Red Carpet Gala Performance at Glasgow King’s Theatre and Extra Performance Dates announced for The Steamie 30th Anniversary Tour

Neil Laidlaw and Jason Haigh-Ellery present

The Steamie

Written and directed by Tony Roper

Songs by David Anderson

 

  • EXTRA PERFORMANCES NOW ON SALE FOR THE STEAMIE 30th ANNIVERSARY TOUR THIS AUTUMN
  • TUESDAY 24 OCTOBER: RED CARPET GALA PERFORMANCE TO CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY AT GLASGOW’S KING’S THEATRE

 

GALA ALSO TO RAISE FUNDS FOR ROYAL CONSERVATOIRE OF SCOTLAND IN 170TH YEAR TO RECOGNISE KEY ROLE IN SCOTTISH DRAMA

 

Neil Laidlaw and Jason Haigh Ellery are proud to announce additional performances of The Steamie when it returns to the Scottish stage in celebration of its 30th anniversary in 2017.

Opening in Kirkcaldy on Wednesday 6th September, 2017, the show will tour to His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, Dundee Rep, Ayr Gaiety, Eden Court Inverness, the Macrobert Arts Centre Stirling, King’s Theatre Glasgow and the King’s Theatre Edinburgh.

Due to demand extra performances have now been added in Dundee, Ayr, Stirling and Glasgow.

The Steamie is a Scottish theatrical classic; an ode to the hard working women of the 1950s and to a bygone Glasgow. The young Doreen envisions a new future, while Mrs Culfeathers looks back to the past – the play is a snapshot of a society, of a time and a cross section of strong women, all rolled into Roper’s hilarious comedy. As The Scotsman said in 2012, it is a“wonderful pattern of humour, pathos and laugh-out-loud comic set-pieces.”

On Tuesday 24 October at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow, a special red carpet gala performance will bring together the stars of Scottish theatre and screen in a celebration of this seminal Scottish play.

The producers are delighted to announce that they will partner with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland for this special gala performance. A number of tickets will be sold through the RCS to raise funds for the institution in its 170th anniversary year. The Royal Conservatoire has consistently played a key part in creating a rich and successful theatre scene in Scotland over the last two centuries, and the producers are excited to join forces with them for the event to mark this incredible milestone.

Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, said: “For 30 years, The Steamie has enchanted audiences with its homage to Glasgow of years gone by.

“From Tony Roper to Neil Laidlaw, our alumni are involved in all facets of the production, highlighting the versatility and creativity of the students who pursue studies in the performing and production arts at the Royal Conservatoire.

“The Steamie remains a treasured part of Scotland’s theatrical heritage and with so many graduates involved, it’s only right for the Royal Conservatoire to celebrate this historic milestone in the same year our institution marks its 170th anniversary.”

The Royal Conservatoire is ranked number one in Scotland for graduate employability. Established in 1847, the institution is celebrating its 170th anniversary in 2017 and has built on its roots as a national academy of music to become one of Europe’s most multi-disciplinary performing arts higher education centres, offering specialised training across music, drama, dance, production and film.

The writer Tony Roper and producer Neil Laidlaw are both alumni of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Tony Roper is a Scottish actor, comedian, writer, playwright and director who first wrote The Steamie in 1987 and directed the 25th anniversary production in 2012. As an actor his first major role was in Scotch and Rye and he is most recognisable as Jamesie Cotter from Rab C Nesbitt. Tony’s other plays include Paddies Market, a conceptual sequel to The Steamie, andRikki and Me, a play about the comedy actor Rikki Fulton. He has written two novels based on Rikki Fulton’s character Rev I.M Jolly. His autobiography I’ll No Tell You Again was published in 2014.

Tony says: “In my late forties I sat down with a biro and a jotter and wrote my first ever play. Thirty years have since passed and The Steamie is still there, giving laughter and tears and touching that intangible something in an audience that has made it a favourite night out.”

This is the third time Neil Laidlaw has produced a tour of The Steamie, first in 2009 and then the 25th anniversary tour in 2012. Originally from Burntisland, Neil is now based in London’s West End. Recent successes include co-producing the Olivier Award nominated revival of Show Boat and the Olivier Award winning Gypsy starring Imelda Staunton; co-producing the Young Vic’s production of A Doll’s House starring Hattie Morahan, at the Duke of York’s in the West End and BAM in New York; and the UK tour of Annie which will transfer to the West End later this year staring Miranda Hart.

Neil said: “The Steamie is one of the greatest Scottish plays – I am extremely proud to have had the opportunity to have been associated with it in the past and am now even more excited to be producing this 30th anniversary celebration. I first saw it in a student production at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland while studying there. Dawn Steele played Mrs Culfeathersfabulously!”

 

TOUR DATES – 2017

Week commencing

LES ENFANTS TERRIBLES TO STAGE A TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY PRODUCTION OF THE TERRIBLE INFANTS

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

  • LES ENFANTS TERRIBLES TO STAGE A TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY PRODUCTION OF THE TERRIBLE INFANTS
  • THE TERRIBLE INFANTS WILL PLAY AT WILTON’S MUSIC HALL FROM 27 SEPTEMBER UNTIL 28 OCTOBER
  • THE PRODUCTION FEATURES NARRATION FROM DAME JUDI DENCH
  • TICKETS ARE ON SALE FROM WWW.WILTONS.ORG.UK

Les Enfants Terribles have announced that the anniversary production of their multi-award winning show The Terrible Infants will be staged at Wilton’s Music Hall. Featuring new creative material and reflecting Les Enfants Terribles’ bold, innovative and irreverent style The Terrible Infants will run from 27 September until 28 October with a press night on Tuesday 3 October. Tickets are now on sale from www.wiltons.org.uk

The production is a collection of twisted short stories by Oliver Lansley and Sam Wyer, which recall both Roald Dahl and Tim Burton, performed with inventive puppetry and atmospheric live music. Featuring recorded narration from Dame Judi Dench, The Terrible Infants originally debuted in 2007 before multiple appearances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and nationwide tours. The production received numerous awards when it debuted a decade ago including Best Entertainment and Outstanding Theatre in the Fringe Report in 2008, as well as Outstanding Artistic Merit from Argus Angel Award.

Oliver Lansley (Artistic Director) and James Seager (Producer) of Les Enfants Terribles said:“The Terrible Infants is a project which is very close to our hearts so we’re thrilled to be able to bring it back into the limelight for its tenth birthday. It’s always been at the back of our minds to revisit the show (audiences still talk to us about it all these years later!) and we’re delighted that the bewitching Wilton’s Music Hall will be its London home.

Over the past decade we have explored so many other ways of creating theatre with Alice’s Adventure’s Underground, Dinner at the Twits and The Game’s Afoot, so we’ll be bringing all that innovation and invention to this tenth anniversary production to create a more magical world for The Terrible Infants. Our stalwart audiences will be pleased to hear that Tumb, the boy who eats his Mum, Thingummyboy, whose face is so forgettable even his Mum struggles to recall him, Little Linena, Manky Mingus and Little Tilly will all be returning to the stage… but they will be joined by another twisted tale which we will be adding to The Terrible Infants repertoire.

2017 has been an incredible year for us with the return of Alice’s Adventure’s Underground to the Vaults, the continued success of our sister company Les Petits Theatre Company which is currently touring David Walliams’ The First Hippo on the Moon across the UK, the launch of our new initiative The Stepladder Award and Les Enfants Terribles featuring in The Stage 100. We can’t think of a better way to round off this amazing year than to welcome audiences to the new world of The Terrible Infants.”

When you tell too many tall tales, those tales have a tendency to take over, growing bigger and uglier and stronger and scarier, layering lie upon lie, fib upon fib, white lies turn to grey and grey turn to black, while you’re lugging around this huge tale on your back.

It’s always behind you, but none of it is true, and soon you can’t control the tale, it is the tale that controls you…

The Terrible Infants is the second time which Les Enfants Terribles will work with Wilton’s Music Hall in 2017. Along with touring and audience engagement company house, Les Enfants Terribles and Wilton’s have also launched The Stepladder Award. The award is designed to support fringe theatre companies making original work as they look to establish themselves within the UK theatre industry. The emphasis of the award is on supporting a company to mount a first full professional tour of their winning Edinburgh Festival Fringe show and build their company profile and structure.

Submissions for the award opened on 8 March 2017. The judging panel, made up of Les Enfants Terribles, Wilton’s Music Hall and house, will then see shortlisted shows during the first week of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2017 and announce the winner at the end of that week. Further information can be found here: www.lesenfantsterribles.co.uk/awards

The winner will perform their production at Wilton’s Music Hall in Autumn 2017 and will be supported by Les Enfants Terribles and house in mounting a tour of their show. The winner will also receive mentoring from Les Enfants Terribles as they prepare funding applications and plan their tour and in addition a programme of industry mentoring.

LISTINGS

Les Enfants Terribles present
The Terrible Infants
27 September – 28 October
Press Night: Tuesday 3 October

Wilton’s Music Hall
Grace’s Alley, London, E1 8JB
Box Office: 0207 702 2789
www.wiltons.org.uk

Run time is approximately 1 hour 35 minutes with an interval

The Terrible Infants is suitable for all ages
Based on a series of short stories by: Oliver Lansley and Sam Wyer
Directed by: Oliver Lansley and James Seager
Devised by: Les Enfants Terribles

Music by: Tomas Gisby and Neil Townsend
Designed and made by: Sam Wyer
Costumes: Trish Wyer and Sally Higginson
Cart constructed by: Nick Wyer
Scenic painting by: Jill Doherty
Linena made by: Alex Batten

ALSO PLAYING

Les Enfants Terribles and ebp present
Alice’s Adventure’s Underground
15 April – 23 September

Les Petits Theatre Company and ebp present
Adventure’s in Wonderland
13 May – 3 September
For ages 5 – 10

Vaults, London
www.alice-underground.com
Box Office: 0844 248 1125

WILTON’S MUSIC HALL ANNOUNCE EXCITING NEW ADDITIONS TO SEASON

Wilton’s Music Hall announce exciting new additions to season

·         Hotly anticipated revival of National Youth Theatre’s Zigger Zagger, the original football hooliganism play

·         Critically acclaimed one woman show Man To Man telling the story of Ella; a woman forced to adopt the identity of her dead husband in order to survive in Nazi Germany

·         Les Enfants Terribles present their multiple-award winning show The Terrible Infants, a joyous jumble of live music, puppetry and performance

Wilton’s is delighted to announce today three exciting shows that will grace the stage of Europe’s oldest Grand Music Hall in the autumn. Committed to showcasing a diverse range of live music and theatre, the latest batch of brilliant productions truly fits in with the Wilton’s spirit, with theatrical feasts, stunning revivals and reimagining classics.

Fifty years after becoming the National Youth Theatre’s first new writing commission, Peter Terson’s much loved Zigger Zagger (6-9 September) returns in a special anniversary production marking half a century since its world premiere. Set in 1967, the UK’s first major dramatic work to look at the subject of football hooliganism is a story of anarchy, violence and greed, all brought to life by a cast of fifty of Britain’s brightest young talents. Directed by Juliet Knight (White Boy) this irreverent tale of a working class boy torn between making a life for himself and the desire to fit in explores the themes of tribalism, masculinity and belonging through the National Youth Theatre’s trademark wit and infectious energy. 

Following on from a stellar, critically-acclaimed set of shows at the 2015 Edinburgh Festival (★★★★★The Guardian), Manfred Karge’s Man to Man comes to Wilton’s for an exclusive  London run from 12 – 23 September. Maggie Bain astonishingly brings to life the story of Ella, a woman forced to adopt the identity of her dead husband in order to survive in Nazi Germany. Adapted by award-winning playwright, Alexandra Wood, this dynamic production unites the talents of a multi Olivier & Tony award-winning creative team, led by directors Bruce Guthrie and Scott Graham (Artistic Director of Frantic Assembly: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime West End/Broadway). A Wales Millennium Centre production and named by the Times as a ‘stunning revival…destined for classic status’, this one-woman masterpiece is one not to be missed.

 

Fresh from their hit Olivier nominated production, Alice’s Adventure’s Underground, innovative theatre company Les Enfants Terribles arrive at Wiltons to present their multiple award-winning show, The Terrible Infants (27 September – 28 October). Based upon a series of twisted tales by Oliver Lansley and Samuel Wyer, this fantastic spectacle blends puppetry, live music, performance, and dark story telling into a highly sensory theatrical feast suitable for big kids and small grown-ups. Featuring narration recorded by the wonderful Dame Judi Dench, this is Roald Dahl meets Tim Burton in this hugely theatrical, scary, funny, sad, silly, junk-filled, puppetry packed, dark, delicious, musical, magical piece of performance!

The Toad Knew visits Salford for its only performance outside London

Unmissable masterpiece The Toad Knew visits The Lowry for its only performance outside London

Wed 10 & Thu 11 May 2017

One of Europe’s most inventive artists James Thierrée visits The Lowry for the first time on Wed 10 & Thu 11 May 2017 with his latest production The Toad Knew. These performances will be the only chance for audiences to see his latest critically acclaimed work outside London.

James Thierrée, the multi-talented European performer and director with an impeccable theatrical pedigree, is renowned for conjuring worlds of endless invention and fantasy, and inviting imaginations to soar.

An acrobat, magician, actor, clown and musician Thierrée is acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest and most creative performers and directors. Perhaps this is inevitable coming from an impressive linage of artists that includes his great-grandfather Eugene O’Neill and his parents French circus creators Jean-Baptiste Thierrée and Victoria Chaplin – part of the Chaplin dynasty.

A unique theatrical experience, The Toad Knew, is a spellbinding creation. Critically acclaimed, it is a seamless mix of mechanical marvels, seductive music, surreal humour and acrobatic finesse.

The Toad Knew features six characters who emerge into a strange netherworld of steaming water, animalistic machines and sinister objects. A woman transforms into a lizard, a piano plays itself and plates miraculously appear and disappear. In the middle of it all, Thierrée works his magic with the aid of a servant, only to have it undone by a man beast. It all happens underneath a huge, glowing structure connected to the stage with a thick cord of knotted wires. The Toad Knew emanates from a dream world of buried fears and encapsulates Thierrée’s creative process.

Thierrée made his stage debut aged four in 1978, appearing alongside his older sister, Aurélia, in his parents’ company  Le Cirque Imaginaire.  Thierrée  toured with the circus throughout his childhood and teenage years. When his parents’ circus settled in Paris following long spells at Les Halles the company began to play theatres rather than circus tents, and so began Thierree’s interest in theatre performance.

In 1998 he formed Compagnie du Hanneton, named after his parents’ childhood nickname for him ‘le hanneton’; French for a particular type of iridescent beetle because he was always jumping around. This informal international ensemble includes both circus and dance artists and the productions include Junebug Symphony (2001), La Veillée des Abysses (2004), Au Revoir Parapluie (2007), Raoul (2009) and Tabac Rouge (2014).

Thierrée was recently awarded the César (France’s national film award) for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for French film Chocolat, about the famous clown Chocolat, who in 1886 became the first black circus artist in France. Thierrée plays Chocolat’s stage partner Footit. The film followed the pair as they become a famous duo in Paris Belle Epoque. For Chocolat, Thierrée was commissioned to recreate the numbers that Footit and Chocolat performed.

The Toad Knew has been nominated for three Molière Awards 2017: Best Show, Best Visual Creation and Best Director. The awards will take place on Mon 29 May 2017.

SONIA FRIEDMAN PRODUCTIONS WINS 11 OLIVIER AWARDS.

11 OLIVIER AWARD WINS FOR SONIA FRIEDMAN PRODUCTIONS

 

Sonia Friedman is tonight celebrating with her producing partner Colin Callender as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child scoops nine Olivier Awards:

 

Virgin Atlantic Best New Play
Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at Palace Theatre

 

Best Director
John Tiffany for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at Palace Theatre

Best Actor
Jamie Parker for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at Palace Theatre

Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Noma Dumezweni for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at Palace Theatre

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Anthony Boyle for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at Palace Theatre

White Light Award for Best Lighting Design
Neil Austin for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at Palace Theatre

Best Sound Design
Gareth Fry for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at Palace Theatre

Best Costume Design
Katrina Lindsay for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at Palace Theatre

Blue-i Theatre Technology Award for Best Set Design
Christine Jones for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at Palace Theatre

 

And two further Oliviers for the Sonia Friedman Productions show Dreamgirls go to:

Best Actress in a Musical
Amber Riley for Dreamgirls at Savoy Theatre

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Adam J Bernard for Dreamgirls at Savoy Theatre

 

As Sonia Friedman Productions prepares to transfer Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour to the West End, they would also like to congratulate all those involved in the production at National Theatre – Dorfman, including originating producers the National Theatre of Scotland and Live Theatre, for winning the Oliver Award for Best New Comedy.

 

The Olivier Awards 2017 were held at The Royal Albert Hall in London on Sunday 9 April and the ITV1 highlights broadcast will air on Tuesday 11 April at 8pm.

Rock of Ages Review

Grand Opera House York – 7 April 2017.  Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

York Stage Musicals presents Rock of Ages at the Grand Opera House, York, running until Saturday 15th April.

Set in the late 1980’s, Rock of Ages tells the story of Sherrie, Lauren Sheriston, a small town girl hoping to make it big in acting. Sherrie meets would be rocker, Drew, Conor Mellor, who works in the trademark Hollywood bar, “The Bourbon Room”. Dennis, Mikhail Lim, the owner offers her a job and we then see Sherrie and Drew fall in love to the soft rock songs of the 80’s with ups and downs along the way.

We are taken through the story through a narrator, Lonny, played wonderfully by Christopher Knight. He is the first character you see on stage, with his American accent and cheeky charm and is the glue that holds it all together. Knight was really outstanding as Lonny and I loved the huge, and I mean huge hair.

Club owner Dennis has his own battle to fight with ruthless German developer Hertz, Adam Tomlinson and his camp, he’s “German not gay” son Franz, Benedict Tomlinson. These 2, especially the latter, had certain members of the audience in fits of laughter that it became quite infectious. Benedict was great as Franz flouncing around the stage and living up to his role.

The ensemble cast provide a lot of energetic dancing and singing, mostly in very little clothing. Some of the female cast were that scantily dressed that a couple of times I honestly thought that there was going to be a wardrobe malfunction, which I’m sure would have pleased some of the audience.

One of the highlights of the show for me was the duet with Dennis and Lonny, I suppose another love story? Both Knight and Lim have great voices, I loved Lim’s singing throughout the whole show.

Mellor played a very convincing wannabe rock star and you could just imagine him in front of his bedroom mirror at home playing air guitar and singing along to all the songs he got to sing on stage. Sheriston was good as the naive small town girl Sherrie, but I found it a bit of a stretch to think of her turning into a stripper. The true star of the show for me though was Knight as Lonny.

York Stage Musicals, under the direction of Nik Briggs, have put on another great show. It is unbelievable to think that this is a show staged by amateurs as it felt truly professional. Well done and congratulations!

Please catch it if you can and go along to see local actors, playing in York until Saturday 15th April.

MK Ultra Review

York Theatre Royal – 5 August 2017.  Reviewed by Marcus Richardson

Rosie Kay Dance Company came to the York Theatre Royal with their newest dance show MK Ultra, now if you’re a person who loves their conspiracy theories that that might sound familiar.  MK Ultra is a brainwashing theory that we are being controlled through the use of tv and hidden messages.  As soon as the show started I was drawn into this deep world and it felt like I was watching a documentary for the first few minutes as we watched this video projected on this giant triangle which told us about MK Ultra, this draws you in so much as you start to focus on the meaning of the dance, and when the dancers some on stage you see the meaning behind moves and their interaction.

The dancing was very provocative and really plays on the use of sex symbols in media to brainwash people, there was a lot of movement centred around the lower half and a first you think ‘oooh a bit naughty’, but then you look past it and you realise that it sends a lot of messages about how media and our society is now with the trend twerking.

Throughout all of the show we were reminded about the sexualisation of people and how everyone is controlled.  The best moment for this was in the second act then the company pick up a dancer and made her body move and controlled every aspect of her presence on stage. As the dancing was very ‘new age’ so was the music as it included electronic sounds and broken music rather than your classical ballet style music, this was really good in working with different sections of dance and helping draw the audience into this world of conspiracy.

The stage was completely bare except a throne in the corner and this gigantic white triangle at the back, this immediately tells the audience that is about power and the ever so famed “illuminati”.  The triangle was massive and really became a focus when it needed to be, this is that part that I love, during the dancing and when the opening of the show projections were shown on this triangle and it fitted a lot of the dances well, the projections focus on the psychedelic aspect of the brainwashing, it almost became another character as it fits in so well about telling this story.  The costumes were very revealing and didn’t leave much to the imagination with everyone wearing bodysuits with various symbols affiliated with the New World Order

This show is something I would go and see again as it’s my cup of tea, but I find that it may only appeal to a smaller audience rather than more commercial theatre and dance, it is obviously not PG and I wouldn’t recommend that you take kids under the age of 14 as dancing got very sexualised and there was swearing during the show.  This has to be one of the best dance shows I’ve seen and I loved the whole aspect of fake news and the New World Order.

Refrain Review

Richmond Castle, North Yorkshire.  7-9 April 2017

Situations Presents Verity Standen Refrain – a beautiful piece of immersive choral artistry held within the grounds of Richmond Castle.

The harmonies resonated around the grounds whilst the public were encouraged to explore the castle.  Watching the sunset and listening to the bird song and the sound of the river below the male voices sang a lament to commemorate the ‘Richmond 16’

Just over 100 years ago, the sixteen conscientious objectors were detained in a cell block at Richmond Castle. Before they were sent to France to be court-martialled, the 16 covered the cell walls with words, hymns and drawings.

21 local men, all untrained singers, blended their voices stunningly – amongst them a doctor, scrap metal merchant, a Methodist minister, students, asylum seekers, people who have experienced homelessness, and a Green Party candidate who hasn’t sung for 50 years. Aging from teen to pensioner the men started off in small groups scattered around the castle, vocalising different lyrics in their groups.  The men then came into a large group and individually sang a different piece but together.  But what might have sounded like a cacophony of noise was a more sweet-sounding anthem

The acoustics of the castle reverberated through the vast open spaces and in the confines of the chapel and the Keep.  The men’s plaintive voices crying out Standen’s vocal composition.

This ensemble piece was magnificent in its simpleness, their voices as one, it is a performance that should not be missed

This almost angelic chorus is showing in Richmond – Saturday 8th April 6pm and 7.30pm.  Sunday 9th April 6.00am (dawn) and 10.15am.  With tickets priced at :£12 (Concessions: £8 Group family ticket: £25) Tickets to the 6.00am (dawn) performance are free

It then moves to St. Helens, Merseyside 19th – 21st May and Newhaven, West Sussex 9th – 11th June.  Further details can be found at www.refrain.online

Singers: Harrison Braithwaite, Adrian Cook, Tom Cooper, Alan Coustick, Jamie Edgar, Pete Edge, Jonathan Gibbs, Charlie Grumbley, Patrick Ititini, Paddy O’Neil, Alec Paul, David Pisaro, Luca Riccer, Peter Roberts, Leslie Rowe, Jamie Sample, William Thayre, Chris Wellings, John Westwood, Hamid Reza Yazdanfar.

Ensemble: Edward Wren, Harry Humberstone, Robert Thumpston, Robin Paley Yorke

Composed and directed by Verity Standen

Roy Mitchell’s Care revived with an ethnically diverse cast at the Courtyard

The Angus McKay Foundation presents:


CARE
May 9th – 14th 2017, Courtyard Theatre

The Angus Mackay Foundation is proud to present the revival of Care by Roy Mitchell (co-creator of New Tricks), originally presented at the Royal Court Upstairs, which has been revived with an ethnically diverse cast.

A house in Birmingham has the constant glow of the TV, anthems of the 1970’s youth and a smell that lingers no matter how much the rooms are cleaned. Cheryl is anxious for the love which her illiterate, football watching, beer gurgling Terry is unable to give. Both manage to ignore the haunting cries coming from the cupboard whilst throwing in leftover food. The flat is feeling more enclosed than ever, but all they have hidden in the cupboard seems to finding itself into every corner of the house. Cheryl and Terry are willing to do anything to make the crying stop.

Roy Mitchell was a member of the National and Birmingham Youth Theatres, and trained as an actor at Manchester Polytechnic School of Theatre. In 1982 he co-wrote a Musical for Granada, Visiting Day, with Kevin Malpass, which was the official ITV entry for the 1983 Prix Futura in Berlin. His first stage play, Care, was produced at the Royal Court Upstairs, also in 1983, directed by Antonia Bird. In 2002 he co-created the TV series New Tricks, which ran on BBC1 every year until 2015, as well as in over 30 countries around the world. Roy is currently working on a US TV series set in Maine for Fox TV and a stage play about the German expressionist painter Emil Nolde.

The Angus Mackay Foundation for performing arts is administered by Kevin Malpass. Angus had many appearances in hit TV dramas and films such as Only Fools and Horses, Dr Who, One Foot In The Grave, and The Sweeney. While the TV and film roles where many (and in some cases, legendary), Angus was a champion for the theatre and his passion was the stage. During his 50-year career, he brought a piquant precision to everything from Stoppard to Shaw. His co-actors included such greats as Albert Finney, Vivien Leigh and Simon Callow.

Apocalyptic comedy presents the end of the world as we know it. In a swan pedalo.

DugOut Theatre present Swansong, a post apocalyptic comedy in a swan pedalo, at The Lowry Wed 3 – Sat 6 May.

Swansong follows the story of four strangers in a swan pedalo after a flood that wiped out the world. As the last remaining survivors on earth they decide what to remember, and what to change.

After highly-acclaimed productions Fade, Inheritance Blue and The Sunset Five, DugOut Theatre examine how lies become stories and stories become legend inSwansong at The Lowry Wed 3 – Sat 6 May.

With DugOut’s usual blend of toe-tapping live music, laugh-out-loud comedy and consummate storytelling, Swansong is guaranteed to be a real adventure.  DugOut’s use of sound to create different worlds filled with colourful characters, transports audiences on a captivating journey.

Casting includes writer and performer Tom Black, co-founder of DugOut Theatre Ed Smith, Charlotte Merriam & Nina Shenkman who trained at The Royal Welsh Collage of Music and Drama,

DugOut’s Artistic Director George Chilcott said; “In this show, form and content are linked as we present a series of interwoven stories that look at how we use story to try and make sense of the world.

“Storytelling, in theatre, allows for the audience’s imagination to take flight and we believe having actors paint pictures, with words and music, on stage, can often be far more exciting than the most spectacular pyrotechnics.”

Founded by a group of comedians, writers, musicians and actors, DugOut’s work is often funny, sometimes sad, usually hopeful and always musical. It warms your heart, moves your feet, treats your eyes, lightens your load, tickles your fancy and swells your heart.

Taking our joyful, popular plays around the country, we perform in a range of intimate spaces – from studio theatres to country pubs – and believe in bringing our unique brand of theatre magic to audiences everywhere.

Swansong
Wed 3 – Sat 6 May
8pm
Tickets: £12. Conc £10
Website
Ages 14+