Author: FairyPoweredProductions

Empire Theatre, Sunderland – 5 June 2015

I had no idea what to expect when see Burlesque for this first time, but I was soon amazed and in awe of what I saw.  Its most definitely not stripping.  Its artistic, talented and relies on both suggestion and imagination in making the performances work so well.

Dance troop the Folly Mixtures dazzle with outstanding dance routines and individual performances show what true talent is.  A fire dance routine adds some thing a bit different and Storm Hooper’s stunning routine with hula hoops truly needs to be seen to be believed.

The show is broken up with a very funny comedy performance from Peter Antoniou – a psychic comedian and incredible acrobatic display from Andromeda Circus whose body contortions are mind bogglingly impossible

The whole show is held together by Lady Alex the “glittering tip on the iceberg of outstanding talent”.

So remember the rules: the more noise you make them more you see and give a whoop a cheer and a sexy noise to see the show as soon as possible

On tour around the UK see www.easytheatres.com for details

It has been confirmed that Beverley Knight is reportedly going to star as Grizabella when Cats returns to the London Palladium later this year.

Following critically acclaimed performances in The Bodyguard and Memphis, the soul singer will play the iconic role when Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical heads back to the West End for a limited run.

The Palladium run last year saw Nicole Scherzinger and Kerry Ellis play Grizabella, and Jane McDonald will play the role later this year in Blackpool.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical is directed by Trevor Nunn, with choreography by Gillian Lynne and design by John Napier.

Tickets for the run, which plays from 23 October 2015 to 2 January 2016, are on sale now.

This July Leeds Grand Theatre is set to welcome a host of West End Musicals to its stage.  From laugh-out-loud comedy to moving drama, toe-tapping classics and long-standing favourites, The Grand has them all.

DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS

Tuesday 30^th June to Saturday 4^th July

Starring Michael Praed (Robin of Sherwood), Noel Sullivan (Hear’Say, We Will Rock You), Carly Stenson (Hollyoaks, Spamalot, Shrek) and Mark Benton (Waterloo Road, Doctor Who, Hairspray), audiences will be transported to the luxurious lap of the French Riviera where the decadent world of sophisticated conman Lawrence Jamieson (Praed) is set to come crashing down with the arrival of larger-than-life Freddy Benson (Sullivan) – a conman of an entirely different order. 

Soon realising the town ain’t big enough for the both of them, the two find themselves going head to head in the con of their lives, pulling out all of the stops in a bid for the affections of millionaire soap heiress Christine Colgate (Stenson).  Little do they know what they’ve let themselves in for.

Mark Benton guest stars as Inspector Andre in this comedy-musical that runs from Tuesday 30^th June to Saturday 4^th July.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

Monday 6th to Saturday 11^th July

Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera tells the story of the last seven days in the life of Jesus through a ground-breaking score that changed the face of musical theatre when it exploded onto the scene in 1971.  It boasts what have become some of the genre’s most legendary songs including I Don’t Know How to Love Him and of course Superstar.

Glenn Carter returns as Jesus, a role he has played in the West End, on Broadway and on film. Rachel Adedeji (X Factor finalist) plays Mary Magdalene and Australian star Tim Rogers (Whistle Down the Wind,Jersey Boys, The Full Monty) takes the role of Judas.

DREAMBOATS AND MINISKIRTS

Monday 13^th to Saturday 18^th July

It’s 1963 and the world is changing. The advent of the Beatles and the Merseyside sound is inspirational but will it stir our three couples to follow their dreams into the world of pop? In a follow-up toDreamboats and Petticoats, Dreamboats and Miniskirts has the same wit, charm and songs that promise a great evening out.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Monday 20^th July to Saturday 1^st August

The timeless family classic returns in an all new production starring Danielle Hope (winner of BBC’s Over the Rainbow) and Steven Houghton (Coronation Street).  With a few of everyone’s favourite things the score includes Edelwiss, Do-Re-Mi, Climb Ev’ry Mountain and, of course, The Sound of Music. This new and lavish production coincides with the 50^th Anniversary of the film.

For more information visit leedsgrandtheatre.com or call Box Office on 0844 848 2700

SouthWestFest 2015

Bringing together all that is great in SW1

Key News for the 2015 edition of SouthWestFest Festival:

 SouthWestFest launches with a core programme of free workshops including photography workshops, creative writing classes and a unique script writing master class.

 SouthWestFest takes place 19th – 28th of June 2015 and hosts over 20 events, free workshops and activities all taking place across SW1.

 SouthWestFest has partnered with The Royal Court and St.James Theater to provide free script writing master classes and workshops as well as creating a special one off Script Reading event showcasing the work contributed during these sessions.

 Stories of SW1 Writing Competition takes off this year with input from Award Winning Judges Hannah Vincent and Martin Dawes.

 SouthWestFest has worked with around 30 local organisations and businesses to bring the Pimlico Proms and Festival Day in St.Georges Square join 9,000 local residents for a weekend of celebrating this unique creative area of London.

Join SouthWestFest in their celebration of SW1, starting with a free workshops programme which kicks off next week.

Sponsored by Sanctuary Housing, you can join pro photographer Barbora Celtlova for 3 beginner’s workshops in photography culminating in the Stories of SW1 Exhibition which will be held at The Abbey Centre as part of the SouthWestFest Festival celebrations.

You can also get involved with 3 creative writing workshop’s which will be taught by writer and tutor Sinead Keegan at Pimlico Library and attend the 4 hour script writing master class taught by Ola Animashawun from The Royal Court.

Work created in these workshops can then be entered in to the Stories of SW1 writing competition, which this year is judged by award winning authors, Hannah Vincent and Young People’s Laureate for Wales, Martin Daws.

Following on from two weeks of great free workshops SouthWestFest will be celebrating in style with its Festival weekend, starting with the Pimlico Proms on the 19th of June, featuring a live orchestra and opera Singer Martin Aelred.

On Saturday the 20th of June SouthWestFest free Festival day will return to St. Georges Square in

Pimlico, entertaining an audience of over 9,000 local residents with 2 stages of live music, dance and performance, plus fairground rides, pop up photo booths, city farm, family fun activities, graffiti art workshops, craft, market stalls , food and more.

And the Festival doesn’t stop there, from the 21st – 28th of June there are events programmed all over SW1 including a Comedy Night at St. James Theater, Walking Tours with Westminster Guides, Art Exhibitions at Tachbrook Street Market and the Abbey Centre and a River Cruise from Westminster boating base.

Our finale event will be Peter Pan’s Picnic at Millbank Gardens on Sunday the 28th of June. Join

Peter Pan, Wendy, the Lost Boys and Captain Hook for an afternoon’s family friendly entrainment, interactive games and activities, kindly Sponsored by Berkeley and St Edward.

For more information and event tickets go to www.southwestfest.org.uk

Fiery Angel presents
PLAYS AT THE GARRICK
KENNETH BRANAGH THEATRE COMPANY

A YEAR OF UNMISSABLE THEATRE

Tom Bateman, Jessie Buckley, Jack Colgrave Hirst, Hadley Fraser, Michael Pennington, Zoe Rainey, Miranda Raison, John Shrapnel, Kathryn Wilder and Jimmy Yuill join the cast of the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company productions of The Winter’s Tale and Harlequinade at Garrick Theatre. The two productions will play in repertory from 17 October 2015 until 16 January 2016.

Kenneth Branagh said: “This is a formidable group of actors – they combine fantastic experience in Shakespeare and comedy, with a youthful energy and brilliance that I’m excited to welcome to our season.”

Tom Bateman will play Florizel and Jack Wakefield, Jessie Buckley will play Perdita and Muriel Palmer, Jack Colgrave Hirst will play the Clown and Tom Palmer, Hadley Fraser will play Polixenes and First Halberdier, Michael Pennington will play Anitgonus, Zoe Rainey will play Emilia, Miranda Raison will play Hermione and Edna Selby, John Shrapnel will play Camillo and George Chudleigh, Kathryn Wilder will play Mopsa and Joyce Langland and Jimmy Yuill will play the Shepherd and Mr Burton. As previously announced, Kenneth Branagh will play Leontes and Arthur Gosport and Judi Dench will play Paulina in The Winter’s Tale.

The Winter’s Tale, Harlequinade, The Painkiller, Romeo and Juliet and The Entertainer make up the inaugural season of work for the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company. The Company presents Plays at the Garrick, a series of plays that bring together an exciting group of actors led by Rob Brydon, Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, Lily James and Richard Madden.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Garrick Theatre
2 Charing Cross Road
London, WC2H 0HH
Box Office: 0844 482 9673
Online Bookings: www.branaghtheatre.com
Tickets from £15

No booking fees or transaction fees on any ticket booked direct through branaghtheatre.com, nimaxtheatres.com, direct telephone bookings at the Garrick Theatre and to personal callers at the Garrick Theatre.

Twitter

@BranaghTheatre
#BranaghTheatre

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Search: Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company

THE WINTERʼS TALE

17 October 2015 – 16 January 2016
Press performance: 7 November 2pm
Captioned Performance: 9 December 7.30pm
Audio Described Performance: 16 December 7.30pm

The Winter’s Tale will play in repertory with Harlequinade. Performances of The Winter’s Tale will be as follows:
17, 19, 20, 21, 29, 30 & 31 October at 7.30pm
31 October at 2.30pm
3, 6, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26 & 30 November at 7.30pm
4, 14, 21 & 25 November at 2.30pm
1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 31 December at 7.30pm,
2, 9, 16, 23, 24 & 31 December at 2.30pm
2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15 & 16 January at 7.30pm
2, 9 & 16 January at 2.30pm

HARLEQUINADE

24 October 2015 – 13 January 2016
Press performance: 7 November 7.30pm
Captioned Performance: 10 December 7.30pm
Audio Described Performance: 15 December 7.30pm

Harlequinade will play in repertory with The Winter’s Tale. Performances of Harlequinade will be as follows:
24, 26, 27 & 28 October at 7.30pm
28 October at 2.30pm
2, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 27 & 28 November at 7.30pm
11, 18 & 28 November at 2.30pm
3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 19, 21, 24, 28, 29 & 30 December at 7.30pm5, 12, 19 & 28 December at 2.30pm
4, 5, 6, 11, 12 & 13 January at 7.30pm
6 & 13 January at 2.30pm

PIXIE LOTT TO STAR IN

TRUMAN CAPOTE’S
BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S
ADAPTED BY RICHARD GREENBERG
WEST END 12-WEEK RUN
AT THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET
FOLLOWING UK & IRELAND TOUR IN 2016
IN A CURVE CO-PRODUCTION

Pixie Lott will star as Holly Golightly in a limited 12-week season of Breakfast at Tiffany’s at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London’s West End in 2016.  This will follow the first UK and Ireland tour of Truman Capote’s classic tale brought to life so memorably by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 film.  It will be presented in a co-production with the Curve Theatre, Leicester.  The novella has been adapted for the stage by Pulitzer Prize-winning Finalist and Tony and Olivier Award-winning playwright Richard Greenberg (Take Me Out, Three Days of Rain), and contains memorable songs from the era as well as original music by Grant Odling (One Man, Two Guvnors).

FARINELLI AND THE KING

A new play by Claire van Kampen starring Mark Rylance

ONSTAGE SEATING ONSALE ON FRIDAY 5TH JUNE AT 10AM

DUE TO HIGH DEMAND FURTHER TICKETS IN ALL PRICE BANDS ALSO TO BE RELEASED, INCLUDING £10 TICKETS AVAILABLE ACROSS THE HOUSE FOR EVERY PERFORMANCE

Onstage seating for the West End transfer of Claire van Kampen’s critically-acclaimed new play Farinelli and the King, starring Mark Rylance, will be released to the general public on Friday 5th June at 10am.  Additionally, further seats will be released for all performances, including accessibly priced £10 tickets located in all parts of the house.

Farinelli and the King is directed by John Dove and designed by Jonathan Fensom with musical arrangements by Claire van Kampen. Mark Rylance (Wolf Hall, Jerusalem, Richard III, Twelfth Night) reprises his role as King Philippe V of Spain and Sam Crane will once again play the acting role of Farinelli. The singing role of Farinelli will be reprised by opera star Iestyn Davies and shared with Rupert Enticknapand Owen Willets*. The rest of the original cast will also transfer, with Huss Garbiya playing Doctor Jose Cervi, Melody Grove playing Isabella Farnese, Colin Hurley playing Metastasio and Edward Peel playing De la Cuadra.

Theatregoers who choose the onstage seating, available at a range of prices including £10, will have an up-close and personal experience in the transformed Duke of York’s Theatre. The magical atmosphere of the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse will be brought to the West End with scenes lit by candlelight and live Baroque music played by six onstage musicians, led by harpsichordist and Musical Director Robert Howarth.

Jonathan Fensom, set and costume designer said: “We will be creating in the Duke of York’s Theatre the atmospheric world of an early Baroque playhouse lit by the warm glow of candlelight. The intimate nature of the space will be enhanced by the onstage seating, situated on the left and right of the stage, positioned over two levels that also include seating in the musicians’ gallery, situated above the beautifully ornate Frons Scenae Screen. The audience will be a major part of the onstage picture.”

Set in eighteenth-century Spain, Claire van Kampen‘s new play tells the intriguing true story of Farinelli, once the world’s most famous castrato and one of the greatest celebrities of his time, and his decision to trade fame and fortune in the opera houses of Europe for a life of servitude at the court of King Philippe V.Farinelli and the King explores the dynamics between Farinelli and the royal couple and features many of the exquisite arias by Handel, that were first sung by Farinelli in the 1730’s.

The West End production will run from 14th September 2015 and play for a strictly limited season until 5th December 2015. Opening Night will be on Tuesday 29th September 2015.

Farinelli and the King originally played at Shakespeare’s Globe and will be produced in the West End by Sonia Friedman Productions and Shakespeare’s Globe.

*Please see website for full performance schedule.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

FARINELLI AND THE KING
Duke of York’s Theatre
St Martin’s Lane
London
WC2N 4BG
0844 871 7623

www.Farinellitheplay.com

Pricing

Tickets from £10

Dates

14th September – 5th December with Press Night on Tuesday 29th September

Monday – Saturday evenings at 7.30pm and Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm

A NEW MUSICAL COMEDY
WITH MUSIC & LYRICS BY IRVING BERLIN
BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH STUDIOCANAL
DIRECTED BY THOM SOUTHERLAND
STARRING LIZA GODDARD & BRIAN CAPRON
THE SMALLEST SHOW ON EARTH
TO TOUR THE UK FROM 25 SEPTEMBER 2015

Mercury Theatre, Colchester, Brian Eastman and Christabel Albery present a new musical comedy based on the StudioCanal Peter Sellers/Margaret Rutherford film The Smallest Show on Earth.  The stage show, which has a book by Thom Southerland and Paul Alexander, contains some of Irving Berlin’s greatest songs, including Blue Skies, Shakin’ the Blues Away, Let Yourself Go, Steppin’ Out with my Baby and How Deep is the Ocean, as well as some rediscovered gems.

Director Thom Southerland said “Berlin’s music provides the perfect accompaniment to our 1950s story, not only in lyric, but in style and period too.”

The UK tour of The Smallest Show on Earth will begin performances on Friday 25 September at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester, before playing Coventry, High Wycombe, Glasgow, Plymouth, Crewe, Swansea and Malvern.

Newly-weds Matt and Jean Spenser inherit a cinema and think their fortune is made.  But the Bijou, better known as the fleapit, is the victim of a dirty tricks campaign from its rival flashy neighbour The Grand.  The Bijou’s benevolent manageress Mrs Fazackalee and unreliable projectionist Mr Quill combine with Matt and Jean to outwit the opposition and restore the Bijou to its former glory.

StudioCanal’s The Smallest Show on Earth was a 1957 British Lion film written by William Rose (Genevieve, The Ladykillers) and directed by Basil Dearden (Blue Lamp, League of Gentlemen). It starred Peter Sellers as Mr Quill and Margaret Rutherford as Mrs Fazackalee, along with Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers as Matt and Jean.

THE ALMEIDA THEATRE ANNOUNCES

SUMMER FESTIVAL: ALMEIDA GREEKS

As Oresteia opens the Almeida’s new season tonight, the theatre announces a major one-off festival.ALMEIDA GREEKS will run from June to October alongside the three main stage productions of Oresteia,Bakkhai and Medea. Inspired in spirit and form by the ancient Festivals of Dionysos, the Almeida Greeks festival will include an eclectic mix of performances, events, talks and readings as an array of contemporary artists interrogate the Ancient Greek canon.

One festival highlight will see more than 50 artists read Homer’s The Iliad in its entirety.  Directed by Rupert Goold and Robert Icke, this unique, marathon event will commence at the British Museum and move to finish on the Almeida stage.

The Almeida Greeks festival is inspired by original Greek practice and the ancient tradition of debate and discussion runs throughout with masterclasses, panels and discussion, interrogating the themes of the season. These will include From Atreus to Pistorius with author A.C. Grayling and Dr Jennifer Wallace, chaired by Almeida Associate Director Robert Icke; From Medea to Mumsnet with Rachel Cusk; From Dionysos to Dawkins, reflecting on religion and its impact on art today; and From Aristotle to Albert Square, an interactive panel exploring the significance of tragedy in art and society, led by Charlotte Higgins. Why Greeks Matter brings together leading directors of classical work Ivo van Hove, Deborah Warner and Rupert Goold to discuss why these texts remain so central to the wider theatrical ecology, while classics scholar Professor Edith Hall and director Bijan Sheibani unpack the Oedipus complex in one day in Oedipus Explored.

In the Ancient Greek spirit of revelling from dusk until dawn to celebrate the spirit of Bacchus, Almeida Greeks includes a Greek-themed Midnight Run, a walking night-time cultural journey by award-winning poetInua Ellams. Comedian, journalist and classicist Natalie Haynes will lead The Big Greek Quiz and atAlmeida Lates, Slow Club’s Rebecca Lucy Taylor headlines a selection of DJs who will play into the night in the Almeida bar allowing audiences to soak up the summer atmosphere.

Almeida Greeks will also present an eclectic range of music and live art echoing the entertainment that once followed the formal tragedies. This will include a timely reworking of Lysistrata by all-female ensembleGaggle; Early Opera Company performing Médée Furieuse; a day of musical Dionysia with Bakkhaicomposer Orlando Gough, mezzo soprano Çiğdem Aslan and members of the Bakkhai chorus; a new performance lecture by award-winning drag artist Dickie Beau on how he became inspired by the Greek canon; plus readings of three rarely performed Greek comedies directed by Blanche McIntyre, Ramin Grayand Fiona Laird.

For the full festival line-up please see listings below.
ALMEIDA GREEKS: LISTINGS

EOS: DUSK TILL DAWN
“For now the nights move slowly and scarce end” – Homer

MIDNIGHT RUN
When Sat 18 Jul 6pm – 6am
Where Meet at Almeida Theatre Box Office
Tickets £15 (£13 concs)*
A walking, arts-filled, night-time cultural journey through London.  Award-winning poet, playwright and performer Inua Ellams began the Midnight Run in 2005 after a bus failed to arrive on time. Now in its tenth year, the Almeida and Inua have collaborated to create a Greek-inspired Midnight Run. Join a host of artists as we reclaim the streets with Inua and explore the hidden spaces of our capital after dark. *Limited availability. Early booking advised. Participants must be physically fit and are advised to dress for the weather.

THE ILIAD
When Fri 14 Aug 9am – late
Where British Museum (from 9am) and Almeida Theatre (8pm- late)
Tickets British Museum free, Almeida Theatre £30 (£27 concs) for first 100 tickets. See almeida.co.uk/greeks for details.
This summer, join us for a rare opportunity to experience a complete reading of Homer’s The Iliad.
More than 50 artists bring this masterpiece to life, beginning at the British Museum and culminating on the Almeida stage with the wrath of Achilles. Directed by Almeida Artistic Director Rupert Goold and Associate Director Robert Icke, Homer’s poem is the source myth of Greek drama and the greatest story of heroism, betrayal and war in literature. Join us for a few chapters or the entire tale—wherever your sense of adventure takes you.  The first 100 tickets will be sold at a special early-booking rate of £30 (£27 concs). For additional pricing and cast announcements visit almeida.co.uk/greeks

In association with the British Museum

PROAGON: DISCUSSION & DEBATE
“Leave no stone unturned” – Euripides

WHY GREEKS MATTER
When Mon 8 June
Where Almeida Theatre
Tickets £7 (£5 concs)
Join Almeida Artistic Director Rupert Goold, Ivo van Hove and Deborah Warner in conversation to mark the launch of Almeida Greeks. As three of the world’s leading directors of classical work, Rupert, Ivo and Deborah will explore why these texts remain central to the ongoing practise of theatre-makers, audiences and the wider theatrical ecology.

FROM ATREUS TO PISTORIUS
When Thu 2 Jul 5.45pm
Where Islington Square, 116 Upper Street
Tickets £7 (£5 concession)
“Justice is incidental to law and order.” – J. Edgar Hoover
Is it ever acceptable to kill? Do the ends ever justify the means? Inspired by our production of Oresteia, this Almeida Questions panel explores the challenges of making moral decisions. Almeida Associate Director Robert Icke will be joined by A. C. Grayling (The God Argument) and Dr Jennifer Wallace, English Lecturer, University of Cambridge.

FROM DIONYSOS TO DAWKINS
When Thu 20 Aug 6pm
Where Almeida Theatre
Tickets £7 (£5 concession)
“What if God was one of us?” – Joan Osborne
What if a god were alive and among us now? How would we know? What would it mean and how might we act? This Almeida Questions panel takes a closer look at the Athenian understanding of the divine and its relation to the human, and asks how it has shaped subsequent art, society and religion.

FROM MEDEA TO MUMSNET
When Thu 15 Oct 6pm
Where Almeida Theatre
Tickets £7 (£5 concs)
“They f*** you up, your mum and dad.” – Philip Larkin
Which is more inviolable—the love between the makers of children or their love for those children? Can you love too much? Do women and men love differently? Is becoming a parent the beginning or end of bravery? As Rachel Cusk reimagines Medea for our stage, she joins this Almeida Questions panel to examine why Medea is such an incendiary figure and what her story asks of contemporary feminism.

FROM ARISTOTLE TO ALBERT SQUARE
When Thu 22 Oct 6pm
Where Almeida Theatre
Tickets £7 (£5 concs)
“Tragedy is like strong acid—it dissolves away all but the very gold of truth.” – D. H. Lawrence
We refer to everything from environmental disaster to sporting failure as a tragedy, but what does it really mean when we use this most disputed word? From Aristotle to Wagner, the idea of tragedy with its mighty action, its awesome pity and its cleansing catharsis, has been the pinnacle of artistic endeavour. What does tragedy, in theory and in life, have to say to us now? This panel will be led by Charlotte Higgins, Guardian chief culture writer and author of It’s All Greek to Me.

OEDIPUS EXPLORED
When Sun 6 Sep 3 – 7pm
Where Almeida Theatre
Tickets £15 (£13 concs)
Director Bijan Sheibani (Almeida Theatre, National Theatre, Donmar Warehouse) unpacks the infamous Greek complex. The day will explore where art and psychoanalysis meet, culminating in a reading of the text. Among others, Bijan will be joined by Professor Edith Hall, Department of Classics and Centre for Hellenic Studies at King’s College London.

MASTERCLASSES
This series of masterclasses is led by artists who are defining our contemporary interpretations of Greek myth. The first masterclass will be led by award-winning classical actor Greg Hicks. Full line-up and dates at almeida.co.uk/greeks.

DIONYSOS: MUSIC, LIVE ART AND CELEBRATION
“Call upon loud-roaring and revelling Dionysos.” – Orphic Hymn

FAMILY DAY
When Sun 2 Aug 11am – 5pm
Where Almeida Theatre
Tickets Free (workshop £4)*
We take over Almeida Street for a fun-filled day of Greek-inspired family activities, including storytelling workshops, arts and crafts, food and more. A specialist in creating immersive spectacles, festival favourite Gideon Reeling (Bestival, Camp Bestival) will lead us in the Sillympiad, an Olympic Games unlike any other. *Storytelling workshops take place at 11am & 3pm.
Under 16s should be accompanied by an adult (maximum of two children per adult).

THE BIG FAT GREEK QUIZ
When Sun 2 Aug 6.30pm
Where Almeida Theatre
Tickets £5
From Achilles to the elbow and everything in between, see how your Greek trivia stacks up. Hosted by Perrier-nominated comedian, classicist, writer and broadcaster Natalie Haynes (BBC Radio 4) and author ofThe Ancient Guide to Modern Life and The Amber Fury.

GAGGLE: LYSISTRATA
When Fri 7 & Sat 8 Aug 10.30pm
Where Almeida Theatre
Tickets £15 (£13 concs)
Written & directed by Deborah Coughlin
Critically-acclaimed, all-female, multi-talented Gaggle were named as one of NME’s Future 50 most innovative groups and have gone on to create boundary-breaking works across Europe’s festivals, on radio, in galleries and online. Now they return to London with a timely retelling of Lysistrata, the classic comedy about a gang of vigilante women set against a backdrop of post-election despair. Join Gaggle and special guests as they set about trying to figure out how we can change the world.

ALMEIDA PROJECTS: LABYRINTH
When Sun 9 Aug 2pm & 6pm
Where Almeida Theatre
Tickets £7 (£5 concs)
This selection of new short plays is inspired by the Greeks and written, performed, directed and produced by Young Friends of the Almeida. Labyrinth is the culmination of a unique series of workshops that develop young artists, supported by Almeida creatives and producers committed to promoting young talent in London.

DJ LATES
When Fri 7 & Sat 8, Sat 15, Fri 21 & Sat 22, Fri 28 & Sat 29 Aug 10pm – late
Where Almeida Theatre
Tickets Free
Soak up the post-show atmosphere in the bar as a selection of DJs play us into the night. Headlining is Rebecca Lucy Taylor from Slow Club with more guest DJs to be announced. Cocktails served until midnight.

ALMEIDA PROJECTS: OEDIPUS
When Fri 28 Aug 1.30pm & 3.30pm
Where Almeida Theatre
Tickets £7 (£5 concs)
Young Friends of the Almeida perform a new abridged version of Sophocles’ iconic play on the Almeida stage, developed during two weeks of intensive rehearsals with a professional director and workshops with visiting drama specialists.

DICKIE BEAU: MASKING TAPES
When Fri 11 Sept 10.30pm
Where Almeida Theatre
Tickets £15 (£13 concs)
Award-winning drag fabulist and lip-synch maestro Dickie Beau has made his name channelling the voices of others. From a lecture by Peter Sellars to creating LOST in TRANS based on Narcissus and Echo and the responses to that show, Dickie discovered a profound link between his own artistic investigations and the origins of theatre. In this never-before-seen performance ‘lecture’, Dickie shares the story of why he became inspired by the Greek canon and how lip-syncing became his Greek mask.

ORLANDO GOUGH: THAT FEELING
When Sun 13 Sep 4 – 8pm
Where Almeida Theatre
Tickets £25 (£20 concs)
In the spirit of Dionysos, Bakkhai composer Orlando Gough and members of the Bakkhai chorus take over the building for an eclectic day of musical Dionysia. Rising star of Greek folk music Rebetiko, Çiğdem Aslan leads the line-up with wine and feasting to complete the full festival feel.

EARLY OPERA COMPANY: MÉDÉE FURIEUSE
When Sun 4 Oct 7.30pm
Where Almeida Theatre
Tickets £30 (£27 concs)
Throughout history the story of Medea has fascinated composers, never more so than in France in the 17th and 18th centuries. The acclaimed, Olivier-Award nominated Early Opera Company and Christian Curnyn are joined by mezzo-soprano Ciara Hendrick with exerts from Bernier ‘Médée’ and  Charpentier’s magnificent opera of the same name. Join the EOC ensemble of strings, lute and harpsichord on our operatic journey through the French Baroque, taking on this most dangerous of divas.

THE COMEDIES
“Comedy too can sometimes discern what is right. I shall not please, but I shall say what is true.” – Aristophanes

FROGS
When Fri 21 Aug 5.30pm & Sat 22 Aug 10.30am
Where Almeida Theatre
Tickets £7 (£5 concs)
Award-winning director Blanche McIntyre directs a reading of Frogs by the great comic dramatist Aristophanes.

WASPS
When Fri 18 Sept 5.30pm & Sat 19 Sept 10.30am
Where Almeida Theatre
Tickets £7 (£5 concs)Director and Guardian journalist Fiona Laird premieres her adaption of Aristophanes’Wasps.

LYSISTRATA
When Fri 16 Oct 5.30pm & Sat 17 Oct 10.30am
Where Almeida Theatre
Tickets All tickets £7 (£5 concs)
Ramin Gray (ATC Theatre, RSC, Hampstead Theatre) directs a new version of Lysistrata by Richard Bean. In association with Actors’ Touring Company.

THE CURRENT GREEK SEASON…

ORESTEIA
Aeschylus
a new version created by Robert Icke

until 18 July 2015
Press Night 5 June, 7pm

Almeida Associate Director Robert Icke reimagines Oresteia for the modern stage, in its first major London production in more than a decade.

Lia Williams returns to the Almeida as Klytemnestra. The cast also includes Lorna Brown, Jessica Brown Findlay, Rudi Dharmalingam, Annie Firbank, Joshua Higgott, John Mackay, Luke Thompson, Angus Wright, Hara Yannas, Amelia Baldock, Eve Benioff Salama, Clara Read, Ilan Galkoff, Cameron Laneand Bobby Smalldridge.

Orestes’ parents are at war. A family drama spanning several decades, a huge, moving, bloody saga, Aeschylus’ greatest and final play asks whether justice can ever be done – and continues to resonate more than two millennia after it was written.

Design is by Hildegard Bechtler with light by Natasha Chivers, sound by Tom Gibbons and video by Tim Reid. Casting is by Julia Horan CDG.

Almeida Associate Director Robert Icke most recently directed The Fever at The May Fair Hotel and Mr Burns at the Almeida.  Other Almeida credits include 1984, a co-production with Headlong and Nottingham Playhouse co-created with Duncan Macmillan, which enjoyed a successful West End run and two UK tours. Robert was previously Associate Director at Headlong where he worked with Rupert Goold to conceive and develop Decade, directed Boys by Ella Hickson and a UK tour of Romeo and Juliet.

BAKKHAI
Euripides
a new version by Anne Carson
directed by James Macdonald

23 July – 19 September 2015
Press Night 30 July, 7pm

James Macdonald returns to the Almeida to stage Anne Carson’s new version of Euripides’ hedonistic, visceral tragedy. Ben Whishaw makes his Almeida debut as Dionysos alongside Bertie Carvel as Pentheus and Kevin Harvey as Kadmos. Using three actors and a chorus, this new production will echo the original Ancient Greek performance model.

Pentheus has banned the wild, ritualistic worship of the god Dionysos. A stranger arrives to persuade him to change his mind.  Euripides’ electrifying tragedy is a struggle to the death between freedom and restraint, the rational and the irrational, man and god.

The Bakkhai includes Amiera Darwish, Eugenia Georgieva, Kaisa Hammarlund, Helen Hobson, Hazel Holder, Melanie La Barrie, Elinor Lawless, Catherine May, Louise Mills and Belinda Sykes.

Design is by Antony McDonald, with light by Peter Mumford, sound by Paul Arditti, composition byOrlando Gough and musical direction by Lindy Tennent-Brown. Choreography is by Jonathan Burrowsand Gillie Kleiman. Casting is by Anne McNulty CDG.

Anne Carson is a poet, essayist, translator, playwright – and classicist who frequently references, modernises – and translates Greek mythology. Anne’s translation of Sophocles’ Antigone, starring Juliette Binoche and directed by Ivo van Hove, played at the Barbican earlier this year having premiered at Théâtre National du Luxembourg.  Anne is a MacArthur Fellow; she has received the Lannan Literary Award for Poetry, the T.S. Eliot Prize and the Pushcart Prize, and was an Anna-Maria Kellen fellow at the American Academy in Berlin in 2007.

James Macdonald’s work at the Almeida includes The Triumph of Love, Judgement Day and A Delicate Balance. He was Associate Director of the Royal Court from 1992 to 2007 premiering works by Sarah Kane, Caryl Churchill and Martin Crimp.  More recently at the Royal Court he has directed The Wolf From the Door,Cock and Love and Information.  His other credits include Roots (Donmar Warehouse), #aiww: The Arrest of Ai Wei Wei, And No More Shall We Part (Hampstead Theatre), King Lear, The Book of Grace, Top Girls(Broadway), Dido, Queen of Carthage, The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other, Exiles (National Theatre),Dying City (Lincoln Center), Drunk Enough to Say I Love You (Public Theater) and Glengarry Glen Ross(West End).

MEDEA
Euripides
a new version by Rachel Cusk
directed by Rupert Goold

25 September – 14 November 2015
Press Night 1 October, 7pm

One of world drama’s most infamous characters is brought to controversial new life in this production by Almeida Artistic Director Rupert Goold and feminist writer Rachel Cusk. Kate Fleetwood makes her Almeida debut in the title role.

Medea’s marriage is breaking up. And so is everything else. Testing the limits of revenge and liberty, Euripides’ seminal play cuts to the heart of gender politics and asks what it means to be a woman and a wife.

Design is by Ian McNeil, costume by Holly Waddington, composition and sound by Adam Cork and choreography by Scott Ambler. Casting is by Julia Horan CDG.

Rachel Cusk was selected by Granta as one of their Best Young British Novelists in 2003. Author of seven novels and three works of non-fiction, she won the Whitbread First Novel Award for Saving Agnes, a Somerset Maugham Award for The Country Life, and was shortlisted for the 2007 Orange Prize for Arlington Park. Her latest novel, Outline, was shortlisted for the Folio Prize and the Goldsmiths Prize.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

29 May – 18 July 2015
ORESTEIA
Aeschylus
a new version created by Robert Icke
Press Night 5 June, 7pm

23 July – 19 September 2015
BAKKHAI
Euripides
a new version by Anne Carson
directed by James Macdonald
Press Night 30 July, 7pm

25 September – 14 November 2015
MEDEA
Euripides
a new version by Rachel Cusk
directed by Rupert Goold
Press Night 1 October, 7pm

Address           Almeida Theatre, Almeida Street, London, N1 1TA

Café Bar           The Almeida Café Bar is open from 11.30am -11.00pm, Monday to Saturday
The Almeida Cafe Bar will be open later for Almeida Lates

Box Office       Phone 020 7359 4404 (10am – 7.30pm Monday – Saturday)
                         Online almeida.co.uk
                         In person 10am – 7.30pm, Monday – Saturday

                         Oresteia performances Monday – Saturday at 7pm
Saturday matinees at 1pm from 13 June
Wednesday matinees at 1pm on 24 June & 8 July

                         Bakkhai performances Monday – Saturday at 8pm
Saturday matinees at 3pm from 1 August
Wednesday matinees at 3pm on 5, 12, 19 & 26 August, 2 & 9 September

                         Medea performances Monday – Saturday at 8pm
Saturday matinees at 3pm from 3 October
Wednesday matinees at 3pm on 14, 21 & 28 October, 4 November

Website           almeida.co.uk

Twitter            @AlmeidaTheatre
#almeidagreeks

Facebook        facebook.com/almeidatheatre

Instagram       @almeida_theatre

Access           Oresteia Audio Described performance by VocalEyes Saturday 27 June at 1pm, Touch Tour 11.15am and Friday 10 July at 7pm, Touch Tour 5.30pm.

                        Oresteia Captioned performances Friday 3 July at 7pm

                        Bakkhai Audio Described performance by VocalEyes Saturday 5 September at 3pm, Touch Tour 1.15pm and Friday 11 September at 8pm, Touch Tour 6.15pm.

                        Bakkhai Captioned performances Friday 4 September at 8pm

                        Medea Audio Described performance by VocalEyes Saturday 24 October at 3pm, Touch Tour 1.15pm and Monday 2 November at 8pm, Touch Tour 6.30pm.

                        Medea Captioned performances Monday 26 October at 8pm

For information about festival access please contact the Box Office on 020 7359 4404 or go toalmeida.co.uk/access

Talkback         Post-show discussion with members of the company
Free to same day ticket holders
                        Oresteia Wednesday 1 July
                        Bakkhai Tuesday 18 August
                        Medea Monday 26 October

Wilton’s Music Hall will fully reopen to the public after four years of building works from September 2015 after completing much needed and vital Capital Project to secure the unique building. As part of the Capital Project, Wilton’s has opened up 40% of the building which was not previously accessible. When all rooms are re-opened, Wilton’s will present their inaugural artistic season and will feature a range of theatre, dance, opera as well as family events.

Frances Mayhew, Artistic Director of Wilton’s Music Hall said: “Now that we need no longer fear for the very fabric of our building, we can finally turn our attention to presenting a long term artistic programme that befits Wilton’s future.  Our aim is to be a Music Hall for today’s audience. We will be showcasing diversity in art form from theatre to dance to opera to classical music to puppetry to family shows with more popular performances sitting alongside more experimental works nurturing artists at the start of their careers. We want to bring artists and audiences from diverse disciplines and cultures together under this unique, creative and passionate roof, to produce a much fuller and richer programme across a more diverse range of disciplines. Now that Wilton’s is finally saved these ambitions for this tremendous and historic building can become a reality.”

Autumn Season

The Sting will open the season for the newly repaired Wilton’s Music Hall and will run from 9 September to 17 October 2015. Based on the 1973 caper film of the same name, in which two outraged, small-time con men set out to outwit a powerful mob leader and, to the accompaniment of Scott Joplin’s ragtime, the Big Con unfolds. The Sting will transport Wilton’s back to the 1930s depression era and the audience will have the chance to explore the newly repaired building.

Over the weekend of 24 and 25 October, Wilton’s will present The Magic of the Music Hall Family Weekender, a free weekend for people of all ages to come and learn about the history of music hall and the heritage of Wilton’s. The John Wilton Room, formerly known as The Library, will be officially reopened over the Family Weekender and will function as a dedicated history and heritage room from then on.

Following this, Box Tale Soup’s Casting The Runes will play over half-term from 27 to 31 October. An adaption of M.R. James’ classic thriller this hour-long production will feature just two performers, one hand-made puppet and a haunting soundtrack of original music. In addition to Casting The Runes, there will be family activities running during the day in all Wilton’s rooms.

The opera of the season will be l’Ospedale which will run from 10 to 21 November. Directed by James Hurley, Conducted by James Halliday and Designed by Rachel Szmukler, this exciting new operatic discovery will be the first fully staged production by Solomon’s Knot baroque collective. Based on the work of seventeenth-century poet Antonio Abati, and set to music to an unknown composer,l’Ospendale is a satire on patients, doctors and medical practices.

Wilton’s will present its long-awaited and first-ever panto this winter with Dick Whittington directed by Debbie Filtcroft and written by and starring Roy Hudd. Running from 1 to 31 December, Roy Hudd’s rip-roaring script will combine London and international travel themes that chime with Wilton’s own heritage.

2016 will see the return of Wilton’s Strike! Dance Festival from 8 to 14 February which showcases new and emerging dance artists. Presenting a selection of original concepts, the applications for participants will open in August 2015. The award-winning Mark Bruce Company will return to Wilton’s in February 2016 and following their success with Dracula with a retelling of Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey. This is an extraordinary new dance theatre production in which beauty, humanity, contemporary horror and fantasy splinter from ancient myth.

Capital Project

The Capital Project to repair Wilton’s started in 2011 (Phase 1) with the repair of the main auditorium space. Wilton’s is now approaching the end of the final phase (Phase 2) of works. Currently repaired and open to the public are: the main auditorium, new Aldgate and Allhallows Learning and Participation Studio, prop making workshop, The Champagne Charlie Room, The Study, The John Wilton Room (currently a temporary bar) and staff offices. By September 2015, repair work will also have finished on four accessible dressing rooms, a kitchen with pizza making facilities, lift and disabled access to all floors, The Mahogany Bar, store rooms and cellars. As a result of this, when the building is fully reopened in September 2015 Wilton’s will have many new spaces which will help the Music Hall realise its potential as a creative, hub, community resource and landmark heritage site.

Learning & Participation

From September 2015, Wilton’s learning and participation programme will sit alongside artistic and heritage events. This programme will include a range of imaginative activities which will include bespoke workshops, participation projects for schools and community groups and free family activities. The previously reopened Aldgate and Allhallows Learning and Participation Studio which is a new space for community and artistic activities, will sit alongside The John Wilton Room, a free public space which will include archaeology exhibitions and access to the Wilton’s archives. The full programme of learning and participation events will be announced in due course.