Author: FairyPoweredProductions

AMERICAN CLASSIC A RAISIN IN THE SUN OPENS UK TOUR IN THE STUDIO

Ground-breaking American play A Raisin in the Sun begins its UK tour in the Studio Theatre from Thursday 28 January to Saturday 13 February.  A co-production between Sheffield Theatres, Sheffield-based Eclipse Theatre Company and Belgrade Coventry, the play, written by Lorraine Hansberry on the cusp of the civil rights era, tackles issues of injustice, discrimination and family tensions.

The powerful drama centres on the Youngers who are awaiting the arrival of a cheque for a life changing $10,000. Driven to conflict as they encounter issues of inequality, housing and lack of opportunity that continue to resonate today, the play acts as a stark warning to anyone who measures happiness and personal worth in capital gain.

Ashley Zhangazha plays Walter Lee Younger, one of the great roles of American theatre. Widely regarded as one to watch following performances in Henry V for the Michael Grandage Company and alongside Lenny Henry in Fences in the West End, Ashley won the 2013 Ian Charleson Award for his performance in Macbeth at the Crucible. He will be joined by Angela Wynter as Mama, well-known to audiences for her many TV roles including Yolande Trueman in EastEnders. Completing the company are Alisha Bailey (Lewis, Doctor Who) as Ruth Younger, Aron Julius (Puppy Love) as Joseph Asagia/George Murchison, Mike Burnside as Karl Lindner, Everal A Walsh as Bob andSusan Wokoma (Chewing Gum) as Beneathea Younger.

Following its debut on Broadway in 1959, Lorraine Hansberry adapted her play into a critically-acclaimed film starring Sidney Poitier as Walter. Testament to its continuing power and relevance, A Raisin in the Sun has been revived numerous times in the intervening years and this production provides a timely re-evaluation of her work as one of the most significant American playwrights of the period.

Tickets for A Raisin in the Sun 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 (Concessions, school and group discounts available).  A transaction fee of £1.50 (£1.00 online) applies to all bookings made at the Box Office (excluding cash).

BAD JEWS

BACK IN THE WEST END FOR JUST SIX WEEKS

Theatre Royal Haymarket                            Monday 8^th February – Saturday 19^th March

★★★★

Time Out, Telegraph, Independent, Financial Times, Evening Standard, Sunday Times

Due to popular demand, Theatre Royal Bath Productions, Kenny Wax and Theatre Royal Haymarket Productions are delighted to announce the return of Joshua Harmon’s BAD JEWS to the West End, at London’s Theatre Royal Haymarket. The critically-acclaimed production will run from 8^thFebruary until 19^th March 2016, following sell out runs at Ustinov Studio, Bath, St James Theatre and The Arts Theatre, London.

“Superb performances, under Michael Longhurst’s direction, make this a gripping production”  The Observer

A beloved grandfather — and Holocaust survivor — has died, and a treasured family heirloom with religious significance is up for grabs. But who is most deserving of it? Bossy, overbearing, fanatically religious Daphna? Her wealthy cousin Liam, who’s just returned from skiing with his non-Jewish girlfriend Melody? Or Jonah, his brother, who would prefer not to get involved in the fight? A cramped Manhattan apartment becomes the setting for a viciously hilarious brawl over family, faith and legacy as the contenders set at each other’s throats on the night after the funeral.

“Blisteringly funny…”  Sunday Times

The cast features Ilan Goodman reprising his role of Liam and new cast members, Ailsa Joy as Daphna, Antonia Kinlay as Melody and Jos Slovick as Jonah.

 “Ferociously clever… a visceral thrill”  Evening Standard

Ilan Goodman’s theatre credits include Intimate Apparel (Theatre Royal Bath/The Park Theatre London), Shiver (Watford Palace Theatre), Paper Dolls (Tricycle Theatre), Red Light Winter (Theatre Royal Bath), Tartuffe (ETT), Chicken Soup With Barley (Royal Court); Danton’s Death (National Theatre), Six Degrees Of Separation (Old Vic), Breaking The Silence and All Quiet On The Western Front (Nottingham Playhouse), Little Wolf’s Book of Badness (Hampstead Theatre), Dorian Gray(Leicester Sq Theatre), The Glass Menagerie (New Wolsey Ipswich), and Border (Old Vic).

Feature films include ‘The Imitation Game’, ‘A Long Way Down’, ‘Diana’, ‘That Woman’, ‘The Echelon Conspiracy’ and television includes ‘Call the Midwife’, ‘Yes, Prime Minister’ and ‘Lost Cosmonauts’ and ‘Broadside’.

Ailsa Joy trained at RADA. Her theatre credits include: TimePlays (Hampton Court Palace), Berenice(The Space), The Wind in the Willows (Polka Theatre), Fast Track, Cake, ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, Peer Gynt (The North Wall), Much Ado about Nothing, The Arabian Nights, Pride and Prejudice (Drill Hall), The Crucible (Oxford Playhouse), The Siren’s Call, Mira Mira (Watermill Theatre), Seeing Things (Shakespeare Week).

Antonia Kinlay trained at RADA. Her theatre credits include Lady Anna: All at Sea (The Park Theatre);The Three Lions (St James Theatre & tour); A History of Falling Things (New Vic Theatre); Arms and the Man  (Theatre Clwyd); Mr Whatnot  (Northampton Royal Theatre); As You Like It (Theatre Clwyd); When did you last see my Mother? (Trafalgar Studios); Carrot (Theatre 503); Moliere(National Theatre Studio / Finborough); The Eternal Not (National Theatre); Arden of Faversham (The Globe).

Jos Slovick’s theatre credits include The Snow Queen (Nuffield Theatre), Once -The Musical (Dublin and West End), Lost in Yonkers (Watford Palace), The Secret Garden (Edinburgh Festival Theatre), The Human Comedy (The Young Vic & Watford Palace Theatre), Love Story (Chichester Festival), Spring Awakening (West End & Lyric Hammersmith) and Stiles & Drewe’s Soho Cinders. His film credits include ‘The Addicted’ and ‘Les Miserables’.

Director Michael Longhurst’s previous productions include Nick Payne’s Constellations at The Royal Court Theatre and New York and Adam Brace’s Stovepipe. He is an Associate Director of the Nuffield Theatre, Southampton and is also a recipient of the Jerwood Director’s Award at the Young Vic (Dirty Butterfly) and a Fringe First (Guardians).

Playwright Joshua Harmon’s other work includes Significant Other, A Boy Named Alice, Love in the Time of Channukah, Princess Bubonic and Terese Raquin.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Venue:                Theatre Royal Haymarket, Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4HT

Dates:                 Monday 8^th February – Saturday 19^th March

Times:                 Monday- Saturday, 8pm; Thursday and Saturday Matinees, 3pm

Tickets:              £15 – £49.50

Box Office:       020 7930 8800/ www.trh.co.uk

NO ORDINARY JOE

Rock ‘n’ roll legend Joe Brown to perform at Darlington Civic Theatre on Monday 25 January.

Legendary entertainer Joe Brown will bring his five piece band to Darlington for a night of musical nostalgia.

Packed with timeless classics, rockabilly, gospel, country, folk and rock ‘n’ roll, the styles are as diverse as Joe’s musical talents. With his effervescent delivery and humorous reminiscences, this sensational show is a musical treat not to be missed.

Joe is a one off, a compelling and unique performer with a rare and singular track record, an extraordinary talent and a truly enduring rock legend.

Joe Brown comes to Darlington Civic Theatre on Monday 25 January. Tickets* £24.50 & £26.50

To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

*All prices include a £1 restoration levy

RUSSIAN STATE BALLET RETURNS TO DARLINGTON

Raymond Gubbay presents The Russian State Ballet with three wonderful ballets; traditional favourites, The Snow Maiden, The Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake.

The Snow Maiden opens this spectacular trio on Thursday 28 January at 7.30pm. Based on a traditional folk-tale, set in the snow covered landscape of rural Russia. Protected from the outside world by Father Frost, the exquisite Snow Maiden plays innocently amongst the dancing snowflakes in the enchanted Land of Frost.

The Sleeping Beauty – every child’s favourite fairy tale – is on Friday 29 January at 7.30pm. It is the classic story of love and innocence, mystery and magic set to Tchaikovsky’s sublime score. Stunning choreography, sumptuous costumes and wonderful sets form the fantasy world in which the Lilac Fairy struggles against the evil Carabosse.

Swan Lake follows on Saturday 30 January at 2.30pm & 7.30pm and Sunday 31 January at 2.30pm. The greatest romantic ballet of all time is brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score. From the impressive splendour of the palace ballroom to the moon-lit lake where swans glide in perfect formation, this compelling tale of tragic romance has it all.

Formed in 1981, the Russian State Ballet of Siberia has quickly established itself as one of Russia’s leading ballet companies and has built an international reputation for delivering performances of outstanding quality and unusual depth. The soloists and corps de ballet are superb, and never fail to delight audiences with their breathtaking physical ability and dazzling costumes.

Tickets* are priced £28.50 to £36, discounts available.

*All prices include a £1 restoration levy

To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

FROM TOP TEN HITS OF THE NOUGHTIES

TO THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL CLASSICS OF THE SIXTIES

BLUE’S

ANTONY COSTA

IN

SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME

Leeds Grand Theatre is delighted to announce that Antony Costa is to take the role of Milton in Save the Last Dance for Me this June.  Costa has previously appeared on stage in Blood Brothers (West End) andBoogie Nights (UK Tour). He is best known as one of the members of Blue, the biggest British boy band of the Noughties, who enjoyed chart success with three number one albums, and 11 Top Ten singles, including their debut song All Rise.

From the team that brought you the huge success that is Dreamboats and Petticoats, Save the Last Dance for Me brings to the stage the music and magic of the early 60s, a time when each passing week brought another Rock ‘n’ Roll classic. This nostalgic, feel-good journey transports audiences back to music’s golden era as they follow two teenage sisters through the summer of ’63.

For the first time without their parents, the sisters embark on a holiday to the seaside. Full of freedom and high spirits they meet a handsome young American who invites them to a dance at the local U.S. Air force base… But young love and holiday romance is never as simple as it sounds, and the sisters soon realise that while the world around them is still watching itself in black and white, life and love can be much more colourful.

Save the last Dance for Me is at Leeds Grand Theatre from 13^th to 18^th June this year

Tickets go on pre-sale for priority members on Wednesday 20^th January and general sale on Wednesday 27^th January

Book online at leedsgrandtheatre.com or call Box Office on 0844 848 2700

Michele Dotrice, Michael Garner, Peter McGovern and Nicholas Shaw will join the original cast and previously announced Gemma Arterton for the West End transfer of Jessica Swale’s new play Nell Gwynn.

The transfer sees Arterton take over the title role following Gugu Mbatha-Raw’s acclaimed performance, with the full cast including Paige Carter, Michele Dotrice, Matthew Durkan, Michael Garner, Greg Haiste, George Jennings, Ellie Leah, Peter McGovern, David Rintoul, Anneika Rose, Nicholas Shaw, David Sturzaker, Jay Taylor, Sasha Waddell and Sarah Woodward.

Directed by Christopher Luscombe, Nell Gwynn is set in 1660 after the restoration of Charles II to the throne. Billed is an “effervescent celebration of life in the theatre”, it charts the rise of Gwynn from her roots in Coal Yard Alley to her success as Britain’s most celebrated actress and the king’s consort.

Following its sell-out run at Shakespeare’s Globe, Nell Gwynn will run at the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue from 4 February 2016.

British farce at its finest in Alan Ayckbourn classic

Playwright Alan Ayckbourn’s hilarious farce is set to delight audiences new and old as a new production of his award-winning play prepares to tour the UK.

Round and Round the Garden, which comes to Darlington Civic Theatre from 18 – 20 January, follows assistant librarian Norman, his in-laws and the local vet over one summer weekend in a Sussex country house.

Norman is intent on making all the women in his life happy by simultaneously attempting to seduce his sister-in-law Annie, charm his brother’s wife Sarah and still keep his own wife, Ruth, happy.

But, oblivious to the repercussions of his actions, Norman leaves a trail of havoc, misunderstandings and comedy consequences.

At times wildly comic, and at times poignant Round and Round the Garden brilliantly portrays the complicated relationships amongst these six intertwined characters.

This new production is the joint creation of Talking Scarlet and Jordan Productions, in association with Eastbourne Theatres, and stars Natasha Gray and Kevin Pallister from ITV soap Emmerdale.

Round and Round the Garden runs at Darlington Civic Theatre from Monday 18 to Wednesday 20 January.

Tickets* £12.60 to £20, discounts available.

To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

*All prices include a £1 restoration levy

THE ORIGINAL THEATRE COMPANY &

THEATRE ROYAL BURY ST EDMUNDS

PRESENT THE FIRST NATIONAL TOUR OF

TORBEN BETTS’S CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED

INVINCIBLE

The Original Theatre Company and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds will present the first national tour of Torben Betts’s INVINCIBLE, directed by Christopher Harper. The tour will begin at the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds on 30 March.

With the recession biting hard, Emily and Oliver have decided to downsize and shift their middle-class London lifestyle to a small town in the north of England. One night, they open their doors to their next door neighbours, Dawn and Alan. Over the course of a disastrous evening of olives, anchovies, Karl Marx and abstract art, class and culture collide, resulting in consequences that are both tragic and hilarious.

Torben Betts said of the new production of his play, “I’ve always been impressed by Original Theatre Company. I’m delighted they are touring INVINCIBLE this year. It is, amongst other things, a play about the North/South divide so it will be interesting to see what audiences away from and north of London make of it.”

INVINCIBLE had its world premiere at the Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond in 2014 and transferred later that same year to St James Theatre, London. It received great critical acclaim.

Torben Betts was born in Lincolnshire and studied at Liverpool University. He became the resident dramatist at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre in 1999. Poet and dramatist Liz Lochhead said Betts “is just about the most original and extraordinary writer of drama we have.” His play The Unconquered won Best New Play 2006/07 at the Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland. 2015 saw a revival of his acclaimed 2012 play Muswell Hill at London’s Park Theatre, his latest work, What Falls Apart, opened at Newcastle’s Live Theatre, and his version of Chekhov’s The Seagull was staged at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.  He has adapted Get Carter for Northern Stage in Newcastle, where it opens in February this year, before embarking on a major national tour.

Director Christopher Harper is an Associate of the Original Theatre Company and directed their 2011 production of See How They Run. As an actor, he recently finished playing Benedick on a world tour of Much Ado About Nothing for the Globe, and starred as Victoria Wood’s son, Cliff Last, in the television film Housewife 49.

Christopher Harper said of INVINCIBLE, “In 2009, I was in a very dark and edgy play of Torben’s about a man and wife moving in together, just as my wife and I first moved in together.  And she was cast as the wife! INVINCIBLE is lighter and a brilliant, fast-moving story, but Torben’s uncanny ability to depict life and find both the dark and the hysterically funny hasn’t changed.  We all know people like the four in INVINCIBLE.  When you watch you’ll have your head in your hands, you’ll cover your eyes, you’ll grip your seat and punch the air.  It’s a masterpiece of comic timing, one-liners and heart-breaking loss.”

INVINCIBLE will be designed by Victoria Spearing, with sound by Dominic Bilkey. The national tour is produced by Tom Hackney for The Original Theatre Company and Adrian Grady for Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds.

Karen Simpson, Director of Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, said, “Theatre Royal is delighted to be co-producing with Original Theatre again following our successful collaboration with Three Men in a Boat.  Torben Betts’s play is a great piece of new writing from one of the UK’s most talented contemporary playwrights and we are really excited about touring it nationally.”

Website: www.originaltheatre.com / www.theatreroyal.org

Facebook: TheOriginalTheatre 

Twitter: @OriginalTheatre @TheatreRoyalBSE

2016 TOUR SCHEDULE

30 March – 2 April                     Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds                                             

                                                www.theatreroyal.org                                         01284 769505

5 – 9 April                                 Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford                              

                                                www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk                                 01483 440000

12 – 14 April                              Hull Truck Theatre

                                                www.hulltruck.co.uk                                           01482 323638

19 – 23 April                              New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich              

                                                www.wolseytheatre.co.uk                                   01473 295900

26 – 27 April                              South Hill Park, Bracknell

                                                www.southhillpark.org.uk                                   01344 484 123

28 – 30 April                              Mercury Theatre, Colchester                            

                                                www.mercurytheatre.co.uk                                 01206 573948

2 – 4 May                                  Gala Theatre, Durham

                                                www.galadurham.co.uk                                      03000 266600

6 – 7 May                                  Stamford Arts Centre

                                                www.stamfordartscentre.com                             01780 763203

10 – 14 May                              Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne

                                                www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk                           01323 412000   

17 – 21 May                              Birmingham Repertory Theatre                      

                                                www.birmingham-rep.co.uk                                0121 236 4455 

23 – 24 May                              Theatre Royal Winchester                                

                                                www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk                      01962 840440

26 – 28 May                              Key Theatre, Peterborough

                                                www.vivacity-peterborough.com                         01733 207239

7 – 11 June                               Exeter Northcott Theatre                                  

                                                www.exeternorthcott.co.uk                                 01392 726 363

14 – 18 June                             Festival Theatre, Malvern                                            

                                                www.malvern-theatres.co.uk                               01684 892277

OF MICE AND MEN

TOURING CONSORTIUM THEATRE COMPANY CELEBRATES 20 YEARS

WITH A NEW TOUR OF JOHN STEINBECK’S CLASSIC

Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don’t belong no place…with us it ain’t like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us.

The Touring Consortium Theatre Company and the Birmingham Repertory Theatre present a new tour of John Steinbeck’s classic OF MICE AND MEN, opening at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre on 4 February 2016, with a national press night on 9 February, and touring the UK until May.

Two migrant farm workers held together by a mutual dependence, a deep affection and an undying loyalty go in search of new beginning in the hope of attaining their shared dream: of putting together enough money to buy a small piece of land and building a home. No strangers to trouble, George and Lennie soon find themselves reeling from the fallout of an innocent misunderstanding which spirals out of control and leaves the two men, bound together by friendship, facing an earth-shattering climax. A story, raw in speech and action, full of heart and unflinching realism, it remains one of the most poignant statements of being human our contemporary theatre has produced.

OF MICE AND MEN will be directed by Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s Artistic Director Roxana Silbert, with design by Liz Ascroft, lighting by Simon Bond, sound design and original composition by Nick Powell, and with Nick Pitt as Associate Director and Lucy Cullingford as Movement Director. The cast will include Dave Fishley as ‘Crooks’, Nicholas Goode as ‘Whit’, Saoirse-Monica Jackson as ‘Curley’s Wife’ Neil McKinven as ‘Carlson / Boss’, Kristian Phillips as ‘Lennie’, Jonah Russell as ‘Slim’, and William Rodell as ‘George’, Ben Stott as ‘Curley’ and featuring Dudley Sutton as ‘Candy’.

Dudley Sutton is best known for his role in the BBC classic Lovejoy but is also a renowned stage actor who began his career starring in some of the most iconic plays of the sixties, including Jo Orton’s Entertaining Mr Sloane and Tom Murphy’s A Whistle In The Dark. Over the course of his career he has worked with legendary directors including Federico Fellini, Derek Jarman, Sally Potter and Ken Russell.