Author: FairyPoweredProductions

NEW CAST AND ADDITIONAL TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED FOR

TOM WELLS AND MATTHEW ROBINS’ DRIP

Script Club & Boundless Theatre present

DRIP

Words by Tom Wells

Music by Matthew Robins

Director: Jane Fallowfield; Designer: Russ Henry

Lighting Designer: Adam Foley; Musical Director & Sound Designer: Matthew Robins

Boundless Theatre and Script Club today announce that Josh Tucker will play the role of Liam in Tom Wells and Matthew Robins’ Drip, as it embarks on a new 2019 tour following its recent run at Bush Theatre. Directed byJane Fallowfield, the production tours to The Lowry, Salford; Customs House, South Shields; Curve, Leicester as part of#DMUpride festival; North Wall, Oxford; The Coliseum, Oldham; Slung Low, Leeds; New Wolsey, Ipswich; Nonsuch Studios, Nottingham; Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal; Phoenix Arts, Hampshire; Harrogate Theatre; Cast, Doncaster; LIVE, Newcastle; and Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough.

Drip is a one-man musical comedy about a 15-year old boy who signs up to Hull’s first ever synchronised swimming team, though he can’t swim. It tells a story of getting the hang of being a queer teenager in Hull, and feeling proud of yourself and your city.

#DripTheMusical

@boundlessabound

@ScriptClubPlays

Tom Wells is a playwright. His theatre credits include Me, As A Penguin (Arcola Theatre/UK tour), The Kitchen Sink – which won the Critics Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright and the George Devine Award (Bush Theatre), Jumpers For Goalposts (Watford Palace Theatre/UK tour), Cosmic (Hull Truck Theatre), Folk and Broken Biscuits (UK tour). He has also written Ben & Lump (Channel 4) and Jonesy (BBC Radio 4). He is currently under commission to the Royal Court Theatre and National Theatre. 

Matthew Robins composes the music following his previous collaboration with Tom Wells on Broken Biscuits in 2016. His writing and performing credits include Flyboy is alone again this Christmas and Lullaby (Barbican). As a designer and puppet maker his credits include Something Very Far Away (Unicorn Theatre), A Most Peculiar Wintry Thing (The Ark, Dublin) and Laila (Watford Palace Theatre). He also recently directed and designed an adaption of Ted Hughes’ The Iron Man (Unicorn Theatre). A collection of Matthew’s animations, songs and mechanical puppet installations is on permanent display at the Science Museum in London in the Information Age gallery.

Josh Tucker plays Liam.His theatre credits include The Dip (Bunker Theatre/Edinburgh Festival Fringe), Five:Eight (Bernie Grant Arts Centre) and Witch, Witch, Witch (Camden People’s Theatre). 

Jane Fallowfield directs. Her credits includeGerm Free Adolescent, Bird (Derby Theatre), Fingertips (Clean Break), Cosmic, Spacewang (Hull Truck), The Only Way is Chelsea’s (York Theatre Royal/Soho Theatre) andLagan (Ovalhouse). She is the Literary Associate at Talawa Theatre Company.  Previously, Jane was Director on Attachment at Clean Break, Director on Attachment at Birmingham Rep (John Fernald Award) and Senior Reader at Paines Plough.  She is a mentor for Graeae Theatre Company and she has been on the script panel for the George Devine Award panel, BBC Writersroom and Channel 4 Screenwriting Course.   

DRIP                                                                                                                                                Listings

UK tour

31 January – 14 May 2019

www.boundlesstheatre.org.uk

2019 Tour Dates

The Lowry

Thursday 31 January, 8pm           

Box Office: 0843 208 6000 / www.thelowry.com

Customs House

Sunday 3 February, 7.30pm        

Box Office: 0191 454 1234 / www.customshouse.co.uk

Curve, Leicester

Wednesday 20 February

Box Office: 0116 242 3595/ www.curveonline.co.uk

North Wall

Tuesday 26 February, 8pm          

Box Office: 01865 319450 / www.thenorthwall.com

Oldham Coliseum

Friday 1 – Saturday 2 March, 7.30pm       

Box Office: 0161 624 2829 / www.coliseum.org.uk

Slung Low

Sunday 10 March, 5pm

Box Office: www.slunglow.org

New Wolsey, Ipswich

Tuesday 12 March, 7.45pm         

Box Office: 01473 295900 / www.wolseytheatre.co.uk                                                                                                                                

Nonsuch Studios

Wednesday 20 March, 7.30pm  

Box Office: 0115 837 1950 / www.wearenonsuch.com                                                                                                                                 

Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal

Saturday 23 March, 8pm

Box Office: 01539 725133 / www.breweryarts.co.uk                                                                                                                                      

Phoenix Arts Hampshire

Thursday 28 March, 7.30pm       

Box Office: 01420 472664 / www.phoenixarts.co.uk

Harrogate Theatre         

Thursday 4 April, 7.45pm             

Box Office: 01423 502116 / www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk                                                                                                                                           

Cast, Doncaster

Thursday 11 April, 7.15pm           

Box Office: 01302 303959 / www.castindoncaster.com                                                                                                                                

LIVE, Newcastle

Tuesday 23 – Friday 26 April, 7.30pm

Box Office: 0191 232 1232 / www.live.org.uk    

Stephen Joseph Theatre

Tuesday 14 May, 7.30pm             

Box Office: 01723 370541 / www.sjt.uk.com

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE UK

STEPHEN SCHWARTZ WILL TAKE PART IN

A PUBLIC Q&A

AN EVENING WITH STEPHEN SCHWARTZ

WILL BE PRESENTED BY HOPE ARIA PRODUCTIONS AT

HOPE MILL THEATRE, MANCHESTER

ON SUNDAY 17 FEBRUARY

Katy Lipson of Aria Entertainment and Joseph Houston and William Whelton of Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester are delighted to announce AN EVENING WITH STEPHEN SCHWARTZ, a showcase of the multi-award-winning American lyricist and composer’s best loved repertoire, on Sunday 17 February. A drinks and finger buffet will begin at 6pm, with the main event beginning at 7.30pm, including Schwartz’s first ever UK panel discussion about his life and work.

In a career that spans four decades, Schwartz has written such critically acclaimed shows as Wicked, Pippin and Godspell and contributed lyrics to the films Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame and songs for The Prince of Egypt. 

The evening will be Hope Aria Production’s second fundraising event, after the success of ‘An Aria of Hope and Dreams’, with all proceeds from ticket sales going towards their 2019 season of work. The season opens with Schwartz’s RAGS from 2 March – 6 April, MAME with music by Jerry Herman, starring Tracie Bennett, from 27 September – 9 November, and THE ASTONISHING TIMES OF TIMOTHY CRATCHIT, a new musical, with music and lyrics by newcomer Andre Catrini, from 22 November – 29 December.

Hope Aria Productions was created in 2016, when Joseph Houston and William Whelton of Hope Mill Theatre joined forces with Katy Lipson of Aria Entertainment to spearhead the venue as a home for new musicals, musical premieres and musical revivals. Katy is now Producing Artistic Director for all in-house musicals. Hope Aria productions since 2016 include Parade, Hair, the European premiere of Yank!, Pippin, the European premiere of Little Women, the world premiere of Toyboy Diaries, Spring Awakening, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love, new British chamber musical The Return of the Soldier, and Stephen Sondheim’s Putting It Together. London transfers include Yank! at Charing Cross Theatre, Pippin at Southwark Playhouse and Hair at The Vaults, which won the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Off West End Production.  Hair will tour the UK later this year and the London transfer of Aspects of Love has recently opened at Southwark Playhouse.  In 2018, Hope Mill Theatre won The Stage Award for Fringe Theatre of the Year and the company featured in The Stage 100 in 2018 and 2019.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Hope Mill Theatre

Hope Mill
113 Pollard Street
Manchester
M4 7JA

Box Office:  0333 012 4963

hopemilltheatre.co.uk

www.facebook.com/HopeMillTheatre/

@hopemilltheatr1 / @HopeAria2019

www.instagram.com/hopemilltheatre/

An Evening with Stephen Schwartz

Sunday 17 February

Buffet 6.00pm

Event 7.30pm

Tickets £45 (including drinks reception and finger buffet)

Rags

2 March – 6 April 2019

Press Night: 5 March 2019

Tickets: £18 – £28 (Previews £16) Premium tickets available

Tue-Sat 7.30pm, Wed & Sat 2.30pm, Sun 3pm

Mame

27 September – 9 November 2019

Press Night: 3 October 2019

Tickets: £21 – £29 (Previews £16) Premium tickets available

Tue-Sat 7.30pm, Wed & Sat 2.30pm, Sun 3pm

The Astonishing Times of Timothy Cratchit

22 November – 29 December 2019

Press Night: 27 November 2019

Tickets: £18 – £28 (Previews £16) Family and Premium tickets available

Tue-Sat 7.30pm, Wed & Sat 2.30pm, Sun 3pm (2.30pm only on 24 December, no performances 25 & 26 December)

REVIEW: Benidorm Live (Sunderland Empire) ★★★★★

January 15, 2019 

For: West End Wilma 

https://www.westendwilma.com/review-benidorm-live-sunderland-empire/

The move from the beloved TV series to stage play has gone seamlessly for Benidorm, due in no small way to the brilliant writing of Derren Litten. He has given life to all the characters he knows so well.

In the fine tradition of farce, the story is based on a series of misunderstandings. Posh couple Sophie (Tricia Adele-Turner) and Ben (Bradley Clarkson) have been sent to the 3* Solano hotel in Benidorm because the sister hotel, the 5* Santiago hotel in Altea is overbooked. Manager Joyce (Sherrie Hewson) thinks the couple are really Hotel Inspectors and starts to treat them like VIP’s with free champagne, a personal waiter and a cheque for £3000 for “compensation”.

After meeting Ben at the pool, Jacqueline (Janine Duvitski) and her friend from the Middlesbrough Swingers Club, “Gay” Derek (Damian Williams) think that the couple are swingers.

At “Blow and Go”, Liam (Adam Gillen) is missing his dad Les so Kenneth (Tony Maudsley) fixes up a blind date for him. Derek meets Kenneth and falls instantly in love – with a totally hilarious scene with Derek “singing” I Can’t Fight This Feeling to Kenneth – all that was missing was a fogmaster 3000.

After discovering that Sophie and Ben aren’t the inspectors, Mateo (Jake Canuso) believes it to be Derek and he is given the champagne and attentive waiters instead.

It turns out to be someone else completely different in the end, but all’s well that ends well and we leave the Solano on a high.

Shelley Longworth completely shines as Sam the rep, revealing her outstanding singing voice and Jake Canuso shows off his epic dancing skills. Asa Elliott moves the plot along with his fabulous singing and there is some excellent choreography from Alan Harding.

Mark Walters’s set is versatile and I loved the little touches of the towels on the balconies, some curtains closed and others open and different lights on.

From Kenneth’s outfits to the double entendres, this show is very near the knuckle filth wise and the entire audience seemed to love it. With a very much deserved standing ovation at the end.

In Sunderland until Saturday and on tour around the UK, if you are a fan of the TV show then this hilarious stage version is not to be missed.

THE BARRICADE BOYS

STARS OF LES MISERABLES

LIVE IN CONCERT

MAJOR UK TOUR & USA DATES

FROM 14 FEBRUARY TO 20 JULY 2019

★★★★★ “These guys are fantastic… DON’T miss this show!” – Alfie Boe

★★★★★ “Do you hear the people sing? Yes! With dashing good looks, incredible voices and outstanding musical magic!” – Elaine Paige, BBC Radio 2

Direct from London’s West End and Broadway, The Barricade Boys are back on the road with their sensational and critically acclaimed national tour! Featuring fabulous harmonies, incredible vocals, dashing good looks and stacks of charm, The Barricade Boys showcase the UK’s finest male voices from the world’s longest running musical – Les Misérables.

The Barricade Boys not only perform the world’s greatest show tunes, but they also celebrate music from some of the most iconic names in the music industry, from powerful ballads and beautiful operatic arias to some of the best pop, rock and swing numbers of all time.

After sell-out performances in London’s West End, an appearance on Broadway and a host of international dates, this exceptional group are once again taking their spectacular live show around the country, as well as across the pond to the USA (in April).

The Barricade Boys have played nearly every major role in musical theatre from The Phantom of The Opera, Wicked and Billy Elliot to Jersey Boys, The Sound Of Music and of course Les Misérables. As seen on ITV’s ‘This Morning’ and ‘The Paul O’Grady Show’, The Barricade Boyshave rightfully secured their place as the world’s leading musical theatre super group.

The Barricade Boys were founded in 2016 by Scott Garnham (Nativity! The Musical, Billy Elliot The Musical, Made in Dagenham, Les Misérables) and Simon Schofield (title role in Oliver! London Palladium, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Sound of Music, Doctor Doolitle, Les Misérables).Note To Editors:

Follow The Barricade Boys on Facebook and Twitter @Barricadeboys and Instagram @BarricadeboysUK

www.Barricadeboys.com

2019 Tour Dates:

Thursday 14th February          

Windsor, Theatre Royal

Book Tickets Here

Thursday 21st February           

Basingstoke, The Haymarket

Book Tickets Here

Friday 15th March

Paignton, Palace Theatre

Book Tickets Here

Saturday 16th March

Portsmouth, Kings Theatre

Book Tickets Here

Sunday 17th March

Birmingham, Alexandra Theatre

Book Tickets Here

Thursday 21st March

Walsall, Forest Arts Centre

Book Tickets Here

Friday 22nd March

Runcorn, The Brindley

Book Tickets Here

Saturday 23rd March

Consett, The Empire

Book Tickets Here

Sunday 24th March

Blackburn, King George’s Hall

Book Tickets Here

Sunday 7^th April

Florida, USA, Aventura PAC

Monday 8^th & Tuesday 9^th April

Florida, USA, Crest Theater

Friday 12^th April

New York (Brooklyn) Kingsborough College

Saturday 13^th April

New York (Long Island) Tiles Center

Sunday 14^th April

New York (Queensborough) Community College

Saturday 20th April

Doncaster, The Dome

Book Tickets Here

Wednesday 1st May

Radlett, Radlett Centre

Book Tickets Here

Friday 3rd May

Coventry, Belgrade Theatre

Book Tickets Here

Saturday 4th May

York, Grand Opera House

On Sale Soon

Sunday 5th May

Darlington, The Hippodrome

Book Tickets Here

Tuesday 14th May

Colchester, Mercury Theatre

Book Tickets Here

Saturday 18th May

Southend, Palace Theatre

Book Tickets Here

Sunday 19th May

Surrey. Dorking Halls

Book Tickets Here

Friday 24th May

Aylesbury. Waterside Theatre On Sale Soon

Saturday 25th May

Retford, Majestic Theatre

Book Tickets Here

Sunday 26th May

Bolton, Albert Halls On Sale Soon

Saturday 1^st June

Bromley, Churchill Theatre On Sale Soon

Wednesday 6th June

Poole, Lighthouse Theatre

Book Tickets Here

Friday 7^th June

Winchester, Theatre Royal On Sale Soon

Thursday 13^th June

Chesham, Elgiva Theatre On Sale Soon

Friday 14th June

Brecon, Theatr Brycheiniog

Book Tickets Here

Saturday 15th June

Malvern, Malvern Theatres On Sale Soon

Thursday 20th June

Hastings, White Rock Theatre

Book Tickets Here

Thursday 27^th June

Hertford, Hertford Theatre On Sale Soon

Saturday 20th July

Grimsby, Auditorium

Book Tickets Here

Whitney – Queen Of The Night

Second West End date announced as international

Whitney Houston tribute show announces sell out debut

Critically acclaimed international stage sensation Whitney – Queen of the Night will return to London’s Savoy Theatre for a second show – after its premiere performance sold out.

The production makes its West End debut in front of a full house at the Savoy on Sunday March 24.

And due to the huge demand for the stunning celebration of the music and life of one of the greatest singers of our time, the show will return to The Savoy Theatre on Sunday, June 2.

Tickets go on sale at 10am Friday, January 18 from www.thesavoytheatre.com  

Whitney – Queen Of The Night will star Elesha Paul Moses (Whitney – Queen Of The Night tour,What’s Love Got To Do With It?, The Voice, The X Factor) in the title role, supported by a stunning live band.

Speaking about the sell-out show and new date, Elesha said: “It is amazing to be planning and preparing for our West End debut knowing that there will be a sold out audience at the historic Savoy theatre.

“I am thrilled to be bringing Whitney – Queen Of The Night to the West End and am so excited that we are announcing a second date – thanks to the huge demand from audiences.”

The outstanding concert production has toured extensively across the UK and Europe for the past three years and promoters Cuffe and Taylor are delighted to be giving the show its West End premiere.

The Savoy audience can enjoy three decades of nostalgic hits, including I Wanna Dance With Somebody, One Moment In Time, I’m Every Woman, I Will Always Love You, My Love Is Your Love, So Emotional Baby, Run to You, Saving All My Love, How Will I Know, Million Dollar Bill, The Greatest Love Of All, and many more.

Elesha added: “Whitney – Queen Of The Night is a magnificent show, celebrating the life and music of a phenomenal performer. I’ve toured with the production in the past, and now to step into the limelight and perform as Whitney on the West End stage singing these incredible songs is an amazing opportunity, and one I’m really looking forward to.”

Ben Hatton, Cuffe and Taylor Director of Theatre Touring, said: “We are delighted to be givingWhitney – Queen Of The Night its West End premiere and to now be adding a second date in the capital. This is a stunning show and The Savoy is the perfect theatre to present this to a West End audience.”

Before her death in 2012, Whitney had been hailed as the most awarded artist of all time, by Guinness World Records – with six Grammy Awards and 30 Billboard Music Awards among her 415 titles.

Whitney – Queen Of The Night is an unmissable evening paying homage to one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with a sensational cast and a stunning live band.

Full casting announced for Northern Broadsides/New Vic Theatre production of Much Ado About Nothing

Northern Broadsides and New Vic Theatre are delighted to announce full casting for their forthcoming touring production of William Shakespeare’s glorious tale of antagonistic romance and chaotic comedy –Much Ado About Nothing.

The production’s cast will feature Richard J Fletcher (Oh What A Lovely War, Oldham Coliseum) as Don John;  Rachel Hammond (Babe: The Sheep Pig) as Ursula; Sophia Hatfield (When We Were Married, Northern Broadsides) as Margaret; Anthony Hunt (The Commitments, West End and Hard Times, Northern Broadsides) as Borachio; Sarah Kameela Impey (The Tempest, RSC and Pinocchio, National Theatre) as Hero; Linford Johnson (The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice, Park Theatre ,War Horse, National Theatre and Showboat, Sheffield Crucible) as Claudio;  James McClean (New Tricks, Bolton Octagon) as Messenger; Isobel Middleton (Anna Tregorran in The Archers, BBC Radio 4,Emmerdale and Cracker, ITV and Eric, Ernie and EastEnders, BBC) as Beatrice; David Nellist (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and War Horse,  National Theatre and Sherlock, BBC) as Dogberry; Heather Phoenix ( The Rivals, Theatre by the Lake) as Conrade: Matt Rixon (Hairspray, UK Tour and Around The World In 80 Days, New Vic/Royal Exchange) as Don Pedro; Robin Simpson (Midsummer Night’s Dream and Macbeth, Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre)as Benedick,  Simeon Truby (The Pitman Painters, New Vic Theatre) as Leonato; Robert Wade (Cyrano, Northern Broadsides) as Balthazar and Andrew Whitehead (An August Bank Holiday Lark, Northern Broadsides) as Antonio/Friar.  

Directed by Northern Broadsides’ Artistic Director Conrad Nelson and co-produced with Staffordshire’s New Vic Theatre, the production’s fine creative team includes Lis Evans (An August Bank Holiday Lark) with lighting by Daniella Beattie and musical direction by Rebekah Hughes.

Much Ado About Nothing will open at the New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme from 8 February – 2 March and will then tour till the 25 May.

For more info visit https://www.northern-broadsides.co.uk/whats-next/

THE YOUNG VIC ANNOUNCES YV:ID

A FESTIVAL EXPLORING IDENTITY

Kwame Kwei-Armah, Artistic Director of Young Vic,today announces YV:ID, a five-week festival of digital and live events taking place throughout February and March 2019, which aims to catalyse debates around the themes of identity. 

YV:ID festival will include: Soon Gone: A Windrush Chronicle, a series of monologues commissioned by BBC Arts and produced in partnership with Sir Lenny Henry’s production company Douglas Road Productions, exploring themes of personal and cultural identity through the eyes of an Afro-Caribbean family from the 1940s to the present day, which will air on BBC Four in February; My England, a collection of fourteen short films by writers, directors and performers from across the country, exploring the notions of Englishness and English national identity, which will be released online in March ahead of Brexit; The 8 Club, is a five-part web series investigating the notion of ‘toxic masculinity’, and some of the issues facing future generations in the wake of the positive social change brought about by #MeToo.

The Young Vic will host a series of accompanying live debate events at the theatre to run parallel to each project.

Kwame Kwei-Armah, said today, “The stages of the Young Vic have always been a place dedicated to asking the most profound questions in artistically compelling ways. It’s not just the art we invite into these four walls but also the discourse we send beyond them. After seven years in America, I returned home to a country which seemed amidst an identity crisis. YV:ID is a way to catalyse a debate about those perceptions, and, as part of our commitment to channelling work into the digital world, we are also bringing these discussions into the digital sphere to reach new audiences and continue the conversation outside of our four walls.”

#YVID

SOON GONE: A WINDRUSH CHRONICLE

Commissioned by BBC Arts and co-produced by Sir Lenny Henry’s production company Douglas RoadProductions and the Young Vic, Soon Gone: A Windrush Chronicle, are eight 15-minute heartfelt monologues set in and around the front room of an Afro-Caribbean home. The monologues, which will broadcast on BBC Four in February, follow the highs and lows of one family from their arrival in England in the 1940s up to the present day as they explore their hopes and desires, challenges and shattered dreams.

They have been curated by the Young Vic’s Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah and feature some of the UK’s finest acting talent including Sir Lenny Henry (The Long Song), Vinette Robinson (Doctor Who), Montserrat Lombard (Upstart Crow), Danielle Vitalis (Attack the Block), Clifford Samuel (McMafia), Gamba Cole (Damilola: Our Loved Boy), Elliot Barnes-Worrell (Jericho), Jonathan Jules (Invasion Earth), and Olivia-Mai Barrett (Penny on M.A.R.S).

The eight films are written by a team of leading writers for television and stage: Carmen Harris (EastEnders), Angie Le Mar (Funny Black Women on the Edge), Roy Williams (Clubland), Juliet Gilkes Romero (Creative Fellow at RSC), Carol Russell (The Story of Tracy Beaker), Clint Dyer (Sylvia Plath for Royal Court), Nathaniel Martello-White (Blackta for Young Vic), and Kwame Kwei-Armah (Elmina’s Kitchen).

The monologues will air on BBC Four in February. As part of YV:ID, the Young Vic will also be programming  a live discussion event hosted by Afua Hirsch and Kwame Kwei-Armah at the theatre on 21 February, around notions of cultural identity and self-definition in the 21^st century.

#SoonGoneWindrush

MY ENGLAND

My England is a series of fourteen filmed monologues from across England, commissioned and produced by the Young Vic and created by writers, actors and directors exploring how they define “Englishness” and what it means to be English right now. Half the monologues were filmed on location in the regions the writers are from, including Coventry, Halifax, Luton, Peak District, Plymouth, Middlesbrough and London, and the other half were filmed at the Young Vic, performed by actors from the local neighbourhood in collaboration with the Young Vic’s Taking Part department.

The writers include Javaad Alipoor (England’s Red with Christopher Eccleston), Michael Bhim (The Question), Ishy Din (UTB!), Kenneth Emson (Mayday), Lynette Linton (Simone), Zodwa Nyoni (On Belonging), Bea Roberts(Sir F. Mother Fucking Drake withJenny Rainsford), Jack Rooke (The Game), Lucy J. Skilbeck (Big Ben), Stef Smith (How To Grow A Nation withKate Dickie), Polly Stenham (Flat White with Ophelia Lovibond), Simon Stephens (she), Selina Thompson (I Feel Most English When… with Ronke Adekoluejo) and Jack Thorne(Luton? with Mat Fraser). Directors include Young Vic Genesis Fellow, Nadia Latif, and Rodney Charles.

The films will be released via the Young Vic website and social media channels from 25 February.

The Young Vic will host an accompanying event on 12 March, bringing together members of the public with politicians, artists and social commentators to explore the identity of a nation as it’s going through a divorce, and to ask how we define “Englishness” in our potentially fractious society.

#MyEngland

A Young Vic co-production with David Weale-Cochrane and Kwame (KZ) Kwei-Armah Jr.

THE 8 CLUB

The 8 Club is an online video series exploring the notion of ‘toxic masculinity’ and the legacy young men have inherited from the ideas of masculinity as defined by generations before them. Each episode tackles the subjects that surround and affect young men today, focussing on provocative and often unspoken topics for men, such as mental health, money, sex, violence and personal relationships and how these topics are viewed in the wake of the #MeToo movement and the wider impact this has on gender politics.

Participants in The 8 Club include JJ Bola, Michael Brooks, Ned Dukes, Matt Harvey, Roly Hunter, LionHeart,Simon Anthony Mitchell, Adam Pugh, Michael Simon, Jordan Stephens, Elric Stockley and Jamell Williams.

The films will be released via the Young Vic social media channels from 11 March, and the Young Vic will host an accompanying live event on 21 March which explores some of the questions around gender politics which are facing the next generation.

#The8Club

Disney’s The Lion King announces a second UK and Ireland tour
as it celebrates
20 years on the London stage
 

The Walt Disney Company UK and Ireland has today announced that the award-winning musical THE LION KING will embark on a second UK and Ireland tour. THE LION KING will open in Bristol in September 2019 and move on to Edinburgh in December 2019. Further cities will be announced in due course.

Tickets for the Bristol run will go on sale in February 2019 and for the Edinburgh run in March 2019. Patrons can sign up for priority access to tickets at www.thelionking.co.uk  

The tour coincides with THE LION KING celebrating 20 years at London’s Lyceum Theatre. Since the UK premiere in London on Tuesday 19^th October 1999, THE LION KING has entertained over 15 million theatregoers and remains the West End’s best-selling stage production and the sixth longest-running West End musical of all time.

In celebration of this anniversary, the company will host a gala performance, perform at live events and on TV, and celebrate its many charity and outreach partnerships.

The previous tour of THE LION KING broke attendance records across the nation. With a cast of over 50 actors, singers and dancers, the story of THE LION KING is miraculously brought to life using masks, puppets and striking costumes to tell the story of young Simba’s epic adventures as he struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and becoming king.

The stunning simplicity of THE LION KING is the work of a team of designers which drew on diverse cultural influences to recreate the rich colours and vast expanses of the African savanna in this daring and inspiring reinvention of one of the most successful animated films of all time.

Julie Taymor’s internationally-celebrated stage adaptation opened on Broadway in 1997 and 25 global productions have now been seen by more than 95 million people. Performed in nine different languages (English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese), productions of THE LION KING can currently be seen on Broadway, London’s West End, Hamburg, Tokyo and Sapporo, Madrid, Scheveningen in Holland, Daegu in South Korea and on tour across North America – a total of nine productions running concurrently across the globe. Having played over 100 cities in 20 countries on every continent except Antarctica, THE LION KING’s worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment title in box office history.   

Julie Taymor, one of the world’s most innovative directors, brought a vast array of disciplines to THE LION KING, including extensive experience staging epic theatre and opera productions, exploring classic myths through ritualised puppetry, mask, and movement. THE LION KING was the first musical she directed in the commercial theatre, and Taymor made Broadway history by becoming the first woman to win the Tony Award^® for Best Director of a Musical.  

The show’s full creative team, which won five Tony Awards® for its work on THE LION KING, reunited in 1999 to recreate the show in London. Julie Taymor and Michael Curry created hundreds of masks and puppets. Scenic design is by leading British designer Richard Hudson and lighting is by Donald Holder. Costume design is by Julie Taymor, and choreography by Garth Fagan. The book was adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the screenplay.

The original score from the animated film was expanded for the stage and now features 15 musical numbers.  

As well as writing completely new songs, South African composer Lebo M created an evocative blend of African rhythms and chorales, with additional material by Julie Taymor and Mark Mancina. Elton John and Tim Rice have added three new numbers to the five that they wrote for the award-winning score of the animated film. The resulting sound of THE LION KING is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, including the Academy Award^®-winning Can You Feel The Love Tonight and the haunting Shadowland.

THE LION KING is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions.

Bristol Hippodrome – until 2 February 2019

Reviewed by Lucy Hitchcock

3***

The show depicts the life of Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown and the show takes place on the day of the 25th Anniversary of Motown’s birth with flashbacks to Gordy’s humble beginnings. Gordy, played by Edward Baruwa had poise onstage and carried the role well. The stand out performance, for me, was ‘Do you Love me?’. This was a real feel good performance that had the audience clapping, singing and dancing along as well as providing some outstanding vocals. Karis Anderson as Diana Ross exuded grace and elegance and had good vocals, to give a performance Diana Ross would be proud of. 

The set was quite limited, but filled the stage and was used multiple times throughout the show. The technical support given to the show aided the audience’s imagination, with bright lights, projections and 1960’s patterns displayed on a screen, this was no mean feat to produce. The costume created by Emilio Sosa was true to the time and flattering for all members of cast, taking you back to the early 1960’s. Choreographers Patricia Wilcox and Warren Adams provided dynamic dance routines that were carried out well by cast members. 

However, some vocals and performances left much to be desired. As with any show, there are perfect performances and some that fall a little below the mark and it was a shame that Motown was the latter, with a few flat notes and some stiff acting. Nevertheless, if you like Motown Music and are interested in the history of its creation, this is the show for you. The songs are extremely well known and you may be ‘Dancing in the Streets’ on your way home. 

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR UK PREMIÈRE OF FLORIAN ZELLER’S THE SON

KILN THEATRE PRESENTS

THE SON

By Florian Zeller

In a translation by Christopher Hampton

Director: Michael Longhurst; Designer: Lizzie Clachan; Lighting Designer: Lee Curran

Composer and Sound Designer: Isobel Waller-Bridge; Casting Director: Amy Ball

20 February – 6 April 2019

As the world première of Ishy Din’s Approaching Empty opens at Kiln Theatre, the company’s Artistic Director, Indhu Rubasingham, announces the casting for the UK première of Florian Zeller’s The Son, in a translation by Christopher Hampton. Michael Longhurst directs Amanda Abbington, Laurie Kynaston, John Light, Oseloka Obi, Amaka Okafor and Martin Turner. The production opens on 26 February, with previews from 20 February, and runs until 6 April.

The Son is the 4^th première in the opening season at the newly refurbished Kiln Theatre, following Alexis Zegerman’s Holy Sh!t, Stephen Sharkey’s adaptation of Zadie Smith’s White Teeth and Ishy Din’s Approaching Empty. 46% of the customers who have booked for the opening season are first time attenders (White Teethattracted over 58% new customers to the theatre); with 24% of bookers from Brent or Camden; and 15% of audiences are the least likely to be engaged in the arts (10% higher than the national average). White Teeth was the fastest selling show in the venue’s history with the majority of performances at 95% capacity (of an increased capacity compared to the old auditorium), making it the also the most financially successful show in the theatre’s history.

‘It’s just that I’m not like the others.’

As a family breaks down, a son begins to unravel. Nicolas is skipping school, lying to his family, hiding strange objects under his mattress. Is this typical teenager behaviour or a warning sign of hopelessness?

The highly anticipated UK première of The Son follows the sold-out Olivier Award-winning The Father (Theatre Royal Bath, Tricycle Theatre, West End, national tour) and the critically-acclaimed The Mother. The Soncompletes this trilogy of plays and has been nominated for 9 Molière awards including Best Play in a Commercial Theatre and Best Playwright.

Florian Zeller is a French novelist and playwright. Zeller won the prestigious Prix Interallié in 2004 (Fascination of Evil) and several Molière Awards for his plays La Mère(The mother)and Le Père(The father). L’Autre, le Manège, Si tu mourais, Elle t’attend, La Vérité(The truth)andUne heure de Tranquillité were successfully produced in France and internationally. L’Envers du décor, starring Daniel Auteuil was produced in Paris in 2016. Avant de s’envoler was on the same season, and recently played at the Wyndham’s Theatre (The Height of the Storm) with Jonathan Pryce and Eileen Atkins directed by Jonathan Kent. Le Père (The father), was nominated as Best New Play at the 2016 Olivier Awards, with Kenneth Cranham winning for Best Actor in a Play. It also received two nominations for the 2016 Tony Awards – Best Play and Best Performance by an Actor, the latter was won by Frank Langella. This play has been performed in over 35 countries. Christopher Hampton has translated most of Zeller’s plays into English; and his plays have received many international awards.

Christopher Hampton has translated plays by Ibsen, Molière, Chekhov, Yasmina Reza (including Art and Life x 3) and Florian Zeller’s The Father, The Mother and The Truth. He won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the adaptation of his own play, Les Liaisons Dangereuses (released as Dangerous Liaisons). He was nominated again in 2007 for adapting Ian McEwan’s novel Atonement. His television work includes adaptations of The History Man and Hotel du Lac.

Amanda Abbington plays Anne. Her theatre credits include The God of Carnage (Theatre Royal Bath), A Little Princess (Royal Festival Hall), Abigail’s Party (Theatre Royal Bath/UK Tour), God Bless This Child (Royal Court), Love Me Tonight (Hampstead Theatre), The Safari Party (Stephen Joseph Theatre /Hampstead Theatre), Something Blue (Stephen Joseph Theatre), Taming of the Shrew (Queen Mother Theatre) and Tin Soldiers (New End Theatre/Grace Theatre). For television her credits include Flack, Safe,  Sherlock, Mr Selfridge, Being Human, Case Histories, Psychoville, Man Stroke Woman, Booze Cruise, Teachers and Coupling; and for film, We The Kings, Crooked House, Another Mother’s Son and Ghosted.

Laurie Kynaston plays Nicolas. His theatre credits include The Ferryman (Gielgud Theatre), Jumpy, The Winslow Boy (Theatre Clwyd). For television, his work includes Derry Girls, The Feed, Cradle to Grave, Murder Games and Our World War; and for film, How To Build a Girl, Undercliffe and England is Mine.

John Light plays Pierre. Theatre credits include Mary Stuart (Duke of York’s Theatre), The Winter’s Tale, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare’s Globe), Three Days In The Country (National Theatre), The Blackest Black (Hampstead Theatre), Julius Caesar (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), Thom Pain (Based on Nothing) (The Print Room), Luise Miller (Donmar Warehouse), The Master Builder, Certain Young Men (Almeida Theatre), True West (Sheffield Crucible) and Apologia (Bush Theatre). For television, his work includes Agatha Raisin, Mars, Maigret, Father Brown, Silk, Dresden, North and South, Cambridge Spies, Band of Brothers, Love in a Cold Climate and Aristocrats; and for film, Albert Nobbs, Scoop, The Lion in Winter and A Rather English Marriage.

Oseloka Obi plays Nurse.His theatre work includes Timbuktu (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Edward II(Greenwich Theatre), Crossing the Line (Cockpit Theatre), Twelfth Night, Richard II (Drayton Arms Theatre) andWe Raise Our Hands in the Sanctuary (Albany Theatre).

Amaka Okafor plays Sofia. Her theatre credits include I’m Not Running, Macbeth, Saint George and The Dragon, Peter Pan (National Theatre), Hamlet (Almeida Theatre), Grimly Handsome, I See You (Royal Court Theatre) and Hamlet (Barbican).

Martin Turner plays The Doctor. His theatre work includes The Plague (Arcola Theatre), The Crucible(Storyhouse), Uncle Vanya (Theatr Clwyd and Sheffield Theatres), The Haunting of Hill House (Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse), The King’s Speech (Chichester Festival Theatre and tour), Medea (National Theatre), Twelve Angry Men (Garrick Theatre and Birmingham Rep) and A Life of Galileo (RSC). For television, his work includes A Very English Murder, Mother’s Day, Follow the Money, Maigret, New Tricks, The White Queen andDark Matters; and for film, Urban Hymn and Labirent.

Michael Longhurst directs. His credits include the recent revival of Caroline or Change (Chichester, Festival Theatre, Hampstead Theatre, and Playhouse Theatre), and Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus (National Theatre) and Nick Payne’s Constellations starring Sally Hawkins and Rafe Spall at Royal Court Theatre and in the West End, and with Ruth Wilson and Jake Gyllenhaal on Broadway. Longhurst also worked with Gyllenhaal on his American stage debut in If There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet (Roundabout Theatre, New York). Other credits include Gloria(Hampstead Theatre), Belleville (Donmar Warehouse), Bad Jews (Theatre Royal Bath/West End), and Linda(Royal Court Theatre). Longhurst was recently appointed Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse.

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