Author: FairyPoweredProductions

Beckman Unicorn presents

The Chilling Production

Darktales

  Spooky, Poe-esque DARKTALES returns to the Fringe after 21 years with a revised script.  

• DARKTALES is written by TIM ARTHUR, previous editor-in-chief of Time Out Magazine.   
• This 21stanniversary production is directed by the twice-Olivier nominated DAN CLARKSON,most famous for being one half of the duo behind Potted Potter.  
• Darktales stars ANDREW PAUL (The Bill, Coronation Street), SEAN WARD (Coronation Street) and CARRIE MARK (Secret Cinema). 

Horror-thriller Darktales is the scariest show at the Fringe! 21 years ago audience members gasped, screamed, fainted or had to leave the theatre. This chilling, creepy play explores the myths and the stories that scare us at night, and the two men who write them. The conversation becomes a sinister exchange, a dark rivalry – but the men are linked by more than their writing – there is a strong smell of sexual jealousy! And the mysterious Lucy looms over their stories. Confronting each other by demonstrating the power of each of their writing styles, slowly reveals a dark secret, leading to a terrifying conclusion.

TIM ARTHUR’s revised version of the script that terrified Fringe audiences updates the story for new audiences, but its haunting tales remain as chilling and as terrifying as before. Drawing inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe and H. P. Lovecraft you may think you know where Darktales is going, but it has scary surprises and twists up its sleeve.

Darktales is written by Tim Arthur, former editor-in-chief of Time Out Magazine and will be directed by the double Olivier Award nominee DAN CLARKSON, one half of the duo behind Potted Potter – an internationally-acclaimed, Harry Potter experience.

ANDREW PAUL, the familiar TV face most famous for his role as P.C. Dave Quinnan in The Bill will take on the role of Alex Crowley, the Professor.

Jack Langton, his ex-student, is played by SEAN WARD, who terrified the residents of Coronation Street as Callum Logan. Although Callum was brutally murdered in September 2015, he is currently haunting the residents of ‘The Street’, the Platt family to crisis as Sarah Platt has just given birth to his baby and believes he is alive!

CARRIE MARX plays the mysterious Lucy – the reason for Alex and Jack’s meeting. Carrie is an actress, singer and writer who has recently taken part in Secret Cinema productions to great acclaim.

LISTINGS INFO

3 – 29 August at 5:50pm (first review date: 5 August)

Pleasance One

Suitable for ages 14+

NTERNATIONAL TRIUMPH BLOOD BROTHERS

 

TO EMBARK ON 2016 UK TOUR THIS AUTUMN

 

LYN PAUL RETURNS TO THE ROLE OF MRS JOHNSTONE

 

WATCH: BLOOD BROTHERS

The international smash hit musical Blood Brothers is set to visit theatres across the UK this autumn. The tour opens in Malvern on Tuesday 13 September. Blood Brothers played its debut performance in Liverpool in 1983; the autumn tour will make a welcome return ‘home’ to the Empire Theatre for two weeks from 19 September.

No stranger to Blood Brothers, ‘The definitive Mrs Johnstone’ (Manchester Evening News) Lyn Paulreturns to the iconic role, one she first played in 1997. Lyn played Mrs Johnstone in the final West End performances at the Phoenix Theatre in 2012. She has also starred in the UK tour of Cabaret in 2013 as Fraulein Schneider, in Boy George’s musical Taboo and in Footloose – the Musical.

Lyn rose to fame in the early 1970s as a member of the New Seekers. She was the featured vocalist on their 1972 Eurovision Song Contest entry, ‘Beg, Steal or Borrow’, in which they came second and lead vocalist on the 1974 number-one hit ‘You Won’t Find Another Fool Like Me’. Among the group’s other works, they recorded the song ‘I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing’, adapted from an advertising jingle for Coca-Cola, which sold over 20 million copies and still remains one of the 100 best-selling singles in the UK.

Hailed as one of the best musicals of all time, Blood Brothers, written by award-winning playwrightWilly Russell has triumphed across the globe. Scooping up no fewer than four awards for best musical in London and seven Tony Award nominations on Broadway, Blood Brothers is simply unmissable and unbeatable. This epic tale of Liverpool life ran in London’s West End for 24 years and exceeded 10,000 performances. It is one of only three musicals ever to achieve that milestone.

Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving story of twin boys separated at birth, only to be reunited by a twist of fate and a mother’s haunting secret. The memorable score includes A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True.

When Mrs Johnstone, a young mother, is deserted by her husband and left to her own devices to provide for seven hungry children she takes a job as a housekeeper in order to make ends meet.

It is not long before her brittle world crashes around her when she discovers herself to be pregnant yet again – this time with twins! In a moment of weakness and desperation, she enters a secret pact with her employer which leads inexorably to the show’s shattering climax. A sensational cast, incredible show stopping music, remarkable staging and five star performances make Blood Brothers an enthralling night of entertainment.

Willy Russell is undeniably one of this country’s leading contemporary dramatists. His countless credits include Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine. Educating Rita, originally commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, enjoyed a two year run in the West End and was made into a movie starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters. Shirley Valentine also made the move from stage to screen in an enormously popular film starring Pauline Collins and Tom Conti.

Tickets: From £14

Box Office: 0871 3024

Online Booking: www.atgtickets.com/york

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Bill Kenwright presents

BLOOD BROTHERS

By Willy Russell

Directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright

Designed by Andy Walmsley                                   Sound Designed By Dan Samson

Musical Direction by Kelvin Towse                        Lighting Designed by Nick Richings

 

BLOOD BROTHERS – AUTUMN 2016 TOUR DATES

 

Tuesday 13 – Saturday 17 September                                                  Box Office: 01684 892 277

Malvern Theatres                                                                                         Website: www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

Monday 19 September – Saturday 1 October                                  Box Office: 0844 871 3017

Liverpool Empire                                                                                           Website:www.atgtickets.com

Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 October                                                             Box Office: 028 7126 4455

Londonderry, Millennium Forum                                                           Website:www.millenniumforum.co.uk

Monday 10 – Saturday 22 October                                                        Box Office: 0844 338 5000

Birmingham Hippodrome                                                                          Website:www.birminghamhippodrome.com

Tuesday 25 – Saturday 29 October                                                        Box Office: 01642 551389

Billingham, Forum Theatre                                                                       Website:www.forumtheatrebillingham.co.uk

Tuesday 1 – Saturday 5 November                                                       Box Office: 01305 783225

Weymouth Pavilion                                                                                     Website:www.weymouthpavilion.com

Monday 7 – Saturday 12 November                                                     Box Office: 0844 871 3024

York, Grand Opera House                                                                         Website:www.atgtickets.com

Tuesday 15 – Saturday 19 November                                                   Box Office: 0843 208 6000

The Lowry, Salford Quays                                                                         Website: www.thelowry.com

Monday 21 – Saturday 26 November                                                   Box Office: 01322 220000

Dartford, Orchard Theatre                                                                        Website:www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

Monday 28 November – Saturday 3 December                                               Box Office: 0844 871 7650

Brighton, Theatre Royal                                                                                             Website:www.atgtickets.com

BLOOD BROTHERS – SPRING 2017 TOUR DATES

 

**Monday 16 – Saturday 21 January                                                    Box Office:  0844 871 7645

Woking, New Victoria Theatre                                                                                Website:www.atgtickets.com

 

**Monday 23 January – Saturday 4 February                                   Box Office: 0114 249 6000

Sheffield Theatres, Lyceum Theatre                                                    Website:www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

** Monday 6 – Saturday 11 March                                                        Box Office: 024 7655 3055

Coventry, Belgrade Theatre                                                                     Website:www.belgrade.co.uk

**Monday 13 – Saturday 18 March                                                      Box Office: 08448 112121

Newcastle, Theatre Royal                                                                         Website:www.theatreroyal.co.uk

**Monday 20 – Saturday 26 March                                                      Box Office:  01224 641122

Aberdeen, His Majesty’s Theatre                                                          Website:www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

**Monday 27 – Saturday 8 April                                                            Box Office: 00353 1 677 7999

Dublin, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre                                                          Website:www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie

 

**Monday 10 – Saturday 15 April                                                          Box Office: 0844 871 3012

Bristol Hippodrome                                                                                     Website:www.atgtickets.com

Mark Goucher, Mark Rubinstein and Jonathan Church Productions present
The Dresser
Written by Ronald Harwood
Directed by Sean Foley

• Selina Cadell and Harriet Thorpe will join Ken Stott and Reece Shearsmith
• First images of Ken Stott as ‘Sir’ and Reece Shearsmith as Norman released today
• The Dresser will play at the Duke of York’s Theatre from 5th October, following performances in Richmond, Brighton and Cheltenham

Photo credit: Hugh Glendinning

The first images of Ken Stott and Reece Shearsmith in a new production of Ronald Harwood’sThe Dresser were released today, along with two new cast members: Selena Cadell and Harriet Thorpe.

Selina Cadell most recently starred as Miss Froy in the BBC television film The Lady Vanishes. She is well known for her role as Mrs Tishell in the television series Doc Martin. Her stage work includes Sam Mendes’ productions of The Cherry Orchard on Broadway and Twelfth Night at the Donmar Warehouse.

Harriet Thorpe played the character of Fleur in the BBC TV series Absolutely Fabulous, and has worked extensively with Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders on other television projects. Her stage credits include Cabaret at the Lyric Theatre, Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the Almeida and the hit musical, Les Misérables.

The Dresser tells the heart-breaking story of an ageing actor-manager and his long-suffering dresser as they struggle to keep the show on the road against the backdrop of a down-at-heel regional theatre in wartime. First performed in 1980 in the West End and on Broadway, the play was made into a multi award-winning film starring Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay in 1983, and a BBC television film starring Ian McKellen and Anthony Hopkins last year.

Ken Stott has received four Best Actor Olivier Award nominations for his work at the National Theatre and in the West End in The Recruiting Officer, Broken Glass (for which he won Best Actor in a Supporting Role), Art with Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay, and A View from the Bridge. His film credits include The Hobbit, Charlie Wilson’s War and The Chronicles of Narnia, and his television credits include the critically acclaimed BBC series The Missing, for which he received a BAFTA nomination, and Rebus, the Ian Rankin crime drama in which Ken played the title role.

Reece Shearsmith recently appeared in the Olivier and South Bank Award-winning Hangmen at the Royal Court. His other theatre credits include Absent Friends at the Harold Pinter Theatre,Comedians at the Lyric Theatre and The Producers at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. He is perhaps best known for his starring roles in the multi-award-winning cult television series The League of Gentlemen and its spin-offs Inside No. 9 and Psychoville. His film credits include High Rise, Shaun of the GDead and Birthday Girl.

Ronald Harwood is an Academy Award, Palme d’Or and BAFTA-winning screenwriter and playwright, whose films include The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, The Pianist, Quartet andLove in the Time of Cholera. His plays include The Dresser, Taking Sides, Quartet, Mahler’s Conversion, An English Tragedy and Collaboration and Degenerate Art.

Produced by Mark Goucher who has previously collaborated with Sean Foley on a hugely successful production of Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense in 2013 and 2014, which played in the West End and on tour and is currently under option for a Broadway season. The Dresser is to be co-produced with Mark Rubinstein Ltd and Jonathan Church Productions in the first production for Church’s new company after leaving Chichester Festival Theatre.

 

 

LEEDS LANDMARK VENUE HOSTS A VARIETY OF COMEDY, MUSIC AND CELEBS

THIS AUTUMN

 

Al Murray***Lloyd Cole***Shappi Khorsandi***Divine Comedy***James Acaster***

***Lesley Garrett***Chas & Dave***Gryff Rhys Jones

We’re now halfway through the year which means it will be Autumn before we know it.

But never fear for City Varieties Music Hall has tons of gigs to help shake off the post-holiday blues.

From comedians and singers to singing comedians and bands called (Divine) Comedy; cabaret, magic and a now-legendary Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto, there’s loads on offer.

Book now ensuring you have something to look forward to when the nights start drawing in.

To book online visit cityvarieties.co.uk or call box office on 0113 243 0808

For more information visit cityvarieties.co.uk

 

LISTINGS FROM SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER 2016

 

TUESDAY 6^TH SEPTEMBER

CHRISTINA BIANCO

SINGER/COMEDIAN

********************

THURSDAY 15^TH SEPTEMBER

SOUNDS OF PHILADELPHIA

Classic Motown with original Drifters member Roy G Hemmings

*****************

FRIDAY 16^TH SEPTEMBER

JOHN LODGE

OF MOODY BLUES

*******************

SATURDAY 17^TH (@ 3.30pm and 7.30pm)

SUNDAY 18^TH SEPTEMBER

AL MURRAY

COMEDIAN

*********************

SUNDAY 18^TH SEPTEMBER

AL MURRAY

COMEDIAN

*********************

WEDNESDAY 21^ST SEPTEMBER

SHAPPI KHORSANDI

COMEDIAN

****************

SUNDAY 25^TH SEPTEMBER

MILES JUPP

COMEDIAN

******************

THURSDAY 29^TH SEPTEMBER

AN AUDIENCE WITH LESLEY GARRETT

*******************

WEDNESDAY 5^TH OCTOBER

TIFF STEVENSON

COMEDIAN

******************

THURSDAY 6^TH OCTOBER

LEE MEAD

SINGER

********************

SUNDAY 9^TH OCTOBER

LLOYD COLE

SINGER

*******************

MONDAY 10^TH OCTOBER

GRAEME SWANN & HENRY BLOFELD 

An Evening with the cricketer and commentator

*******************

TUESDAY 11^TH OCTOBER

DIVINE COMEDY

BAND

*******************

WEDNESDAY 12^TH OCTOBER

SEANN WALSH

COMEDIAN

********************

FRIDAY 14^TH OCTOBER

JONATHAN PIE

POLITICAL YOU TUBER

********************

SATURDAY 15^TH OCTOBER

VONDA SHEPHERD

SINGER SONGWRITER

************************

TUESDAY 18^TH OCTOBER

MELANIE

SINGER

**********************

THURSDAY 20^TH OCTOBER

CHERYL, MIKE & JAY

FORMERLY OF BUCKS FIZZ

**********************

FRIDAY 21^ST OCTOBER

JAMES ACASTER

COMEDIAN

*******************

SUNDAY 23^RD OCTOBER

MUSIC HALL TAVERN

CABARET/VARIETY

************************

TUESDAY 25^TH OCTOBER

MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE

COMEDIAN

*********************

THURSDAY 27^TH OCTOBER

PETE FIRMAN

COMEDY MAGICIAN

*********************

FRIDAY 28^TH OCTOBER

JASON BYRNE

COMEDIAN

*********************

SATURDAY 29^TH OCTOBER

TOMMY TIERNAN

COMEDIAN

***********************

SUNDAY 30^TH OCTOBER

TONY CHRISTIE

SINGER

********************

THURSDAY 3^RD NOVEMBER

JIMEOIN

COMEDIAN

******************

SATURDAY 5^TH NOVEMBER

THE ELIS JAMES & JOHN ROBINS EXPERIENCE

RADIO X

**********************

SUNDAY 6^TH NOVEMBER

JERRY SADOWITZ

COMEDIAN

************************

TUESDAY 8^TH NOVEMBER

GRYFF RHYS JONES

COMEDY & CHAT

*********************

THURSDAY 10^TH NOVEMBER

CHAS & DAVE

BAND

**************

FRIDAY 11^TH NOVEMBER

HORNE SECTION

********************

SATURDAY 12^TH NOVEMBER

ANDREW NEWTON

COMEDY HYPNOTIST

***********************

SUNDAY 13^TH NOVEMBER

MATT FORDE

COMEDIAN

************************

SUNDAY 26^TH NOVEMBER TO SUNDAY 8^TH JANUARY

SLEEPING BEAUTY THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PANTO

THE FAMOUS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PANTO RETURNS!

Julian Glover in

 

STRIFE by John Galsworthy

Directed by Bertie Carvel

12 August – 10 September, Minerva Theatre

Full casting has been announced for John Galsworthy’s STRIFE, playing at Chichester’s Minerva Theatre from 12 August – 10 September with a press night on Thursday 18 August. The cast for Bertie Carvel’s production is led by Julian Glover, who is joined by Lucy Black, Antony Bunsee, Jason Cheater, Louise Collins, Alan David, Tomos Eames, Julian Firth, Michael Hodgson, Simon Holland Roberts, Ian Hughes, Trudi Jackson, Rhys Meredith, Mark Quartley, Madhav Sharma, Rosie Sheehy, Nicola Sloane, Cameron Sutherland and Lizzy Watts.

1909, South Wales. There is snow on the ground at the Trenartha Tinplate Works and the furnaces too are cold. The men are on strike and the community is close to breaking point. Amid this bleak winter, the company’s directors have made the journey from London to try and reach a solution and restart production. Fearing their plummeting share price, most of the board members are keen to reach a compromise but the Chairman, old John Anthony, is resolute and hard as iron.

The men are behind their firebrand leader, Roberts, but the union has withdrawn its support and it is only a matter of time before the men do too.

More than a hundred years after it was first performed, Galsworthy’s rarely staged play – voted one of the National Theatre’s 100 most influential plays of the 20^th century – offers a strikingly balanced account of the political spectrum.

 

Julian Glover makes his Festival debut as John Anthony; recent work in his long career on stage and screen includes HBO’s Game of Thrones, John of Gaunt in Richard II for the RSC and The Scottsboro Boys at the Young Vic and in the West End.

Lucy Black plays Annie Roberts; her many television appearances include Jericho, The Durrells, Call the Midwife and Grantchester, while recent theatre credits include Three Winters and Children of the Sun at the National Theatre.

Ian Hughes, who plays Roberts, recently appeared in Guys and Dolls at Chichester and in the West End. His theatre work includes many roles for the RSC, while his television credits include Stella, Torchwood and Holby City.

Lizzy Watts plays Enid Underwood. Her television work includes The Durrells and Midsomer Murders, while recent theatre includes The Angry Brigade (Paines Plough/Bush Theatre), and Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare’s Globe international tour).

 

Bertie Carvel makes his directorial debut at Chichester. As an actor, his recent roles include Doctor Foster and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (both BBC), Coalition (Channel 4), The Hairy Ape (Old Vic), Bakkhai (Almeida), and Matilda The Musical (RSC, West End and Broadway).

Strife will be designed by Robert Jones, with lighting by Rick Fisher and sound by Fergus O’Hare.

Strife is sponsored by Lancing College.

BOOKING INFORMATION

Strife is at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester from 12 August – 10 September. Evenings at 7.45pm (except for Press Night, 18 August at 7pm), matinees at 2.45pm. Tickets from £20.

 

Box Office 01243 781312

Online cft.org.uk

Prologue: £8.50 tickets for 16 – 25s

An allocation of £8.50 tickets will available for 16 to 25 year-olds. These are released on 12 July; sign up free at cft.org.uk/prologue.

Postgraduate Creative Producers and Theatre N16 present:

FURTHER CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE ROYALE

Jude Akuwidike, Franc Ashman and Martins Imhangbe join Nicholas Pinnock in the Bush Theatre’s knockout production of The Royale
Performed at The Tabernacle, Notting Hill
Directed by Madani Younis, written by Marco Ramirez
Runs 3 to 26 November, 2016. Press night 8 November
Jude Akuwudike, Franc Ashman and Martins Imhangbe will join the cast of The Royale, alongside Nicholas Pinnock, who plays Jay ‘The Sport’ Jackson – the first black heavyweight boxing champion of the world.

Jude Akuwudike (Othello, Hamlet, Moon on a Rainbow Shawl) will play boxing trainer Wynton, while Franc Ashman (Peep Show, Tennison, DCI Banks) will reprise the role of Jackson’s sister Nina. Martins Imhangbe (Lionboy, Das Ding) will play Jackson’s sparring partner Fish.

The Royale, a Bush Theatre production, runs from 3 to 26 November at The Tabernacle in Notting Hill.

Written by award-winning American writer Marco Ramirez (Sons of Anarchy, Orange is the New Black), The Royale returns following the UK premiere and sell-out run in spring 2015 and will again be directed by the Bush Theatre’s Artistic Director Madani Younis.

Jay ‘The Sport’ Jackson dreams of being the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. But it’s 1905 and, in the racially segregated world of boxing, his chances are as good as knocked out.

Told in six rounds and set in a boxing ring, The Royale is inspired by the often overlooked story of Jack Johnson, a boxer who – at the height of the Jim Crow era – became the most famous and the most notorious black man on Earth.

Through the sights and sounds of the early 20th century boxing circuit, The Royale examines society’s relationship with our present-day cultural heroes and the responsibilities that are thrust upon them when they find themselves outside of the ropes.

The Royale is loosely based on the real-life story of Jack Johnson, whose story is one of great talent and triumph, but also racism and injustice. Despite Johnson being one of the greatest fighters who had ever lived, one newspaper wrote at the time of his first title fight: “If the black man wins, thousands and thousands of his ignorant brothers will misinterpret his victory as justifying claims to much more than mere physical equality with their white neighbors.”

The Royale will be staged at The Tabernacle as the Bush Theatre undergoes a major redevelopment of its building. The venue, a former church, swinging sixties hang-out, community centre and, more recently, a training ground for young boxers, continues to host amateur boxing matches to this day.

Jude Akuwudike’s recent theatre credits include The Crucible (Bristol Old Vic), Hamlet Asylum Seeker (Talawa/BandBazi), Othello (Actors From The London Stage/USA Tour/Cockpit Theatre, London), Ignorance (Hampstead Theatre), Moon On A Rainbow Shawl (National Theatre), The Faith Machine (Royal Court). TV and film credits include Friday Night Dinner (Channel 4), Lucky Man (Sky1) Cucumber (Channel 4), Holby City, Undercover, Moses Jones (all BBC), Beasts of No Nation (dir. Cary Fukunaga) and The Tempest (dir. Julie Taymor).Jude Akuwudike’s recent theatre credits include The Crucible (Bristol Old Vic), Hamlet Asylum Seeker (Talawa/BandBazi), Othello (Actors From The London Stage/USA Tour/Cockpit Theatre, London), Ignorance (Hampstead Theatre), Moon On A Rainbow Shawl (National Theatre), The Faith Machine (Royal Court). TV and film credits include Cucumber (Channel 4), Holby City, Undercover, Moses Jones (all BBC), Beasts of No Nation (dir. Cary Fukunaga) and The Tempest (dir. Julie Taymor).

Franc Ashman boasts an impressive list of theatre credits having performed extensively for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Out of Joint under the direction of Max Stafford-Clark and the National Theatre. Recent screen credits include Wagstaffe, Tennison, DCI Banks and Apple Tree Yard. She played Molly in the latest series of Peep Show for Channel 4.

Franc Ashman boasts an impressive list of theatre credits having performed extensively for the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre and acclaimed theatre company Out of Joint under the direction of Max Stafford-Clark. Recent screen credits include Tennison, DCI Banks & Apple Tree Yard. Franc lent her voice to the soundtrack of the Gary Oldman penned feature film Nil By Mouth and can be heard singing the theme song ‘Peculiar Groove’. She played Molly in the latest series of Peep Show for Channel 4.

Martins Imhangbe recently played the title role in Luce at Southwark Playhouse. His Other theatre includes Lionboy (Complicite), Das Ding (New Diorama),Romeo and Juliet (Orange Tree Theatre), Cinderella: A Fairytale (Unicorn Theatre), Street Stories (Royal opera House) and Sold at the Edinburgh Fringe, which won the Amnesty Freedom of Expression Award. Martins trained at Central School of Speech and Drama.

Nicholas Pinnock is a British theatre, television and film actor who has recently appeared in programmes such as ITV’s Marcella and Sky’s Fortitude. He has also appeared in Channel 4′s award-winning drama, Top Boy, he played Dr Evan Farleigh in ITV’s The Ice Cream Girls and starred in the sequel to Monsters, in Monsters: Dark Continent.

Madani Younis took over as Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre in 2012. In 2013 he won the Groucho Club Maverick Award for the theatre, following the most successful season in the theatre’s history which played to 99% capacity. Also for the Bush Theatre he has directed Perseverance Drive and Chalet Lines. Prior to his appointment at the Bush Theatre, he was Artistic Director of Freedom Studios in Bradford, Yorkshire where his work included the site-specific work, The Mill – City of Dreams. He has also worked nationally and internationally as a theatre director, writer and practitioner. Whilst at Freedom Studios he collaborated with the Bush Theatre through workshops culminating in Freedom’s two week residency in 2010 at the theatre. He was previously Director of Red Ladder Theatre Company’s Asian Theatre School. He originally trained in film, and his debut short film Ellabellapumpanella, commissioned by the UK Film Council, was screened at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2007. He was the recipient of the Decibel Award at the South Bank Awards show in 2006.

1984 cast of York Theatre Royal’s Seven Brides for Seven Brothers reunited.

 

The original 1984 cast of York Theatre Royal’s Seven Brides for Seven Brothers came face-to-face with their contemporary counterparts on stage ahead of the York Light production’s opening night on Tuesday 28 June. York Light director Martyn Knight also appeared in the 1984 production, which went on to a West End run and an international tour.

Original cast members Debbie Wall (Alice), Jacey Collins (Martha), Simon Ward (Benjamin), Robert Hopkins (Ephraim) and stage manager Mark Shelley took to the newly refurbished stage at York Theatre Royal to meet the cast before enjoying the opening night of the performance. They took to the set with Ria Williams (Alice), Alicia Fletcher (Martha), Christian Mortimer (Benjamin) and Michael Foster (Ephraim).

In the current York Light production, the lead roles of Adam and Milly will be performed by Matthew Ainsworth and Emma Dickinson. The cast also includes: Scott Goncalves (Gideon); Grace Brown (Sarah); Sam Lightwing (Frank); Eloise Crawford (Liza); Richard Wetherill (Daniel); Stephanie Elsey (Ruth); Richard Hawley (Caleb) and Rachel Williams (Dorcas).

Set in Oregon in the 1850s, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers tells the story of Adam Pontipee and his new bride Milly as they attempt to find brides for Adam’s six unkempt and unruly brothers. Milly sets a plan into motion to marry off the brothers, including teaching them how to court ladies properly, but things don’t quite go as planned when the brothers, in their enthusiasm, kidnap six women from the neighbouring town to be their brides.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is a glorious romp of a musical with a wonderful toe-tapping score which includes favourite songs such as: Bless Your Beautiful Hide; Goin’ Courtin’ and Wonderful, Wonderful Day. Tickets are on sale now priced at £28.50 to £10 (£1.50 transaction fee per booking) from the York Theatre Royal Box Office in person, by phone on 01904 623568 or securely online at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk.

PARK THEATRE TO HOST FIRST EVER PARENT/CARER AND BABY PERFORMANCE

 

THE QUIET HOUSE

TUESDAY 5 JULY AT 11AM

Park Theatre is pleased to announce its first ever Parent / Carer and Baby performance, taking place on Tuesday 5 July at 11am.

Tickets for The Quiet House, Gareth Farr’s hilarious and heart breaking new play about a couple’s journey to start a family, will cost £10, with babes in arms free.

This is a special performance to enable the bringing of babies to the theatre. Attendees will be allowed to exit and enter the auditorium as needed, the actors will be aware that there may be additional noise, and extra facilities will be provided including buggy parking, baby feeding area and microwave. Park Theatre is fully accessible and has baby changing facilities.

Gabby Vautier, producer, said, “as a mum of 18 month old twins alongside being the producer of The Quiet House, I’m thrilled that we are working with Park Theatre to make sure parents with young babies have the opportunity to catch this brilliant play about starting a family. It couldn’t be more apt.”

Jez Bond, Artistic Director of Park Theatre said, “Having trialled a successful Relaxed performance of The Buskers Opera, we are excited to be presenting a Parents, Carers and Babies performance of The Quiet House, as part of our overall strategy on access and inclusion.”

https://www.parktheatre.co.uk/whats-on/the-quiet-house/extras

For One Week Only! 

Liza will also be performing with Fascinating Aida 22-28th August.

Highfield Productions and the Pleasance present

Liza Pulman: Everything’s Coming Up Roses

An expertly pruned show about flowers and all things green from songstress and comedienne Liza Pulman!

22 – 29 August 2016 at 2.30pm

Cabaret Bar at the Pleasance Courtyard

To book tickets click here.

From Tip Toe Through The Tulips to Neil Diamond’s You Don’t Bring Me Flowers, Liza Pulman offers an afternoon filled with glorious songs, quirky comedy and charm! Accompanied by Joseph Atkins at the piano, Liza’s celebrated voice make this a blooming hour not to be missed! 

Liza Pulman, daughter of screenwriter Jack Pulman (I, Claudius, War and Peace) and actressBarbara Young (Coronation Street, Family Affairs, Last of the Summer Wine) has enjoyed an extensive and varied career encompassing a broad spectrum of music, comedy and theatre.  After training at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama she joined the Glyndebourne Operaenjoying principle roles in many of the globally renowned company’s leading productions. Drawn by her love of musical theatre, Liza performed with Michael Ball in Adrian Noble’s award-winning 2002 production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium, a production which became the theatre’s longest running show.

Since joining internationally renowned comedy singing group and satirical cabaret trioFascinating Aïda in 2004, Liza has toured the world’s top venues. The group are taking a break until 2017, giving Liza a chance to focus on her solo career which now includes a series of recordings Liza Pulman Sings, UK tour Liza Pulman Sings Hollywood and her current show,Everything’s Coming Up Roses. Fascinating Aïda is however making an appearance with theirGreatest Hits: Back in the Saddle for a week-long run at Assembly Rooms!

“A dazzling, heady bouquet of an evening, filled with laughter but also deep emotion, Liza Pulman’s wit and warmth and world class musical talent lit up our festival, bringing true West End glamour, sass and style to Suffolk while engaging also with the old world charm of gardens, flowers and romance. Eye was smitten.” Ian Kelly, Eye Open Gardens Festival.

“The moment Liza walked onstage we all fell under her spell. Her gorgeous voice, her humour and her warmth reached everyone, she is a unique performer.” Sir Tim Smit, Eden Project