New Wimbledon Theatre, Wimbledon – until 12th November 2022
Reviewed by Bobbi Fenton
4****
No Mans Land. Christmas. 1914. The worlds most famous game of football to ever take place. And a woman whose story was untold for many many years.
Don’t Shoot the Meistersinger is the incredibly funny, and often moving, story of the English soldiers and the German soldiers putting aside their differences for a festive game of football. Joseph Aylward, Alfie Noble, and Finn Pile do an excellent job of portraying three English soldiers and three German soldiers through multirole, showing a clear comparison between both sides, and how despite the war, they aren’t all that different after all. Lance Corporal Arthur Ramsbotham (Joseph Aylward) and Private Joe Bryce (Alfie Noble) welcome new recruit Private Ernie Potter (Finn Pile) to the English front line, as on the German side Hauptmann Sixtus (Joseph Aylward), Unteroffizer Hans Sachs (Alfie Noble), and Gemeiner Walther von Stolzing (Finn Pile) are in the exact same situation. However, on the English side happens to be a woman, Dorothy Lawrence (Mia Finnigan), a journalist who has managed to sneak onto the front line, steal a mans army uniform, and blend in with the other soldiers in order to try to get a true, real-life account of what it is like for the soldiers on the front line. This play does a brilliant job of telling this true story, and how she managed to get back to England where she was heavily censored, and includes a very moving monologue from Mia Finnigan. There are many moving moments within this play, however almost every single one is quickly shifted into a moment of hilarious comedy. A particular favourite reoccurring joke for me is Private Ernie Potter (Finn Pile) constantly arriving late for everything because of his father’s (Emily Littman) watch that never tells the right time which he eventually trades with a German soldier in return for a uniform button. Not to mention Emily Littman as Walther von Stolzing ‘s highly religious and modest girlfriend Eva writing increasingly erotic letters to him.
Even with the small cast, and the use of multirole, this play makes it very easy to imagine what the war was like for almost every single man that went to fight, dealing with fleas, their friends and brothers dying around them, and the dreaded meat pudding for Christmas dinner. Don’t Shoot the Meistersinger is an absolutely wonderful piece of historical theatre that should definitely not be missed.
This stirring, slimmed-down revival of From Here to Eternity is full of heart, passion … and gorgeous voices. I haven’t seen the original production, so cannot comment on the impact of the changes, but the new production hit all the right notes for me.
The story of the men of G Company, killing time in Hawaii as the war rages in Europe and the far east, is a lot grittier in James Jones’s novel than in the slick Hollywood movie – this musical sits somewhere in between, including the darker aspects of the story but with a light touch.
Captain Holmes’s (Alan Turkington) quest for promotion depends on G Company winning the boxing championship, so Prewitt (Jonathon Bentley) is transferred in with a reputation as a great boxer. Unfortunately, Prewitt refuses to fight after injuring someone in the ring, so Holmes sets his sergeants on Prewitt to grind him down. The institutionalised bullying, violence and discrimination of the army is shown in well-judged broad strokes that show enough to create credible impetus for the main characters choices that cannot be explored in much detail in the musical without losing one of the subplots. As the company are encouraged to intimidate and brutalise Prewitt into submission, he finds an ally in Maggio (Jonny Amies), a charming wise guy ducking and diving to make the most profit out of the situation in Hawaii. With so many soldiers and sailors hanging around, the opportunities are unlimited for brothel owner Mrs Kipfer (Eve Polycarpou). Prewitt is in love with one of her girls, Lorene (Desmonda Cathabel), and she is starting to fall for him. The second love story is between Holmes’s wife Karen (Carley Stenson) and Holmes’s master sergeant, Warden (Adam Rhys-Charles). All this takes place in the two weeks leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbour.
When the novel was written, the themes of homosexuality, adultery, suicide and violence were shocking, but now the story feels more of a potboiler, and Donald Rice and Bill Oakes’s book doesn’t try to update or sensationalise. There are many cliched lines, but they feel authentic coming from dedicated and naïve young men of their time. Director Brett Smock uses the traverse cleverly, with choreographer Cressida Carré setting the troops running and marching around the stage in between indolently lolling under the palm trees. The movement of concrete crates as multitasking stage furniture by the well-drilled ensemble adds to the military feel, and Louise Rhoades-Brown’ projections are hauntingly effective, particularly in the beach and stockade scenes.
The outstanding cast perform Stuart Brayson and Tim Rice’s songs with style and passion. There are a variety of influences and genres, with the bluesy numbers being a highlight. Carly Stenson’s smoky vocals are stunning, and Desmonda Cathabel’s heart stopping rendition of Run Along Joe will melt the coldest heart. Jonathon Bentley impresses as Prewitt, holding the audience’s sympathy even before the reason he doesn’t fight is revealed, and gives a barnstorming performance of Fight the Fight. Jonny Amies’s comedic bravado finally gives way to tragic defiance in I Love the Army in one of the most moving moments of the show. It all builds to an emotional and exhilarating finale, before the names of the fallen are projected on the stage as the audience leave. A real goosebumps moment. Slick, stylish and wonderfully entertaining – this is a must-see show.
Mischief have done it again, bringing their unique blend of humour and jeopardy, created through a play within a play. Written by Henry Shields early last year, he has tapped into the rich comedic material that is children’s television gone wrong. Shields captures the on-set environment, where no one really knows the whole picture and rely totally on the gallery to bring it all together. You will not see anything else quite like it!
Each character has their own hilarious role in building the tension for the final scenes and creating laugh out loud moments throughout. Tom Walker manages to take Andy from a complete unfeeling, despot director to a quivering, pleading heap, begging for his life. Chris Leask (Toby) evokes synchronised sympathy and chortles, through this ordinary bloke that is trying to be an actor, easily influenced by the stronger characters. Sean (Harry Kershaw) is the writing talent behind the children’s programme and is definitely a bit off the wall with his fruit filled thinking. Kershaw adds a different level of humour with a distinctly autistic feel to his character. The wannabe classical actor David, portrayed by Gareth Tempest, looked fabulous in his king lemon head, booming out his lines. The physical performance of Greg Tannahill (Kevin) needed no words to induce belly laughs from the audience.
As usual, the creative team work their magic with the supporting cast to make the staging hiccups and players slips, trips and falls look easy and so very funny. This play is pure escapism that provides a better than average storyline to this fresh and modern comedy.
Saturday Night Fever first hit the stage in 1998, based on the 1977 film of the same name. This jukebox musical features some of the Bee Gees best and most well-known songs including Stayin’ Alive, Disco Inferno, How Deep is Your Love and many more.
Beginning with Tony Manero (Jack Wilcox), working in a paint shop, having family troubles and only feeling happy when he dances, living for the weekends where he spends his time at the disco with his friends. When the chance to enter a dance competition arises with a £1000 prize Tony has to enter and find the best partner. He convinces Stephanie Mangano (Rekekah Bryant) to begin training and they enter the competition together. Wilcox, is a clear fan favourite as the audience whooped and cheered as he changed into the iconic Saturday Night Fever white suit and it’s clear why he got the role as the best dancer in town as both him and Bryant are sensational dancers as are the rest of the company. The chemistry between Bryant and Wilcox is clear and their dance performances together were beautiful.
Having not seen the original film I had only a basic knowledge of Saturday Night Fever and I was not disappointed after seeing this amazing show, in fact I may now have to go and watch the film to see how it holds up against the theatre production.
Directed and produced by Bill Kenwright this is a unique musical in that, the majority of the songs are performed by the onstage Bee Gees (Aj Jenks, Drew Ferry and Oliver Thomson) singing above the stage and not by the characters, however this doesn’t take away from their performance with the 3 capturing the essence of the Bee Gees wonderfully. Some of the best moments in the show were when the characters themselves sang with the band, particularly during Tragedy sung by Bobbie C (Harry Goodson-Bevan). Goodson-Bevan makes his debut in Saturday Night Fever and was fantastic.
Dark themes are also explored in what is generally an upbeat show with suicide, violence and rape featured. The staging is fantastic with the use of glitterballs transforming the theatre into a disco, the show is a whole load of fun and will have everyone up and dancing for the finale.
Full casting announced for the UK premiere of the uplifting Broadway musical ‘George Takei’s Allegiance’
George Takei, Telly Leung, Aynrand Ferrer
The 16-strong cast of ‘George Takei’s Allegiance’ are today revealed.
Starring alongside the previously announced legendary TV and film star George Takei and Broadway and TV star Telly Leung is Aynrand Ferrer, who has just played the alternate Kim in ‘Miss Saigon’ in Vienna. All three are making their London stage debuts.
The multi-national cast also features Iroy Abesamis, Mark Anderson, Masashi Fujimoto, Megan Gardiner, Raiko Gohara, Eu Jin Hwang, Hana Ichijo, Misa Koide, Patrick Munday, Rachel Jayne Picar, Sario Solomon, Joy Tan, Iverson Yabut.
Creative team: Book Marc Acito, Jay Kuo & Lorenzo Thione, Music & Lyrics Jay Kuo, Director and Choreographer Tara Overfield Wilkinson, Musical Supervisors and Orchestrations Andrew Hilton and Charlie Ingles, Set and Costume Designer Mayou Trikerioti, Lighting Designer Nic Farman, Sound Designer Chris Whybrow, Casting Director Sarah Leung CDG, Musical Director Amy Hsu, Associate Director Kirsty Malpass, Associate Choreographer Misa Koide, Assistant Musical Director Beth Jerem, Production Management New Wolf Productions, General Management Something for the Weekend, Producers Sing Out, Louise! Productions. Charing Cross Theatre
13-week season
Saturday 7 January to Saturday 8 April, 2023
The full company: Iroy Abesamis, Mark Anderson, Aynrand Ferrer, Masashi Fujimoto, Megan Gardiner, Raiko Gohara, Eu Jin Hwang, Hana Ichijo, Misa Koide, Telly Leung, Patrick Munday, Rachel Jayne Picar, Sario Solomon, George Takei, Joy Tan, Iverson Yabut
Iroy Abesamis was Marcel, Bloody Mary’s assistant in ‘South Pacific’ at Chichester Festival Theatre, Sadler’s Wells and on UK tour. His other stage musicals include ‘The King & I’ and ‘Miss Saigon’ (UK and international tours).
Mark Anderson’s West End musicals include ‘School of Rock’, ‘Book of Mormon’ and ‘The Grinning Man’. He played the lead role of Melvin Ferd the Third/Toxie in ‘The Toxic Avenger’ (Southwark Playhouse and Arts Theatre transfer). He has just finished the UK premiere tour of Disney’s ‘Bedknobs and Broomsticks’.
Aynrand Ferrer was 1st cover Kim in ‘Miss Saigon’ on a UK and international tour in 2017/18 and has recently played alternate Kim in ‘Miss Saigon’ in Vienna. She graduated from the UST Conservatory of Music in the Philippines in 2016 with a degree in Musical Theatre. She also appeared on stage in the lead role of Carrie White in ‘Carrie: the Musical’.
Masashi Fujimoto, born in Hiroshima, Japan, trained in Tokyo (BA in Music), and studied opera and musical theatre in Milan and London. He made his first major UK and US TV appearance in ‘Banzai’. His stage roles include ‘The King and I’ and ‘Insein The Opera’. He is also the composer of ‘Hexwood the Musical’ and ‘Santa’s Magical Gift’.
Megan Gardiner most recently covered and played Cosette in the UK tour of ‘Les Miserables’. She was also cover Dorothy in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ at Cork Opera House.
Raiko Gohara was most recently in ‘Red Rose’ (BBC). ‘Allegiance’ is his professional stage debut.
Eu Jin Hwang was recently in the Broadway transfer of ‘Anything Goes’ at the Barbican and on UK tour, and in the UK and international tour of ‘The King & I’.
Hana Ichijo was June in ‘Anyone Can Whistle’ (Southwark Playhouse) and Meg March in ‘Little Women’ (Park Theatre).
Misa Koide was in the West End production of ‘The King And I’ and ‘Amadigi’ for Garsington Opera. On film she is in the upcoming ‘Wonka’ and Disney’s live action ‘Snow White’.
Telly Leung transfers to London from the 2015 Broadway production of Allegiance. Best known to UK audiences as Wes, the Warbler on TV’s ‘Glee’ and to Broadway audiences for the title role in ‘Aladdin’, his other Broadway and US national touring credits include ‘Flower Drum Song’, ‘Pacific Overtures’, ‘Wicked’ (Boq, original Chicago company) and Angel in ‘Rent’ at the Hollywood Bowl, directed by Neil Patrick Harris.
Patrick Munday is currently appearing in ‘But I’m A Cheerleader’ at the Turbine Theatre. He was in ‘The Show Must Go On! Live at the Palace Theatre’ in the West End and ‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice’ at Northern Stage.
Rachel Jayne Picar was recently Connie Wong in ‘A Chorus Line’ at Curve, Leicester. She was in ‘South Pacific’ at Chichester Festival Theatre and was Swing and Dance Captain in ‘The King & I’ at the London Palladium and on tour.
Sario Solomon was in the original cast of ‘The Band’ in the West End and on tour – cast by winning the BBC 1 programme ‘Let It Shine’. He was Cover Lucas and Lurch in ‘The Addams Family’ on tour and is currently playing Joey in ‘Friendsical the Musical’ on tour.
Joy Tan is currently in ‘The Crucible’ at the National Theatre. They were in ‘A-Typical Rainbow’ (Turbine Theatre) and are part of the ‘Showstopper! The Improvised Musical’ cast of improvisers. Iverson Yabut is a recent graduate from Mountview making his professional stage debut.
GEORGE TAKEI
George Takei is best known for his portrayal of Mr. Sulu in the acclaimed television and film series ‘Star Trek’. He is an actor, civil rights activist, social media mega-power, New York Times bestselling author, he originated the role of Sam Kimura and Ojii-chan in the Broadway musical Allegiance and was subject of ‘To Be Takei’, a documentary on his life and career.
Takei’s acting career has spanned more than six decades, with more than 40 feature films and hundreds of TV guest-starring roles to his credit. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Actors’ Equity Association and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
A community activist, Takei is Chairman Emeritus and a member of the Japanese American National Museum’s Board of Trustees. In recognition of his contribution to the Japan-United States relationship, in 2004, Takei was conferred with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, by His Majesty, the Emperor of Japan. Takei formerly served as chair of the council of governors of East West Players, the foremost Asian Pacific American theatre in the United States. He was a member of the US Japan Bridging Foundation Board of Directors; and he served on the Board of the Japan-United States Friendship Commission under President Bill Clinton.
With Takei’s expansion into social media, interest in his personal life grew. In January 2014, ‘To Be Takei’, a Jennifer M. Kroot documentary on George’s life and career, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival that January, and was later released in select cinemas across North America.
Among his many accomplishments is a Grammy nomination Takei shared with Leonard Nimoy, in 1987, in the Best Spoken Word or Non-Musical Recording category. He received a star on Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame in 1986. And in 1991, Takei left his signature and hand print, in cement, in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.
In addition to the Broadway musical Allegiance, George’s theatrical credits include ‘Undertow’, winner of the Scotsman First Award at the Edinburgh Festival, and ‘The Wash’, written by Philip Kan Gotanda and presented in New York at the Manhattan Theater Club and in Los Angeles at the Mark Taper Forum. He performed in ‘Year of the Dragon’ at the American Place Theater in New York and in ‘Fly Blackbird’ at the Billy Rose Theater in New York and the Metro Theater in Los Angeles. In the UK, George played in a musical version of’ Snow White’ at the Dome Theatre, Brighton, he was the genie in ‘Aladdin’ at the Hexagon Theatre, Reading, and he was the Emperor of China in ‘Aladdin’ at the Central Theatre, Chatham. In 2017, Takei starred in a revival of Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Pacific Overtures’ directed by John Doyle at Classic Stage Company in New York City.
Takei is well known to longtime fans of ITV’s ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’ Takei participated in the eighth season of the series, entering camp on the 16th of November, 2008, and coming out 21 days later in third place, losing to runner-up Martina Navratilova and winner Joe Swash.
As an author, Takei’s first book, his autobiography, ‘To the Stars’, was published in 1994; and in 2012 and 2013 he published his second and third books, ‘Oh Myyy! There Goes The Internet’, and its sequel, ‘Lions And Tigers And Bears: The Internet Strikes Back’. The latter two books explored his forays on social media and the Internet, earning placement on the Amazon e-book and paperback best-seller lists in 2012 and 2013, respectively. His fifth book, the Eisner Award winning and New York Times bestselling graphic memoir ‘They Called Us Enemy’, was released in July 2019.
Takei’s social media dominance is best denoted by his numerous awards. Mashable.com named George a “social media superstar” on Facebook in 2012, where he currently has over 19.6 million combined fans. In 2013, Takei won the Shorty Award for Distinguished Achievement in Internet Culture. He has 3.4 million followers on Twitter, and posts on various social media platforms. He expanded his internet presence with the 2015 YouTube series, “It Takeis Two,” starring with husband, Brad Takei. The “reality” series shared the couple’s daily navigation of their world, with George’s vibrant sense of humour and Brad’s less-than-optimistic pragmatism. In 2015, Cosmopolitan Magazine named Takei “One of the Internet’s 50 Most Fascinating People.” Takei and his husband, Brad, were married at the Japanese American National Museum on September 14, 2008. The Takeis reside in Los Angeles, California.
Takei received both bachelor and master of arts degrees from UCLA (’60, ’64). In June 2019, Takei received the Distinguished Alumni Award in Theater from the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (UCLA TFT). In June 2016, California State University, Los Angeles, presented Takei with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor during World War II, California-born George Takei and his family were placed behind the barbed-wire enclosures of United States’ internment camps along with 120,000 other Japanese Americans. He spent years of his childhood at Camp Rohwer in the swamps of Arkansas and at wind-swept Camp Tule Lake in northern California. At the end of the war, Takei’s family returned to their native Los Angeles.
Inspired by this difficult chapter of American history and his own true childhood experiences, Takei developed the Broadway musical Allegiance, an epic story of love and heroism in which he starred alongside Tony Award winner Lea Salonga and Telly Leung in its record-breaking world premiere at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego in 2012. The show won multiple awards and was followed by a Broadway run in 2015-2016.
Now Allegiance gets a new and more intimate production for the UK, conceived specifically for the Off West End space at Charing Cross Theatre, directed and choreographed by Tara Overfield Wilkinson (director, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ UK tour, associate director/choreographer of ‘Come From Away’ UK).
‘George Takei’s Allegiance’ tells the moving story of Sam Kimura (Takei) as he is transported back nearly six decades to when his younger self (Leung) and his sister Kei (Ferrer) fought to stay connected to their heritage, their family and themselves after Japanese Americans were wrongfully imprisoned during World War II. A powerful story told with great resonance and intimacy, ‘George Takei’s Allegiance’ explores the ties that bind us, the struggle to persevere and the overwhelming power of forgiveness and, most especially, love.
‘George Takei’s Allegiance’ will get its UK premiere at Charing Cross Theatre, The Arches, Villiers Street, London WC2N 6NL for 13 weeks from Saturday 7 January to Saturday 8 April, 2023.
This newly reconceived UK production of ‘George Takei’s Allegiance’ has a book by Marc Acito, Jay Kuo and Lorenzo Thione with music and lyrics by Jay Kuo.
Tickets range from £20-£80 and may be purchased at AllegianceMusical.com or by calling the Charing Cross Box Office at 0844-493-0650.
Sing Out, Louise! Productions presents
‘George Takei’s Allegiance’
Book by Marc Acito, Jay Kuo, and Lorenzo Thione Music and Lyrics by Jay Kuo
Directed & Choreographed by Tara Overfield Wilkinson
Charing Cross Theatre The Arches Villiers Street London WC2N 6NL
Fourth Wall Live are delighted to announce BENJAMIN RAUHALA & HIS WEST END BESTIES at the Cadogan Hall on Sunday 5 February at 6.30pm. Tickets on sale now www.fw-live.com/ben
One of Broadway’s most trusted music directors and collaborators, Benjamin Rauhala will be joined on stage by stars of the West End including Luke Bayer (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Soho Cinders), Paisley Billings (Six, The Lion King, ‘Tattoo Fixers’), Lauren Drew (Six, Heathers, Legally Blonde, ‘The Voice’), Hiba Elchikhe (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Aladdin), WhatsOnStage Award nominee Jordan Luke Gage (& Juliet, Bonnie & Clyde, Bat Out of Hell), Ben Joyce (Back to the Future, Jersey Boys), Claudia Kariuki (Six, Wicked, School of Rock), Olivier Award nominee Frances Mayli McCann (Bonnie & Clyde, Heathers, Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour), Zara MacIntosh (&Juliet, Six) Olivier Award nominee Natalie Paris (Six, Billy Elliot, Les Miserables), Courtney Stapleton (‘Belle’ in Beauty and the Beast, Six), Jodie Steele (Six, Heathers) Benjamin Yates (Jersey Boys, School of Rock, Wicked). Guests are subject to change.
Music director Benjamin Rauhala’s love affair with the London theatre community and actors of the West End has been ongoing since his first sold-out concerts with Jeremy Jordan in the summer of 2016. Rauhala grew up obsessed with British pop music, including a subscription to Top of the Pops magazine! As a mainstay of the Broadway community, he has produced hundreds of sold-out concerts that spawned viral YouTube concert clips totalling * totalling over 56million views, including Jeremy Jordan’s ubiquitous cover of “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now” and the many medleys featured in his Broadway Princess Party concert series.
Rauhala found that everyone he met in London had a favourite one of those videos and wanted to chat about it, so he had an idea: what if he gathered a dozen of his favourite West End performers with an epic band and re-created some of those beloved videos, as well as crafting some new arrangements for these amazing singers? On the heels of a sold-out run at Theatre Royal Drury Lane with Jeremy Jordan and in preparation to play the London Palladium with Ariana DeBose and for an upcoming international tour of Disney Princess The Concert, this was the perfect moment to create a concert unlike anything London has ever seen! BENJAMIN RAUHALA AND HIS WEST END BESTIES will be a night filled with Rauhala’s signature mashups and medleys, some of the best contemporary musical theatre, some radically rearranged Disney tunes, and, of course, tunes from the likes of Céline Dion, the Spice Girls, Selena Gomez, and Sam Smith!
Benjamin Rauhala is the Music Supervisor, co-creator, and ‘Fairy Godfairy’ of Disney Princess – The Concert, touring over 100 cities in North America throughout 2022, and internationally in 2023. He helped conceive and arrange the opening and closing numbers of the 2022 Tony Awards for Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose. Rauhala has toured the world since 2014 as the music director forJeremy Jordan, the Tony-nominated star of Broadway’s Newsies and TV’s ‘Supergirl’, and in 2020, Rauhala was named ‘Best Musical Director’ at the Broadway World Cabaret Awards.
His Broadway credits include Fiddler on the Roof, American Psycho, and Pippin. His Off-Broadway credits include Hit List, the meta-musical from the NBC television show Smash, Duncan Sheik’s The Secret Life of Bees and David Byrne’s Joan of Arc: Into The Fire. He is also the music director for Academy Award Winner Ariana DeBose, Halston star Krysta Rodriguez, Tony Award nominees Derek Klena, Jennifer Damiano, Kathryn Gallagher, and Disney legend Jodi Benson, as well as Nashville star Kyle Dean Massey, Anastasia star Christy Altomare, Smash star Andy Mientus, Moulin Rouge star Ashley Loren, and Frozen stars Caroline Bowman and Austin Colby.
Rauhala co-founded the Write Out Loud songwriting competition with Mean Girls Tony Award nominee Taylor Louderman, which is currently in its fourth season of supporting the next generation of composers. Additionally, he is an Original Programming Producer at 54 Below, where he has created hundreds of sold-out concerts, including the Broadway Loves Series, that has famously honored Celine Dion, Britney Spears, Selena Gomez, Sam Smith, Demi Lovato, and many more beloved pop icons.
Patrick Daly of Caledonia Productions today announces the forthcoming opening of the world première of a new musical Wild Rose, written by Nicole Taylor (Three Girls, The C Word, The Nest) and directed by John Tiffany (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Black Watch). Based on Taylor’s critically acclaimed award-winning film of the same name, the production will begin in Scotland, with venue, dates and casting to be announced. The stage adaptation is produced by Patrick Daly of Caledonia Productions, with Faye Ward of Fable Pictures and Nia Janis of Playful Productions as Executive Producers.
Released to critical acclaim in 2018, the film, directed by Tom Harper, produced by Ward, and blessed with an incredible soundtrack, won the BAFTA Scotland Award for Best Feature Film, Best Writer for Nicole and Best Actress for Jessie Buckley – the latter was also nominated for a BAFTA Film Award. It was nominated and won several other awards, including for 10 Independent Film Award nominations, winning the Best Independent Film Award for Best Music; as well as several awards for Best Original Song for Glasgow (No Place Like Home) including the Critics’ Choice Award.
Nicole Taylor said today “When the character of Rose-Lynn Harlan first roared into my head some 13 years ago, shouting, swearing and of course, singing, I aways dreamt she might have a theatrical afterlife. That this is coming to pass under the direction of the great John Tiffany, whose work I have adored ever since I saw Black Watch, is a source of such pride and such excitement. There’s no story that means more to me than this one – this mad passionate love letter to my twin obsessions, Glasgow and country music. I never imagined the film would strike a chord with so many people, nor that strangers would come up to me in the street (still!) and yell “My mince is your mince”. It’s a true joy to be reunited with Rose-Lynn and Marion, and to experience them anew via John’s theatrical imagination and I’m delighted too that the production will begin in Scotland.
John Tiffany added, “I saw Wild Rose in 2019 and thought it was brilliant. It’s a hilarious, moving, truthful and totally life-affirming piece of filmmaking. I remember thinking then that the story might also find a natural home on a stage. I was already a big fan of Nicole Taylor after seeing Three Girls so when Patrick Daly, Faye Ward and Nicole approached me I jumped at the chance to meet them. My formative years were spent in Glasgow, both as a student at the University (when I first went to Glasgow’s Grand Ole Opry) and later at the National Theatre of Scotland, so the final song Glasgow (No Place Like Home) holds a special place in my heart.”
Rose-Lynn Harlan is bursting with talent, charisma and cheek. Fresh out of jail, all she wants is to get the hell out of Glasgow and make it to Nashville as a country singer, but with an ankle tag, a curfew and two young kids, her dreams are far removed from her reality. Caught between hope and responsibility Rose-Lynn must find her place and her voice. A comedy drama about mothers and daughters, home and belonging, and three chords and the truth.
Acclaimed screenwriter Nicole Taylor’s credits for television include Three Girls (which won five BAFTAs including for Best Writer and Best Mini Series), The C Word and The Nest. For film, Nicole wrote the multi-award-winning Wild Rose. She is currently adapting David Nicholls’ novel One Day into a 14 part series for Netflix.
John Tiffany directs. For his work on Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, he received the Olivier Award for Best Director, one of a record-breaking nine Oliviers received by the production. The production is now playing in six territories worldwide. He directed Once for which he was the recipient of multiple awards both in the West End and on Broadway. As Associate Director of the Royal Court Theatre, his work includes Road, The Twits, Hope and The Pass. He was the director of Let The Right One In for the National Theatre of Scotland, which transferred to the Royal Court Theatre, West End and St. Ann’s Warehouse. His other work for the National Theatre of Scotland includes Macbeth (also Broadway), Enquirer, The Missing, Peter Pan, The House of Bernarda Alba, Transform Caithness: Hunter, Be Near Me, Nobody Will Ever Forgive Us, The Bacchae, Black Watch – for which he won the Olivier and Critics’ Circle Best Director Awards, Elizabeth Gordon Quinn and Home: Glasgow. Other recent credits include The Glass Menagerie at A.R.T, on Broadway, EIF and in the West End, and The Ambassador at BAM. Tiffany was Associate Director of the National Theatre of Scotland from 2005 to 2012, and was a Radcliffe Fellow at Harvard University in the 2010-2011 academic year.
Caledonia Productions: Patrick Daly (Producer) works across television/film and stage. Feature films include August Osage County, Una and Galveston and the current series Shrink streaming on Peacock. Theatre credits include The Mountaintop, Tribes,The Effect and the upcoming stage musicals Local Hero and Sing Street. Patrick also oversees all live stage projects for EON Productions.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE FUTURE ANNOUNCES NEW CONCERTS AT WONDERVILLE THIS WINTER
Spotlight on the Future today announces a new series of concerts in the West End’s Wonderville this Winter, featuring stars from musicals such as Wicked, Heathers, SIX and Phantom of the Opera. The concerts will feature established West End stars teaming up with new musical theatre graduates to perform together. These dates mark the first live performances following their digital success in 2020, now opening at London’s newest cabaret and comedy venue just off Piccadilly.
The five dates this December will feature special guests and unexpected surprises, as well as all your favourite musical theatre hits. Graduates interested in getting involved should keep their eyes on all Spotlight on the Future social media for information on how they can enter.
Artistic Director of Future Spotlight Productions, Louis Rayneau, today said: “Thrilled that this wonderful project created from a 3am idea in Lockdown is making its return in an innovative way and in the heart of west end. I am so thankful and grateful to all at Wonderville for letting us create magic in their incredible space; inside Wonderville is truly a next level experience and so unique. The line ups and surprises we have in store are EPIC! Don’t miss out as there’s only limited spaces and limited dates this winter season…”
Future Spotlight Productions
in collaboration with Wonderville presents
SPOTLIGHT ON THE FUTURE
Featuring special guests
Sunday 4 December
Freddie King and Laura Pick
Freddie King is best known for playing JD in Heathers.
Laura Pick is best known for playing Elphaba in Wicked.
Monday 5 December
Erin Caldwell and May Tether
Erin Caldwell is best known for playing Susan in Pretty Woman and Veronica Sawyer in Heathers.
May Tether is best known for playing Veronica Sawyer in Heathers.
Monday 12 December
Surprise guests to be revealed!
Sunday 18 December
Maria Coyne and Sabrina Aloueche
Maria Coyne is best known for playing Mrs Anna in The King and I, Christine in Phantom of the Opera and Glinda and Nessarose in Wicked.
Sabrina Aloueche is best known for playing Scaramouche in We Will Rock You, Cosette and Éponine in Les Misérables and Belle in Starlight Express.
Tuesday 20 December
Ross Harmon and Amy Di Bartolomeo
Ross Harmon is best known for playing Kurt in Heathers.
Amy Di Bartolomeo is best known for playing Catherine of Aragon in SIX the Musical and Oz in We Will Rock You.
PW Productions announce that after 33 extraordinary years in London’s West End, the theatrical sensation that is Susan Hill’s THE WOMAN IN BLACK, will play its final performance at The Fortune Theatre, London on Saturday 4 March 2023.
Producer Peter Wilson said today, “The Woman in Black’s miraculous theatricality has never faltered. Out of a gauze, a wicker skip and a door Stephen Mallatratt and Robin Herford conjured a complete world into which generations of young people have entered, surrendering to the ultimate magic of theatre: their own imaginations. However, the economic reality of attracting so many young people has caught up with us in a world of rising prices.
My thanks to Charles Kay and John Duttine, the first cast in 1989, to the generations of actors who have maintained the tradition of excellence while inhabiting Susan’s marvellous novella and Stephen’s extraordinary adaptation, to Robin Herford – who has directed every cast over the 33 years – to all the staff at the Fortune and of course the team at PW Productions.”
Susan Hill, writer of the novel said, “I am extremely sad that The Woman in Black is closing at The Fortune Theatre in March next year. It has been the perfect home for us for over 33 years. I am especially proud that Stephen Mallatratt’s wonderful stage adaptation of my ghost story has given generations of young people the opportunity to experience the enjoyment and the life-changing impact of theatre.”
Director Robin Herford said, “Since commissioning Stephen Mallatratt to write me a ghost story for Christmas to present for three and a half weeks at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in the Autumn of 1987, The Woman in Black has been a significant part of my life for a third of a century – and counting!
The Fortune has been a very happy London home for this play, its intimacy providing not only the right scale and atmosphere for the action, but also a treat for the audience in appreciating this West End jewel with its classic Art Deco architecture. A perfect fit. Leaving The Fortune is the end of a significant chapter in the story of The Woman in Black. It has been a privilege to have stewardship of this theatre with its wonderful staff in which to tell Susan’s devastating story in the highly original and imaginative manner in which Stephen conceived it for the stage.
I am proudest of the number of schoolchildren for whom this production has constituted one of their first experiences of theatre. Young people really respond to this play, and it gladdens my heart when I hear large numbers of schoolchildren queueing up outside before a performance. Earlier this Autumn, I got chatting to a teacher who had brought no fewer than 17 different parties of students to this show over the years! It’s how we grow our next generation of audiences.”
THE WOMAN IN BLACK has played over 13,000 performances in the West End and been seen by over 7-million people in the UK. In June 2019 the production celebrated its 30th Anniversary in London’s West End with a special gala performance.
Following a Christmas production in 1987 at a pub in Scarborough, THE WOMAN IN BLACK was brought to Hammersmith’s Lyric Theatre in January 1989. Reviews were sufficiently encouraging (apart from The Independent, who regretted the production’s inability to incorporate a live dog) to warrant a West End run. Its West End tour started at the Strand (now Novello) Theatre in March and moved to the Playhouse in April, finally lodging at the Fortune on June 7, 1989.
Throughout the run the producer has been determined to keep ticket prices within the range of students and young people. Nevertheless, the production has netted investors more than £8,000,000 over the years at the Fortune. This policy will continue in whatever form the play and production take in the future.
Jay Osmond has written a new musical based on the life of his life with The Osmonds.
Alex Lodge plays ‘Jay’, one of the brothers of the band and talks us through the rise to stardom and development of the group. He is essentially narrating, taking us step by step and segueing through songs that saturate the performance. Ryan Anderson, Jamie Chatterton, Danny Nattrass, Austin Riley and Tristan Whincup play the other brothers-Merrill, Alan, Wayne, Jimmy and Donny. This was a good mix of actors who had very good vocals and sounded very much like the Osmonds themselves!
The show was very vocal centric, with characters literally bursting into song every few minutes-showing the strength these actors have in order to continue with the energy and vocals. The young Osmonds – Osian Slater as Donny, Jack Jones as Alan, Alfie Jones as Wayne, Harrison Skinner as Merrill, Tom Walsh as Jay and Fraser Fowkes as Jimmy were delightful and brought a childish charm to the show.
For me, the standout performance was Georgia Lennon as Marie Osmond. She is an incredible vocalist and immediately changed the second Act into a better version of itself.
Bristol Costumer Services outdid themselves with the costumes and really brought a nostalgic feel to the show perfectly.
If you want to be transformed to the swinging 60’s and get as close to the Osmonds as you will be able to-this is the show for you!
