Author: FairyPoweredProductions

OLIVER LANSLEY, JAMES SEAGER,

HUNTER ARNOLD AND GAVIN KALIN

ANNOUNCE

“LABYRINTH”

THE HOME OF IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES

DINE, DRINK, DISCOVER

WITH A BRAND-NEW RESTAURANT, BAR

AND THE RETURN OF THE SMASH-HIT

IMMERSIVE THEATRE SHOW

“ALICE’S ADVENTURES UNDERGROUND”

AT LABYRINTH, WATERLOO

LABYRINTH is the newly formed immersive company from the Creative Directors of Les Enfants Terribles, Oliver Lansley and James Seager, and the internationally renowned producers Hunter Arnold and Gavin Kalin.

Combining the creative experience of all four company directors, LABYRINTH will transport you to new, but well-known worlds immersing you through in-depth storytelling, beautifully realised environments, and exciting possibilities through its immersive theatre productions, restaurants, and bars.

LABYRINTH will create, develop, and produce a stable of imaginative shows, with their launchpad permanent venue being LABYRINTH Waterloo underneath Waterloo Station.  World-class, much-loved titles will encapsulate the distinctive Les Enfants Terribles’ style whilst pushing the immersive genre in totally fresh ground-breaking ways, focusing on immersing audiences deeper into stories than they have ever been before.  Lose yourself in LABYRINTH, with our fantastical worlds, beautiful sets and vivid yet whimsical stories that await to transport you.

LABYRINTH Waterloo has been in the planning stages for four years and will include a bespoke immersive theatre space, a contemporary unique restaurant, and a fantastical bar. Construction of the site commenced in 2019 as part of the development of The Sidings within the former Eurostar terminal at Waterloo station, and opens this year offering a subterranean world of possibilities and excitement for all.

James Seager said “Labyrinth will operate a world class permanent home to the ever-flourishing immersive genre for the existing and new generation of theatre goers and experience seekers.  Our content will place audiences at the forefront of every experience that crosses over our shows, our restaurants, and our bars.  Labyrinth Waterloo underneath Waterloo Station is just the beginning and we’re very excited about what the global future holds.”

Dine, Drink, Discover at LABYRINTH Waterloo. Dine at “THE ROSARIUM”, drink at “UNDERLAND” and discover the world’s best immersive theatre with the much-anticipated return of “ALICE’S ADVENTURES UNDERGROUND”.

Sign up for priority booking for “Alice’s Adventures Underground”, “The Rosarium” and “Underland” at LABYRINTH Waterloo, begins today, Friday 17 June at www.thisislabyrinth.com.

The return of the much loved and world-renowned Olivier nominated “ALICE’S ADVENTURES UNDERGROUND” will open at its new home, LABYRINTH Waterloo on Tuesday 15 November 2022, and is currently booking until 30 April 2023.

With even more twists and turns for 2022, “ALICE’S ADVENTURES UNDERGROUND” is a fusion of storytelling, music, circus, puppetry and spectacle.

Discover your Wonderland like never before with this interactive, 90-minute narrative theatre show, piecing together the puzzle as to what has happened to Alice who is lost in the looking glass.

Seen by over 300,000 people worldwide, “ALICE’S ADVENTURES UNDERGROUND” was created by Les Enfants Terribles theatre company and originally conceived as a celebration of the 150^th anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s classic novel. It premiered in 2015 at The Vaults and was nominated for the 2016 Olivier Award for Best Entertainment and Family show before returning in 2017 and then transferring to Shanghai for two years in 2018. It is written by Oliver Lansley and Anthony Spargo and directed by Oliver Lansley and James Seager with design by Sam Wyer.

Tickets for “ALICE’S ADVENTURES UNDERGROUND” will go on general sale to the public on Friday 15 July 2022, with priority booking beginning on 14 July 2022.

THE ROSARIUM Restaurant will open in September 2022 and will be a gastronomic adventure by Chef Harvey Ayliffe, who has developed a modern-British menu with a wonderland twist exclusively using British produce. It will include performative and sense-heightening experiences, including an Afternoon Tea and a delectable cocktail menu. The restaurant will include an indoor terrace and Private Dining Room options. 

On the menu, Executive Chef Ayliffe said “Having worked at some of London’s best restaurants, I wanted my next adventure to capture some of the fun, skill and playfulness of all that London has to offer, taking from its past as well as its fiction, for something truly magical.”

The interior design of the restaurant by Faber will follow suit by taking inspiration from the architecture of the quintessential English gardens of Lewis Carroll’s era, where opulence with a touch of the surreal blends to magical effect.

UNDERLAND bar will open in November 2022, and will serve bespoke ‘Alice’s Adventures Underground’ cocktails alongside classic wines, cocktails and beers. UNDERLAND will serve as both a pre-show bar for guests enjoying the Theatre experience or walk ins and bookings for experience hungry attendees. A place to lose your inhibitions, a realm of adventure, intrigue, fun and intoxicating beauty.

For more information please visit:www.thisislabyrinth.com

@AliceUnderLDN; @ThisIsLabyrinth; @RosariumLondon; @UnderlandLondon 

Old Red Lion, Islington, London – until 2 July 2022

Reviewed by Debra Stottor

4****

Life is complicated, relationships especially so, and this new play by Natalie Ekberg offers valuable insights into how the decisions we make can affect both. At the heart of this story is the meeting of three women, all at different stages in their lives, but all potentially facing up to their own mortality. Each is at a crossroads, and this is the catalyst…

The dialogue – laugh out loud one minute, lump in throat the next – flits from past to present and back again, alternating between conversations among the women, the men and the couples.

We see high-achieving but childless Pamela (Saria Steyl), frustrated mum Corinna (Kaara Benstead, who also produces) and midlife divorcee Samantha (Janine Wood) divulging their most intimate thoughts and realising that each has something the other craves. In many ways it’s the story of everywoman, and is relatable and heartwarming, although their back stories are a little obvious and lacking nuance. Thrown together in a doctor’s waiting room, they make one big decision…

And that decision has devastating consequences. A year after the women have passed, their partners meet in a pub to try and understand the logic behind that spontaneous, yet fatal decision.

The male characters are less well rounded, but as the ones affected by the ‘big decision’, they offer a necessary counterpoint, the other side of the story. Here we meet rakish, charming Alan (Nick Morrison-Baker), divorced but ultimately best friends with Samantha, suave but selfish Juan, left literally holding Pamela’s baby, and Patrick (Jermaine Dominique), thrust into the role of sole carer after ducking his duties for so long. Their story is less about change than dealing with the aftermath of a change that has been forced up on them – and with associated feelings such as anger, resentment and, ultimately, forgiveness and understanding.

This may not be a complicated story, but it’s well told and held together by strong performances from the entire cast. Be prepared to laugh and cry. With a running time of about 80 minutes, this single-act play packs an emotional punch and will leave the audience considering their own lives and he decisions they face.

Diversifications is the first theatre production from Gingerstripes Productions, established by Benstead with the aim of creating opportunities for theatre makers of all backgrounds but especially working class.

Broadway, West End and The Greatest Showman superstar Keala Settle comes to Northampton’s Royal & Derngate in Jack and the Beanstalk this Christmas

Northampton’s Royal & Derngate is delighted to announce that Tony Award-nominated star Keala Settle, from The Greatest Showman, will be heading up the cast in this year’s spectacular Christmas pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk. For Keala’s first ever pantomime, she will be joined by Horrible Histories’ Richard David-Caine, with Alex Lodge returning as Jack, and the hilarious Bob Golding returning as Dame.

Vocal powerhouse Keala Settle will play the Fairy. Her performance of the anthemic This Is Me in the global blockbuster movie The Greatest Showman earned her critical acclaim, with the original soundtrack becoming 2018’s best-selling album worldwide. The song won a Golden Globe in 2018 as well as an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Having starred in many Broadway shows, including Waitress, Les Misérables and Hairspray, Keala recently joined the cast of the major new TV drama Murder in Provence, and made her West End debut in & Juliet, before joining the all-star cast of the new Sister Act revival.

Keala Settle commented: “I am absolutely thrilled to be appearing in my first ever pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, at Royal & Derngate in Northampton. Panto is such a beloved institution in this country and I have always wanted to be a part of one. It’s going to be an incredible experience and just what we need for this 2022 festive season… I can’t wait!”

Playing the villainous Luke Backinanger in Jack and the Beanstalk, Richard David-Caine is one half of comedy duo Cook and Line who featured in CBeebies’ BAFTA-winning show Swashbuckle and part of the core cast in the legendary comedy series Horrible Histories and Horrible Histories: The Movie, and also starred in CBBC mockumentary Class Dismissed.

Dame Trott will be played by top Pantomime Dame Bob Golding, who returns to the Northampton stage after winning the hearts of local audiences last year. Highlights of his wide-ranging career on stage and screen include the multi-award-winning one man show Morecambe celebrating the comic legend Eric Morecambe.

After playing the eponymous hero in last year’s Dick Whittington, Alex Lodge returns to the Derngate stage as Jack. Alex is currently starring as Jay Osmond in the tour of The Osmonds: A New Musical. His West End appearances include The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre and A Christmas Carol at the Dominion.

Building on the success of last year’s Dick Whittington, Royal & Derngate are excited to be working in partnership again with award-winning pantomime producer Evolution Productions. A family business, run by husband and wife Paul Hendy and Emily Wood, Evolution are four-time winners of Pantomime of The Year in the Great British Pantomime Awards, scooping the accolade for their Jack and the Beanstalk in Canterbury last Christmas.

Jo Gordon, Chief Executive at Royal & Derngate said: “We’re delighted to have Keala Settle joining our panto cast this year, and to be working with the same great team that made Dick Whittington such a success last year. Christmas is such a special time of year, when many children are introduced to theatre for the first time, and Jack and the Beanstalk promises to be one of our greatest pantomimes ever!”

Written by Paul Hendy and co-directed by Emily Wood and Bob Golding, Jack and the Beanstalk promises to be spectacular, top quality entertainment with lavish sets, a hilarious script, knockout vocals and fun for all the family.

Jack and the Beanstalk will run from Friday 9 December 2022 to Monday 2 January 2023. For more information and to book tickets, go to www.royalandderngate.co.uk or call Box Office on 01604 624811.

SHEFFIELD THEATRES ANNOUNCE

NEW SHOWS FOR 2023

FURTHER DETAILS ALSO ANNOUNCED FOR FORTHCOMING 2022 50^th ANNIVERSARY SEASON PRODUCTIONS

2023

CRUCIBLE THEATRE

• The Good Person of Szechwan: A new production marking the 80^th anniversary of Bertolt Brecht’s popular play commissioned by ETT and co-produced by Sheffield Theatres, ETT and Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. This new version by writer Nina Segal is directed by Sheffield Theatres RTYDS AssociateArtisticDirectorAnthony Lau (Anna Karenina).

Saturday 11 March – Saturday 1 April 2023

STUDIO THEATRE

• Birds and Bees: Produced by Sheffield Theatres and Theatre Centre, thisbrand-new play by Charlie Josephine, about the real-world consequences of virtual life and going viral, will be directed by Rob Watt (Human Nurture).

Wednesday 25 January – Saturday 11 February 2023

2022

CRUCIBLE THEATRE

• The Contingency Plan: On the Beach and Resilience, the extraordinary climate change double bill by Steve Waters will now be staged at Sheffield’s Crucible theatre this Autumn. The plays, directed by Caroline Steinbeis and Chelsea Walker, were originally scheduled for March and postponed due to the effect of the rise in Omicron at the beginning of the year.

Friday 14 October and Saturday 5 November 2022 

STUDIO THEATRE

• How a City Can Save the World: Celebrating 10 years of Sheffield People’s Theatre with a new play developed with Stockroom, Sheffield Theatres’ intergenerational theatre company for anyone aged 12+ will be directed by Tess Seddon. Five strangers get into a lift in Sheffield, and when the doors open, they find themselves in 2116 in the very different city of Sheffuld.

Wednesday 3 – Saturday 6 August 2022 at 7.00pm

• Accidental Death of an Anarchist by Dario Fo and Franco Rame, adapted by comedy writer Tom Basden will be directed by Daniel Raggett and stars Daniel Rigby (Black Mirror) as The Maniac.

Friday 23 September – Saturday 15 October 2022

They join other productions announced in the 2022 50^th Anniversary season including ROCK / PAPER / SCISSORS by Chris Bush (Thursday 16 June – Saturday 2 July 2022, Crucible, Lyceum and Studio Theatres), Much Ado About Nothing (Friday 9 – Saturday 24 September 2022, Crucible Theatre and touring) and Standing at the Sky’s Edge by Richard Hawley and Chris Bush (Saturday 10 December 2022 – Saturday 21 January 2023, Crucible Theatre).

Robert Hastie, Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres, said:

“Our 50th year is all about putting bold work on our stages, telling important stories from Sheffield and beyond, and sharing in the unique opportunities and atmosphere that only live theatre can give us. And we’re only just halfway through this birthday year. We are about to open our centrepiece productions: ROCK / PAPER / SCISSORS, written by the inimitable Chris Bush. The three plays are alternate visions of the future and a witty and heartfelt exploration of how the past can help or hinder our fates.

Today we’re adding more shows to our anniversary season. The first is Birds and Bees, in co-production with Theatre Centre – the team behind the brilliant Human Nurture, which had a huge impact in the Studio and in local schools at the beginning of the year. Birds and Bees is anew play by Charlie Josephine, directed by Rob Watt,andexplores the real-life consequences of the virtual world.

Then into spring, we’re staging The Good Person of Szechwan, adapted by Nina Segal. Marking the 80th anniversary of Bertolt Brecht’s popular play, we are very excited to be co-producing this story of moral compass with ETT and Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, also commissioned by ETT.  Following his epic retelling of Anna Karenina, Sheffield Theatres RTYDS AssociateArtisticDirector Anthony Lau directs this play performed by a company of actors predominantly of East Asian heritage.

We also celebrate 10 years of Sheffield People’s Theatre this year. Our intergenerational theatre company has teamed up with writing powerhouse Stockroom, who together will find out: How A City Can Save the World.

These shows join our previously announced autumn season. I’ll be directing Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, which we co-produce with the ground-breaking Ramps On The Moon, before the production heads out on tour to bring joy and inclusivity to stages across the UK.

Steve Waters’ The Contingency Plan, made up of On the Beach and Resilience, will run in the Crucible from October when Caroline Steinbeis and Chelsea Walker bring these fearless, funny, frightening plays to the stage.

The autumn continues with Dario Fo’s 20th century classic Accidental Death of An Anarchist in the Studio, which is adapted by award-winning stage and screen comedy writer Tom Basden. Playing The Maniac is Daniel Rigby, who we are delighted to welcome back to Sheffield Theatres after his razor sharp performances in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Frost/Nixon. 

And we end 2022 with the triumphant return of Standing at the Sky’s Edge. This home-grown musical by Chris Bush and Richard Hawley is co-produced with Various Productions and the National Theatre, and we’re thrilled that following its run in the Crucible for Christmas, it will play at the National’s Olivier Theatre in 2023.”

Dan Bates, Chief Executive of Sheffield Theatres, said:

“At this halfway point of our 50^th birthday year we are approaching twelve months since reopening the Crucible after the pandemic, and it is truly fabulous to be working across all three theatres once again. I am hugely excited about the next set of shows we have in store. We’re so grateful to all the people who supported us over the past few years and, with the variety of top shows we have on offer, it’s our way of celebrating and saying thank you. We can’t wait to welcome even more people through our doors to experience more magical nights out.

As we look back at the amazing work of our 50^th season so far, we’re looking forward to the bold and brilliant work our future holds.”

Tickets for 2022 productions are on sale now.

Tickets for Birds and Bees and The Good Person of Szechwan are on sale to Centre Stage Members at 10am on Saturday 25 June 2022 and on general sale at 10am on Saturday 2 July 2022.

Accessible performances are available on the majority of productions. Tickets can be booked through the Box Office in person, over the phone on 0114 249 6000 or at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham – until 19th June 2022

Reviewed by Emma Millward 

4****

‘Lord of The Dance’ and Michael Flatley are celebrating their 25th anniversary in style with a newly choreographed show. It’s been seen by over 60 million people in 60 different countries and remains one of the most successful dance shows ever. It has broken box office records all over the world and continues to keep drawing crowds in. Although Flatley doesn’t appear in person, he appears throughout on the big screen backdrop. He starts the show off by telling the audience of how ‘Lord of the Dance’ came about after a dream he had and what drove him to create the show. 

The show begins quietly with hooded dancers gradually appearing one by one on stage holding brightly glowing orbs and we are introduced to ‘The Little Spirit’ (played by the brilliant Cassidy Ludwig) who quickly became myself and my daughter’s favourite. She is a petite and cheeky character who definitely grabs your attention. She plays the first of many appearances of the ‘Lord of the Dance’ tune on her magic flute which awakens the dancers on stage and we are pulled into a magical world helped greatly by the beautiful landscapes that appear on the big screen backdrop.

The story is a classic ‘good versus evil’ one, The Lord of The Dance (played in this performance by Cathal Keaney) must fight against the evil Dark Lord (Alasdair Spencer) and his army of Warriors, who were very much like a biker gang all clad in leather. Morrighan the Temptress (Andrea Papp Kren) tries to steal the Lord of the Dance away from his true love Saoirse (Niamh Shevlin) and ultimately takes his belt to give to the Dark Lord. Although the Dark Lord and his Warriors dancing was of course, amazing, they drew boos and hisses from the audience, which began to feel a little bit ‘Pantomime’ at times! But the dance: fighting set pieces were still exciting to watch and the music (composed by Gerard Fahy) really added to the atmospheric and threatening feel of these moments. Cathal Keaney definitely wowed the audience and drew lots of applause and cheers. 

The whole ensemble works really well together and the synchronicity in the routines really highlights this. Special mention should be given to Aisling Sage and Megan McGinley, who performed live Violin/Fiddle duets throughout the show, also Celyn Cartwright as Erin the Goddess, whose songs appeared throughout and added to the storytelling. The outfits during the show were beautiful, often intricate and extremely sparkly. The skimpier outfits drew wolf whistles and cheers from the crowd, especially when the male dancers removed their vests. The Lord of the Dance’s glittery ‘wrestling style’ belt was definitely a sight to behold when the stage lights bounced off it!

The backdrop reminded us throughout that it has been ‘25 years of Standing Ovations’ and this was definitely the case at this performance with the crowd getting straight to their feet for the final dances. The final moments were dedicated to the main man himself, Michael Flatley was projected onto the big screen again, actually three versions of him to be precise, all trying to ‘out-dance’ each other. This was a slightly extravagant and very fitting end to a show that kept the audience mesmerised from start to finish. Whether you are huge fan of Irish dancing or a complete newcomer to it, there was something for everyone and there will definitely be another 25 years of standing ovations to come. 

STRICTLY PRESENTS: KEEEP DANCING! IS COMING TO STOCKTON

Strictly Presents: Keeeep Dancing will give audiences a chance to go behind the glitterball and into the wonderful sparkly world of Strictly – with the celebrities and professional dancers giving a unique insight into the TV show via stunning choreography and fascinating storytelling.

This spectacular new touring show waltzes into Stockton’s Globe theatre on Friday 1st July and audiences will not be disappointed. Featuring Strictly 2020 finalist and EastEnders star Maisie Smith, together with Strictly 2021 semi-finalist and CBBC presenter Rhys Stephenson. They will be joined by the incredible Strictly professional dancers Neil Jones, Cameron Lombard, Jowita Przystal and Nancy Xu.

Maisie Smith says: “I’m very excited to continue my Strictly journey once more. Especially as this show will be very different from the arena tour. And to be giving audiences a unique glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes at the Strictly TV show is a real treat.“

Rhys Stephenson says: “I have absolutely loved every moment of my Strictly experience so far, so I’m thrilled to be appearing in Strictly Presents. I can’t wait to dance again and give fans an insight into my dancing journey on the show.“

The celebrities who compete on the TV show are all very used to being in the limelight and come from many different worlds – acting, presenting, sport and singing – but nothing quite prepares them for entering the glittery Strictly bubble. Fans will hear some of their fascinating stories as they relive their amazing experiences on the TV show.

The Strictly professional dancers have become a fixture in our living rooms on Saturday nights and we love to watch how competitive they are. But the competition in the professional dancing world from which they herald is even fiercer. The Strictly Pros – all of them champions – will give you a taste of their worlds.

Strictly Presents audiences will also find out how it really feels to be in the dreaded dance off; just how long it takes to create the incredible dance routines – from the first day of learning the choreography, right through to the TV show performance, and how the amazing ‘theme weeks’ are produced, as the celebrities and pros recreate some of their favourite moments from the movies, musicals and Halloween weeks.

Strictly Presents…Keeeep Dancing will take you into the Strictly ballroom and beyond with incredible dances, group routines, songs and stories. The show will be directed and choreographed by former Strictly professional dancer Trent Whiddon and his wife and dance partner Gordana Grandosek.

JAMIE WILSON, JONATHAN CHURCH THEATRE PRODUCTIONS AND GAVIN KALIN

ANNOUNCE

FULL CASTING FOR

SADLER’S WELLS SEASON AND

TEN-WEEK UK AND IRELAND TOUR OF

THE CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE PRODUCTION OF

RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S

SOUTH PACIFIC

STARRING

JULIAN OVENDEN, GINA BECK,

ROB HOUCHEN, JOANNA AMPIL

AND LEE ROSS

Jamie Wilson, Jonathan Church Theatre Productions and Gavin Kalin are delighted to announce the full cast for the Sadler’s Wells season and UK and Ireland Tour of the critically acclaimed, landmark Chichester Festival Theatre production of RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S SOUTH PACIFIC.

Lee Ross is announced as Luther Billis, joining the previously announced Julian Ovenden as Emile de Becque alongside Gina Beck as Ensign Nellie Forbush, Rob Houchen as Lieutenant Joseph Cable, Joanna Ampil as Bloody Mary and Sera Maehara as Liat. They are joined by David Birrell as Captain George Brackett, Stephen John Davis as Commander William Harbison, Antoine Murray-Straughan as Stewpot, Charlie Waddell as Professor and Olly Christopher as Sergeant Johnson.

The cast is completed by Iroy Abesamis, Feline Andersson, Charlotte Coggin, Annabel Edwards, Leslie Garcia Bowman, Sergio Giacomelli, Ellie Jane Grant, Josh Kiernan, Matthew Maddison, Rachel Jayne Picar, Kate Playdon, George Renshaw, Pierce Rogan, Charlotte Scott, Trezel Sergeant, Nikhil Singh Rai, James Wilkinson-Jones and Eleanor Wright.

Lee Ross is probably best known as Owen Turner in the BBC’s EastEnders, his other television credits include Doctor Who, The Catherine Tate Show, Life on Mars, Midsomer Murders, Silent Witness and White Gold. His theatrical credits include playing Hugo Battersby/Loco Chanel in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, and Jack Firebrace in Birdsong. His film credits include The English Patient, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and A Castle for Christmas.

David Birrell returns to South Pacific having been part of the show during the 2021 Chichester Festival Theatre season, his other theatrical credits include Wendy and Peter Pan at the Leeds Playhouse, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Moby Dick, The Tempest, Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet at the RSC and Oh! What a Lovely War at the National Theatre. His television credits include Silent Witness, Vera, Midsomer Murders, Buried and The Royal.

Stephen John Davis’s West End credits include playing The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera, Valjean and Javert in Les Misérables, Man of La Mancha for the English National Opera, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium, Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre and The Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore for the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company.

Antoine Murray-Straughan’s West End credits include &Juliet at the Shaftesbury Theatre, In The Heights at the King’s Cross Theatre, The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre and Cats at the London Palladium. He has also appeared in the UK Tours of Madagascar and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Charlie Waddell returns to South Pacific having been part of the show in 2021 at Chichester Festival Theatre, his other theatre credits include Passion at the Hope Mill Theatre and Bernstein’s Mass at the Southbank Centre.

Olly Christopher has most recently been seen in Pretty Woman at the Savoy Theatre, his other theatre credits include The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Sweet Charity at the Royal Exchange Theatre and Cadogan Hall and Eugenius! The Musical at the London Palladium.

The production opens at Manchester Opera House on 16 July 2022 ahead of a season at Sadler’s Wells, London from 27 July to 28 August 2022 (with a press night on 4 August 2022) followed by a limited 10-week UK and Ireland Tour visiting Dublin, Newcastle, Birmingham, Glasgow, Cardiff, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Leeds and Canterbury. Chichester’s Artistic Director Daniel Evans, will once again direct Julian, Gina, Rob, Joanna and Sera as they reprise the roles they played to enormous critical and audience acclaim at Chichester Festival Theatre in the summer of 2021. www.southpacificshow.com

This powerful love story, set on a South Pacific Island during World War ll is brought thrillingly to life with a sensational cast of over thirty and a full orchestra in this epic new five-star production directed by Chichester Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director Daniel Evans. SOUTH PACIFIC boasts one of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s most memorable scores, and this much-loved Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical features songs such as “Some Enchanted Evening”, “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair” and “Bali Ha’i”.

SOUTH PACIFIC is directed by Daniel Evans, with set and costume design by Peter McKintosh, and choreography and movement direction from Ann Yee. The Musical Supervisor is Nigel Lilley, Musical Director is Cat Beveridge and new orchestration is by David Cullen, with original Broadway orchestration by Robert Russell Bennett. The lighting designer is Howard Harrison, sound designer is Paul Groothuis, video designer is Gillian Tan, additional arrangements and Happy Talk orchestration is by Theo Jamieson, casting director is Charlotte Sutton CDG and additional children’s casting by Verity Naughton.

SOUTH PACIFIC is produced by Jamie Wilson, Jonathan Church Theatre Productions and Gavin Kalin.

Cambridge Arts Theatre, Cambridge – until Saturday 18th June 2022

Reviewed by Steph Lott

3***

This new revival of August Strindberg’s absurdist play The Dance of Death sees real-life spouses Hilton McRae and Lindsay Duncan play Edgar and Alice, a couple stuck in a bitter marriage for 30 years. As their anniversary approaches, the couple isn’t much looking forward to it. Alice is all for ignoring it, and Edgar says it doesn’t matter as they’ll be dead soon anyway.

This isn’t a comedy although you will laugh at some of the things they say to each other. Your reasons for laughing will however vary. The relationship seems warm at first but then it becomes uncomfortable as you get drawn further and further into their troubling, toxic dynamic. Initially, it seems as though they are deeply fond of each other, but have just fallen into a habit of poking and teasing which has become extreme and vicious, perhaps caused by their isolation on an island where no-one seems to like them. But when Alice’s cousin Katrin (Emily Bruni) arrives (rewritten by Oscar-winning writer Rebecca Lenkiewicz from Strindberg’s male cousin, Kurt), the presence of an outsider, albeit one who has a history with the couple, means the more sinister and twisted games begin. The audience tries to work out Edgar’s and Alice’s stories; is Edgar really a vampiric despot as Alice claims, or is his bluster only concealing his fear of illness and death? Who is telling the truth?

I wanted to like this play more than I did, but sadly this production of Strindberg’s study of marital decay is somewhat uninvolving and doesn’t achieve the sense of horror and damnation that is alluded to but not quite reached.

The tone of The Dance of Death is mystical; there are however some contradictions which are distracting and confusing, and prevents the audience from becoming as caught up as they should in the story. The language is very 21st century with plenty of swearing. Edgar’s uniform and the use of a telegraph would suggest early 20th century and the play’s critique of laws around divorce and child custody has dated, although the central conceit of two people tied in mutual co-dependence, and destruction, has not. Alice and Katrin’s dresses could have been ordered online from somewhere. So where in history are we? Is it supposed to be timeless?

I think if the setting and context could have been more anchored then there would have been less to distract from the themes of the play itself, which are rich and reminiscent of Sartre and Beckett, although it predates those works. Hell is indeed other people, and if you are isolated on a remote island with a storm raging, what choice is there but to carry on?

I did however find the set, the lighting and the music fabulous; a menacing disturbing backdrop to the play. Designer Grace Smart reflects the protagonists’ claustrophobic marriage in a distressed-looking parlour in an isolated island military fortress. I loved the dark and sombre colours. David Howe’s lighting design is excellent and Kristina Arakelyan’s music and Dan Balfour’s sound are haunting.

It is a shame that this production does not quite deliver, especially given the talent in its cast and an Oscar-winning writer in Lenkiewicz. The vicious marital conflict and its miserable claustrophobia are quite nicely played but everything is oddly flat.

Liverpool Empire Theatre – until Saturday 18^th June 2022

Reviewed by Carla Whittaker

4****

Last night myself and my 11 year old son had the pleasure of seeing Billionaire Boy live at the Liverpool Empire Theatre. Wow, what can we say other than David Walliams has done it again with this fabulous production of Billionaire Boy (we have previously had the pleasure of watching Grandpa’s Great Escape in 2019). 

It’s fair to state that David Walliams is a legend in story writing particularly for my son’s age as was Roald Dahl when I was little, and his books for years have engaged my son and developed his love of reading.  Similarly, to his books and TV productions, this show really does provide you with nearly 2 hours of entertainment, filled with fun and laughs.

As with David Walliams books and TV productions, I knew that we were in for an entertaining night filled with fun and laughter.  Prior to the show starting the theatre was filled with eager children waiting patiently for the show to start and an atmosphere of excitement filled the room.

Billionaire Boy tells the story of Joe Spud (played by Matthew Gordon) the richest twelve-year-old in the country. Joe has absolutely everything he could want, his own car, extravagant gifts, 2 pet crocodiles, private education, and endless amounts of money. However, all’s Joe wants is a friend (like all 12-year-old children!). In haste, Joe thinks the answer to this is leaving private education and going to the local comp, however there are things that Joe has not thought through, and Joe is taught a lesson that money is not everything, and money doesn’t necessarily bring happiness.

Joe’s dad is Len (played by Matthew Mellalieu) who made his millions by creating Bum Fresh (toilet roll that is moist on one side and dry on the other). Len throws money around like it really does grow on trees, and although Joe is embarrassed by this it’s fair to say that he has caught a few bad ways off his dad along the way. Joe and Len need to learn that money does not solve everything and not everything can be bought before it is too late.

Joe  navigates the tale well and shares great chemistry with Jake Lomas who plays his loyal best friend Bob.  The rest of the cast were very talented working relentlessly to play different roles exceptionally well. My favourite was Emma Williams who was hilarious, with over the top comedy value playing Mrs Trafe the school cook who makes deliciously disgusting food. Rosie Coles plays the part of Len’s gold digging girlfriend very well with cockney humour.   A favourite of my son was Tuhin Chisti who played Raj the shop keeper who features in many of David Walliams stories.

The set was cleverly created with a tower of toilet rolls as Bum Fresh Towers which emerged into other scenes as needed. Choreography and music was fitting to the story and engaged all the audience.

If you are looking for a feel good, family friendly show then I would definitely recommend Billionaire Boy. Not only did it provide lots of laugh out loud moments with audience participation being encouraged it also told tale with a meaning; that money is not everything, and sometimes all you need is a friend, and your family! In the words of my son ‘it was great!’.

Billionaire Boy is showing at the Liverpool Empire Theatre until Saturday 18^th June 2022.

Bristol Hippodrome – until 2nd July 2022

Reviewed by Lucy Hitchcock

3***

Björn Ulveaus and Benny Andersson’s unmistakable music prowess of ABBA hits Bristol Hippodrome in Mamma Mia the Musical.

We follow Sophie (Phoebe Roberts) as she navigates through her most stressful few days, planning a wedding and discovering she has 3 potential fathers! Her mother Donna (Sara Poyzer) has a difficult job-keeping her daughter calm whilst internally spiralling herself over her past being dug up.

Sara Poyzer as Donna was the driving force of this production. Her incredible vocals, excelling during ‘The Winner Takes It All’ were brilliant and she gave such an emotional arc that the audience were completely pulled with her character. When mixed with Nicky Swift and Helen Anker as ‘Rosie’ and ‘Tanya’ this was a perfect trio, whose harmonies blended smoothly during ‘Super Trouper’. The stand out song of the show, however, was Anker’s ‘Does your Mother Know’-this was the perfect pick me up and James Willoughby Moore as Pepper (a young lad infatuated with Tanya) was superb. His comedic timing and great dancing made for a really enjoyable song. All 3 of the potential fathers, Richard Standing as Sam Carmichael, Daniel Crowder as Harry Bright, Phil Corbitt as Bill Austin were great-they had some great scenes with Donna and the audience felt a connection with them.

Unfortunately, I found the first act very flat. Whilst Phoebe Roberts as ‘Sophie’ had good vocals, she left me quite distracted during a few scenes when she was pulling on her clothing and hair which was seemingly uncomfortable. This did pull my focus and during many scenes she was in, I found myself anticipating that there would be an adjustment of clothing.

Anthony Van Laast’s choreography is great and really highlighted the abilities of this super ensemble, peaking during Voulez Vous. The ensemble dances were a real spectacle.

This is a feel good show, whose music can be enjoyed by all ages, Avid ABBA fan or not!