Sirens of the Silver Screen Review

SIRENS OF THE SILVER SCREEN – CREATED AND PERFORMED BY BETH BURROWS

Upstairs at the Gatehouse – until 18th November.  Reviewed by Jess Brady

4****

Beth Burrows presents her one woman show telling the poignant stories of the three most iconic woman of the last century, Judy Garland, Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. These women were and still remain the epitome of what old school Hollywood glamour represented as they captured the hearts and minds of millions with their beauty, talent, charisma and sadly their turbulent lives.

Burrows appears on stage after a projection flashing archetypal moments of footage that the sirens are best known for which is a lovely touch and begins the show with the infamous song that set Judy Garland on her path to stardom ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’ from the 1939 classic ‘The Wizard of Oz’ in full Dorothy attire and a charming yellow brick road. This is then followed by Burrows giving the audience an account of Judy’s life including her drug abuse and the abuse she suffered at the hands of MGM along with intermittent moments of action as Judy herself with further projections of Garland and a costume change into her more formative years.

This style of presentation for each Siren is the general premise for the production as a whole. Burrows does give us a more human account of what happened to these women and seems to have a wonderful talent of empathising in her retelling of their lives as well as serenading us with some well recognised tunes made famous by the women with a fantastic singing voice! Despite the use of Marilyn, Audrey and Judy not being an original idea for a show, Burrows does a wonderful job of getting to the core of what made these three women alike in many ways aside from their fame and beauty.

The set is charming and resembles that of a 1950’s dressing room equipped with a chez longue, wardrobe (which the projections are displayed on), a back stage dressing table and an onstage musical duo including keys and trumpet played expertly by Bobbie Goulder and double bass played by Doug Grannell who accompany Burrows in her musical interludes.

The direction by Mark Geisser and musical direction by Bobbie Goulder are fitting and considerate to the piece and really gives Burrows a chance to use the full length of the set and content of the show to her advantage making this production a fitting tribute to the three sirens. Burrows has created a piece full of personality and humour that displays her obvious love for the era and the women she has chosen to tell the stories of. Anyone who is a fan of that era of Hollywood will enjoy this creative show and will leave feeling like they know the real truths of three sirens that took the world by storm.

West End cast confirmed for Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom The Musical

WEST END CAST CONFIRMED FOR

BAZ LUHRMANN’S SPECTACULAR MUSICALInternationally renowned singer/songwriter WILL YOUNG

to play new role of Wally Strand

 

JONNY LABEY, winner of ITV’s Dance Dance Dance,

and ZIZI STRALLEN to play iconic lovers Scott and Fran

 

Will Young, Jonny Labey and Zizi Strallen will lead the cast of Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom The Musicalwhen it makes its West End debut in 2018. Based on Baz Luhrmann’s classic film that inspired the world to dance, Strictly Ballroom The Musical will begin performances at the Piccadilly Theatre on Friday 16th March 2018 .

 

Will Young will play the brand new role of band leader, Wally Strand. Ever since winning the inaugural series of Pop Idol in 2001, Will has been one of the UK’s most popular and successful music artists. He holds the record for the fastest selling debut single in British chart history, and has enjoyed a phenomenal career in music with four No1 albums, as well as acting alongside Dame Judi Dench in the film Mrs Henderson Presents, and his hugely acclaimed stage debut as the Emcee in the West End production of Cabaret.

 

Jonny Labey will make his West End debut in the leading role of Scott Hastings, the maverick ballroom dancer torn between his passion and his pride. Jonny burst into the national spotlight by winning the ITV show Dance Dance Dance. Jonny, well known for playing the role of Paul Coker in EastEnders, has also starred in the film Soft Lad, headlined the play Verge of Strife, and can currently be seen as a new judge on CBBC’s Taking The Next Step.

 

Zizi Strallen will play the role of Fran, the fledgling dancer who partners with Scott and catches his eye following his fall from grace. Having shot to stardom as the lead in Mary Poppins, Zizi’s additional West End credits include Follies, Cats, Dirty Dancing, Hairspray and Chicago.

 

The cast includes Michelle Bishop (Thoroughly Modern Milly, Sunset Boulevard) as Pam Short, Ivan De Freitas (Jesus Christ Superstar, Aladdin) as Merv, Gabriela Garcia (In The Heights, Ghost) as Vanessa Cronin, Charlotte Gooch (Top Hat, Dirty Dancing) as Tina Sparkle, Richard Grieve (Neighbours, Emmerdale and Priscilla Queen of the Desert) as Les Kendall, Liam Marcellino (CabaretMiss Saigon) as Wayne Burns, Stephen Matthews (The Lion King, The Producers) as Doug Hastings, Fernando Mira (ENO, Victorian State Opera) as Rico, Eve Polycarpou (Villa Thalia, In The Heights) as Abuela, Lauren Stroud (Top Hat, Hairspray) as Liz Holt & Gary Watson (Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be, A Chorus Line, Jersey Boys) as Ken Railings.

The cast also includes Chris Bennett, Chrissy Brooke, Hannah Fairclough, Selina Hamilton, Christopher D Hunt, Luke Jackson, Justin-Lee Jones, Robin Kent, Jacob Maynard, Leanne Pinder, Tinovimbanashe Sibanda & Dale White.

 

The full cast is yet to be announced.

 

Strictly Ballroom is the romantic story that was embraced around the world, and went on to put the Strictly into Come Dancing! Based on the multi award-winning movie, the first instalment from Baz Luhrmann’s acclaimed Red Curtain Trilogy, the musical production is a kaleidoscope of colour and fun. When rogue championship ballroom dancer Scott defies all the rules of competition to follow his heart, he teams up with left-footed partner Fran to compete in the Pan Pacific Championship his own way. Their love blossoms as their routines flourish, and together they triumph in bringing down the sequin-clad regime of the Dance Federation.

Featuring the film’s iconic music such as Love is in the AirPerhaps Perhaps Perhaps and Time After TimeStrictly Ballroom The Musical will also include electrifying songs from a host of internationally acclaimed artists.

The production originated in Australia where it was created by Baz Luhrmann and Catherine MartinDrew McOnie (whose dazzling choreography for In the Heights earned him the 2016 Olivier Award) will direct and choreograph the West End premiere, with a book by Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce.

Strictly Ballroom The Musical is produced by Global Creatures the team behind Walking With Dinosaurs – The Arena Spectacular, Muriel’s Wedding The Musical and the Broadway-bound King Kong and Moulin Rouge! The Musical.

For all information about STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL, please see: www.strictlyballroomthemusical.com

 

 

STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL – LISTINGS INFORMATION

CREATIVE TEAM

Created by Baz Luhrmann

Book by Baz Luhrmann & Craig Pearce

Directed & Choreographed by Drew McOnie

Set Design by Soutra Gilmour

Costume Design by Catherine Martin

Lighting Design by Howard Hudson

Sound Design by Gareth Owen

Musical Supervision by David Caddick

Orchestrations by Simon Hale

ADDRESS

Piccadilly Theatre

16 Denman Street

London

W1D 7DY

 

SEASON DATES

First performance: Friday 16th March 2018

 

PRESS NIGHT

Wednesday 11th April 2018 at 7.00pm

 

BOOKING ONLINE

www.strictlyballroomthemusical.com

 

PERFORMANCE TIMES

Monday – Saturday: 7.30pm 

Matinees: Wednesday & Saturday, 2.30pm

 

TICKETS

Prices from £15

TELEPHONE BOOKING

0844 871 7630

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: StrictlyBallroomTheMusical

Twitter: @strictlystage

Instagram: StrictlyBallroomTheMusical

Janie Dee in World Premiere of Torben Betts Play

JANIE DEE TO STAR IN

THE WORLD PREMIERE OF

TORBEN BETTS’S

MONOGAMY

NATIONAL PRESS NIGHT ON MONDAY 11 JUNE 2018

 

The Original Theatre Company and Ghost Light Productions will present a short tour ahead of a London run of Torben Betts’s new play MONOGAMY, starring Janie Dee as Caroline Mortimer.  MONOGAMY will run at the Festival Theatre in Malvern from 2-5 May 2018, Yvonne Arnaud in Guildford from 8-12 May 2018 and York Theatre Royal from 22-26 May 2018, ahead of a limited 5-week run at Park Theatre in London from 6 June to 7 July 2018, where there will be a national press night on Monday 11 June. Further tour venues and casting to be announced.

Janie Dee is currently starring in the National Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of Stephen Sondheim’s Follies. Her other West End credits include Carousel (National Theatre), for which she won the Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical, Comic Potential (Lyric Shaftesbury), for which she won the Olivier,  Evening Standard, Critic’s Circle, Obie and Theatre World Awards for Best Actress, Mack & Mabel (Criterion Theatre), My One and Only (Piccadilly Theatre), Betrayal (Duchess Theatre), Noises Off (The Old Vic),Hand to God (Vaudeville Theatre), Blithe Spirit opposite Dame Angela Lansbury (Gielgud Theatre) and  Calendar Girls (Noël Coward theatre). Her TV credits include Suki in the TV film version of Harold Pinter’s Celebration, Emma Lavenham in the Adam Dalgliesh TV mini-series Death in Holy Orders and The Murder Room, and regular character Remy in London’s Burning (ITV).

Caroline Mortimer, the nation’s favourite TV cook, has it all: a sparkling career, a big house in Highgate, a (golf) loving husband, smart kids and the best kitchen money can buy. But beneath the immaculate furnishings and studio lighting and away from the glare of the ever-present cameras, Caroline must face the looming collision of living a private life in the public eye. What happens when the cameras turn off and the truth comes out?

Torben Betts said of his new play, “I’m delighted that The Original Theatre Company and Ghost Light Theatre Production are producing my new play after they did such a fine job with their two touring productions of Invincible. I’m also very much looking forward to working with Janie Dee again after she starred in my adaptation of The Seagull at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre a few years ago. There are elements of that play in MONOGAMY, in that it’s about, amongst other things, the conflict between an unhappy middle-aged celebrity and her angry son who feels very much at war with the modern world.

“As with Invincible I have attempted to take the pulse of the nation and, though I don’t offer a cure for the self-evident sickness, I hope I have come up with a play which will make people laugh as much as it might prompt them to ask themselves some uncomfortable questions about the way we are living our lives right now.”

Torben Betts was born in Lincolnshire and studied at Liverpool University.  He became the resident dramatist at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre in 1999.  Poet and dramatist Liz Lochhead said Betts “is just about the most original and extraordinary writer of drama we have.”  His play The Unconquered won Best New Play 2006/07 at the Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland.  2015 saw a revival of his acclaimed 2012 play Muswell Hill at London’s Park Theatre, his latest work, What Falls Apart, opened at Newcastle’s Live Theatre, and his version of Chekhov’s The Seagull was staged at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.  In February 2016, Betts adapted Get Carter for Northern Stage in Newcastle, running in tandem with The Original Theatre Company’s UK tour of his critically acclaimed Invincible, which, earlier this year, had a month-long run at the 13th annual Brits Off Broadway festival in New York City.

MONOGAMY will be directed by Alastair Whatley, with design by James Perkins and lighting by Chris Withers.  The national tour is produced by Tom Hackney for The Original Theatre Company and Freddie Ryecart for Ghost Light Theatre Production.                                                                                                                       

Website: www.originaltheatre.com

Facebook: TheOriginalTheatre 

Twitter: @OriginalTheatre/ @MonogamyPlay

2018 SCHEDULE

2 – 5 May Festival Theatre, Malvern 01684 892277
8 – 12 MayYvonne Arnaud, Guildford 01483 440000
www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk     On sale 11 December
22 – 26 May Theatre Royal, York 01904 623568
6 June – 7 July Park Theatre, London  020 7870 6876*
                                www.parktheatre.co.uk

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

More venues to be announced

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED JOINING NISHA ANIL (CBEEBIES) & SANDRA MARTIN (GOGGLEBOX) IN MAIDENHEAD’S FAMILY PANTOMIME ALADDIN

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED

JOINING NISHA ANIL (CBEEBIES) & SANDRA MARTIN (GOGGLEBOX)

IN MAIDENHEAD’S FAMILY PANTOMIME

ALADDIN

 

Q Productions are delighted to announce the full cast of West End performers who will be joining television favourites Nisha Anil and Sandra Martin in Maidenhead’s family pantomime ALADDIN at the Pearce Suite Theatre, Magnet Leisure Centre, from 9th – 31st December 2017.

 

As previously announced, Nisha Anil (CBeebies) will play Princess Jasmine and Sandra Martin (C4Gogglebox) will play the Spirit of the Ring. Joining them will be Ashley Bates as Wishee Washee,Richard Foster King as Abanazar, Ian Hallard as Widow Twankey, Michael Larcome as Aladdin and Lejaun Sheppard as the Genie, with Jamie HocknellEloise Jones and Bronia Pearce in the Ensemble.

 

The talented local juvenile ensemble will comprise: Jessica Davies, Belle Gardner, Alexis Gilbert, Connie Groom, Tia Groom, Ellie Meikle, Eloise Metherell, Saphyre Rich, Lois Sellman, Madeleine Sellman, Agatha Thomson, Scarlett Tunn and Tilly Wright.

 

ALADDIN is directed by Ashley Oliver.

NISHA ANIL is the presenter of the popular CBeebies programme, Same Smile. Nisha’s other screen credits include Strictly Cinderella (CBBC)and Citizen Khan (BBC1). Having trained extensively in acting, puppetry and mime, Nisha has numerous stage credits, and she sings live with The Herberts and with Richmond and the Groovolution.

SANDRA MARTIN is much-loved by television audiences for her charismatic appearances on Channel 4’s BAFTA-winning reality series Gogglebox. She has built up a wide following on social media and is known for her big personality and contagious laugh.

Following the exciting re-launch of The Pearce Suite Theatre at Magnet Leisure Centre, Q Productions is delighted to be bringing Maidenhead its first fully-produced professional pantomime with the much-loved family favourite, ALADDINwhich will be packed full of side-splitting comedy, stunning special effects and lavish costumes.  The 400-seat theatre will offer wonderful family entertainment that all ages can enjoy together.

 

ALADDIN runs from Saturday 9th – Sunday 31st December 2017 (times vary, check website). Tickets, priced at £15.50 (children/senior citizens), £16.50 (adults), £59.50 (family ticket – 2 children, 2 adults) are on sale from www.themaidenheadpanto.com.

Tickets for Schools and Clubs (min. 10 people), are £9 per head for the relaxed performance (£10.50 for other performances)Every 11th ticket is free, and there is a free interval ice cream for every child in the group booking.  Call the groups hotline: 01494 917519 by 10th November for these special groups rates.

There will be a ‘relaxed performance’ on Thursday 14th December at 10.30am. Relaxed performances are open to everyone, but the environment has been specifically adapted for families with children with an Autistic Spectrum Condition, individuals with sensory and communication disorders, those with learning disabilities and anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed environment.

Follow all the latest news about ALADDIN, visit www.themaidenheadpanto.com and follow[@MaidenheadPanto]@Maidenheadpanto on Twitter and @TheMaidenheadpanto on Facebook.

New Images: THE JUNGLE BOOK

Brand new images of rehearsals for Children’s Touring Partnership and Royal & Derngate’s new adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s family classic, “THE JUNGLE BOOK”. The production will premiere at Royal & Derngate, Northampton from Tuesday 28 November until Sunday 31 December 2017 and will then embark on a UK national tour from Thursday 25 January 2018 beginning at Chichester Festival Theatre.

“THE JUNGLE BOOK” tells of Mowgli the man cub who battles for survival in this heart-warming coming-of-age story about a boy raised by wolves in the jungle. With the help of his animal friends, including Bagheera the panther, Balloo the bear and Kaa the python, Mowgli outwits the cruel and powerful tiger, Shere Khan, and learns the law of the jungle.

Cast includes Rachel Dawson as ‘Kaa Grey’, Lloyd Gorman as ‘Shere Khan’, TJ Holmes as ‘Hiran’, Avita Jay as ‘Raksha’, Keziah Joseph as ‘Mowgli’, Dyfrig Morris as ‘Balloo’, Deborah Oyelade as ‘Bagheera’ and Tripti Tripuraneni as ‘Akala’. They are joined by Ruri James and Chipo Kureya in the ensemble.

The award winning creative team bringing Kipling’s timeless story to the stage includes playwright Jessica Swale, director Max Webster and internationally renowned songwriter Joe Stilgoe.

A round-up of events at the Grand Opera House for 2018

GRAND OPERA HOUSE YORK ANNOUNCES SHOWS FOR SPRING 2018

…and what a line-up!

 

2018 Cilla The Musical comes to York in January and it stars Andrew Lancel with Kara Lily Hayworth as Cilla.  This is the spectacular musical adaptation of the critically acclaimed hit ITV television series that tells the extraordinary story of the ordinary girl from Liverpool who becomes one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers of all time.

From the award-winning West End producers of Gangsta Granny comes the world premiere of David Walliams’ amazing tale of frights, fights and friendship: Awful Auntie, featuring

Just married. Buried alive. Hedda longs to be free…Lizzy Watts (The Durrells) plays the title role inHedda Gabler, National Theatre’s modern production of Ibsen’s masterpiece, coming next February.

For the little ones we have Dear Zoo, a brilliant new stage production.  Dear Zoo live on stage is suitable for children aged 2 – 6 years. Brought to life through child-engaging puppets, original music and lots of audience interaction, it will immediately appeal to those who love the book as well and those coming to the story for the first time.

A major new production of Strangers on a Train is set to steam into theatres across the UK next year. The masterful and gripping thriller is based on the taught psychological drama by the celebrated writer Patricia Highsmith (The Talented Mr Ripley, Carol).  John Middleton who leftEmmerdale earlier this year stars alongside Hannah Tointon and Christopher Harper.

We are really pleased to announce The Kite Runner; based on Khaled Hosseini’s international best-selling novel, this powerful story has been adapted into a stunning new stage production. A haunting tale of friendship as it follows one man’s journey to confront his past and find redemption.

If it’s a laugh you’re after then you’ll love The Play That Goes Wrong.  2015 Olivier Award Winner for Best New Comedy.  The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are putting on a 1920s murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong… does!  The accident-prone thespians battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call, with hilarious consequences!

More laughs with stand up comedy in the form of Joe LycettEd ByrneDavid Baddiel, Brian Conley, Tim Vine and Ross Noble who will be gracing the Grand Opera House stage next year.

Suggs is treading the boards again with a brand new show.  If the first show was about how on Earth he got there, Suggs: What a King Cnut is about the surprises that awaited him when he did. Vertigo on the roof of Buckingham Palace.  Nearly blowing the closing ceremony of the Olympics.  Watching his underpants fall to earth on Bowie’s driveway.

The wonderful Belle and Sebastian will be coming to the theatre for the first time in March.  The band recently put out a new single, “We Were Beautiful”. In December 2017, January and February 2018, the band will release a trio of EPs under the name How to Solve Our Human Problems.

A couple of new tributes are on the way and are proving to be popular with the public:  Wannabe – The Spice Girls show featuring favourite Spice Girls hits such as ‘Spice Up Your Life’ through to the hip shaking ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’, the Wannabe show recreates the era of Girl Power giving you a 90s night out to remember!  If you’re a fan of one of X Factor’s finest exports, the BRIT award-winning Little Mix, you’re sure to love Little Mix Experience, a high-energy show from beginning to end, packed with all of Little Mix’s greatest hits and it’s suitable for all ages! Featuring songs such as DNA, Wings, Salute, Black Magic, Shout Out To My Ex and many, many more.

West End star and Olivier Award nominated David Burt leads cast of Antic Disposition’s A Christmas Carol

David Burt leads the cast of Antic Disposition’s
A Christmas Carol
Middle Temple Hall, Middle Temple Lane, London, EC4Y 9AT
Friday 22nd – Saturday 30th December 2017

Antic Disposition’s much-loved musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ festive classic A Christmas Carol returns to the spectacular Elizabethan setting of Middle Temple Hall this December. West End star and Olivier Award nominated David Burt (Les Misérables; Evita; Cats; Jesus Christ Superstar) will recreate his critically-acclaimed performance for the third year in the lead role of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Returning to the cast of Antic Disposition’s A Christmas Carol will be David Anthony, Charlotte Armer, Chris Courtenay, Elliot Fitzpatrick, Katie Lovell, Dean Riley and Katherine Robb. The cast also includes Scott Brooks, Mabel Clements, Kate Hume, Timothy Mylechreest and María Rodríguez Reina, who will be joining the production for the first time. Additionally, young actors Harvey Loakes (The Wind in the Willows, London Palladium) and Charlie McLellan (Kinky Boots, Adelphi Theatre) will share the role of Tiny Tim.

First performed in Middle Temple Hall in 2012 and now firmly established as one of London’s most magical festive treats, Antic Disposition’s A Christmas Carol has been newly revised and expanded this year for performance by a talented company of actor-musicians. This joyous celebration combines the ghostly tale of miser Ebenezer Scrooge with a score of original songs inspired by the carols of a traditional Victorian Christmas.

A Christmas Carol is adapted for the stage by Antic Disposition’s artistic directors Ben Horslen and John Risebero, who together founded the Peter Brook Award-winning company in 2005. Their recent joint directorial credits include: Henry V and Richard III (UK cathedral tours); The Comedy of Errors (Gray’s Inn Hall); and Romeo and Juliet (Temple Church).

They are joined this year by composer and musical director Nick Barstow who recently toured the UK as Musical Director of Frank Wildhorn’s Wonderland, starring Kerry Ellis, and was a judge on Gareth Malone’s The Choir for the BBC. His arrangements and orchestrations have been performed around the world and recently at the Royal Festival Hall under the baton of comedian and Maestro winner Sue Perkins.

 

WE’VE GOT CHRISTMAS WRAPPED UP

WE’VE GOT CHRISTMAS WRAPPED UP

O come all ye faithful and celebrate the joy of Christmas at Leeds Grand Theatre, City Varieties Music Hall and Hyde Park Picture House.

 

In keeping with a tradition that spans more than 100 years, our three iconic venues will be providing plenty of entertainment this festive season, both traditional and modern, to spread Christmas cheer to the people of Leeds and beyond.

On Sunday 4th December, step back in time to the swinging sixties for Sixties Gold at Leeds Grand Theatre. The sing-a-long, clap-a-long, foot-tap-a-long show features a stellar line-up of 60s bands, including Gerry and The Pacemakers and The Searchers.

From Monday 5th to Sunday 17th December Northern Ballet bring their new production, The Little Mermaid, to the Grand for the first time. Choreographed by David Nixon OBE, this beautiful new ballet will reimagine the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale and take you on a journey beneath the waves.

From Wednesday 20th December to Saturday 6th January join Mr Maddens, Mr Poppy and a heavenly host of hilarious children and unruly animals in NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL. Based on the smash-hit films, this new show features all your favourite sing-a-long songs, including ‘Sparkle and Shine’, ‘Nazareth’ and ‘One Night One Moment’. It promises to be the perfect feel-good comedy for all the family.

Over at City Varieties Music Hall the now-famous Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto gives Aladdin the rock ‘n’ roll treatment.

The soundtrack, played live on stage by the cast, is crammed with hit songs from well-known bands and artists, including The Monkees, James Brown and Cher.  Expect familiar characters, corny jokes and the legendary ‘boulder fight’ in a Christmas show that has something for the whole family: Friday 24th November to Sunday 7th January.

For a traditional treat, visit the beautiful Hyde Park Picture House for the classic Christmas film It’s A Wonderful Life. Watch George, Clarence and the townsfolk of Bedford Falls in the warm surroundings of the plush auditorium as the distinctive gas lighting flickers in the background: December 19th to 24th.

And remember, whilst Christmas comes but once a year, Leeds Grand TheatreCity Varieties Music Hall and The Hyde Park Picture House provide entertainment all year round.

Leedsgrandtheatre.com / 0844 848 2700

Cityvarieties.co.uk / 0113 243 0808

Hydeparkpicturehouse.co.uk / 0113 275 2045

MARTIN MCDONAGH WORLD PREMIERE TO OPEN AT THE BRIDGE 2018

WORLD PREMIERE

A   V E R Y    V E R Y    V E R Y   D A R K   M A T T E R

A new play by Martin McDonagh with a cast led by Jim Broadbent

Following Martin McDonagh’s success at the Venice, Toronto and London film festivals with his critically acclaimed Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri the London Theatre Company announces, in advance of its next programme, the world premiere next autumn at the Bridge Theatre of a new play by McDonagh. With a cast led by Jim Broadbent and directed by Matthew Dunster and designed by Anna Fleischle, A Very Very Very Dark Matter will preview from 10 October 2018. Tickets will go on public sale on 14 November 2017 at 10am GMT with priority booking for Bridge members opening today at 10am GMT. The 12-week run will conclude on 29 December. Further casting and members of the creative team will be announced in due course.

In a townhouse in Copenhagen works Hans Christian Andersen, a teller of exquisite and fantastic children’s tales beloved by millions.  But the true source of his stories dwells in his attic upstairs, her existence a dark secret kept from the outside world.  As dangerous, twisted and funny as his National Theatre and Broadway hit The Pillowman, Martin McDonagh’s new play travels deep into the abysses of the imagination.

Martin McDonagh is an award-winning writer and director.  His plays are The Beauty Queen of Leenane, A Skull in Connemara, The Lonesome West, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, The Cripple of Inishmaan, The Pillowman, A Behanding in Spokane and Hangmen.  As a writer and director for film his credits are Seven Psychopaths, In Bruges, Six Shooter as well as Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri which won Best Screenplay at this year’s Venice Film Festival, the Grolsch People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival and was the closing film at this year’s BFI London Film Festival.

Jim Broadbent is a BAFTA and Academy award-winning actor. He has previously appeared in Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman at the National Theatre where he was also seen in Improbable Theatre’sTheatre of Blood.  Broadbent has worked extensively for the Donmar Warehouse, the Old Vic, the Royal Court and the Royal Shakespeare Company and has most recently been seen on stage in A Christmas Carol at The Noel Coward Theatre.  His many film credits include Iris, for which he won an Academy Award, The Lady in the Van, Paddington, Brooklyn, Iron Lady, Le Weekend, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Moulin Rouge and King Lear, currently in production.  His more recent television credits includeGame of Thrones, War and Peace, London Spy and The Go-Between as well as his BAFTA winning role inLongford. 

 

Matthew Dunster directed McDonagh’s Hangmen at the Royal Court where he has also directed Liberian Girl.  Other directing credits include The Seagull and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Open Air Regent’s Park, Love’s Sacrifice for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Love the Sinner for the National Theatre, Doctor Faustus, Imogen, The Frontline and Much Ado About Nothing for Shakespeare’s Globe, Mametz for the National Theatre of Wales, Before the Party for the Almeida Theatre and Saturday Night and Sunday MorningMacbeth and Mogadishu for the Royal Exchange Theatre.  As a writer his plays include Children’s Children which premiered at the Almeida Theatre and You Can See the Hills which premiered at the Royal Exchange Theatre as well as an adaptation of 1984.

London Theatre Company will announce the remainder of the Bridge programme for 2018 early next year.

Young Marx, the opening production at the Bridge continues to 31 December 2017.  Nicholas Hytner’s promenade production of Julius Caesar with David Calder, Michelle Fairley, David Morrissey and Ben Whishaw follows from 20 January – 15 April 2018. The world premiere of Barney Norris’ Nightfall, directed by Laurie Sansom, runs from 28 April – 3 June 2018.

Listings Information

Address:                                   The Bridge Theatre, One Tower Bridge, London SE1 2SD

Box Office:                               0843 208 1846 or boxoffice@bridgetheatre.co.uk

Access:                                    0333 320 0051 or access@bridgetheatre.co.uk

Website:                                   www.bridgetheatre.co.uk

Twitter:                                    @_bridgetheatre

Instagram:                               _bridgetheatre

Facebook:                                facebook.com/bridgetheatrelondon

New Diorama Theatre Celebrates Its First Off-Broadway Transfer

New Diorama Celebrates Its First Off-Broadway Transfer

New Diorama Theatre is delighted to announce today that their Edinburgh Fringe hit show Secret Life of Humans is transferring for a five-week run, at the Brits Off-Broadway which runs at New York’s 59E59 Theaters from 30 May until 01 July 2018.

The show, a co-production with Greenwich Theatre, written by David Byrne, and co-directed by David Byrne and Kate Stanley, is the first of their in-house productions to transfer internationally.  The original cast and production team will transfer with the show.

The show, the New Diorama’s fifth in-house production, is devised and inspired by Yuval Harari’s international bestseller, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind and the life of celebrated mathematician and television presenter Dr Jacob Bronowski.

David Byrne said “Secret Life of Humans is the first of our in-house productions to transfer internationally and the whole ensemble are incredibly excited to present our hit show to New York audiences. Jacob Bronowski, one of the show’s central characters, had his first big US hit with Ascent of Man, which we recreate as part of the production. So hopefully that’ll be a good omen for the success of Secret Life of Humans Off-Broadway.”

The show is a New Diorama production, in co-production with Greenwich Theatre and before transferring to New York it will have a London run at the both the New Diorama Theatre 

10 April to 05 May 2018 and the Greenwich Theatre from 08 to 12 May 2018.

The production is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, The Cockayne Foundation, and PRS For Music Foundation.

 

What the Press said:

★★★★ “Ambitious, intelligent and moving…unfolds with thriller-like precision with real visual flair.”  The Guardian

★★★★ “Bold, beautiful and utterly absorbing theatre, finding the thrilling drama inherent in the human story. It takes your breath away.”  The Stage

★★★★ “Presented with brilliant imagination… strikingly accomplished, absorbing and enjoyable.”  The Scotsman

★★★★★ “A masterpiece…mesmerising to watch. The stunning execution of an intriguing concept makes Secret Life of Humans nothing less than a theatrical triumph.” Broadway Baby

 

LISTINGS

10 April – 5 May, 2018

New Diorama Theatre, London

www.newdiorama.com / 020 7383 9034

8 – 12 May, 2018

Greenwich Theatre, London

www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk / 020 8858 7755