Author: FairyPoweredProductions

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

OPENS THE NEW SEASON AT LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

X Factor winner Joe McElderry and Britain’s Got Talent’s Lucy Kay will together take to the Leeds stage later this month when Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat arrives at The Grand Theatre.

The vibrant, exciting retelling of the biblical story of Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours has a score that’s crammed wall to wall with hits, including Jacob and Sons, Close Every Door and the iconic Any Dream Will Do.

Joe McElderry, who takes the lead as Joseph, was just 18 when he won the sixth series of The X Factor beating off fierce competition from Olly Murs and Stacey Solomon. Joe then soared to number one on the UK Singles Charts with his rendition of Miley Cyrus’s The Climb and his debut album Wide Awake went straight in at number 3 on the UK Albums Chart. He has since gone on to have two more top ten albums, and has become the first X Factor star to release four albums, with a fifth in the making.

Lucy Kay, who takes the role of Narrator, scored her first number one album in 2014, after her stunning debut  ‘Fantasia’ shot straight to the top of the Classical Album Chart. The singer from Leicestershire shot to fame and captured the country’s hearts as runner up on Britain’s Got Talentin 2014.

Having garnered sensational reviews and standing ovations at every performance since its inception almost 35 years ago, Bill Kenwright’s production of this sparkling family musical continues to delight family audiences everywhere.

Joseph… kick-starts The Grand’s new season; hot on its tail is firm favourite Blood Brothers starringLyn Paul, Ray Mears, Tales of Endurance, Breakfast at Tiffiany’s with Pixie Lott and Matt Barber,Alan Bennet’s Single Spies, Riverdance and Sean Lock to name but a few.

For more information on The Grand’s coming season, and to buy tickets, visit leedsgrandtheatre.com.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is at Leeds Grand Theatre

from Tuesday 22^nd to Saturday 26^th March

Tickets are on sale now priced from £19 to £33.50

Book online at leedsgrandtheatre.com or call box office on 0844 848 2700

COME JOIN OUR SISTERHOOD!

MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL

Starring Linda Nolan Cheryl Fergison Rebecca Wheatley

Grand Opera House York

Tuesday 19 April at 7:30pm

This hilarious musical parody staged to classic tunes from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s will have you cheering and dancing in the aisles. See what millions of women worldwide have been laughing about for 14 years!

Set in a department store, four women with seemingly nothing in common but a black lace bra on sale, come to find they have more to share than ever imagined. The cast makes fun of their woeful hot flashes, forgetfulness, mood swings, wrinkles, night sweats and chocolate binges. A sisterhood is created between these diverse women as they realize that menopause is no longer The Silent Passage, but a stage in every woman’s life that is perfectly normal!

Tickets from £24 from box office on 0844 871 3024 or book online atwww.atgtickets.com/york

  Theatre N16     6 – 17 March.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

Richard Cameron’s “Can’t Stand Up For Falling Down” is story telling at its purest, allowing his words and the actors to shine.

Three women from South Yorkshire describe the day that Al died, and their subsequent encounters with Royce Boland, the man who drove Al to his death. Almost the entire story is told through monologues, with the actors barely interacting but describing events from their point of view for the audience to piece together the whole picture. This creates a deeper connection with the audience, as it is almost like a confessional session.

Abi Taylor Jones’ Ruby begins as a feisty pregnant teenager, believing that she deserves everything bad that happens to her, and Taylor Jones shows Ruby’s journey as she realises that she is strong enough to survive on her own with great humour and earthiness.

Venice van Someren plays 10 year old Jodie at the beginning of the play, mixing innocent playfulness with almost ethereal moments. As teenage Jodie, van Someren still shows the child within but portrays Jodie’s growing self-awareness and self-belief expertly.

Ellie Nunn as Lynnette is astonishing in the scenes where she is the victim of Royce’s abuse – making the audience flinch along with her. Those scenes are written brilliantly, and Nunn’s brave delivery of  her justification for staying is heartbreakingly real.

The characters are drawn to the river as a symbol of continuity, life carrying on and things passing, and the interweaving of the monologues creates the rhythm of tributaries joining a larger flow and being swept along in a strong current towards a final confrontation. The language swerves wildly between blunt plainspoken honesty and lyrical emotive poetry, producing a tale that grips from start to finish.

“Can’t Stand Up For Falling Down” is one of those rare plays that are strangely devastating and life-affirming at the same time. This wonderful play will haunt you.

CARRIE HOPE FLETCHER AND SHAUN WILLIAMSON
TO JOIN THE CAST OF
THE SHERMAN BROTHERS’ CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG
FURTHER TOUR CASTING ANNOUNCED
FOR 2016-17 UK AND IRELAND TOUR  

Further casting has been announced for the Music & Lyrics Limited and West Yorkshire Playhouse production of the much-loved Sherman Brothers musical CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG. The 2016-17 UK and Ireland tour opened at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton on 10 February 2016.

From 4 May until 2 October, Carrie Hope Fletcher (Les Misérables, War of the Worlds) will play Truly Scrumptious. From 4 May until 21 August, Shaun Williamson (The Railway Children, EastEnders) will play Lord Scrumptious/Baron Bomburst.  Phill Jupitus (The Producers, Hairspray), who currently plays the roles of Lord Scrumptious and Baron Bomburst, returns to the show from 24 August.

As previously announced Lee Mead (Casualty, Legally Blonde, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat) will play Caractacus Potts from 4 May until 18 September, with Jason Manford (The Producers, Sweeney Todd) returning to the role, which he is currently playing, from 21 September.

Martin Kemp continues as the Childcatcher until 24 April. Casting for further dates is to be announced.

Both Michelle Collins (EastEnders, Coronation Street) as Baroness Bomburst, and Andy Hockley (The Phantom Of The Opera) as Grandpa Potts continue in their roles until 4 February 2017.

Ewen Cummins plays The Toymaker/Mr Coggins, with Sam Harrison as Boris and Scott Paige as Goran, and Kathryn Barnes, Rosanna Bates, Alex Louize Bird, Abigail Climer, Jade Davies, Matt Gillett, Ewan Gillies, Joanna Goodwin, Nathan Vaughan Harris, Christopher D Hunt, Paul Iveson, Nia Jermin, Kelsie-Rae Marshall, Mollie Melia-Redgrave, Perry O’Dea, Matt Overfield, Ross Russell, Craig Turner and Robert Wilkes.

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG has music and lyrics by Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman, who were also responsible for Mary Poppins, The Slipper and the Rose, The Aristocats and The Jungle Book.  The Sherman Brothers have won two Academy Awards with a further nine nominations, two Grammy Awards and they have received 21 gold and platinum albums.

The film made from Ian Fleming’s classic story has been adapted for the stage by Jeremy Sams, based on the MGM Motion Picture Licensed Script adapted by Ray Roderick.

This new production of CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG is directed by West Yorkshire Playhouse Artistic Director James Brining, with new choreography by Stephen Mear. There is a live orchestra with Musical Supervision by Stephen Ridley. Set and costume design is by Simon Higlett, lighting design is by Tim Mitchell, sound design is by Ben Harrison and video design is by Simon Wainwright.

There are sensational sets and stunning special effects and, of course, the memorable score by the Sherman Brothers, which includes such standards as Truly Scrumptious, Toot Sweets, Hushabye Mountain and the Oscar-nominated title song Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

This production is presented by permission of JOSEF WEINBERGER LIMITED on behalf of MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL of New York.

For more information, visit www.chittythemusical.co.uk
Facebook:  Chitty Chitty Bang Bang The Musical
Twitter:  @ChittyMusical / #chittymusical

LISTINGS INFORMATION for THE UK AND IRELAND TOUR

24 February – 13 March                              Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin
www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie        0844 847 2455

16 – 27 March                                            Grand Opera House, Belfast
www.goh.co.uk/                           028 9024 1919

30 March – 9 April                                      Regent Theatre, Stoke                  0844 871 7649
www.atgtickets.com/venues/regent-theatre

13 – 24 April                                              Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
www.thecliffspavilion.co.uk            01702 351 135

4 – 14 May                                                Milton Keynes Theatre                   0844 871 7652
www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre/

18 – 29 May                                               Nottingham Theatre Royal
www.trch.co.uk                             0115 989 5555

1 – 12 June                                                Theatre Royal, Newcastle
www.theatreroyal.co.uk                  08448 112 111

15 – 19 June                                               Theatre Royal Plymouth                 01752 267222
www.theatreroyal.com

29 June – 17 July                                        Sheffield Lyceum
www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk           0114 249 6000

20 – 30 July                                                 New Wimbledon Theatre                0844 871 7646
www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre

3 – 21 August                                             Wales Millennium Centre
www.wmc.org.uk                            029 2063 6464

24 August – 3 September                             Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
www.marlowetheatre.com               01227 787787

7 – 18 September                                        Birmingham Hippodrome
www.birminghamhippodrome.com   0844 338 5000

21 September – 2 October                             Royal & Derngate, Northampton
www.royalandderngate.co.uk          01604 624811

5 – 16 October                                              Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
www.edtheatres.com                     0131 529 6000

19 – 29 October                                            King’s Theatre, Glasgow                 0844 871 7648
www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre/

9 – 19 November                                        New Victoria Theatre, Woking           0844 871 7645
www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre/

6 December – 15 January                            The Lowry, Salford                          0843 208 6000
www.thelowry.com/event/chitty-chitty-bang-bang

25 January – 4 February                              Bristol Hippodrome                          0844 871 3012
http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome/

Further tour dates to be announced

Future brighter for London’s fringe theatres as Soho Estates Director Fawn James announces capital donation

 Fawn James, Director of London property company Soho Estates, announces donation of £125,000 over the next five years to the London Theatres Small Grants Scheme

 Twenty-five small London theatres will receive capital grants of up to £5,000 by 2020

 Fawn James matches first donation from the Mackintosh Foundation and helps build up this new capital funding scheme for London’s fringe theatres

 Protecting the future of London’s fringe theatres following London Assembly ‘Centre Stage’ Report

We’re pleased to announce that Soho Estates Director Fawn James has donated £125,000 to the Theatres Trust’s London Theatres Small Grants Scheme.

The scheme was launched in Spring 2015, working with the London Mayor’s Office, to help small theatres in the city with vital capital funding. It was set up in response to the London Assembly’s ‘Centre Stage’ report into the challenges facing small theatres in London, which identified that 93% of small London theatres had yet to raise the money to carry out significant upgrade or repair to their buildings, with a direct impact on their future.

Fawn James joins Cameron Mackintosh’s Mackintosh Foundation as the second major donor to the London Theatres Small Grants Scheme.

Fawn James, Director of Soho Estates said: “My family has a shared history with some of the most iconic theatres and entertainment venues in the heart of London. My grandfather Paul Raymond started staging revue and variety shows in small venues in Soho in the 1950s and worked with some of the great stars of the age. Our support for the London Theatre’s Small Grants Scheme reflects our continuing commitment to London’s arts scene, and means that small theatres will be able to honour London’s theatrical heritage, and be confident of a bright future.

“Small theatres are often the genesis for bold and innovative productions, helping to foster the next generation of talented artists, and provide an important role in local communities. If we want London to remain a world leader in arts and culture, we have to make sure that small theatres can thrive.”

Tim Eyles, Theatres Trust Chair said, “Fawn’s generous donation is such great news for small theatres across London and I’m really looking forward to working with her. Every time we’re able to announce a new donor to the London Theatres Scheme we’re helping to secure the future of live theatre across London. So many small theatres are working on such tight budgets they struggle to make improvements to their buildings – and we know these grants can make a huge difference.”

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “This is a fantastic investment in the future of London’s smaller theatres, which are a hugely important part of our city’s cultural life. These are places where new and emerging talent can develop and where exciting and radical new work is often staged and I hope many others will follow Fawn’s lead in supporting them.”

Tom Copley, who led the London Assembly’s ‘Centre Stage’ investigation said, “I’m delighted that the London Theatres Small Grants Scheme is going from strength to strength. Five theatres have already received assistance through the scheme, and this generous donation will help even more small London theatres make improvements to their buildings. These improvements will help with things like making theatres more accessible, improving working conditions for staff and performers, and restoring historic buildings.”

Applications for Round 2 of the London Theatres Small Grants Scheme are now open. The application deadline is 17 August, and eligible applications will be reviewed by Trustees in Autumn 2016.

290 (BEAUTY) SLEEPS UNTIL CHRISTMAS*

*AT TIME OF WRITING; FOR YOUR PURPOSES YOU CAN CHECK HERE http://emailsanta.com/clock.asp

Leeds is preparing for another festive frolic as this year’s famous Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto is announced.

City Varieties Music Hall is delighted to present Sleeping Beauty the Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto for Christmas 2016 which goes on sale on Friday 9^th March (which means 288 sleeps from then).

“Our Rock’n’Roll Pantos have been popular since they were first introduced in 2011 thus beginning a whole new tradition for families,” says Ian Sime, General Manager at City Varieties.

“Part music gig, part stage show with stunning staging and colourful costumes it’s a hilarious, high-speed show.  Our only advice is to book early as it’s always very popular.”

This year audiences will find themselves and singing along to The Eagles, Whitney Houston, Marvin Gayeand Cher to name but a few.  With all the familiar characters, corny jokes and the added bonus of a full-blown and now legendary ‘boulder fight’, Sleeping Beauty promises a spectacular show that has something for the whole family.

Sleeping Beauty the Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto is at City Varieties Music Hall from Saturday 26^th November 2016 to Sunday 8^th January 2017

Tickets go on sale on Friday 9^th March priced from £14 to £25

Book online at cityvarieties.co.uk or call box office on 0113 243 08 08

Ground-breaking Greenhive Green by Punchdrunk leads the way in innovative performing arts programme for care homes

• Internationally renowned theatre company Punchdrunk createsGreenhive Green as part of pioneering Artists Residencies in Care Homes programme

• Greenhive Green project marks the first in a two-year programme of residences curated by Magic Me

• Programme will take place across four care homes run by Anchor, in Peckham, Surrey Quays, Westminster and Bethnal Green

Supported by intergenerational arts specialists Magic Me, Punchdrunk Enrichment has brought their signature immersive practice to Greenhive, an award-winning care home run by Anchor in Peckham, South London.

Punchdrunk Enrichment has transformed a room in Greenhive care home into a beautiful village green, complete with a florist’s shop, phone box, real foliage and smells of fresh cut grass. Residents have come together to form the village committee of Greenhive Green, gathering weekly in the fictional world for committee meetings that are part-soap opera, part-game and part-workshop.  Driven by the story of Greenhive Green’s ongoing rivalry with neighbouring village Blarford, residents and care home staff participate in multi-sensory activities which have varied from writing poetry to planting flowers.

The project will culminate in a celebration of the committee and their achievements, with special guests including singer-songwriter Beatie Wolfe who returns for her second performance in Greenhive Green. Each resident will then be invited to their own individual thank you ceremony with Punchdrunk Enrichment’s facilitators.

Peter Higgin, Enrichment Director for Punchdrunk, said:

“We are constantly looking to deliver high impact work which both challenges our practice and challenges notions about what is possible within participatory settings. Our ambition for the project has been to give the residents including those living with dementia an empowering and magical experience. The residents and staff have been the real stars – their energy, humour and willingness to come on the journey with us has been humbling.”

Greenhive Green is the first project in a two year programme of residencies set up by Magic Me, hosted in four London care homes run by Anchor, England’s largest not-for-profit provider of care and housing for older people.

Susan Langford MBE, Director of Magic Me said:

” This programme came out of a desire to challenge the ageist notion that older people, including those living with dementia, might not enjoy or be able to participate in cutting-edge work like Punchdrunk’s wonderful immersive worlds.

Having worked in care homes for over 25 years, the programme has allowed Magic Me to support some of the most exciting companies in the country to bring their work to a care home audience for the first time. Together we have helped them develop their practice for this specific audience without dumbing down or diluting their work .”

Other companies taking part in the programme later this year are performance artist and activist Lois Weaver, alt-cabaret collective Duckie and aerialist and circus company, Upswing.  Research from the programme will be published in June 2016 and February 2017. The programme is funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Wakefield and Tetley Trust.

Connie Oppong MBE, Manager of Greenhive, which was the first care home in London to be rated “Outstanding” by the Care Quality Commission said:

This project has proved to be a fantastic addition to the activities we organise here. The residents have thoroughly enjoyed themselves and have been actively looking forward to the sessions each week. We have had positive feedback from residents’ relatives about the impact of this work. One family told us their father has shown a marked difference in his confidence and ability to engage over the weeks he has been involved in Greenhive Green.”

Ms Langford added:

“Care homes aren’t always the depressing places we all fear them to be, Punchdrunk’s Greenhive Green has proved that they can be exciting, forward thinking places where amazing things can happen!”

Theatrum Veritatus and Theatre N16 present:

SHEFFIELD THEATRES SHOW COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY BY GETTING INVOLVED IN DISABLED ACCESS DAY

As part of Disabled Access Day on Saturday 12 March, Sheffield Theatres are hosting accessible performances of David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny at the Lyceum Theatre.

A Relaxed Performance will take place in the morning at 10.30am.  Relaxed Performances enable people to come to the theatre who may not usually feel comfortable in a theatre environment.  Any loud sound effects or extreme lighting is minimised, the conventional ‘rules’ of theatre, such as sitting still throughout and being as quiet as possible are completely relaxed and a quite area is available for anyone who may need to take some time out of the auditorium.  Later in the afternoon at 2.30pm, a signed and audio described performance of the show will also take place.

Disabled Access Day is a nationwide event that encourages disabled people to visit somewhere with friends and/or family that they’ve never been before, whether that’s a coffee shop, cinema, sports centre or theatre. The event takes place on Saturday 12 March with over 200 organisations involved.

The day is sponsored by Euan’s Guide, the disabled access review website and app, and has the support of VisitScotland, VisitEngland and Visit Wales.

Commenting on Sheffield Theatres’ involvement in Disabled Access Day, Claire Murray,Communications and Fundraising Director commented:  ‘We want everyone to be able to enjoy our venues and hope that by getting involved in this event, people will come and discover just how accessible theatre can be!’

Gangsta Granny is at the Lyceum Theatre from Wednesday 9 – Saturday 12 March.  Tickets can be purchased from Sheffield Theatres’ Box Office in-person, by phone on 0114 249 6000 or online at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk and are priced from £12.00 – £22.00 (a transaction fee of £1.50 (£1.00 online) applies to all bookings made at the Box Office, excluding cash).  Family tickets and discounts are available.

HIP-HOP FAIRYTALE HITS THE LYCEUM

ZooNation Dance Company bring a newly revamped production of their award-winning hip-hop fairytale dance show Into the Hoods: Remixed to the Lyceum Theatre from Tuesday 22 – Wednesday 23 March.

The show that took the West End by storm when it debuted in 2008, returns to the stage with all the wit and charm of the original under the direction of Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Kate Prince. Set in the ‘Ruff Endz Estate’, the story follows two lost school children who have been tasked to find an iPhone as white as milk, trainers as pure as gold, a hoodie as red as blood and some weave as yellow as corn. Along the way, they encounter familiar fairytale characters with an urban twist – DJ Spinderella, wannabe singer Lil Red, vivacious rapper Rap On Zel, budding music producer Jaxx and embark upon a storybook adventure into the heart of a pulsating community.

An upbeat feel-good family show Into The Hoods: Remixed, the first ever hip-hop dance show to appear in the West End, will delight with its street attitude, infectious energy and slick moves.

Into the Hoods: Remixed is at the Lyceum Theatre from Tuesday 22 – Wednesday 23 March. Tickets can be purchased from Sheffield Theatres’ Box Office in-person, by phone on 0114 249 6000 or online at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk and are priced from £16.00 – £23.00 (a transaction fee of £1.50 (£1.00 online) applies to all bookings made at the Box Office, excluding cash). Discounts are available.