Author: FairyPoweredProductions

Jack Studio Theatre – until 3 March 2018.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

3***

Controlled Chaos’ all female production of The Tempest begins with a simple but effective representation of the storm that traps Prospero’s enemies on his island, and this low-tech, whimsical approach continues throughout Dylan Lincoln’s solid production.

Prospero’s dreams of revenge on those who have wronged him are effectively portrayed as characters silently parade during the (very) long exposition to Miranda which must be endured before the action gets started. With the help of spirit Ariel, Prospero’s retribution begins as Ariel leads groups of survivors on a merry dance around the island as Prospero engineers the meeting of Ferdinand, heir of Milan, with Miranda. Meanwhile his slave Caliban comes across two drunken members of Alonso’s household, and takes them for gods.

In some productions the “comedy” of drunken Trinculo and Stephano can be painful, but here Kimberley Capero and Ceri Ashe keep it broad but unforced and very funny. Drawing even bigger laughs are Shereener Browne and Afsana Sayyed as duplicitous and ambitious Antonio and Sebastian. Carmella Brown is an ethereal mischievous Ariel and Kate Sketchley gives Caliban an animalistic naivety that is spellbinding, while Michelle Pittoni and Hannah Jessop are an innocent delight as Miranda and Ferdinand. I think Jo Bartlett will grow into her role as Prospero, at the moment her mystical, reflective moments are impressive, but there is a slight hesitancy about the anger and bitterness in early scenes that doesn’t quite convince yet. The whole cast give committed performances, but too often their breathing isn’t quite right, resulting in lines ending in a garbled rush, or choking on words mid-line.

The music is charming, with a circular hypnotic, sometimes soporific melody that enhances the feeling of enchantment, complimented by a lighting design that, although predictable, matches the mood of the piece.

This is a production full of natural charm and humour – well worth a look.

Waterloo East Theatre Fridays until 16th March.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Planning your own funeral is taken to the next level in Tempest Rose’s spectacular burlesque show. Tempest Rose is hosting her own wake every Friday throughout the Vault Festival, and this is one congregation you want to be a part of.

Filing into the theatre, and handed the order of service, the open coffin and the portrait of the deceased strike a sombre tone, until you realise exactly what tunes the organ is playing, and are instructed to stand for the opening hymn – a George Michael classic!

Structured like a legitimate funeral, with guest stars performing instead of eulogising, this is a clever, life-affirming and thoughtful show, with lots of filthy fun. Last night saw Trixie Kixx giving Catholics heart attacks, Storm Hooper stunning with her hula hoop tricks and Bootsy Belafonte performing one of the most brilliantly bizarre and topical routines imaginable as Ariel the little mermaid.

Tempest Rose hosts with impeccably wicked panache, charming and terrifying the audience in equal measure – her Gypsy routine, echoing Gypsy Rose Lee’s strip with a modern take on female empowerment and sexuality is fantastic and inspiring – and she can belt out a tune too.

Audience participation is obligatory, whether it’s joining in with the “hymns”, or sorting out Tempest Rose’s will – a mass pass the parcel game that proves that grown ups just can’t play nicely.

If you’re looking for a fantastic night out, then this feel-good funeral is a must see. You’ll leave singing, dancing… and trying to choose your own burlesque name.

StoryHouse, Chester.  Friday 16th February, with Saturday – Sunday 18th February Swan Lake.  Reviewed by Julie Noller

5***** 

I do not pretend to be an expert in Ballet, but I have discovered a love and respect for the extreme talent and professionalism I am always privileged to watch. Chester’s StoryHouse Theatre may not be the biggest stage in theatre land but it’s modern build and cleverly spaced seating was perfect for watching Giselle, my eyes missed no action, each twirl, each spin, my eyes were completely level with the stage and those dazzling dancers.

Giselle is one of the most classical romantic of ballets first performed in Paris in 1841, it is amazing that it survives to be performed intact. Dancers are by nature interpreters, showcasing skills and feelings. By such we should be thrilled to be witnessing this classic and so close to Valentines Day, a love story indeed. Romanticism in ballet apparently originated in Germany and is traditionally danced in long tutus. Those twirls en-pointe in long tutus fascinated me, the skill, the technique is remarkable.

If you do not know the story of Giselle then I suggest reading through the programme, it helps to understand the story unfurling on stage. You sense what is happening although I found Giselle and The Saint Petersburg Ballet to not only be technically gifted but almost perfect mime masters, over exaggerated arm movements yet so graceful, facial features were so clear and shone out across the auditorium. You could see the love, the distress the power of emotions filling the theatre.

Prima Ballerina Natalia Romanova is dazzling and electric as the young teenager Giselle who as in all fairytales falls in love with the debonair dashing Duke Albrecht Premiere Vadim Lolenko who has disguised himself as a huntsman named Loys. Despite Giselles Mother worrying that her passion for dancing will kill her and she will fall under the spell of Wilis Marina Burliai and Viktoriya Bogomazova, you sense the foreboding and fear for what may be about to happen, Giselle follows her passions as only a young teenager will. Unfortunately and unnoticed by Giselle is that she has another suitor Hilarion First Soloist Evgeniy

Silakov the local Gamekeeper, obviously driven by jealousy he discovers Albrechts secret and informs Giselle when Bathilde visits the local area that she is Albrechts Fiancee. In a heart breaking moment of madness Giselle dances away collapsing from exhaustion, he mother distraught begs her daughter to stop, each man so deeply in love with Giselle attempts to woo her away. Yet driven by despair and shock of this so recent revelation, she loses her mind, dancing and ultimately she dies. All this dancing delight in only the first Act, I couldn’t wait for the second Act. Beautiful costumes floating across the stage, delicate and graceful perfection conclude the story of Giselle. It is not a powerful muscular wow ballet but just simply stunning, you understand the story telling, you respect each and every dancer on stage, each movement is slow and precise. Both men visit Giselle’s grave to repent their part in her tragic death, unable or unwilling to aid Hilarion he is caught and dies. But that deep teenage love so pure she felt for Albrecht protects him from the Wilis and after spending a last night dancing together, I sat mesmerised by the high throws and spins. You see the dedication each member of The Saint Petersburg Ballet brings to the stage. Wonderful.

Regan de Wynter Williams Productions present
Sasha Regan’s Iolanthe
By W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan
UK Tour: April – July 2018

Having wooed audiences in the UK and Australia with the award-winning Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore and The Mikado, Sasha Regan returns with her most critically acclaimed production, Iolanthe, which broke all box office records on its transfer to Wilton’s Music Hall in 2011.

Torches flash in the darkness as a party of naughty schoolboys adventure into the magical surroundings of an old theatre. Amid all the backstage paraphernalia they discover a Narnia-like wardrobe and a dusty copy of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe. What follows is pure magic!

Universally regarded as Sir Arthur Sullivan’s most beautiful score, Iolanthe is a topsy-turvy love story between the most unlikely of couples… fairies and members of the House of Lord’s! Sasha Regan’s all male, award-winning company return with their best received production. Her inimitable inventiveness combined with Gilbert and Sullivan’s inherent barminess make for an unmissable night out.

Iolanthe became the fourth consecutive major success for Gilbert and Sullivan. It was the first work to premiere at the Savoy and first new theatre production in the world to be illuminated entirely with electric lights!

Sasha Regan comments, I am thrilled that Iolanthe will be touring once again! These all-male productions stem from my memories of performing Gilbert and Sullivan’s productions when I was at a single-sex school and I’ve always loved the innocence attached to these productions.  The laughter and playfulness afforded by setting it in this all-male environment allows the audience to really tap into the ‘topsy turvy’ world without being detached from it.

When it premiered in 2011 Iolanthe was nominated for numerous Off West End Awards – Best Director, Best Choreographer, Best Production, Best Costume Design and Best Male Performance.

Brought to you by the same team who created the award winning, all-male The Pirates of Penzance, this absurdly silly but sweetly touching version of Iolanthe is a comic pleasure. If there is a message, it is that everyone needs to release their inner fairy… Irresistible (* * * * The Guardian)

Sasha Regan and her boys are doing something just as gloriously fresh and inventive as Matthew Bourne did with Swan Lake (* * * * The Independent).

Hayley Tamaddon stars in a new UK Tour of Tony Award-winning musical, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE

The hugely successful musical comedy Thoroughly Modern Millie begins its new UK Tour at Richmond Theatre from Tue 27- Sat 31 March. Based on the Academy Award-winning film of the same name, the musical took to Broadway in 2002 and went on to win six Tony Awards including Best Musical. Press are invited to attend for review on Tue 27 March.

This delightful production follows a hugely successful tour in spring 2017 and in its new run will star actress Hayley Tamaddon. Hayley will take on the title role of Millie Dilmount, a young Kansas girl with a dream of making it big in New York City. Hayley is best known for her portrayal of Del Dingle in Emmerdale and Andrea Beckett in Coronation Street and as well as this was the winner of the fifth series of ITV’s Dancing on Ice. She has also crafted a successful musical theatre career with roles including, Roxie Hart in Chicago (UK Tour), The Lady of the Lake in Spamalot (UK tour), Janet in The Rocky Horror Show (UK Tour), Frenchie in Grease (UK Tour), Diana Morales in A Chorus Line (Sheffield Theatres), Trish in Boogie Nights (UK Tour), Carmen in Fame (UK Tour), Laura in Boyband (West End) and Lisa in Mamma Mia (West End).

The story takes you back to the bright lights of 1920s New York City, where the Jazz Age was in full swing. It was during this time that ‘moderns’, including a flapper named Millie Dilmount, were bobbing their hair, raising their hemlines, entering the workforce and rewriting the rules of love. With toe-tapping musical numbers and hilarious comedy, you’ll be guaranteed an evening of glittering entertainment from start to finish.

From explosive tap numbers to a ‘Fred and Ginger’ dance routine on a window ledge, and featuring hit songs including Gimme Gimme and Not for the Life of Me, Thoroughly Modern Millie is a brilliantly funny and entertaining show for all the family so raise your skirts, bob your hair and beat the drums ‘cos here comes Thoroughly Modern Millie now!

Thoroughly Modern Millie

Tuesday 27 – Saturday 31 March at Richmond Theatre
Tickets: from £13.50* (includes booking fee)

Show link: http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/thoroughly-modern-millie/richmond-theatre/

Richmond Box Office: 0844 871 7651* Website: atgtickets.com/Richmond*
*Fees apply.  Calls cost up to 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.

Grand Opera House York until Saturday 17th February 2018. Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

3.5 ***

After the successful production of Gangsta Granny, another of David Walliams’ books, Awful Auntie, the biggest selling children’s book of 2014, has been bought to life on stage by The Birmingham Stage Company.

It’s about a 12, nearly 13 year old girl, Stella Saxby, Lady Stella Saxby in fact, who awakes from a coma to find that he’s wrapped head to toe in bandages to be told by her Aunt Alberta that she had broken every bone in her body, which turns out to be a total lie. She is also informed, somewhat brutally, that she is now an orphan after her parents died in the same car crash that put her in a coma. All her dreadful aunt is after are the deeds to Saxby Hall so that she can get her grubby hands on them and do away with poor Stella.

After coming to the conclusion that in fact her parents were murdered by her aunt, her father was too good of a driver, Stella realises that she has to escape, and so the fight begins. With the help of Saxby’s resident ghost, Soot, Stella find herself thwarted at every step by her awful auntie and her sidekick, a Bavarian owl named Wagner. But ultimately Wagner comes good and Alberta gets her comeuppance.

The set, designed by Jacqueline Trousdale, consists of several cylindrical towers, depicting rooms, doors and staircases, that rotate as and when. They are used to great effect, allowing characters to move up and down stairs and the chimney, and in and out of rooms, and all around the house. We also treated to a car, motorbike chase, all on stage, which was fun.

Georgina Leonidas plays a convincing 12 year old Stella, bringing innocence and youthful energy to the role. We are all rooting for her! Ashley Cousins plays Soot, the ghost killed in the house years ago. His cheeky cockney chimney sweep is a charming and endearing character that you can’t help fell sorry for. Timothy Speyer plays the horrid Aunt Alberta with an evil glint in his/her eye, really relishing the character. Richard James pops up every now and then as the doddery, confused butler Gibbon, giving us slapstick comedy and making the audience laugh.

For me the star of the show was Wagner, the Bavarian owl. Roberta Bellekom is the puppeteer behind Wagner, and does a fantastic job. I was thoroughly memorised by the owl, especially when in flight, you can almost forget that she was there controlling it all, and some of the expressions on his face, as well as hers were priceless. There were several puppets throughout, a couple of Wagners and miniature characters, all wonderful and created by the very talented, Sue Dacre.

Awful Auntie is certainly a madcap adventure and obviously has a great fan base, as all the children in the audience attested to, especially loving the toilet humour. No doubt this show will be as successful as Gangsta Granny.

DARLINGTON HIPPODROME TO WELCOME A SPOONFUL OF SHERMAN

An all-new musical stage show for the entire family, featuring the songs of the Oscar-winning Sherman brothers, is coming to Darlington Hippodrome from Monday 12 to Wednesday 14 March.

The double Oscar-winning Sherman Brothers – Richard M Sherman & Robert B Sherman remain one of the most formidable songwriting teams in family entertainment history. From 1964 onwards their unparalleled partnership produced music, songs and scores for dozens of films, particularly many of Disney’s best loved titles including Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Jungle Book, Bedknobs & Broomsticks, Charlotte’s Web, and The Aristocats. The highly prolific brothers were the sons of the great Al Sherman who wrote songs for the likes of Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and many singers of the golden American Songbook period of the 1930s-1950s.

Robert J Sherman, son of Robert B. Sherman and a successful composer in his own right brings the utterly compelling story of one family’s century-long, award-winning musical journey to Darlington. Three generations of Sherman songwriters are brought to life in this delightful show.

Featuring a highly talented cast led by Olivier-nominated Sophie-Louise Dann the show includes all-time favourites such as A Spoonful of Sugar; I Wanna Be Like You; Chitty Chitty Bang Bang; The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers; Jolly Holiday; Chim-Chim-Cher-Ee and many more.

A Spoonful of Sherman is at Darlington Hippodrome from Monday 12 to Wednesday 14 March.

Tickets* from £19.50 (all prices include a £2 restoration levy). For more information or to book contact the box office on 01325 405405 or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

The King’s Head Theatre is delighted to announce that they will be offering reduced prices for the under-30s and the unwaged.

Tenner Tuesdays will offer £10 tickets to under-30s on Tuesday evening performances, and Hi Five will offer £5 tickets to the unwaged on Sunday matinee performances. The new ticket prices will apply to select productions in 2018 starting with Charles Court Opera’s The Mikado, with further productions to be announced.
Islington, despite being widely recognised as one of the more affluent London boroughs, has a wide disparity in wages, with nearly 10% of working age residents claiming out of work benefits. Nearly 45% of the Borough is also under the age of 30 – 7% over the national average.

King’s Head Theatre Executive Director Fiona English says: “The King’s Head Theatre has long been among the most ethically and socially responsible fringe theatres in the UK. We were the first to introduce a in-house Equity agreement to ensure actors that work with us are paid a fair wage and more recently, introduced a gender policy which pledges that at least half of all creatives we employ to work on our productions will identify as non-male. I am delighted to announce that we are taking steps to increase the accessibility of our venue to young people and the unwaged with these new ticket prices.”

Artistic Director Adam Spreadbury-Maher says: “At the King’s Head Theatre, we pride ourselves on artistic excellence and our unapologetically broad programme of work. I believe it is vital that the diversity of our audience reflects the diversity of the work we present onstage and hope that the introduction of these new ticket prices means we will welcome new audience members through our doors for the first time in 2018 to enjoy the exciting, challenging and varied productions we have coming up.”

The King’s Head Theatre was established in 1970. The most ethically and socially responsible fringe theatre in the UK, we are known for our challenging work and support of young artists. Last year 116,151 audience members saw a show of ours: 44,607 at our 110-seater home on Upper Street and 71,544 elsewhere. At our home in Islington we had 774 performances last year of 95 different shows. We are committed to fighting prejudice through the work we stage, the artists and staff we work with and by producing work for minority audience groups. We believe in fair pay for all on the fringe and create accessible routes for early career artists to stage their work; work we are passionate about. Last year we announced the theatre is on the move. Subject to a fundraising campaign, the King’s Head Theatre will move into a custom-built space in the heart of Islington Square, directly behind its current home securing the future of the venue for generations to come.

ROSALIE CRAIG AND HADLEY FRASER TO PERFORM

THE LIGHT PRINCESS IN CONCERT

AT CADOGAN HALL

Club 11 London and Alex Parker Theatre Company today announce The Light Princess from Tori Amos and Samuel Adamson will receive its first ever concert performance this summer. Rosalie Craig reprises her role of Althea, for which she won the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Musical Performance,and Hadley Fraser will play Digby with further casting to be announced.Directed by Paul Foster, the concert takes place at Cadogan Hall on Sunday 1st July 2018.

 

Based on the Scottish fairy tale by George MacDonald, The Light Princess tells the story of a princess afflicted by a constant weightlessness, unable to get her feet on the ground, both literally and metaphorically, until she finds a love that brings her down to earth.

 

Rosalie Craig said today, “It’s so wonderful to have the opportunity to revisit this incredible piece 5 years on. It is hugely special to me and it will be a joy to hear it and sing it again after all this time.”

 

Samuel Adamson commented, “I’m thrilled that The Light Princess is going to float again this July in a concert produced by Club 11 London and Alex Parker Theatre Company. I can’t wait to hear the incomparable Rosalie Craig sing the role of the princess again – and who better to be her prince than Hadley Fraser?”

 

Rosalie Craig reprises her role as Althea. She is currently appearing in The Ferryman at the Gielgud Theatre. Other theatre credits include Becoming, City of Angels (Donmar Warehouse), The Threepenny Opera, As You Like It, Table, London Road (National Theatre), Hitchcock Blonde (Hulltruck Theatre), Ragtime (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Swallows and Amazons (Bristol Old Vic), Aspects of Love (Menier Chocolate Factory), Anyone Can Whistle (Jermyn Street Theatre), and Alice In Wonderland (Royal Shakespeare Company). For television her credits include Endeavour, Scrotal Recall, My Family and Other Animals, Casanova and Grease Monkeys; and for film her credits include London Road.

 

Hadley Fraser plays Digby and is currently appearing in Young Frankenstein at the Garrick Theatre. Other theatre credits include Harlequinade, The Winter’s Tale (Garrick Theatre), Saint Joan, The Vote, City Of Angels, Coriolanus, The Machine (Donmar Warehouse), A Long Day’s Journey into Night (Bristol Old Vic), The Pajama Game (Chichester Festival Theatre), Les Miserables (Queen’s Theatre) and Assassins (Sheffield Theatres).

For television his credits include Decline and Fall, Him, Sons of Liberty, Pompidou and The Fresh Beat Band; and for film his credits include Murder on The Orient Express, The Legend Of Tarzan, Les Miserables, Convincing Clooney and The Lost Tribe.

Paul Foster directs. Recent theatre credits include A Little Night Music, Tell Me on a Sunday (UK tour) and Laurel and Hardy (Watermill Theatre) and Annie Get Your Gun (Sheffield Crucible).

 

The Light Princess 

Listings

Cadogan Hall

5 Sloane Terrace, Belgravia, London SW1X 9DQ

 

Sunday 1 July 6.30pm

Box Office: 020 7730 4500

MICHAEL BALL, ALEXANDRA BURKE & CASSIDY JANSON 

ANNOUNCED TO STAR IN THE MAJOR WEST END RETURN OF

BY BENNY ANDERSSON, TIM RICE & BJÖRN ULVAEUS

 

PRODUCTION INCLUDES MURRAY HEAD, STAR OF THE ORIGINAL 1986 PRODUCTION

 

MIKE + THE MECHANICS’ LEAD VOCALIST TIM HOWAR ALSO JOINS THE COMPANY

 

PREVIEWS FROM 26 APRIL 2018 AT THE LONDON COLISEUM

 

The first West End production of Chess since 1986 is to star Michael Ball, Alexandra Burke, Murray Head, Tim Howar and Cassidy Janson. This epic musical love story will open at the London Coliseum on Thursday 26 April 2018 (Press night on Tuesday 1 May 2018) for a strictly limited 5 week season.

This is the fourth production in collaboration with English National Opera by Michael Linnit and Michael Grade, who brought Sunset Boulevard, Carousel and Sweeney Todd to the London Coliseum, the home of ENO. Michael Linnit and Michael Grade also produced 42nd Street, currently playing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Michael Ball, Britain’s leading musical theatre star, will perform the role of Anatoly. For 30 years Michael has been starring in musical theatre productions in the West End and on Broadway winning critical acclaim and awards for his stage work and recording career. He is a double Olivier Award winner, multi-platinum recording artist and radio and TV presenter.  Michael made his West End debut as Marius in the original London cast of Les Misérables; he starred in the West End production of The Phantom of the Opera, Aspects of Love in the West End and on Broadway, in the London production of Stephen Sondheim’s Passion and as Caractacus Potts in the West End musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  In 2005 he returned to Broadway as Count Fosco in The Woman in White, which transferred from London’s West End and, in the same year, made his New York City Opera debut as Reginald Bunthorne in Gilbert and Sullivan‘s Patience.   In 2007 he made his debut with English National Opera as Haj/The Poet in Kismet. In 2008 Michael made box office history with his Olivier Award winning performance as Edna Turnblad in the smash hit musical Hairspray which he then took on tour across the UK.  In 2013 Michael won his second Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his critically acclaimed lead role in Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street. In 2015, Michael starred as Mack Sennett in Mack and Mabel at Chichester Festival Theatre which then went on to tour the UK.

In 2016 Michael recorded a new album with Alfie Boe, titled ‘Together’, which was released through Decca Records in November. The album went Platinum in just over 5 weeks, was 2016’s Christmas Number 1, has now sold over 600,000 copies and was the biggest selling album release of the year.Following the release, ITV commissioned a one off special, Ball & Boe: One Night Only, which was broadcast on ITV1 in December.  Michael and Alfie also entertained more than 80,000 fans on a sold out 29 date tour of the UK. In 2017 a successful tour of Australia was closely followed by a second ITV special, Ball & Boe: Back Together.  Michael went back into the studio with Alfie Boe to record a second album, ‘Together Again’ which was released through Decca Records in October.  Together Again went straight in at number 1. Combined sales of both albums are now in excess of 1 million copies and a sold out 11 date arena tour of the UK followed.

Alexandra Burke is Svetlana. Alexandra rose to fame after winning the fifth series of The X Factor in 2008, and currently stands as one of the most successful winners of the show selling well over 4 million records in the UK alone. Alexandra released the winners single ‘Hallelujah’, which became the current European record holder for single sales over a period of 24 hours, selling 105,000 in one day. The song also became the top-selling single of 2008 within the UK and became the UK’s Christmas number one. By January 2009, the single had sold over 1 million copies across the UK, a first for a British female soloist. Her follow up album, ‘Overcome’, debuted at number one in the UK Album Charts achieving four number one singles on the UK Singles Chart and Irish Singles Chart. ‘Hallelujah’, ‘Bad Boys’, ‘All Night Long’ and ‘Start Without You’ went on to sell 780,000 copies in the UK and became a Platinum selling single, along with three BRIT Award nominations from tracks she released as singles, making ‘Overcome’ one of the UK’s most successful albums of that year. In 2014 she made her West End debut playing the lead role of Rachel Marron in the much acclaimed musical, The Bodyguard . A UK tour followed. In August 2016, Alexandra starred as Deloris Van Cartier in the musical Sister Act, a new production directed by Craig Revel Horwood which toured the UK. In September 2017, Alexandra joined the cast of Strictly Come Dancing, reaching the final and then performed in the 4-week Strictly Come Dancing UK arena tour. 2018 saw Alexandra sign a new album deal with Universal / Decca. The album entitled ‘The Truth Is’ is released in March 2018 with a headline tour in September 18.

English actor and recording artist Murray Head is most recognised for his international hits Superstar (from Jesus Christ Superstar) and One Night in Bangkok from CHESS. He performed the role of world chess champion Frederick “Freddie” Trumper in the original London West End stage production of Chess that premiered on 14 May 1986. The show ran in London until 8 April 1989. He has also performed in Jesus Christ Superstar and Hair in the West End. He will take on the role of The Arbiter.

Singer Tim Howar is best known as the lead vocalist with Mike + the Mechanics. He made his West End debut as the male lead in Peggy Sue Got Married. He has also appeared in West End productions of Rent and Rock of Ages. In his native Canada he starred in Broadway productions of Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Miss Saigon, Tommy, The House of Martin Guerre and Les Misérables. He will perform the role of Freddie.

Cassidy Janson is Florence. Her most recent project was the LEADING LADIES trio along with Amber Riley and Beverley Knight. Previous to this Cassidy played Carole King in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Other theatre credits include Ruth in Dessa Rose at the Trafalgar Studios opposite Cynthia Erivo, Tick Tick Boom for the Menier Chocolate Factory starring alongside Neil Patrick Harris. Blood Wedding at the Courtyard Theatre, Rooms:  A Rock Romance at the Finborough, Lend Me a Tenor at the Gielgud Theatre playing the principle role of Maggie, Company at the Southwark Playhouse and Kate Monster/Lucy the Slut in Avenue Q at the Wyndhams Theatre.  Janson was a member of the original London cast of Wicked and played standby Elphaba.  On film her credits include The Hike, Tail’s End, Day Trip to London, Full Circle and Coma.  Jansonrecently guested with The Jive Aces performing at Glastonbury and Ronnie Scott’s and also doing a tour of New York City and Florida with them.  She was a soloist at The Royal Albert Hall for Magic FM’s Magic Of The Musicals last May and she duetted with Carole King in Hyde Park last Summer for 65,000 people. Her television appearances include Casualty.

CHESS was written in 1984 by ABBA songwriters Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, The Lion King, Evita), and the original London production starred Elaine Paige, Murray Head and Tommy Korberg. That production, which ran for three years at the Prince Edward Theatre, followed a highly successful recording featuring the same stars, and included the international hit singles I Know Him So Well and One Night In Bangkok. Other well-known songs from the score include Anthem, Someone Else’s Story, Heaven Help my Heart and Pity The Child.

 

CHESS tells a story of love and political intrigue, set against the background of the Cold War in the late 1970s/early 1980s, in which superpowers attempt to manipulate an international chess championship for political ends. Two of the world’s greatest chess masters, one American, one Russian, are in danger of becoming the pawns of their governments as their battle for the world title gets under way. Simultaneously their lives are thrown into further confusion by a Hungarian refugee, a remarkable woman who becomes the centre of their emotional triangle. This mirrors the heightened passions of the political struggles that threaten to destroy lives and loves.

Featuring English National Opera’s award-winning Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by John Rigby with choreography by Stephen Mear, this new West End production will be directed by Laurence Connor, whose recent credits include School of Rock and Miss Saigon on Broadway and in the West End, Les Misérables on Broadway, and the international Jesus Christ Superstar arena tour. This is the fourth production in collaboration with ENO by Michael Linnit and Michael Grade.

The show’s reputation has never been higher; there have been countless versions produced all over the world. The return of the sensational score to the London stage is an important and exciting musical theatre landmark.

 

CHESS is presented by Michael Linnit and Michael Grade in collaboration with English National Opera, by arrangement with Three Knights Limited, The Shubert Organisation Inc & Robert Fox Limited.

 

www.chessthemusical.com

Twitter: @chessthemusical 

 

LISTINGS INFORMATION

 

CHESS

London Coliseum

St Martin’s Lane

London WC2N 4ES

Dates

Thursday 26 April – Saturday 2 June 2018

Performances

Mon – Sat 7.30pm, matinées – Wed & Sat 2.30pm

Tickets

From £12

Box Office: 020 7845 9300

www.chessthemusical.com

Twitter: @chessthemusical