but it didn’t take anything away from Christopher’s part – it seemed to help the flow of the story.

The changes in the scenes were inventive and gave a real sense of the story but the best of the scenery was undoubtedly the station scenes they were realistic – Bunny Christie’s marvellous geometric set becomes a claustrophobic underground station with the right sound and vision enhanced by the smoky atmosphere and the sound track thanks to Paule Constable’s lighting, Finn Ross’ video and Ian Dickinson’s sound design.  And finally the use of a real puppy at the end was a nice touch

LES ENFANTS TERRIBLES

www.lesenfantsterribles.co.uk / @LesEnfantsTerr / #LETaward

 

LES ENFANTS TERRIBLES AND GREENWICH THEATRE ANNOUNCE THE SHORTLIST FOR THE LET AWARD

 

Today, Les Enfants Terribles in collaboration with Greenwich Theatre have announced the ten nominees for the sixth LET Award. The award is designed to help two new companies produce an original piece of work each at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2017.

All ten entries will take part in a showcase at Greenwich Theatre on 6 February 2017. Two will be selected that evening to win a performance slot at the Pleasance as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, a cash injection of £1000 and industry mentoring from Les Enfants Terribles and their partners Greenwich Theatre. Ticketing information to attend the showcase can be found at www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk.

 

Oliver Lansley (Artistic Director) and James Seager (Producer) of Les Enfants Terribles said:“We are thrilled to present the ten nominees for our sixth LET Award. Supporting emerging companies and encouraging a spirit of entrepreneurship amongst a new generation of theatremakers and storytellers has been one of the great joys throughout our fifteen years of Les Enfants Terribles. It’s exciting to see the people who we have supported through this award, such as David Byrne who is now Artistic Director at the New Diorama, go on to produce such brilliant work. Our 2017 cohort of nominees are all producing incredibly innovative and daring new work and we are looking forward to the showcase when we get to see them all in action.”

 

The previous winners of the LET Award over the past six years were SharkLegs Theatre for The Inevitable Heartbreak of Gavin Plimsole (2016), Fine Mess Theatre for Divas (2015), The Human Zoo Theatre Company for The Hive (2014), PIT Theatre and the New Diorama for Kubrick3 (2013) and Magpie Puppet Company for The Kites Are Flying (2012).

 

The nominated ten productions for The LET Award 2017 are:

 

A Heart at Sea by Peter Morton and Avi Simmons

A Heart at Sea is the collaboration between indie-folk artist Avi Simmons and visual artist/puppeteer Peter Morton. Grown through a love for storytelling, music, and puppets the performance is an intimate piece of gig-theatre. Peter Morton and Avi Simmons wanted to create an accessible performance that is perfect for any small performance spaces as well as unconventional spaces. A Heart at Sea weaves haunting live music and stunning visuals to tell the story about a Boy who throws himself into the sea in a heart-warming tale of danger and discovery.

 

Form by Rendered Retina Theatre Company

Rendered Retina Theatre Company are passionate about creating striking, energetic and visual performances that let loose their audience’s imaginations. Formed from an intense curiosity of the human experience, they are constantly looking for inspiration for their next performance, drawing from themselves, their daydreams and everyday life. Having worked closely together for five years, their work is extremely collaborative and the trust which they have built up over this time allows them to constantly push their limits as performers and creators.

 

Women at War by Rebecca Johannsen

With a Ph.D. in theatre, specializing in both feminist criticism and trauma theory, Dr. Rebecca Johannsen was the founding artistic director of Stone Soup Theatre, a critically-acclaimed California company. She left the company in 2011 to teach theatre at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and produce and direct in NYC. While there, she produced Erik Ehn’s Soulographie: Our Genocides at La MaMa and developed plays with new playwrights. Her drive has always been to produce work that engages society with difficult questions and to promote more women on and off stage.

 

Tom and Bunny Save the World by Fat Rascal Theatre

Fat Rascal Theatre are a young company fresh from East 15‘s BA Acting and Contemporary Theatre Course. They use music and quintessentially British humour to tell relatable stories. They are bold and cheeky, exploring taboo subjects with a cup of Yorkshire Tea in hand and discuss socio-political issues through an accessible and appealing format to engage a wider audience. Fat Rascal Theatre want to appeal to people who would usually shy away from topical theatre by presenting it in a medium which is familiar to them. They believe that theatre should always aim to inspire, educate or liberate and should be available to everybody.

 

Hexagon by FLYWHEEL

FLYWHEEL is an East 15 CT graduate company obsessed with telling new stories through original and challenging means. They are a company of actors who enjoy working through action to discover surprising composition in gesture, music, text and social declaration. Courageous dreaming, playfulness and innovative art are important to them. FLYWHEEL work collaboratively to make adventurous new work with popular appeal which offers gripping stories which responds to the world in instinctive, intellectual and thought-provoking ways. Their production Hexagonis a new play using an original score and playful physical storytelling.

 

Astronauts of Hartlepool by Shuttle Buttle

Shuttle Buttle have been creating theatre since 2012, focussing on strong visual elements using light and sound to explore contemporary social issues through intimate, challenging storytelling, which will be key elements of Astronauts of Hartlepool. Astronauts of Hartlepool follows Shuttle Buttle’s Off West End Award-winning (Most Promising New Playwright) play The Dogs of Warwhich used invisible dogs and Egyptian mythology to explore mental illness in rural environments.

 

Witt ‘n Camp by Witt ‘n Camp

Charlie and Holly are the double act Witt ’n Camp. Their alter egos are two wild ladies – oversexed, pretentiously immoral and they can’t help but put on a show. Meanwhile two opera stars reach dizzying heights of fame after creating a new genre “HipOpera” – but these lifelong rivals will go to any lengths to steal the limelight. Then there’s Bridget and Braun, two battery chickens who dream of escaping their shitty boyfriend, Steve. The show guarantees an hour of laughter and tears. Witt ’n Camp’s recent performances include The Giants Gala (hosted by David Schwimmer) and Wifi4Refugees Fundraiser (alongside James McAvoy).

The Conductor by Mid-Atlantic Productions

Mid-Atlantic Productions are a group of graduating students based at Goldsmiths University. The focus of The Conductor is robotics in which a robotic puppet will take centre stage as the train station conductor. Mid-Atlantic Productions’ passion is in developing technologies for new theatre that can be used effectively and affordably. The company want to explore and tell stories with the technological advancements made in recent years.

Goody by BoonDog Theatre / Lucy Roslyn

BoonDog Theatre is a collaborative team looking to make intimate, dynamic work. The playGoody, is one of a series of interweaving plays all set in the same darkly comic BoonDog Circus. As a playwright Lucy Roslyn hopes to create something striking which draws audiences in and asks you questions. Their debut play The State Vs John Hayes told the story of a murderer and her alter ego. The production won the Argus Angel Award going on to tour the UK and New York.

Ingo’s War by Ditto Theatre Company

DITTO are a UK-based physical theatre company with a passion for playing, moving, devising and creating visually exciting and bold new work. As, graduates of East 15 Acting School, BA Physical Theatre 2016, they come from a physical theatre background. Their training is varied, with a strong emphasis on devising their own material in all of these disciplines: puppetry, story-telling, expressive mask, physical comedy, movement and so much more. Having worked closely now for almost four years, they know each other personally and socially, thus are able to work together well and are committed to each other as a group and ensemble.

Sonia Friedman Productions, Scott M. Delman and Tulchin Bartner Productions present

The National Theatre of Scotland and Live Theatre production of

Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour

 

Adapted by Lee Hall from the novel The Sopranos by Alan Warner

 

Directed by Vicky Featherstone
Music Sourced, Arranged and Supervised by Martin Lowe
Designed by Chloe Lamford
Choreographed by Imogen Knight
Lighting by Lizzie Powell
Sound by Mike Walker

Featuring the songs of ELO

Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour is set to transfer to London’s West End in spring 2017.  Originally a co-production between Live Theatre and National Theatre of Scotland Our Ladies…  will run between 15 May to 2 September 2017 (previews from 9 May) at the Duke of York’s Theatre presented by Sonia Freidman Productions, Scott M. Delman and Tulchin Bartner Productions.

 

Vicky Featherstone’s smash-hit production of Lee Hall’s musical adaptation of Alan Warner’s The Sopranos had its English Premiere at Live Theatre in October 2015 following a sell-out run at Edinburgh International Festival Fringe and tour of Scottish venues, where it won a host of awards and five star critics reviews including a Scotsman Fringe First Award, a Herald Angel Award, a Little Devil Herald Award and a Stage Ensemble Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2015.

 

A UK and international tour in 2016, saw the show play to audiences across the country including Newcastle Theatre Royal and performances internationally at festivals in Galway, Connecticut, and Melbourne. It culminated in a sell-out a ten-week run in the Dorfman Theatre, London’s National Theatre, earning the show further award nominations, critical and audience acclaim.

 

««««

‘Big hearted and enjoyably coarse, but with moments of real poignancy, this is a fearless portrait of adolescence, fuelled by songs and Sambuca.’

Evening Standard

 

Written by the Lee Hall, creator of Billy Elliot and long-time Live Theatre collaborator, and Vicky Featherstone, Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre Our Ladies.. is the uplifting and moving story of six Catholic school girls from Oban, let loose in Edinburgh for the day. Funny, raucous and heart-breaking, the play is adapted from Alan Warner’s brilliant novel about six young friends on the cusp of change.

Featuring, amongst others, the songs of ELO, Our Ladies… is a glorious anthem to friendship, youth and growing up disgracefully. Prepare thyself for 24 hours of holy chaos. Our Ladies… contains singing, hilarity, sambuca and strong language.

 

««««

‘A high spirited, hilarious, exhilarating and poignant portrait of essentially good, naïve girls having a reckless stab at being bad, and being brave, eager to experience everything life can throw at them and discovering important stuff about themselves and their friendships in the process.’

Mail on Sunday

 

Max Roberts, Artistic Director, Live Theatre said:

“I’m thrilled that the country’s leading commercial producer Sonia Friedman has taken such an imaginative decision to give Our Ladies… another life following its national and international tours and runs at Edinburgh, Live Theatre and the National Theatre, London. I’m delighted that a commissioned production by Live Theatre in partnership with National Theatre of Scotland with such a talented ensemble of young Scottish actresses will command a major West End Stage.”

Live Theatre is recognised as one of the great new writing theatres on the international stage. Based in Newcastle upon Tyne it is deeply rooted in its local community and produces work as varied and diverse as the audiences it engages with. It is currently producing locker room drama The Red Lion, written by Patrick Marber, starring Stephen Tompkinson which will be performed in Newcastle from Thursday 6 April to Saturday 6 May 2017.

 

The National Theatre of Scotland constantly tours a repertoire of new and acclaimed work with productions regularly presented on theatre stages across the UK and internationally.

Tickets go on sale to the public from 31 January, and start from £10, with 30,000 tickets priced at £30 and under throughout the run. All previews (from 9 -14 May) will be priced at £30 and less. For tickets and information http://www.atgtickets.com/duke-of-yorks or ring Duke of York’s Theatre, Box Office on 0844 871 7623.

 

 

Booking information

30,000 tickets will be priced at £30 and under throughout the run, with tickets available from £10 and all previews priced at £30 and less.

Tickets go on sale on Tuesday 31 January 2017.                                                                                        Performance runs from 09 May to 02 September 2017 at the Duke of York’s Theatre, London

Press Performance: 15 May 2017.

Duke of York’s Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, London, WC2B 4BG

Box Office: 0844 871 7623 / http://www.atgtickets.com/duke-of-yorks

Age 16+ Contains strong language and adult themes

Ticket prices:  from £10 to £30 (previews) and post press night from £10

The Grand Opera House York are holding open auditions for this year’s Stage Experience production of Fame – the Musical on Sunday 12th March.

The ultimate inspiring story of a group of diverse students as they commit to 4 years of gruelling artistic and academic work in New York City’s High School of Performing Arts. The show follows the class from their admission to their graduation, and looks at their struggles, fears and triumphs – from prejudice to substance abuse – as they navigate the worlds of music, drama and dance.  Featuring the Academy Award-winning title song and a host of other catchy pop numbers, Fame is an international sensation and provides great opportunities to feature a diverse talent pool.

This is a chance for local young people to take part in our Stage Experience project, working with a professional creative team to put on a full scale musical here at the theatre.

We are looking for youngsters aged 10-21 who can sing, act and dance to take part in this exciting two week project.  Stage Experience runs from Saturday 22^nd July, culminating in 4 public performances from 3^rd – 5^th August.  There are approximately 65 places available and the auditions are on Sunday 12^th March from 9.00am.

If you are interested in auditioning please email [email protected] for an application form and further information!

LES McKEOWN’S BAY CITY ROLLERS

GRAND OPERA HOUSE YORK

Tuesday 14 March

Bay City Rollers icon Les McKeown is at it again! What’s that you say? Les is back on tour, bringing his fantastic show to venues across the UK!! The tour promises to be a unique voyage back to the 1970s, when Les and his Legendary band ruled the world’s pop charts and The Bay City Rollers’ music became the soundtrack for a generation of teenagers.

Les brings back all the thrill and excitement of Rollermania, performing all the original hits including Bye Bye Baby, Shang-a-Lang, Remember, Summerlove Sensation and Give A Little Love plus many many more as well as introducing new songs from the upcoming new Bay City Rollers album.

The current Legendary Bay City Rollers bring a new energy to all the classic hits.

Grand Opera House York

Performance: 7.30pm

Tickets:  £24.50

Box Office: 0844 871 3024

Online: www.atgtickets.com/york

Dragonflies Theatre and Theatre Bench present:

Steve Steinman

ICONIC The Show

GRAND OPERA HOUSE YORK

Friday 19 May at 7.30pm

The creative force behind the hugely successful Vampires Rock, Steve Steinman’s all new hit show delivers the best of the best sound tracks from some of the coolest and Iconic movies of all time.

Set in the future where movie theatres have all but disappeared a magical cinema still stands. Run by the dilapidated old usher Benson, who does his best to entice people to buy a ticket for the midnight screening and give them a night they will never forget.

A full cast of amazing singers, dancers, and formidable band deliver some of the most recognisable music ever!

Hits from Kill Bill, Batman, Pulp Fiction, Purple Rain, Bond, Mad Max and many more.  Including tracks from Queen, AC/DC, Tina Turner & Prince to name a few of the legendary performers who have made the movie soundtracks unforgettable.

All teamed up with an incredible stage set and awesome pyrotechnics. It’s a show that will blow you away.

So go ahead Punk, Make Your Day!

Tickets are priced at £25.25 & £27.25, available from ATG box office on 0844 871 3024 or in person at the theatre box office. Book online at www.atgtickets.com/york

Demand sees The Woman in Black return to The Lowry for its eighth visit Mon 20 – Sat 25 March 2017

Stephen Mallatratt’s adaptation of Susan Hill’s best-selling novel has terrified over 64,400 theatregoers across its previous seven visits to The Lowry. With an eighth visit planned from Mon 20 – Sat 25 March 2017that total is set to rise as demand for this thrilling production hasn’t seen any signs of slowing.   The Woman in Black first took to the Lyric stage in April 2001 and then returned later that year in December. Subsequently the production visited the Salford based theatre a further fives times in February 2004, September 2005, January 2010, May 2013 and April 2015.  Robin Herford’s gripping production is a brilliantly successfully study in atmosphere, illusion and controlled horror. Stephen Mallatratt’s adaptation of Susan Hill’s novel tells the story of a lawyer obsessed with a curse that he believes has been cast over him and his family by the spectre of a ‘Woman in Black’. He engages a young actor to help him tell his story and exorcise the fear that grips his soul. It begins innocently enough, but as they delve further into his darkest memories, they find themselves caught up in a world of eerie marshes and moaning winds. The borders between make believe and reality begin to blur and the flesh begins to creep. David Acton will play the role of Mr Kipps and The Actor will be played by Matthew Spencer. The production’s huge popularity has reached a global level, having toured to the United States, South America, Tokyo and Singapore. In 2012, Susan Hill’s novel The Woman in Black was released as a major motion picture, starring Daniel Radcliffe, which became the highest grossing British horror film in 20 years. The sequel to that film, The Woman in Black 2: Angel Of Death, came out in 2014. The West End show and tour are produced by PW Productions – the company behind the New Arts Theatre at Leicester Square. Peter Wilson comments, “Everyone at PWP Is proud to continue presenting this perfect piece of theatre. The 2016/17 tour of The Woman in Black is dedicated to the Herford family who have done so much to support, love and create this landmark production.” The production is directed by Robin Herford, with designs by Michael Holt, lighting by Kevin Sleep and sound by Gareth Owen. The UK tour runs concurrently with the West End production. Listings Info The Woman in Black The Lowry Mon 20 – Sat 25 March 2017 7:30pm, Wed, Thu & Sat 2pm Tickets: £21.50 – £30.50 (Including booking fees) Box office: 0843 208 6000 Website

Opera & Ballet International proudly presents an Ellen Kent production with international soloists, highly praised chorus and full orchestra

 

 

 

PUCCINI LA BOHEME

 

One of the most romantic operas ever written

 

Introducing the International soprano Alyona Kistenyova as Mimi and starring Olga Perrier, the international French Soprano as Musetta

Does your pet dog have what it takes to be an opera star?

Has your dog got star quality?

If your pet pooch is the canine equivalent of Brad Pitt or Scarlett Johansson, then they could win a place in the spotlight in the beautiful and romantic opera La Boheme, coming to New Wimbledon Theatre on Tue 14 Feb 2017.

Award-winning opera director and producer Ellen Kent said: “People say never work with children or animals but I love to do both. The first time was 20 years ago when my pet cat Holly Go-Lightly was in one of my productions and was an instant hit. Since then we’ve had horses, dogs, goldfish and even a golden eagle with a 6ft wingspan on stage.

“Many years ago when we last did La Boheme and asked local people to volunteer their pets it was a huge success. We even used a rescue dog once and found him dozens of new owners!

“We’re a nation of animal lovers after all. I’m sure there is plenty of doggie talent out there.”

Your pet needs to be well behaved and small – and as his owner, you will need to be prepared to go onstage in costume to look after him or her.

To audition your dog send a photograph to Ellen Kent: [email protected].  Mobile 07775 626869   Please include your contact number and address as well as the breed, height, weight, age and name of your dog. If you are successful, we will contact you a several weeks before the performance.

Ellen Kent brings one of the most romantic operas ever written to the stage in her new tour, traditionally staged featuring beautiful sets and costumes. The set reflects the Bohemian art of the period and will include a brass band, snow effects and Musetta’s dog will also make an entrance.

“Ellen Kent always includes extra touches and here we had a colourful carnival scene with street entertainers, a local brass, snow effects and a dog (very well behaved on the night).” – Bristol Post, 2013

Puccini’s masterpiece, La Boheme, is based on Henri Murger’s novel Scenes de la vie de boheme. Set in Paris, it focuses on the love between seamstress Mimi and poet Rodolfo.

This classic tale of Parisian love and loss features many famous arias including ‘Your Tiny Hand is Frozen’, ‘They Call Me Mimi’ and ‘Musetta’s Waltz’.

Sung in Italian with English surtitles.

* Cast subject to change.

“Authentic, tender and passionate” – Daily Telegraph

 

Alyona Kistenyova had a beautiful pure strong voice – allied to a real emotional intensity, it shone to perfection in Vissi d’arte. (Tosca)” The Argus, Brighton 2016

“The opera tugged me along and conducted my inner strings with accomplished magic.” – Southend Echo, 2014