We are watching you…
I’m pleased to share a statement from Theatres Trust following the latest news in Wales.
Jon Morgan, director of Theatres Trust, comments:
Theatres Trust welcomes news that Covid cases in Wales have fallen sufficiently for restrictions to begin to lift. It is disappointing that theatres will have to wait another two weeks for social distancing and capacity limits to be removed, but it will be a relief that they can begin planning and, all being well, welcome back audiences from 28 January.
THE SOLD-OUT
BONNIE & CLYDE THE MUSICAL IN CONCERT
STARRING
JEREMY JORDAN AND FRANCES MAYLI MCCANN
TO BE CAPTURED LIVE AT
THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE
FOR FILM DISTRIBUTION
David Treatman Creative is thrilled to announce that the sold-out BONNIE & CLYDE THE MUSICAL IN CONCERT starring Broadway sensation Jeremy Jordan alongside rising West End star Frances Mayli McCann will be filmed at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane during its performances on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 January 2022.
Bonnie & Clyde the Musical has snowballed in popularity since its Broadway debut– now, its live capture will be enjoyed by millions of fans of this cult-favourite show around the world. Full details of distribution will be announced in due course. The producers hope that the capture will reimagine the title for a new generation of audiences, and that the film will become a canonical representation of the Bonnie & Clyde legend to be enjoyed for years to come.
The live-capture film is produced by David Treatman Creative, STEAM Motion and Sound, Fourth Wall Live, and DLAP Group.
The concert is produced by Fourth Wall Live, DLAP Group, Jason Haigh-Ellery, and David Treatman Creative.
The complete cast includes Jeremy Jordan as ‘Clyde’, Frances Mayli McCann as ‘Bonnie’, George Maguire as ‘Buck’, Natalie McQueen as ‘Blanche’, Trevor Dion Nicholas as ‘Preacher’ and Liam Tamne as ‘Ted’ with Casey Al-Shaqsy as ‘Stella’, Simon Anthony as ‘Cop/Bud/Archie/Deputy Johnson’ Gillian Bevan as ‘Cummie Barrow/Eleanor’, Eloise Davies as ‘Trish’, Adrian Grove as ‘Henry Barrow’, Debbie Kurup as ‘Governor Miriam Ferguson’, Matthew Malthouse as ‘Bob Alcorn’, Jeremy Secomb as ‘Judge/Sheriff Schmid’, Russell Wilcox as ‘Captain Frank Hamer’and Julie Yammanee as ‘Emma Parker’.
BONNIE & CLYDE THE MUSICAL IN CONCERT has a book by Ivan Menchell (Blended [movie], The Cemetery Club, Death Note The Musical), a Tony Award nominated score by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll and Hyde, The Scarlett Pimpernel), lyrics by Don Black (Tell Me On a Sunday, Sunset Boulevard, Mrs Henderson Presents) and is directed by Nick Winston (Director of the feature film Tomorrow Morning, MAME, The Royal Variety Performance) with musical direction by Katy Richardson (SIX, Rent, Jersey Boys). The Assistant Director is Alexzandra Sarmiento (Hamilton, Message in a Bottle), Lighting Designer is Zoe Spurr (The Unreturning, Tiny Dynamite), Set and Costume Designer is Philip Whitcomb (Atlantis, Stones In His Pockets, Mame), Sound Designer is Tom Marshall (The Drifters Girl, Nativity! The Musical), Production Manager is Phil McCandlish (Rock of Ages, Elf), Company Stage Manager is Graham Harrison (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Deputy Stage Manager is Anne Baxter (Singin’ in the Rain, Spamalot), Assistant Stage Manager is Tom Fisher (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), Dialect Coach is Charmian Hoare (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, War Horse) and children’s casting is by Keston and Keston (Nativity! The Musical, A Christmas Carol).
The band is made up of Assistant Musical Director Chris Poon (Keys 2), Kate Ingram (Reed 1), Hannah Lawrance (Reed 2), Kobi Pham (Guitar 1), Jack Pennifold (Guitar 2), Zach Okonkwo (Drums), Elliot Lyte (Fiddle)and Annie Blake (Bass).
At the height of the Great Depression, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow went from two small-town nobodies in West Texas to America’s most renowned folk heroes and the Texas law enforcement’s worst nightmares. Fearless, shameless, and alluring, Bonnie & Clyde is the electrifying story of love, adventure and crime that captured the attention of an entire country. The show features the songs “Raise A Little Hell”, “This World Will Remember Me” and “Made In America”.
When Bonnie and Clyde meet, their mutual cravings for excitement and fame, combined with a desperate need to lift themselves out of the endless banality and poverty of West Dallas, set them on a mission to chase their dreams. Their bold and reckless behaviour turns the young lovers’ thrilling adventure into a downward spiral, putting themselves and their loved ones in trouble with the law. Forced to stay on the run, the lovers resort to robbery and murder to survive. As the infamous duo’s fame grows bigger, their inevitable end draws nearer.
David Treatman Creative is a New York-based production company that has realized over 50 projects on new and traditional platforms. With projects spanning the globe, David Treatman Creative is a dynamic international enterprise with the flexibility, human resources, and creativity to charter new entertainment landscapes while remaining grounded by extensive experience in traditional models. The company is committed to developing and investing in novel entertainment from screen to stage and beyond. David Treatman Creative holds the rights to more than 30 projects in various stages of development. The team brings their wealth of knowledge working across the entertainment industry to evaluate each project’s needs, and guide pieces toward their most strategic debut. At its core, David Treatman Creative incubates both story and artist through personal & financial investment in their success.
Selected projects include: Your Love, Our Musical (Caveat NYC), The Last Five Years (The Garrick Theatre, 2021), A Christmas Carol (The Lyceum Theatre, 2021, 5-time Tony Award-winner), Curtains (UK Tour and Wyndham’s Theatre, 2020), Propaganda the Podcast Musical (2020, Webby-Award winner), Puffs: Filmed Live Off-Broadway! (Amazon, 2018), Be More Chill (Irene Diamond Stage, 2018; The Lyceum Theatre, 2019), and the 2018 Tony-Award winning Broadway revival of Angels in America at The Neil Simon Theatre.
For complete credits, and to learn more about David Treatman Creative’s work, please visit davidtreatmancreative.com.
STEAM Motion and Sound is the production company of choice for the world’s biggest theatrical producers and music companies. In the theatrical world of Broadway, London’s West End and across Germany, Canada and Australia, Steam has redefined translating stage to screen to create award winning theatrical content – from short form to feature length live films.
Steam has worked with Disney Theatrical Group, Cameron Mackintosh, The Really Useful Group, Universal PIctures, The Public, National Theatre, Warner Bros. amongst others. Previous live films include Les Misérables Live at the O2, Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall, Billy Elliot, Miss Saigon, Newsies, Kinky Boots, and upcoming film releases for 2022 – Aladdin Live in London, Waitress on Broadway, and The Prince of Egypt.
Fourth Wall Live is a live entertainment company that produces concerts internationally. It regularly brings Broadway artists to the UK, previous concerts include Broadway and TV regulars Laura Benanti, Sierra Boggess, Kelli O’Hara, Chita Rivera, Laura Michelle Kelly, Megan Hilty, Tituss Burgess, Jeremy Jordan, Matthew Morrison, Erich Bergen, Eden Espinosa, Julia Murney and Cynthia Erivo. Other concerts include West End Stars solo concerts including Michael Ball, Matt Cardle, Kerry Ellis, Oliver Tompsett, Hannah Waddingham, Sharon D Clarke, Shoshana Bean and Bonnie Langford.
DLAP Group is an Olivier-Award winning production company with West End and UK Touring works including “Rock of Ages,” “Company,” “Fame,” “Curtains,” and “The Wedding Singer.”
Fourth Wall Live, DLAP Group, and David Treatman Creative are committed to following all relevant UK Government Covid-19 guidelines, creating a safe working environment for our cast, musicians, creatives, crew, and their families.
AS THE UK TOUR RECOMMENCES
9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL
CELEBRATES
GLOBAL SUPERSTAR
AND THE SHOW’S COMPOSER
DOLLY PARTON
BEING AWARDED
47 NEW GOLD AND PLATINUM CERTIFICATIONS
As the UK Tour recommences Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 The Musical is thrilled to celebrate global superstar and the show’s composer, Dolly Parton, being awarded 47 new global gold and platinum certifications for her extensive music catalogue.
Proving that seven decades into her unprecedented career new ground continues to be charted, Dolly Parton is presented with a staggering 47 new sales certifications from around the world to kick off the New Year. Already awarded a plaque from the RIAA in 2014 for over 100 million units sold worldwide, these new honors show continued engagement in Parton’s extensive catalogue.
“I’ve often said that my songs are like my children, and I expect them to support me later in my life. Well, it looks like they are doing just that!” proclaims Parton. “I am so humbled to have been surprised with this incredible collection of certifications from around the world. I owe a big thank you to my fans.”
The new awards presented cover certifications from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Norway, Finland & Sweden.
“I’m so proud to represent the hottest entertainer in the business,” says Danny Nozell, Parton’s longtime manager. “These international awards solidify the fact that Dolly is a global superstar icon that still keeps growing every year. Just when you thought her assets couldn’t get any bigger, she proves us wrong again!”
The UK Tour of 9 to 5 The Musical recommenced in Southend this week starring Claire Sweeney as ‘Violet Newstead’ alongside Stephanie Chandos as ‘Doralee Rhodes’, Vivian Panka as ‘Judy Bernly’, Sean Needham as ‘Franklin Hart Jr’ and Julia J Nagle as ‘Roz Keith’.
The UK Tour plays at Southend Cliffs Pavilion until Saturday 15 January before visiting the New Theatre Oxford (18 – 22 January), Glasgow King’s Theatre (25-29 January), New Victoria Theatre, Woking (1- 5 February), Sheffield Lyceum (8 – 12 February), Stoke Regent Theatre (22 – 26 February) and Manchester Palace Theatre (1- 5 March).
BILL KENWRIGHT’S
MULTI AWARD-WINNING PRODUCTION OF
BLOOD BROTHERS
IS BACK FOR 2022!
STARRING FORMER X-FACTOR FINALIST NIKI EVANS
WHO RETURNS AS THE ICONIC MRS JOHNSTONE
ALONGSIDE SEAN JONES WHO REPRISES THE ROLE OF MICKEY JOHNSTONE IN HIS FINAL EVER TOUR OF THE SHOW
OPENING AT THE THEATRE ROYAL WINDSOR
AHEAD OF A 16 WEEK UK TOUR
Bill Kenwright‘s legendary, award-winning production of the international smash hit musical, Blood Brothers returns to the stage in 2022 for a 16-week tour from 14 January at Theatre Royal Windsor. The much-loved musical, performed to sell-out houses on its recent 2021 UK tour and returns with gusto, running nationally from 14 January – 07 May 2022.
Niki Evans, returns to the iconic role of Mrs Johnstone, after first joining the show in London’s West End and received standing ovations for her powerful and poignant ballads, while Sean Jones returns as Mickey Johnstone, a role which he has previously made his own, to critical acclaim.
Also joining the cast for 2022 are Carly Burns as Linda, Melissa Potts as Brenda and Jacob Yolland as the Bus Conductor.
Completing the company are Joel Benedict (Eddie), Josh Capper (Neighbour), Paula Tappenden (Mrs Lyons), Tim Churchill (Mr Lyons), Grace Galloway (Donna Marie/Miss Jones), Andy Owens (Perkins), Robbie Scotcher (Narrator), Paula Tappenden (Mrs Lyons), Daniel Taylor (Sammy) and Nick Wilkes (Teacher/Policeman).
Written by award-winning playwright Willy Russell, few musicals have been received with such acclaim as the multi-award-winning Blood Brothers. Considered ‘one of the best musicals ever written’ (Sunday Times), Bill Kenwright’s production surpassed 10,000 performances in London’s West End, one of only three musicals ever to achieve that milestone. It has been affectionately christened the ‘Standing Ovation Musical’, as inevitably it “brings the audience cheering to its feet and roaring its approval” (Daily Mail).
This epic tale of Liverpool life started as a play, performed at a Liverpool comprehensive school in 1981, before opening at the Liverpool Playhouse in 1983. The musical has since triumphed across the globe, completing sell out seasons in the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan, and scooping up four awards for Best Musical in London and seven Tony Award nominations on Broadway.
The superb score includes A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True.
Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving tale of twins separated at birth, who grow up on the opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with tragic consequences.
When Mrs Johnstone, a young mother, is deserted by her husband and left to her own devices to provide for seven hungry children she takes a job as a housekeeper in order to make ends meet. It is not long before her brittle world crashes around her when she discovers herself to be pregnant yet again – this time with twins! In a moment of weakness and desperation, she enters a secret pact with her employer which leads inexorably to the show’s shattering climax.
Niki Evans first rose to fame in 2007 when she reached the semi-final of series 4 of The X Factor UK mentored by Louis Walsh. After her debut solo single ‘Love Me No More’ in 2008, she went on to play the iconic role Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers at the Phoenix Theatre between 2008-2009 and in 2010 where she received rave reviews from critics. Following on from this she performed in the pantomimes Cinderella as the Fairy Godmother at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre (2009-2010) and in Kinky Boots as Trish (UK Tour 2018/21). She played the role of Paulette in the musical adaptation of Legally Blonde (UK Tour 2012) receiving high acclaim for her performance as Elle’s sassy confidante. Over the years, Niki has toured as a solo singer with pop stars such as Sonia, Lonnie Gordon, Big Fun and Yell. In 2016, she performed at the Queen’s 90th celebrations at Windsor Castle alongside Dame Helen Mirren, Damien Lewis, Andrea Boccelli, Katherine Jenkins, Gary Barlow, Kylie Minogue and many more.
Sean Jones returns to the role of Mickey in Blood Brothers. Other stage credits include: Aladdin; Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan; Cinderella; Snow White (UK Tour); Macbeth (UK Tour and Singapore); and Jacqueline’s Wilson’s world premiere of Wave Me Goodbye (Theatr Clywd). TV credits include: Emmerdale; The Royal Today; and Hollyoaks.
Willy Russell is undeniably one of this country’s leading contemporary dramatists. His countless credits include Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine. Educating Rita, originally commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, enjoyed a two-year run in the West End and was made into a movie starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters. Shirley Valentine also made the move from stage to screen in an enormously popular film starring Pauline Collins and Tom Conti.
LISTINGS
Bill Kenwright presents
BLOOD BROTHERS
2022 UK Tour
14 January – 07 May 2022
Written by Willy Russell
Directed by Bob Tomson & Bill Kenwright
Musical Direction by Matt Malone
Sound by Dan Samson
Set & Costumes by Andy Walmsley
Lighting by Nick Richings
Associate Lighting Designer – Darran Curtis
TOUR SCHEDULE
Theatre Royal Windsor theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 14 January – 29 January 2022 01753 853 8888
Darlington Hippodrome darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk 1 February- 5 February 2022 01325405405
New Wimbledon Theatre atgtickets.com/wimbledon 08 February-12 February 2022 0844 871 7627
Palace Theatre Manchester atgtickets.com/manchester 15 February- 26 February 2022 020 7206 1174
Malvern Festival Theatre malvern-theatres.co.uk 01 March- 05 March 2022 01684 892277 Theatre Royal Bath theatreroyal.org.uk 08 March -12 March 2022 01225448844
Queens Theatre Barnstaple landmark-ilfracombe.com 15 March- 19 March 2022 01271316523
High Wycombe Swan wycombeswan.co.uk 22 March- 26 March 2022 03433100060
Peterborough New Theatre newtheatre-peterborough.com 29 March- 02 April 2022 01733 852 992
York Grand Opera House atgtickets.com/York 05 April- 09 April 2022 0333 009 6690
Assembly Hall Theatre assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk 12 April- 16 April 2022 01892 530 613
Derby Theatre derbytheatre.co.uk 19 April- 23 April 2022 01332 593939
Truro Hall Cornwall hallforcornwall.co.uk 26 April- 30 April 2022 01872 262466
Theatre Clwyd theatrclwyd.com 03 May- 07 May 2022 01352 344101
Running Time: 2 hours 45 minutes (including interval)
Website: kenwright.com
Social Media: @BKL_Productions
Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – until Sunday 16th January 2022
Reviewed by Emma Barnes and Sally Lumley
5*****
Based on the 1971 Disney movie, with the classic score by the Sherman brothers, Bedknobs and Broomsticks the musical is a captivating story about love and believing in yourself.
This production stars Dianne Pilkington in the lead role of Eglantine Price. Dianne portrays warmth, spirited humour and feisty eccentric sass to a role originally made famous by Angela Lansbury.
The super talented children added buckets of charm, Charles Brunton is a lovable rougue as the magician come con artist Emelius Browne and Conor O’Hara makes an impressive professional debut as Charlie Rawlins.
They are supported by a superbly choreographed cast who bring to life a series of extraordinary and magical events. The simple yet magnificent use of scenery, props, lighting, and sound create a spellbinding show which succeeds in translating the magic of Disney from screen to stage.
The story takes us on an adventure from the blitz in London, to a good old cockney knees up on Portobello Road, for a Bob along on the Bottom of the Beautiful Briny Sea to the Island of Nopeepo, until it reaches its conclusion with the iconic battle scene. Every member of the audience was on the edge of their seats waiting for the final spell.
The story is made real with breathtaking illusions and special effects that include a flying bed, a witch on a broomstick and glowing sea creatures. The cast also brings to life numerous objects and characters using props and puppets, such as the Lion King of Nopeepo and Eglantine’s motorcycle. The balance of original songs interwoven with new material from Neil Bartram is effective and adds interest alongside some fun new ideas and a twist on the ending. For fans of the original movie there are touches throughout that echo the original. There is plenty here to delight old and new fans.
Cast announced for Steve – the European
premiere launching Seven Dials Playhouse
Tuesday 8th February – Saturday 19th March 2022
1a Tower Street, London WC2H 9NP
Joe Aaron Reid (Dreamgirls, Savoy Theatre; In the Heights, Kings Cross Theatre), Michael Walters (The Inheritance, Young Vic & West End transfer; Death of a Salesman, Royal & Derngate/UK Tour; The Sandman, Netflix/Warner Bros), Giles Cooper (Toast, The Other Palace; Henry V, The Knight of the Burning Pestle, The Duchess of Malfi, Shakespeare’s Globe) and Nico Conde (Westworld, HBO Entertainment; El Inocente, Netflix) will join the cast of the highly-anticipated European premiere of Steve at Seven Dials Playhouse.
The newly announced cast members will take to the stage alongside Olivier award-winning and Tony award-nominated Jenna Russell (Piaf, Nottingham Playhouse and Leeds Playhouse; Guys and Dolls, Piccadilly Theatre; Sunday In The Park With George, Wyndham’s Theatre) and Holby City’s David Ames (The Killing Moon, Theatre 503; The Temperamentals, Greenwich Theatre and Wild Oats Productions, Moonfleece, Riverside Studios and UK Tour) in Mark Gerrard’s cutting comedy that was heralded as The New York Times’ Critic’s Pick when it ran in New York in 2015.
Reid commented, As if being back in London isn’t incredible enough, I get to come and work with a dynamite team on the inaugural production at Seven Dials Playhouse. Mark Gerrard’s genius piece of theatre, Steve, is both side-splitting and heart-breaking in equal measure. We invite the audience to explore the evolutionary nuances of gay relationships while tackling friendship, fatherhood, shame, and loss and throw in a bunch of musical theatre references for good measure. What’s not to love!?
Directed by Andrew Keates (Director: Dark Sublime, Trafalgar Studios; As Is, Finborough Theatre; Dessa Rose, Trafalgar Studios. Performance Director Ghostbusters: The Gates Of Gozer, Secret Cinema), Steve illuminates LGBTQ+ relationships, both romantic and platonic. The play navigates the highs and lows of getting older, long-term friendship, monogamy, saying goodbye and being alive.
Keates commented, We couldn’t have assembled a finer cast to serve the European premiere of Steve by Mark Gerrard. Our rehearsal room will be a diverse playground filled with exquisitely talented actors synonymous with world class Musical Theatre and vital, groundbreaking LGBTQ+ productions. Frankly, it’s an honour to be their director and set the tone for the work and artists to be expected at the new Seven Dials Playhouse.
Seven Dials Playhouse will announce the organisation’s debut Associated Programme responding directly to the themes of Steve later in January. This programme will include Sondheim workshops, LGBTQ+-focused events, an ‘in conversation with’ series, a cabaret programme and much more.
FORGIVENESS
A TRUE STORY BY JONNY DONAHOE
TO TOUR THE UK
8 FEBRUARY – 5 MARCH 2022
FULL TOUR DATES AND TICKETS ON SALE HERE
Jonny Donahoe – writer, performer and frontman of musical-comedy-satirists, Jonny and The Baptists – will premiere his new one man show FORGIVENESS. Directed byMetta Theatre Artistic Director P Burton-Morgan, FORGIVENESS will tour the UK from Tuesday 8 February to Saturday 5 March, with a press performance at the Ustinov Studio in Bath on Thursday 10 February.
Jonny does not know his Dad. He is very suddenly a Dad. ‘Forgiveness’ is a new solo show about the cycles of abuse that form and affect who we are; if and how we can escape them and move on. A show about how the stories we tell about our lives become the stories we live and relive. A show about reluctant fathers, bad life choices and one very unfortunate chicken.
Hilarious and heart-breaking in equal measure, Forgiveness shows how despite a childhood shattered by abuse it can be possible to reach a place of peace.
Jonny Donahoe says, “For many reasons it’s taken a long, long time to eventually share this story with audiences. It’s the most personal thing I’ve ever made which makes it very scary to finally put out there, but I hope it’s been worth the wait for all of us.”
P Burton-Morgan says, “What a privilege to collaborate with the unique talent that is Jonny Donahoe in all his hilarious and absurd glory. And on this extraordinary piece of theatre that is painfully close to home for the both of us. Full of laughter, tears and vulnerability this a story the world needs to hear, now more than ever.”
Jonny Donahoe is the co-creator and original performer of Every Brilliant Thing, which he performed more than four hundred times over four continents, including five months off-Broadway. The show was eventually filmed and screened on HBO.
His comedy act Jonny and the Baptists tour regularly throughout Britain and the rest of the world. Blending comic songs, satirical stand-up and traditional theatre-making, they make funny shows about serious things like wealth inequality, the climate change crisis, and the rise of nationalism and populism. They have had a Number 1 iTunes comedy single (“Farage”), supported Mark Thomas at the National Theatre, and appear regularly on BBC Radio 4 including The Now Show, The Infinite Monkey Cage, and Sketchorama (BBC Radio 4); as well as Live at Television Centre and Fresh From The Fringe (BBC TV). His stage plays include “Thirty Christmases”, which opened at The Old Fire Station in Oxford, and then transferred the following year off-West End to the New Diorama, and starred himself and Rachel Parris. He is currently adapting this play for TV.
The tour will visit Farnham, Hemel Hempstead, Bath, Eastleigh, Corsham, Aldershot, New Milton, Fareham, Gravesend, Tonbridge, Chipping Norton, Farsley, Huddersfield, Oxford, Colchester and Doncaster, with full dates and tickets available here. A run at the Edinburgh Festival is also planned, with details to be announced.
Artistic Director of The Rep and director of this 20th Anniversary Production, Sean Foley is delighted to announce that Tom Hiddleston is set to reprise his acclaimed appearance as the special guest star in the critically acclaimed production of The Play What I Wrote at Theatre Royal, Bath, the first venue on the show’s recently announced national tour. Both performances will be filmed for transmission on the BBC later in 2022. The transmission date will be announced in due course.
Hiddleston first appeared in the show in Birmingham for the opening performance on 6 December and the production received universally glowing reviews.
“One of the most delightful stage comedy shows of the 21st century – you’ll laugh your head off.” The Telegraph
“An avalanche of laughs. Laughing so long and so loudly felt as energising and cleansing as going to the gym” The Guardian
When The Play What I Wrote opened in London’s West End, originally directed by Kenneth Branagh, every single review was a rave, every show a sell-out and it won every major theatre award. The Sunday Times called it “a triumph” and The Observer said “audiences weep with laughter”. Now a brand new production directed by REP Artistic Director Sean Foley and co-written by Hamish McColl, Sean Foley and, of course, Eddie Braben is bringing sunshine to Birmingham this Christmas.
‘Thom’ has written a play, an epic set in the French Revolution called ‘A Tight Squeeze for the Scarlet Pimple’. ‘Dennis’, on the other hand, wants to continue with their double act. He believes that if they perform a tribute to Morecambe and Wise, Thom’s confidence will be restored and the double act will go on. But first Dennis needs to persuade a guest star to appear in the play what Thom wrote…
With a mystery guest star at every performance, The Play What I Wrote is once again proving a massive hit with audiences and critics alike.
“Pure comic sunshine” The Daily Mail
Previous mystery guest stars have included Ralph Fiennes, Ewan McGregor, Joanna Lumley, Daniel Radcliffe, Kylie Minogue, Nigel Havers, Jerry Hall, Sir Ian McKellen, Dawn French and Sting.
FAULTY TOWERS THE DINING EXPERIENCE
LONDON’S LONGEST RUNNING IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
MOVES TO NEW HOME IN LONDON:
PRESIDENT HOTEL
RUSSEL SQUARE
SHOW TO INCREASE WEEKLY PERFORMANCES DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND
WITH TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE UNTIL DECEMBER 2022
TICKETS ON SALE HERE
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience, the critically acclaimed international immersive phenomenon that has just celebrated its tenth year in London moves to its new home, President Hotel in Russell Square, with performances from 21 January. Due to popular demand, the producers have also announced that they will increase the number of weekly performances to six from February onwards.
A loving tribute to the BBC’s classic TV series, the show has been seen by over a million people worldwide since it was born in Australia in 1997. As London’s longest running immersive show, Faulty Towers The Dining Experience is a highly interactive experience, where audiences enjoy a 3-course meal and 5-star comedy.
When the audience become diners in the ‘Faulty Towers’ restaurant, pretty much anything can happen – because 70% of the show is improvised. The fun starts as guests wait to be seated. It then hurtles along in a 2-hour tour de force of gags and shambolic service as Basil, Sybil and Manuel serve a ‘70s-style 3-course meal together with a good dollop of mayhem.
Expect the unexpected!
President Hotel is situated in the heart of Bloomsbury, just a few minutes’ walk from Russell Square underground and the British Museum, making it a perfect location for visitors to explore central London from. The décor has a vintage sixties theme, inspired by The Beatles, who made the hotel their temporary home in 1963 when they first moved down from Liverpool. Many of the 523 guest rooms overlook Russell Square, with the BT Tower and the British Museum’s glass domed roof peering out in the distance.
Charles Maw, Hotel Manager of the President, said, “As a family hotel business, welcoming guests to London for almost 200 years, we are extremely excited to be hosting the Faulty Towers The Dining Experience at our President Hotel. Since it first opened in 1962, the President has welcomed many famous guests through its doors, including Cilla Black and the Beatles. We are delighted to be continuing this legacy by welcoming Basil, his wife Sybil and Manuel to the hotel, and we wish them many more successful years – 200 perhaps!”
Producer Jared Harford said, “We’re so thrilled to be announcing our new, long-term partnership, that sees us cementing our place on London’s West End. After ending our first decade with the horrors of covid, we’re looking forward to leaving that all behind and welcoming back audiences in our new location. The way the audiences have responded to our reopening in 2021 gives us the confidence to open more shows through the week, and we have even more opportunities to keep adding them as demand returns. We’re still yet to meet the Royal Family, but I think the Presidential Family is the next best thing.”
The company of actors (thirteen in total in London) include; Jack Baldwin, Jonathon Saunders, Rob Langston, Benedict Holme, and Dave Tremaine alternating as ‘Basil’; Kat Mary, Nerine Skinner, Suzanna Hughes, Karina Garnett and Rebecca Norris alternating as ‘Sybil’; Oliver Ford, Leigh Kelly, Ben Hood, and Anthony Clegg as ‘Manuel’.
Born in Australia in April 1997, devised by Alison Pollard-Mansergh, the show has been touring the UK and internationally since 2008, having appeared in 41 countries to date, and employing 56 actors per season. The show has toured to over 1000 venues, with approximately 400 shows per year on average in the UK alone. 2021 has already seen runs at Sydney Opera House, Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festival, with tours in Ireland, Scandinavia, and Australia yet to come.
In October 2009, Faulty Towers The Dining Experience played its first performance in London: a sold-out weekend in Covent Garden. The next two years saw sold out summer seasons of six weeks. Then, in 2012, the show opened its first London West End residency at Charing Cross Hotel (now Amba Hotel Charing Cross). Since opening, the cast have performed to notable guests including Fawlty Towers’ very own Andrew Sachs, John McEnroe, Stefan Edberg, and England footballer Joe Cole, as well as taking a pop-up version of their restaurant on the London Underground and to a sold-out Royal Albert Hall.
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience is a loving tribute to Fawlty Towers, the BBC TV series written by John Cleese and Connie Booth. Their TV scripts are not used in Faulty Towers The Dining Experience. Faulty Towers The Dining Experience uses its own original scripts and format.
FREE COURSES AT LEEDS PLAYHOUSE AND SHEFFIELD THEATRES OFFER DEAF AND DISABLED ARTISTS EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO THE THEATRE INDUSTRY
FREE COURSES AT LEEDS PLAYHOUSE AND SHEFFIELD THEATRES OFFER DEAF AND DISABLED ARTISTS EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO THE THEATRE INDUSTRY
Deaf and disabled artists interested in pursuing careers in directing, producing and writing are being given an exciting insight into the theatre industry by Leeds Playhouse and Sheffield Theatres in association with Ramps On The Moon.
The organisations are joining forces to host three free introductory courses led by experienced theatre professionals for deaf and disabled people at the beginning of their careers.
The writing and producing courses will both take place at Leeds Playhouse. The writers will be led by the theatre’s Artist for Change and Writer in Residence Leanna Benjamin and Furnace Coordinator Rio Matchett, who plays a key role in the Playhouse’s artistic development programme. The producers will be led by Leeds Playhouse Agent for Change Paul Wilshaw and Freelance Producer Ben Rothera.
The directing course will take place at Sheffield Theatres led by their Agent for Change Ben Wilson and Associate Artistic Director Anthony Lau.
The courses are supported by Ramps on the Moon, a collaborative network of six major regional theatres aimed at normalising the presence of deaf and disabled people both on and off stage. They will run in a staggered calendar from 22 February to 7 June, with a week allocated for the sharing of work from 30 May to 3 June.
Amy Leach, Associate Director at Leeds Playhouse, said: “This is such an exciting opportunity for deaf and disabled artists to explore their passion for writing, directing and producing, and for us to connect with a host of new creatives who are just starting out in the theatre industry.
“Diverse voices, viewpoints and lived experiences are vital in the arts, enriching the work we produce, expanding the breadth of the stories we tell and helping us to reach the widest possible audience. We can’t wait to meet everyone who signs up for the courses – and to set off together on what promises to be a transformative process for us all.”
Anthony Lau, Associate Artistic Director at Sheffield Theatres, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with our friends at Leeds Playhouse and Ramps on the Moon to offer these introductory courses, to support deaf and disabled artists in directing, producing and writing. At Sheffield Theatres we are passionate about developing talent and we can’t wait to start working with this group of early career artists.”
The deadline for applications is 10am on Monday 14 February 2022. All the details on how to apply can be found here.
During the application window, Leeds Playhouse and Sheffield Theatres we will be running two optional Zoom Q&A sessions on Tuesday 18 January from 2–3pm, and Wednesday 19 January from 6.30–7.30pm. The sessions are an opportunity for people to meet the teams running the courses, to ask questions, and to get additional support and information on the application process.
Two short films are available explaining the courses in more detail and giving applicants the chance to meet the writing, producing and directing teams.