Comedian Ivo Graham visited the wonderful city of York and York Theatre Royal, on a blistering cold Wednesday, or maybe it was a Tuesday, or Thursday night. That was a running joke after he had a mishap whilst doing the introductions off stage. Even before that, the York audience were treated to a York quiz projected onto a screen on stage. We were encouraged to email our answers straight to Graham. I am ashamed to say that I struggled to get even one correct answer, but then again I’m a bit of a nomad and not from Yorkshire, let along York. There is also a pre-show slide show, complete with increasing close-ups of York icon, Dame Judy Dench.
This show is structured slightly different that the usual comedy show, where the support act comes on stage first before the main star. Graham is the supposed 15 minute warm up, he did slightly overrun, before the support act, Alex Kealy. Kealy is not only a fellow comic, but also his best friend, who we later learn, went to the same boarding school as Graham. Not your ordinary school, but Eton. Two self-proclaimed posh boys smashing the comedy circuit.
References about his family certainly pulled at the heartstrings, as well as drawing out laughs from the audience. He never hides the fact of his upbringing, making up for a good part of the show. With questions about how many Rupert’s you knew at school, proved the point. How many did you know? I certainly had no one at my school, but funnily enough I did go to a Prince Rupert School, about as posh as I get. The story about how many of his friends and alumni were made redundant on the same day this year, felicitated probably the biggest laugh of the evening.
Throughout the show Graham uses a lot of slides, depicting photos, anything from Kevin McCloud, whose television show has inspired the naming of this one, to Gareth Southgate, someone he admires, trooping the nice men out of their depth. Not only are there photos, but many lists, and Venn diagrams. Who knew that Venn diagrams could, or would be used in comedy? Genius.
His attention span is quite short and he flittered about, jumping from one topic to another. Saying that, his is very articulate and witty, engaging well with the audience. It was great to see a packed out theatre and Graham is obviously well regarded in York and beyond. An entertaining evening in the beautiful city of York. His UK tour continues throughout the UK.
Festival Theatre, Malvern – until 23rd November 2024
Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau
5*****
Sebastian Faulks’ Birdsong is the stage adaptation of his novel of the same name. This 30th anniversary tour is the story of love and loss in the Great War’s long, dark shadow.
James Esler (playing Stephen Wraysford) gave us a sensational, world weary reading totally befitting a man who has lost, loved, lost and yearns for answers amongst the mud, blood and horrors of that pitiful conflict. I detect a major young talent here and was very impressed. Leading lady Charlie Russell (Isabelle Azaire) gave us a sensational performance that was sensitively delivered, displaying a side of her I hadn’t seen before. Already one of my favourite actresses from the “Goes Wrong” franchise, she has gone up in my estimation enormously after tonight’s epic performance. You could feel every anguished moment of her tortuous route negotiating love vs duty. All I can say is “wow”.
The rest of the cast were amazing too, with even the lesser roles cast to perfection. Tipper (Raif Clarke), for instance, was powerfully wrought, giving full vent to the loss of youthful innocence. Roger Ringrose (Bérard) was your a very realistic smarmy politician. Sargon Yelda (Rene Azaire, Isabelle’s husband) gave us a glimpse into a thankfully largely long gone chauvinistic era. Natalie Radmall-Quirke (Jeanne Fourmentier) had a gentle power that was palpable, adding a welcome softness to this tragic tale. I loved her performance.
Jack Firebrace (played to perfection by Max Bowden) was spectacularly well delivered. He truly gave us the full range of emotions in a veritable acting tour-de-force. With Tama Phethean (John, his best friend and he also played Lebrun and Shaw) – they were both an absolute joy to watch and deserve special mention!
The set was inventive; with a static portion cleverly utilised as the house, factory and battlefield with the addition of some scant set dressing. Ingenious – particularly the overhead piece which descended to give us the underground tunnels in all their claustrophobic glory. The costumes were gorgeous, particularly in the first half before the war with the ladies looking stunning in their creations!
Music was poignantly used too to great effect. The song just before going over the top and the one sung by Jack being particularly heart wrenching!
There’s some visceral scenes, especially in the trenches. Director Alastair Whatley didn’t hold back showing the realities of war in all it’s degradation, with full on barrages of artillery fire (so be warned if you jump easily).
A vital watch, a timely reminder (especially the ongoing stain on humanity that is Ukraine and Gaza) and a wake up call. Yes, all that, but also uplifting that the human spirit can overcome such insanity and evil to find love, peace and forgiveness. There’s plenty of humour to enjoy as well, with the Tommies letting off steam and releasing the tension over a few drinks. So, for all the darkness it has enough light to be an enjoyable evening out at the theatre.
This a work that deserves to be watched and supported and one I feel would get even better with repeat viewings. I have no hesitation to wholeheartedly recommend it.
“We are devastated that the press night for A Christmas Carol (ish) could not be completed tonight due to technical difficulties @sohoplace. This the first time since we opened two years ago that we have encountered such a problem.
“We are working hard to resolve the issues at hand and are in total admiration of the extraordinary cast, production and creative teams led by Nick Mohammed, who have worked so hard to bring such a brilliant show to their audiences.
“Performances on Friday 22nd November will not go ahead in order to give us time to fully resolve the matter. Audience members present at Thursday’s performance or due to see the show on Friday will be contacted by the box office team.
“We look forward to welcoming audiences back from Saturday.”
Mischief are excited to announce their brand new show, The Comedy About Spies –an action-packed thriller from the company behind the multi-award winning The Play That Goes Wrong and The Comedy about a Bank Robbery.Performances begin at the Noël Coward Theatre in London on Monday 14 April 2025, with an opening Gala on Tuesday 6 May 2025.
There will be a ‘sneak-peek’ of the opening scene from The Comedy About Spies this evening, Friday 22 November at The Royal Variety Performance in the presence of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen at The Royal Festival Hall. The Royal Variety Performance will be broadcast on ITV1 on Sunday 15 December.
Spies cast with Amanda Holden and Alan Carr taken on 21th November 2024 at the Royal Albert Hall London
A photograph of the Mischief company members who are performing at the Royal Albert Hall tonight alongside Royal Variety Performance hosts Amanda Holden and Alan Carr Photo by Ellie Kurttz).
5000 reduced priced tickets will be available to buy via Mischief Tickets at 10am on Wednesday 11 December for 48 hours only, to access sign up at www.MischiefComedy.com. Public on sale will take place at 10am on Friday 13 December. Over 150 tickets are available for £25 or less at every performance.
Set in 1960s London, The Comedy about Spies is a farcical, physical double-crossing caper full of misunderstanding, miscommunication, and mistaken identity. A rogue British agent steals plans for a top-secret new weapon. Spies from the CIA and the KGB assemble at London’s Piccadilly Hotel to track down the British mole and obtain the file. When a young British couple and an older actor auditioning for the title role in the first James Bond film check into the hotel, the stakes reach boiling point in this hilarious Cold War comedy.
The Comedy about Spies is written by original Mischief company members Henry Lewis and Henry Shields and directed by Matt Di Carlo. Cast and further creatives to follow.
The Comedy about Spies is presented by Kenny Wax and Stage Presence in association with Jo Danvers.
Birmingham Repertory Theatre – until 5th January 2025
Reviewed by Emma Millward
5*****
The festive season is upon us, and Birmingham Rep is staging a traditional Dickensian show as its annual Christmas production this year. Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol, or to give its full original title, ‘A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being A Ghost Story of Christmas’ was first published in December 1843. Adapted for the stage by Writer Mark Gatiss and directed by Adam Penford., the show first premiered at Nottingham Playhouse in 2021, before transferring to the Alexandra Palace in London.
As the audience enters the auditorium, the first thing that greets them is the eerie set, dimly lit by an ominous blue light casting a shadow over the tall desks and cabinets of Scrooge and Marley’s Accountants. We meet Ebenezer Scrooge (Matthew Cottle) and Jacob Marley (Rufus Hound), mean-spirited Accountants who berate their Clerk, Bob Cratchit (Oscar Batterham), for daring to request not to work on Christmas Day. As Scrooge and Marley plot how much to cut Cratchit’s wages, Marley dies suddenly. Seven years later, Scrooge is just as mean and still hates Christmas. His Nephew Fred (Lance West) tries unsuccessfully to encourage Scrooge to join his family for Christmas lunch. The ghostly form of Jacob Marley appears, wrapped in heavy chains. He tells Scrooge it is time to change his ways before it is too late. Scrooge can expect to be visited by three spirits who may help him change his fate.
The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future are as well-known as the character of Scrooge. The audience’s anticipation of their appearance could be felt. The Ghost of Christmas Past (Grace Hogg-Robinson) is a pale-skinned girl with slightly creepy movements. She takes Scrooge back to his childhood and his romance with Belle (Kalifa Taylor). The Ghost of Christmas Present (Mark Theodore) amused the crowd with his ‘magic dust’ sprinkling, which gave Christmas cheer to whoever it touched. He takes Scrooge to see Bob Cratchit and Mrs Cratchit (Rebecca Trehearn) as they celebrate Christmas with their children, where he hears Mrs Cratchit’s scathing comments about Scrooge’s behaviour. Ghost of Christmas Future was suitably chilling; I will not spoil who turns out to be under those dark robes. The scenes of Scrooge’s realisation of the error of his ways are both thought-provoking and touching. Scrooge discovers what happens to Tiny Tim (Ryan Weston) and, ultimately, his own potential destiny. Matthew Cottle excelled in these scenes and showed his comedic abilities when Scrooge nervously tried to be kind to a confused Bob Cratchit.
Paul Wills’ set and costume designs range from minimal for the Cratchit house to total opulence for the Yuletide Ball sequences. Phillip Gladwell’s lighting and Nina Dunn’s video design work well together and perfectly set the spooky scene. Writer Mark Gatiss’s respect for the original book is apparent throughout, especially in the authentic Dickensian language used by characters such as the Narrator (Geoffrey Beevers) and Ghost of Christmas Past. It is a ghost story, but the special effects and jump scares don’t overpower the storyline. They add to it as you are almost on the edge of your seat, waiting for them to occur.
The ensemble features a relatively small cast of 19 actors, but it feels like many more performers, as the actors take dual roles throughout the production. Special mention must be given to the child actors (Takunda Khumalo, Sophie John, River Mahjouri, Corrina Onyiukah, Logan Meers and Orla Rae Wilson), who all have a lot of stage time as many different characters. The stand-out performance, unsurprisingly, was Matthew Cottle as Scrooge. He perfectly captures the changing character of Scrooge from a detestable grump to almost childlike naivety by the end of the show.
All in all, it’s the perfect show to watch this Christmas. It’s heartwarming, visually stunning and spooky. It is a tremendous take on a traditional Christmas story.
The SavoyTheatre,Savoy Court, Strand, London WC2R 0ET
Monday 10th February 2025, 7:30pm
Audiences can watch the phenomenal and exclusive music video Always Starting Over from IF/THEN, performed by Kerry Ellis, here, with special thanks to The Theatre Channel
UK audiences will now be able to experience the UK premiere of IF/THEN, the celebrated musical by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning team Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey (Next to Normal).Nominated for a Tony Award for Best Original Score in 2014, the production will be presented in a staged concert format,directed by acclaimed award-winning West End director Bill Buckhurst(101 Dalmatians The Musical; Sister Act; The Time Traveller’s Wife).The musical staging is by Olivier Award nominee Alistair David (Kiss Me, Kate, Show Boat) with music direction from acclaimed Michael England (The Phantom Of The Opera,Les Misérables).
Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey’s poignant and thought-provoking score explores the complexities of chance, choice and consequence.
Broadway and West End star Kerry Ellis, known for her roles in Wicked, Anything Goes, We Will Rock You, and Les Misérables, as well as her highly successful recording career, will star as Elizabeth, a woman torn between two possible journeys, who launches the audience into a world of hope, regret and self-discovery. Additional casting will be announced.
Ellis joyfully shares her thoughts, saying, I am so excited to be involved in this wonderful project—what a dream! The music is stunning, and the story is extremely touching; experiencing it at The Savoy Theatre will be magical. Playing the role of Elizabeth, a strong, modern, workingwoman faced with everyday real-life choices and decisions that are universally relatable to audiences, is particularly thrilling. I cannot wait!
IF/THEN follows Elizabeth, a 38-year-old city planner returning to New York after twelve years, ready to rebuild her life in the wake of a recent divorce. Standing at a pivotal crossroads, Elizabeth faces a choice that will send her down two parallel paths, each leading to a radically different future. On her first day back, she reconnects with Lucas, an old friend, and meets Kate, her vibrant new neighbour. Lucas invites her to join him in the world of activism, while Kate offers a lighter diversion—coffee, music, and the temptation of a charismatic guitarist nearby. As the story unfolds, audiences follow Elizabeth’s journey along these parallel lives, exploring how every decision, no matter how small, shapes the course of destiny.
Brian Yorkey, comments, I’m thrilled that West End audiences will get to experienceI F/THEN in concert. It’s a show and a set of songs that are very personal to Tom and me, and we’re honoured to have this group of fabulous singers bring them to life.
Tom Kitt, comments, IF/THEN is a very special and personal show, filled with some of my favourite songs that Brian and I have written together. I couldn’t be more thrilled that it will behaving its UK concert debut with this phenomenal group of artists, led by the incredible Kerry Ellis.
There will be limited meet and greet tickets with KerryEllison sale in line with the dates below. This will be an exclusive opportunity for fans to meet her in person following the performance
IF/THEN comes to London after opening on Broadway in 2014 and is produced by Adam Blanshay Productions and Daniel Hinchliffe in association with The Savoy Theatre.
Presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International
Planning permission granted for significant transformation of Malvern Theatres
Malvern Hills District Council (MHDC) has granted planning permission for significant improvements at Malvern Theatres, including a new 240-seat auditorium and essential upgrades to the Priory Park entrance, including a new elevator.
The auditorium plans will allow theatre to do new and different types of work, including more community theatre, as well as additional classes and workshops.
Thanks to the improved park-side entrance, which will feature better spaced stairs, additional handrails, upgraded lighting, and an elevator, accessibility from the park to the theatre will be greatly improved.
The Forum Theatre will also have improvements to make it more user-friendly, particularly for people with movement issues, including better wheelchair positions.
This next phase of work is due to start in summer 2025 and the theatre will remain open throughout the build, with the Festival Theatre, Cinema, and Studio One, all operating as normal.
The project, which is being led by Malvern Hills District Council and funded by central government, follows on from the success of the recently added Studio One, which is already at capacity since opening just over a year ago, and the accompanying Changing Place, a lifeline for people with severe additional needs.
Cllr John Gallagher, Portfolio Holder for Resources at Malvern Hills District Council, said: “We are so pleased the plans for the new development at Malvern Theatres have been approved. With Phase One of the project completed, we are excited to see that Phase Two will go ahead. This will mean further investment in this wonderful facility which will expand access to the arts, improve wellbeing, increase education and employment opportunities, as well as provide a boost to the tourism and economy within the area.”
Fred Moroni, Executive Director of Malvern Theatres, said: “We are thrilled that MHDC has chosen to progress this ambitious project, it will transform Malvern Theatres into a nationally significant centre of excellence for the arts. We look forward to welcoming even
more people for workshops and classes, as well as hosting community theatre in the new purpose-built auditorium.”
The new development, which will be park-side, includes: a modern 240-seat studio theatre to host more community work, flexible workshop spaces, and a small recording studio suitable for content creators. As well as the modernisations already mentioned to improve park access (easier stairs and new lift), there will also be a small amphitheatre for free community use.
There’s £20m of capital development funding ringfenced to pay for this work, money that was allocated following a rigorous nationwide bidding process.
Theatre Royal Nottingham – Wednesday 20th November 2024
Reviewed by Jill Heslop
5*****
Nottingham’s Theatre Royal was packed this evening to welcome back Opera North for their Autumn season with a revival of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Benjamin Britten, his 1960 take on Shakespeare’s much loved comedy as an opera in three acts. Magic was in the air! The Fairies, played by a cast of talented children in blonde wigs and black wings, opened the action behind the translucent Perspex stage set. No forest here; instead, large see-through bubbles suspended above the stage and gently floating to the music. The children’s voices join with the sliding opening strings creating a strange and ethereal atmosphere. Conducted by Garry Walker, the orchestra were able to bring to life the different sound worlds of the contrasting scenes. Familiar characters from Shakespeare soon appear; the King and Queen of the Fairies in glorious shining silver costumes along with the naughty and nasty Puck, in red satin shorts, played by Daniel Abelson. Puck (Daniel Abelson) is represented in the music by the snare drum and trumpet evoking his mischievous and daring spirit. James Laing plays Oberon, his countertenor voice sounding suitably other-worldly and Daisy Brown as Tytania was able to hit the high florid notes with ease.
The four lovers bring some slapstick comedy to the opera as they fall in and out of love with each other. These are Siân Griffiths as Hermia and Peter Kirk as Lysander, Camilla Harris as Helena and James Newby as Demetrius wearing beautifully bright psychedelic costumes. In the first Act, the music is quite discordant, echoing the arguments between the characters. However the second act opens with some blissful string writing from Britten as Tytania (Daisy Brown) and Bottom (Henry Waddington) share a sensual and humorous languor brought on by the magic potion.
The third act has plenty of fun and comedy as the Rude Mechanicals get the chance to put on their play in front of royalty. The bad singing gets plenty of laughs from the keen audience, who have enjoyed this happy and vibrant production of Britten’s fine opera.
Simon Friend Entertainment and Josh Andrews Productionstoday confirm that Irish presenter, writer, broadcaster and former Love Island host, Laura Whitmore is set to star as Rachel Watson at certain dates in a new UK tour of the smash-hit Wiltshire Creative Production of The Girl on the Train. Her performancesinthe gripping thriller, based on the internationally acclaimed number one best-selling novel by Paula Hawkins begin at Brighton’s Theatre Royal on Tuesday 3 June 2025 and will run through to her returning to Dublin and the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre at the end of August.
Rachel Watson longs for a different life. Her only escape is the perfect couple she watches through the train window every day, happy and in love. Or so it appears. When Rachel learns that the woman she’s been secretly watching has suddenly disappeared, she finds herself as a witness and even a suspect in a thrilling mystery in which she will face bigger revelations than she could ever have anticipated.
On joining the tour, Laura says: “I read the book when it first came out and I was obsessed by it. I love it when you find a book and all you can think about is that story. You wake up a little bit earlier to read the book and stay up too late to finish it. I am excited to show people my portrayal of Rachel next summer.”
The international phenomenon – which has sold over 20 million copies worldwide and inspired the Dreamworks film starring Emily Blunt – enjoyed a box-office record-breaking theatrical tour in 2019. Laura joins the tour in Brighton, Theatre Royal (3 – 7 Jun 2025) before touring to Milton Keynes Theatre (10 – 14 June 2025); Malvern Theatres, (17 – 20 June 2025); His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen (24 – 28 June 2025); Leeds, Grand Theatre(1 – 5 July 2025); Inverness, Eden Court(8 – 12 July 2025); Mold, Theatr Clwyd(15 – 19 July 2025); Southampton, Mayflower Theatre(22 – 26 July 2025); Belfast, Grand Opera House (12 – 16 August 2025); Cork,Everyman Theatre(19 – 23 August 2025); Dublin, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre (26 – 30 August 2025). Please see listings below for full tour details.
Laura Whitmore trained at the Leinster School of Music and Drama, studied Shakespeare at RADA and holds a degree in Journalism from Dublin City University.
She wrote and starred in the short film Sadhbh for which she won The Ros Hubbard Award for acting in 2019. She toured in the role of Cleo in Peter James’ Not Dead Enough in 2017. Her film/TV acting credits include Queenie, Hulu’s Four Weddings and a Funeral, 4.3.2.1 and Storage 24. Her first lead in a feature film ‘A Mother For An Hour’ is out later this year as well as interactive sci fi thriller ‘Hello Stranger’ starring Sir Derek Jacobi. In 2022 she made her West End debut as Jenny in 2.22: A Ghost Story and returned home to play Lauren in its limited Dublin run in 2024.
She is a successful radio and television broadcaster best known for hosting MTV and the Bafta-winning ‘Love Island’, the ‘I’m A Celebrity’ spin-off show, Celeb Juice and her own breakfast show on ITV. She launched her documentary Laura Whitmore Investigates in 2023 and is currently working on a new documentary series. This year she also embarked on Comic Relief’s ‘Snow Way Back’ Arctic Trek to raise vital funds for Red Nose Day which can be seen in a primetime BBC1 documentary.
She currently hosts BBC Podcast, Murder They Wrote alongside Iain Stirling. She started her TV career in 2008 winning MTV’s Pick me MTV and becoming the face of MTV Europe for almost a decade. She has interviewed some of the biggest musical artists and actors in the world.
In March 2021 she released her first book, ‘No One Can Change Your Life Except For You’ which has gone on to become a Sunday Times Bestseller.
Produced by Simon Friend Entertainment and Josh Andrews Productions, the Wiltshire Creative Production of The Girl on the Train is written by Paula Hawkins, adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel, and is directed by Loveday Ingram.
The producers of the global sensation & JULIETare delighted to announce that The Wanted band member and 2015 Strictly Come Dancing winner Jay McGuiness will star as Shakespeare during the second leg of the tour from Bristol to Nottingham. Ranj Singh who has been delighting audiences in the role of Lance, will continue to do so at certain venues next year including Wimbledon, Dublin, Bradford, Birmingham, Sheffield and Cardiff.
The roles of Shakespeare and Lance at all other venues will be announced.
The UK and Ireland tour of & JULIET opened at Manchester Opera House on 8 July 2024.
Jay joins current tour cast members Gerardine Sacdalan as Juliet, Lara Denning as Anne, Sandra Marvin as Angelique, Jack Danson as Romeo, Kyle Cox as Francois and Jordan Broatch as May.
Also in the cast are Harriet Caplan-Dean as Eleanor, Alexander Kranz as Lennox, Andilé Mabhena as Augustine / Dance Team, Liam Morris as Richard, Psalms-Nissi Myers-Reid as Lucy/Alternate Juliet, Michael Nelson as Henry, Toni Paise as Violet, Katie Ramshaw as Nell / Lady C Rosie Singha as Judith, Aaron Shales as Gregory / Dance Team, Nia Stephen as Imogen and Samuel Wilson-Freeman as Fletcher / Resident Director and Dance Captain
Jay McGuiness said “I love these songs; Max Martin has written hit after hit. I’ve really missed singing and dancing as the last thing I did was a play, so I’m excited to get back into it. And I love the & Juliet costumes, especially Shakespeare’s!”
Jay McGuiness is best known as a vocalist in the chart-topping band The Wanted. Their debut single, “All Time Low,” hit the No. 1 spot on the UK singles chart and the band went on to have two further No. 1 and 5 Top 10 singles including the global hit ‘Glad You Came’.
Jay has a song and dance background, starting with dance classes in his early teens, he later attended The Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama in Nottingham. After taking a break from The Wanted in 2013, Jay was confirmed as a celebrity contestant on Strictly Come Dancing where he wowed audiences with his routines and went on to be crowned Strictly champion for 2015. His now infamous Jive to the music from Pulp Fiction has become the show’s most watched routine ever, amassing over 8 million hits on You Tube. The routine was also voted Strictly’s best ever dance by BBC Strictly viewers in December 2020. In 2016, Jay starred in the musical version of the Tom Hanks movie BIG in Dublin playing the lead role of Josh Baskin. He reprised the role in 2019 in the West End at the Dominion Theatre. In 2020, Jay played the lead role of Sam in the London production of Sleepless: A Musical Romance, based on the movie Sleepless in Seattle, at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre. Jay’s other theatre work includes starring in Rip It Up, a 60’s song and dance show at London’s Garrick Theatre, Bob Wallace in the touring production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas in 2022 and Danny in the award-winning production of the Robbins play 2:22- A Ghost Story in 2024. In May 2023, Jay announced that he was adding yet another string to his bow as a published author. His debut fantasy novel Blood Flowers, published worldwide by Scholastic, was released in February 2024 and the eagerly awaited sequel is due for release in spring/summer 2025.
There is life after Romeo!
Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as Juliet ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way. Created by David West Read, the Emmy-winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek,” this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told and asks, what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo?
Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, including Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time,” Katy Perry’s “Roar”and chart toppers “Since U Been Gone,” “It’s My Life,” “I Want It That Way,” and “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” — all from Max Martin, the genius songwriter/producer behind more #1 hits than any other artist this century, and his collaborators. Break free of the balcony scene and get into this romantic comedy that proves there’s life after Romeo. The only thing tragic would be missing it.
& JULIETis a global success and has now been performed on four continents since its World Premiere in September 2019. It began at the Manchester Opera House in England, before moving to London’s West End from 2019-2023, where it won three Olivier Awards, and 6 WhatsOnStage Awards. The show had its North American premiere in July 2022 in Toronto, where it broke box office records and played to standing-room-only audiences, before heading to Broadway, where it again broke box office records and plays nightly to sold-out crowds. It can now also be seen around the globe with the North American Tour that started in September 2024 and the German premiere in October 2024. The German production marks the show’s first production with a book translated into a different language and was also the sixth country to welcome & Juliet in less than five years. More information for all productions can be found atandjulietthemusical.com
The full creative team for the UK and Ireland tour of & JULIETincludes David West Read (Book), Max Martin & Friends (Music & Lyrics), Luke Sheppard (Direction), Jennifer Weber (Choreography), Bill Sherman (Musical Supervision, Orchestrations and Arrangements), Soutra Gilmour (Scenic Design), Paloma Young (Costume Design), Howard Hudson (Lighting Design), Gareth Owen (Sound Design), Andrzej Goulding (Video & Projection Design) and Nina Van Houten(Hair, Wig & Makeup Design) and Dominic Fallacaro (Additional Arrangements and Orchestrations). Casting is by Stuart Burt.
& JULIET is presented by Max Martin and Tim Headington and is produced by Max Martin, Tim Headington, Theresa Steele Page, Jenny Petersson, Martin Dodd and Rebecca Quigley.
