Author: FairyPoweredProductions

LWL Investments and Entertainment in association with Theatre N16 present:

IAN MCKELLEN AND PATRICK STEWART RETURN TO TREAD THE BOARDS IN NEWCASTLE

Following their sell-out appearances in Waiting for Godot in 2009, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart are set to return to the North East’s leading theatre to star in Sean Mathias’ acclaimed production of No Man’s Land, which comes toNewcastle Theatre Royal from Mon 15 – Sat 20 Aug.

The Harold Pinter masterpiece will embark on a UK tour in August before heading into London’s West End, where it will play a limited 14 week engagement at the Wyndham’s Theatre.

Directed by Sean Mathias, this production of No Man’s Land received highly acclaimed reviews at the Cort Theatre in New York whilst in repertory alongside Waiting for Godot, also starring stage and screen friends, McKellen and Stewart and directed by Mathias. The production of Waiting for Godot had transferred from London where it celebrated a sell-out run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, the last time these masters of British theatre shared a West End stage.

One summer’s evening, two ageing writers, Hirst and Spooner, meet in a Hampstead pub and continue their drinking into the night at Hirst’s stately house nearby. As the pair become increasingly inebriated, and their stories increasingly unbelievable, the lively conversation soon turns into a revealing power game, further complicated by the return home of two sinister younger men.

Patrick Stewart (Hirst) said: “I saw the original production of No Man’s Land three times in one week at Wyndham’s Theatre and would have seen it more if I could have afforded the tickets. I made a promise to myself that one day I would play Spooner or Hirst but to be doing it back at Wyndham’s with Ian McKellen was a fantasy I never entertained.”

Ian McKellen (Spooner) says: “Playing Spooner to Patrick’s Hirst on Broadway was a constant joy, which is why I am delighted to be back with him in the UK.”

The pair starred together to critical acclaim at Newcastle Theatre Royal in Waiting for Godot in 2009 and McKellen said: “It’s a wonderful city with wonderful audiences. When the RSC in the 1970s were looking for a third home beyond Stratford and London, I said to Trevor Nunn “have you considered Newcastle?” And partly as a result of that conversation the RSC did go to Newcastle and I went with them. So I feel like it’s going home to go to Newcastle.”

Further casting has yet to be announced for No Man’s Land which will have set and costume design by Stephen Brimson Lewis and lighting design by Peter Kaczorowski.

Multi award-winning Ian McKellen has had a 55 year long career on stage and on screen. For the Royal Shakespeare Company he has played Romeo, Macbeth, Iago and King Lear and at the National Theatre, in productions of Coriolanus, Richard III, Uncle Vanya and The Seagull. He gained his first Oscar nomination for Gods and Monsters and his second for Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. He is Magneto to Patrick Stewart’s Xavier in the X-Men movies, Richard III and most recently Mr Holmes.

Multi award-winning Patrick Stewart has numerous notable stage credits to his name including Anthony and Cleopatra, The Tempest, Macbeth, The Merchant of Venice, The Master Builder and his acclaimed solo adaptation of A Christmas Carol. Known world-wide as Captain Jean Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Professor X in the X-Men franchise, his additional film and TV credits include the 2009 TV movie adaptation of Hamlet alongside David Tennant, Ahab in Moby Dick, Ricky Gervais’ Extras, the new US comedy series, soon to be seen on UK TV, Blunt Talk, the soon to be released thriller Green Room as well as Wilde Wedding with Glenn Close and John Malkovich.

British film and theatre director, writer and actor, Sean Mathias has been a long-time collaborator with McKellen having directed him in numerous theatre roles including Uncle Vanya, Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads, August Strindberg’s The Dance of Death,Waiting for Godot (alongside Stewart) and Bent which he later directed on film, winning the ‘Prix de la Jeunesse’ award at the Cannes Film Festival. Other notable West End and Broadway theatre credits include Design for Living, Anthony and Cleopatra,The Elephant Man, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, A Little Night Music, Company and Les Parents Terribles which went on to be nominated for nine Tony Awards on Broadway under the title Indiscretions.

This production of No Man’s Land is produced by Stuart Thompson, Flying Freehold Productions and Playful Productions.

Full casting announced for AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE

Hugh Bonneville is joined by Abigail Cruttenden, Jonathan Cullen, William Gaminara and Adam James

22 April – 21 May, Festival Theatre

Hugh Bonneville returns to the stage in AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE by Henrik Ibsen, in a version by Christopher Hampton, directed by Howard Davies, running at Chichester Festival Theatre from 22 April – 21 May, with a press night on 4 May. He is joined by a distinguished company which also includes Trevor Cooper, Jim Creighton, Abigail Cruttenden (as Mrs Stockmann), Jonathan Cullen (as Aslaksen), Michael Fox, William Gaminara (as Peter Stockmann), Adam James (as Hovstad) and Alice Orr-Ewing.  A local community company will also take part in the play.

The brilliant Dr Stockmann, Chief Medical Officer of the Baths, has made a shocking scientific discovery about the standards of sanitation at the popular local spa. Luckily technology has a ready solution: the polluted baths must close immediately, so cleansing and rebuilding work can be carried out. But not everyone sees things quite so simply. What about the impact of closure on tourism, property and commerce? What about the town’s wider image and reputation?

Dr Stockmann’s brother, the Mayor, has one drastic response. The local tradespeople and property owners have another. Now it is up to the liberal press. Dare they print the facts Dr Stockmann has uncovered, and let the public make up their own minds?

Ibsen’s play is a searing examination of the intricate workings of power and influence, and an investigation into who holds real authority in society.

Hugh Bonneville returns to the stage to play Dr Stockmann. Known to a worldwide TV and film audience for the multi-award-winning Downton Abbey, Twenty Twelve, W1A and Paddington, he last appeared at Chichester in The Handyman (1996). His earlier theatre work for the National Theatre included School for Wives, Yerma, Entertaining Strangers, Juno and the Paycock, Charles Surface in The School for Scandal and title role in The Devil’s Disciple; and for the RSC, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Alchemist, ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, The Virtuoso, Amphibians and Laertes to Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet. Other theatre includes Habeas Corpus (Donmar Warehouse), My Night with Reg (Criterion and Playhouse), Us and Them (Hampstead), Cloaca (The Old Vic) and seasons at Colchester and Leicester Haymarket. His extensive television work also includes The Cazalets, Take a Girl Like You, Armadillo, Daniel Deronda, The Commander, The Gathering Storm, Love Again, The Robinsons, The Vicar of Dibley, Freezing, Rev, Getting On, Mr Stink, Galavant, Diary of a Nobody, Tsunami – The Aftermath, Miss Austen Regrets, Five Days, Hunter, The Silence, Doctor Who and the forthcoming The Hollow Crown. His films include Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Notting Hill, Mansfield Park, Stage Beauty, Asylum, The Monuments Men, Paddington, Iris, French Film(Monte Carlo Film Festival Best Actor Award), and the forthcoming Viceroy’s House.

Abigail Cruttenden has previously appeared at Chichester in A Marvellous Year for Plums and inThe Rivals; her television work includes Not Going Out, Benidorm and Sharpe.

Jonathan Cullen’s theatre work includes The Master and Margarita, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Seagull and Nathan the Wise at Chichester and numerous appearances at the National Theatre and in the West End.

William Gaminara is best known to TV audiences as Leo Dalton in the BBC series Silent Witnessand, on radio, as Richard Locke in The Archers. His recent stage work includes Oppenheimer for the RSC and in the West End.

Adam James regularly appears on stage in the West End and on Broadway, most recently in Mike Bartlett’s King Charles III for which he won the Clarence Derwent Award for Best Supporting Actor. His stage work also includes Chimes at Midnight and The Glass Menagerie at Chichester.

Howard Davies directed the lauded production of For Services Rendered for Festival 2015; he has received numerous Olivier, Evening Standard and Critics’ Circle Awards for his many productions for the RSC, the National Theatre, in the West End and on Broadway.

AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE will be designed by Tim Hatley, with lighting by Mark Henderson, music by Dominic Muldowney and sound by Mike Walker.

The production is sponsored by Conquest Bespoke Furniture, Harwoods Group and Jackson-Stops & Staff.

Booking information

An Enemy of the People is at the Festival Theatre, Chichester from 22 April – 21 May. Evenings at 7.30pm (except for Press Night, 4 May at 7pm), matinees at 2.30pm.

Tickets: previews/press nights £10 – £30, all other performances £15 – £40.

Box Office 01243 781312

Online cft.org.uk

Prologue: £8.50 tickets for 16 – 25s

An allocation of tickets for 16 – 25 year olds priced at just £8.50 are available for all performances ofAn Enemy of the People. Tickets go on sale on 17 March;  bookings 01243 781312, online at cft.org.uk/prologue or in person.

KEN DODD is one of Britain’s funniest comedians.

He’s a comedy legend, icon and national treasure who has been entertaining audiences for a lifetime of happiness and laughter.

Come and enjoy his famous ‘Happiness Show’ and you’ll be absolutely discumknockerated (that’s Knotty Ash for ‘over the moon’) by a truly tattifelarius (fun-filled) evening of laughter and songs presented by a comedy genius.

Enjoy a fun-filled variety show for all the family, with non-stop gags and a selection of songs in Ken Dodd’s unique ‘Happiness Show’.

Ken Dodd is much more than a comedian. He is a comedy genius and showbiz legend whose humour has made him one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers. For his Diddymen, jam-butty mines and black pudding plantations, the Professor of Giggleology and Master of Applied Tickleology has been awarded The British Comedy Awards highest accolade – the Lifetime Achievement Award. Come and join the King of Comedy for more quick-fire gags than you can shake a tickle-stick at!

Approximate runtime 300minutes.

Grand Opera House York

Sunday 10 July at 7pm

Tickets from £20, to book call box office on 0844 871 3024 or go online atwww.atgtickets.com/york

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