THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET HOSTS THE FIRST

POST-LOCKDOWN NEW PRODUCTION OF A PLAY

MARTIN SHAW AND JENNY SEAGROVE

IN A. R. GURNEY’S HEART-WARMING PLAY

LOVE LETTERS

Just eighteen hours after the end of the UK’s current lockdown, Bill Kenwright presents MARTIN SHAW and JENNY SEAGROVE in A.R. GURNEY’s Love Letters, directed by ROY MARSDEN, at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.

The play opened on 3 December 2020, the first day after the Prime Minister decreed that lockdown would end.

This production of Love Letters was previewed at Theatre Royal, Windsor as part of its five-week, five-day, five-play season.

“The two stars shine, while A.R. Gurney’s already bittersweet play here acquires an extra, decidedly Covid-era piquancy”
★★★★
Dominic Cavendish Daily Telegraph 15 October 2020

THE PLAY

Love Letters first opened in New York in 1989 and was a finalist in the 1990 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Gaining huge popularity, it has since played in theatres across the globe, attracting both real-life and on-screen couples to star as the protagonists. The last Broadway production in 2014 featured Mia Farrow and Brian Dennehy.

When the young Andrew Makepeace Ladd III accepts an invitation to Melissa Gardner’s birthday party, Melissa writes him a thank you note… and a unique romantic friendship and delicately warm correspondence destined to last for almost half a century is born.

Love Letters is the tender, tragi-comic story of the shared nostalgia, missed opportunities, and deep closeness of two lifelong, complicated friends. A play that could have been written for the Covid era about two people physically separated yet brought together by candid communication and shared confidences, a romance blossoming across the miles and the years.

STARS REUNITED

The hugely popular TV series Judge John Deed ended its sixth and final series with one of TV’s most-watched cliff-hangers, keeping nine million TV viewers on tenterhooks as on-off lovers Judge John Deed (Martin Shaw) and barrister Jo Mills (Jenny Seagrove) were left in an empty wedding chapel.

Since then Judge John Deed has consistently topped polls of TV shows viewers most want to return.

Now Shaw and Seagrove are together again, live on stage, in a heart-warming love story…

In the interim, both have made several West End theatre appearances and Shaw has starred in several series as Inspector George Gently, while Seagrove has completed big screen appearances in Another Mother’s Son and Off the Rails.

Martin Shaw’s many West End successes include: Robert Bolt’s A Man For All Seasons and Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband (both Theatre Royal Haymarket), Alan Bleasdale’s Are You Lonesome Tonight, Clifford Odets’ The Country Girl, Reginald Rose’s Twelve Angry Men and most recently (and relevantly) as a tortured American presidential candidate in Gore Vidal’s The Best Man.

Jenny Seagrove last starred at the Haymarket in Alan Ayckbourn’s How The Other Half Loves and her many West End productions include Tennessee Williams’ Night of the Iguana, David Rabe’s Hurly Burly, David Hare’s The Secret Rapture, Noël Coward’s Present Laughter and Somerset Maugham’s The Letter.

Theatre Royal Windsor – until 10 January 2020

Reviewed By Carly Burlinge

5*****

Directed and staged by Carole Todd and written by Steven Blakeley, Cinderella (Alice Fillary) plays a  honest delightful character that is always putting others first, sees the best in everybody and plays the part as happy, cheerful and very chatty. She also had a wonderful  voice and strong vocals that entertained the audience throughout. Her ugly step sister Lavitia (Steven Blakely) is the complete opposite, can be rather nasty, spoilt and selfish making her do all the chores in the house and constantly putting her down. She is very extravagant with her very colourful outfits and some amazing head pieces throughout the show (I swear they got bigger every time!) “If you’ve got it flaunt it” is her motto! She has some great dance moves and some cracking one liners, good and bad, that had both the children and adults laughing and wanting more. Their Father, Basil The Baron Hardup (Basil Brush) was a delight to watch with his famous BOOM BOOM after every joke and terrific guitar playing, as well as other entertaining parts throughout,  putting a smile on all faces.

Then there is  Cinderella’s best friend Buttons (Kevin Cruise) who is deeply in love  with Cinderella and would do anything to help her out. He plays a very bright, energetic and happy character with many humorous moments. Giving the audience great enjoyment whilst encouraging audience participation, which  he definitely received throughout, having the whole audience clapping and stamping their feet.

Prince Charming (Dominic Sibanda) and his Loyal Sidekick Dandini (Joe Thompson-Oubari) Made a great duo together. The prince was very suave and sophisticated as well as charming and had a very strong singing voice. Between them and their dances moves they were both very enjoyable to watch. Then last, but by no means least, is Fairy Twinkle Toes (Debbie McGee) who helps Cinderella in her time of need, watches over her making sure that her kindness is received back. She plays a happy vibrant fairy with beautiful wings with lots of glam and glitter and a flashing magical wand. The question is which sister will end up with their Prince Charming?

Cinderella is definitely an audience-pleaser.  A truly great and brilliant must see panto with something to offer for everyone.

You could see that everyone had a great connection on stage  alongside some  fantastic backdrops and props  to set the scene, with  great lighting to enhance it along with some fabulous costumes full of brightness and glitter. All really getting you into the Christmas spirit and certainly leaving you with a big smile on your face!

Cinderella is well worth seeing and not to be missed.

Friday 11 December 2020 – Sunday 3 January 2021

CAMBRIDGE ARTS THEATRE IS BACK!

DAME TROTT’S PANTO PALAVER

A Socially Distanced Panto Themed Adventure

Written by Al Lockhart-Morley

Cambridge Arts Theatre is thrilled to announce its return, after an eight-month closure, with a brand-new, feel-good, warm-hearted and COVID-safe panto themed adventure set to sprinkle the city with Christmas magic.

Count Covidula, the stupidest, baddest baddie that you’ve never heard of, is sick of the good guys winning and wants to ruin pantomime for everyone. He’s got his hands on this year’s master scripts and is rewriting the stories with unexpected and hilarious results!

Will Dame Trott and her beloved Daisy the Cow escape from the mean Giant Trumplebore? Does Dick Whittington become Mayor of London or will he be defeated in a rigged election? And will Cinderella ever marry her charming Prince, or will the Stoneybroke Lockdown have her home by 10pm? One thing’s for sure: panto will never be the same again.

Dave Murphy, Chief Executive at Cambridge Arts Theatre: “We thought long and hard before deciding to create this year’s show but realised that, this year more than ever before, we need take some control over our own destiny. This is us putting our best foot forward at the end of the most challenging year in our history. Amidst the COVID gloom I can promise you laughter, panto madness, feel-good songs, familiar faces and some much-needed festive cheer. Please join us for the fun.”

The Arts Theatre’s pantomime favourites are back in an all-star line-up ready to entertain families and friends across Cambridgeshire.

Returning for his fifteenth Christmas in Cambridge is the hilarious Matt Crosby, starring as Dame Trott. Celebrated across Cambridgeshire for his role as #1 Dame, Crosby’s recent roles include an Ugly Sister opposite Wayne Sleep in 2019’s Cinderella and Widow Twankey in 2018’s Aladdin.

Coronation Street’s Stephen Beckett returns to Cambridge for his fifth role as the pantomime baddie to play the wicked Count Covidula, after his role as Fleshcreep in 2017’s Jack and the Beanstalk. Beckett is best known for his television roles in The Bill and Coronation Street and extensive stage experience including the acclaimed West End production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Mamma Mia.

Joining them are West End star Lucy May Barker (Mamma Mia) and Isaac Stanmore, returning after his role as Buttons in 2019’s Cinderella.

Dame Trott’s Panto Palaver is directed by Michael Gattrell (Dear Zoo) and is written by Al Lockhart- Morley (Cinderella, Aladdin, Jack and the Beanstalk).

Cambridge Arts Theatre is delighted to be recognised as one of the official See It Safely venues, accredited by the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre. The logo certifies that theatres are complying with the latest Government and industry COVID-19 guidelines, to ensure the safety of both staff and audiences. For further information please visit https://www.cambridgeartstheatre.com/your-visit-and-covid-safety

In 2019, the Arts Theatre celebrated sparkling success with their production of Cinderella, welcoming over 32,000 adults and children through the doors.

Dame Trott’s Panto Palaver opens on Friday 11 December 2020 and runs until Sunday 3 January 2021. For full information and ticket prices visit www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Venue: Cambridge Arts Theatre, 6 St Edward’s Passage, Cambridge, CB2 3PJ

Dates: Friday 11 December 2020 – Sunday 3 January 2021
Times and prices: Friday 11 December – Friday 18 December 2020: Adults £25* / Children £15*
Saturday 19 December 2020 – Sunday 3 January 2021: Adults £30* / Children £20*

All ticket prices include a £3 per-ticket booking fee
Box Office: 01223 503333 / www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

Barn Theatre | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Website

BARN THEATRE’S PETER PAN STARRING WAYLON JACOBS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO STREAM INTERNATIONALLY OVER THE FESTIVE SEASON

• THE NEW ONE-MAN REIMAGINING OF THE J.M. BARRIE CLASSIC STARRING WAYLON JACOBS RUNS UNTIL 3 JANUARY 2021

• PUBLIC ARE ABLE TO PURCHASE STREAMING LINKS INTERNATIONALLY TO WATCH A LIVE PERFORMANCE OF THE PRODUCTION ON SELECT DATES

• FREE LIVE STREAMS ARE ALSO OFFERED TO HOSPITALS AND CARE HOMES OVER THE FESTIVE PERIOD

The Barn Theatre have revealed that their reimagined one-man production of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan starring Waylon Jacobs (Hamilton, Memphis, The Last Five Years) will be available to live stream internationally at select performances during its run in Cirencester.

This new take on the classic tale, adapted by Alan Pollock and co-conceived by Kirk Jameson and Nick Barstow, follows a father in a hotel room, three thousand miles away from home. Desperate not to miss bedtime, he recreates his daughter’s favourite story: an epic tale of adventure, pirates, fairies – a crocodile with gigantic teeth! – and a little boy who refuses to grow old….

Tickets for the live stream performances are £13.50 with an option to add a £5 or £10 donation that will be shared between the Barn Theatre and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The performances that will be available for live stream on the following dates (Times in GMT):

• Wednesday 23 December at 2:30pm
• Thursday 24 December at 5:30pm
• Saturday 26 December at 2:30pm & 7:30pm
• Sunday 27 December at 5:30pm
• Tuesday 29 December at 2:30pm
• Thursday 31 December at 5:30pm
• Saturday 2 January at 7:30pm
• Sunday 3 January at 5:30pm

Schools are also able to purchase streaming links to watch a live performance direct from the Barn Theatre to their classrooms for select performances

The digital school tour will be available internationally with show times on the following selected dates:

• Tuesday 8 December at 1pm
• Wednesday 9 December at 1pm
• Thursday 10 December at 2pm
• Tuesday 15 December at 10am & 1:30pm
• Wednesday 16December at 10am & 1:30pm
• Thursday 17 December at 2:30pm

This latest digital announcement follows the Barn Theatre’s recent acclaimed stream of their production of Stephen Sondheim’s Marry Me A Little, also directed by Kirk Jameson,and their critically acclaimed digital co-production of Henry Filloux-Bennett’s adaptation of What a Carve Up!, directed by Tamara Harvey.

The Barn Theatre have also announced plans to make their production available for free to stream to hospitals and care homes over the festive period.

This brand-new adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan by Alan Pollock is co-conceived and directed by Director-in-Residence Kirk Jameson, co-conceived with music by Nick Barstow, set and costume design by Gregor Donnelly, lighting design by Joe Price, movement direction by Tosh Wanogho-Maud, set and costume design by Gregor Donnelly, projection design by Benjamin Collins and sound design by Harry Smith.

Tickets for the production at the Barn Theatre can be purchased at barntheatre.org.uk or by calling the box office at 01285 648255.

For more information on the digital schools tour and/or hospital and care home screening please contact [email protected]

MGCfutures BURSARY PROGRAMME

OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR THEIR FIFTH ANNIVERSARY YEAR

• Including new bursaries in partnership with Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and Pilot Theatre
• Theatre Community Fund donates £300k to MGCfutures to help support 3 years of annual bursaries

Artistic Director of MGC, Michael Grandage today announces the fifth anniversary MGCfutures Bursary Programme is now open for applications. MGCfutures is a charity, formed in 2012. The bursaries programme was launched in 2016 for arts practitioners who show a commitment to their chosen career and look to progress to the next stage of their development.

Applicants from across the UK can apply for bursaries from £500-£5,000, to support careers across a wide spectrum of the theatre industry. MGCfutures remain committed to expanding the reach of the bursaries across all the professions that play a vital role in making live performance happen.

In addition, MGCfutures will offer The Stephanie Arditti Bursary for the second time, created in the memory of award-winning costume supervisor Stephanie Arditti for those working in costume; as well as partnering with the Lyric Hammersmith for a Literary Associate (Trainee) and Pilot Theatre for a Creative Assistant. MGCfutures patron Nicole Kidman has committed to a six-year annual bursary to support female theatre makers.

In addition, it is announced today that the Theatre Community Fund, spearheaded by Olivia Colman, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Francesca Moody will donate £300k to MGCfutures to help support and provide bursaries for the next 3 years. When they launched the Theatre Community Fund in July in response to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, they committed to provide hardship funding, and bursaries for creation and innovation. They continue to provide hardship funding through the Royal Theatrical Fund; and this donation today sees them realise their aim to provide funding for bursaries.

Michael Grandage said today, “The pandemic of 2020 has seen theatres shut across the world and yet I remain hopeful that the many people who make up the complex ecology that creates live theatre will be working again very soon. MGCfutures, as the name suggests, is a charity that looks forward and that is now more important than ever as we support theatre makers across the country to return to the industry they love. 

 “We are enormously grateful to the many generous individuals who make these bursaries happen, and especially today to the Theatre Community Fund whose donation will enable us to provide these vital bursaries to artists to create work across our stages, and rebuild our industry in new and vibrant ways.” 

Applications must be submitted via the MGCfutures website – www.mgcfutures.com – from noon on 16 December, and close at 12 noon on 7 January 2021.  Please note, bursaries are not available to support training or as commercial investments in productions.

MGCfUTURES

The future of theatre depends on young people. They are the theatre makers and theatre goers of tomorrow. MGCfutures reaches out to people of different ages and backgrounds, providing information, guidance and support through mentorship, the Bursary scheme, online resources, workshops and participatory activities.  It is also committed to enabling young people to visit the theatre who might otherwise not be able to do so.

MGCfutures is a charitable organisation, governed by a Board of Trustees. It is also supported by the charity’s patrons: Judi Dench, Dawn French, Nicole Kidman, Jude Law, Daniel Radcliffe, Simon Russell Beale, Sheridan Smith, Aidan Turner, David Walliams and Ben Whishaw.

“MGCfutures understands that artists need practical support, as well as encouragement and mentorship, in order to be empowered to make good work. It’s exactly the investment I need at this stage in my career to keep raising my ambitions.”

Isley Lynn – MGCfutures Bursary recipient

 
To find out more about the charity’s work, and how to get involved, please contact Andrew Broadley [email protected]

• The MGCfutures Bursaries are funded through money raised by the company itself, through donations and the support of generous individual givers

• The recipients of the awards are selected from an industry panel including Michael Grandage. After the panel, each recipient will be met with to discuss their bursary and the support MGCfutures will give each one moving forward.

Twitter: @MGCfutures

Facebook: MGCfutures

Instagram: MGCfutures

www.mgcfutures.com/bursaries

Family-run pub theatre The Old Red Lion
announces new reopening season
Friday 18th December 2020 – Sunday 31st January 2021
The Old Red Lion, 418 St John St, Islington, London EC1V 4NJ

Acclaimed family-run pub theatre The Old Red Lion will reopen its doors this winter with an exciting new theatrical season, once again providing quality entertainment and hospitality to North London. Partnering with another local family business, Bombay Burrito, the pub will provide substantial meals to patrons in line with the latest government regulations.

Reflecting on the eventful year, the post-lockdown season of work will offer a streamlined programme of eclectic new writing, providing a live platform for shows that were denied their run at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer, or were created during lockdown. With financial aid from the Arts Council England Cultural Recovery Fund, the venue is now able to welcome back theatre makers and audiences as it continues to champion fringe theatre

Alongside the already announced digital Christmas production December written by The Old Red Lion’s Artistic Director Alexander Knott, the season will include: the world premiere of David Shopland (My Father The Tantric Masseur; Soho Theatre) and Shereen Roushbaiani’s (Doctors, BBC) Saving Britney, a hilariously heart-breaking take on celebrity obsession and nostalgia to the backdrop of the #FreeBritney movement; John Berry’s dark comedy Happenings about the lengths we’ll go to live when nothing is happening; and Stephanie Dickson’s BARK, a thoughtprovoking look at terminal illness and finding your place in the world.

Damien Devine, Landlord and Executive Director, comments, I’m delighted to finally be fully reopening the Old Red Lion after a difficult few months for us, and the hospitality industry as a whole. The whole family has pulled together to make this possible, and I’m proud of the way we have adapted to the ever-changing challenges of keeping the venue COVID secure. We look forward to welcoming the public back in time for the festive season, and really encourage everyone to support independent and family-run pubs like us during the critical Christmas period.

Managing Director Helen Devine adds, We are particularly grateful to be in receipt of a grant from the Arts Council Culture Recovery Fund to enable us to open the theatre for the first time since March. We’re excited to welcome theatre-makers and audiences back to the ORL, with a season of live shows in our socially-distanced auditorium as well as our first ever online production

To remain Covid-Secure, and ensure social distancing is adhered to, The Old Red Lion, has reconfigured the theatre space to accommodate live audiences. The theatre will run with a reduced capacity of 20 people, offering two performances each evening (6pm and 8.30pm). Social distancing will be in effect throughout the venue, with the use of facemasks and the NHS check-in app as mandatory requirements.

Having helmed the pub for 21 years, the Devine family are keen to ensure a safe reopening and support the local community with their theatre and sports offerings, a must for any Norwich City fans due to the pubs close affiliation with the Capital Canaries. Alongside the implementation of food service, the theatre space can now also be transformed into a bookable socially distanced sports lounge to screen large gaming events. The pub also features two outdoor seating areas with TVs, available for bookings of groups of six from mixed households. The year has been devastating for the hospitality sector, but Damien Devine, Landlord and Executive Director, has rallied his family to make the reopening possible

The rest of The Old Red Lion’s theatre season includes Big Fan’s Campfire, Matthew
Gouldesbrough’s Truth/Reconciliation, and Adam Elliott and Olivier Malam’s The Count of Monte Cristo as follows:

Campfire (produced by Big Fan)
Written by Big Fan
Friday 18th and Monday 21st December

The Campfire is an improvised comedy-horror show. We are to horror what darts is to sport and what Ed Sheeran is to grime. So, come join us around our Christmas Campfire as we improvise some of the spookiest nonsense you’ve ever seen since Jennifer Aniston’s appearance in The Leprechaun 2.

BARK (produced by Joseph Blake)
Written by Stephanie Dickson
Thursday 17th and Saturday 19th December

Helen and Grace, two women who meet in the TV room of a hospital, become unlikely but firm friends. With Christmas coming up, Helen plans something special, only for the night to fall into ruin when she discovers something about her new friend that will change everything

As they battle their illnesses and try to understand their place in the world, they face the
ultimate question: What does it mean to live?

December (produced by Bag of Beard)
Written by Alexander Knott
Sunday 20th December – Tuesday 5th January 2021

December, written by Alexander Knott, is inspired by the character of Bob Cratchitt in A Christmas Carol and had been due to run as a live production over the festive season. The production has now been reimagined for an online audience, with the show being filmed in and around the Old Red Lion Theatre Auditorium. A split of profits will be donated to homelessness charity Hackney Winter Night Shelter.

Truth/Reconciliation (produced by Elegy)
Written by Matthew Gouldesbrough
Monday 28th – Wednesday 30th December

Two people come apart.
Two opposing stories.
They can’t both be true, right?

Performed by a real-life couple, ’Truth/Reconciliation’ is a reflective show about the nature of truth, the need to tell stories and theatre itself.

Happenings (produced by Printers Playhouse)
Written by John Berry
Monday 4th – Friday 8th January 2021

In these tough times, Life’s a struggle. There are unfulfilled expectations. Humdrum existences needing an injection of life. Millions wishing something would happen to them, to fill the void in their lives. Clearly everyone “else” is happy. Online celebrations and holiday pics prove it. Jane can’t take it anymore. She needs that something, anything! But how far is she willing to go to get it? Jo didn’t understand. Jo is happy to just get along. Having normal couple conversations and disagreements. Why do they see the world so differently? Maybe “Mad Fran” has the answer. She at least has the life experience that would suggest she could help.

Saving Britney (produced by Fake Escape)
Written by David Shopland with Shereen Roushbaiani
Wednesday 13th – Saturday 16th January 2021

She was on national TV by the time she was seven. She was an international superstar by sixteen. By 25 she was committed to a mental institution. For Millennials like Jean, they grew up with Britney Spears. They listened to her music. They watched her movies. She was their idol. Over the course of an hour we see the iconic star from Jean’s perspective; why the Princess of Pop influenced her life and how the connections shared between them eventually lead Jean to an unbelievable moment of self-discovery.

Inspired by the #FreeBritney movement, Saving Britney is a hilarious and heartbreaking look at celebrity obsession, sexuality and growing up in the early noughties.

The Count of Monte Cristo (produced by Rather Nifty)
Written by Adam Elliot and Oliver Malam
Tuesday 26th – Saturday 31st January 2020

Three intrepid actors embark on an ambitious attempt to bring to life the classic novel, The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas (author of The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas). Adventure, intrigue, romance and revenge. Like Oceans 11 but live, onstage and with one fewer George Clooneys. Our story starts in 1815 (Ancient France). Employee of the month and all-round nice guy, Edmond Dantes, is wrongfully imprisoned, betrayed by those closest to him. After years of suffering, hidden away in an island prison, he escapes and methodically sets a web of intricate traps with which to take his vengeance. Who will suffer, who will be spared? Will Dantes realise his revenge or will it consume him?

CATHY TYSON JOINS BOARD OF TRUSTEES AT CURVE

Acclaimed actress Cathy Tyson has joined the Board of Trustees at Leicester Theatre Trust, the body responsible for governing Curve.

A firm favourite on Curve’s stages, Cathy has recently appeared in Made at Curve productions of Hanif Kureishi’s My Beautiful Laundrette and Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. Cathy is also well-known for her on-screen roles including ITV’s Band of Gold and Mona Lisa, for which she won the Los Angeles Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress, as well as receiving nominations at the Golden Globes and BAFTA Awards.

As a Trustee, Cathy will play a role in the development and direction of the theatre, helping to shape the future of Curve following the impact of COVID-19 and beyond.

In a joint statement, Chair of Leicester Theatre Trust Ian Squires and Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford said:

“‘It is with real delight that we can announce that Cathy Tyson, one of our most versatile and gifted artists, is joining Curve’s board.

Cathy has been a star in the firmament since she blazed into the screen in MONA LISA and has established herself both as an artist and theatre practitioner of the first order over the ensuing years. She has been a huge champion of Curve over a number of years and knows our theatre intimately having appeared in Made at Curve productions of My Beautiful Laundrette and The Importance of Being Earnest. We very much look forward to working with Cathy and benefiting from her vast experience of the industry.”

Cathy joins existing Leicester Theatre Trust board members including Liz Blyth, Gautam Bodiwala, Councillor Piara Singh Clair, Mike Dalzell, Gary Dixon, Shobna Gulati, Georgina Hall, Nicola Hurley, Sita McIntosh, Savanna Patel, Vivien Waterfield and Donna Williams.

Commenting on her appointment, Cathy Tyson said:

“I’m delighted to be part of the board of the dynamic force that is Curve theatre. World class theatre that helps to put the UK on the international theatre map. Very proud indeed. Many people as well as myself have benefitted from Curve. Long may future generations benefit as well.”

To find out more about Curve, visit www.curveonline.co.uk

On Sunday 6 December, stars gathered at the Actors’ Church (St Paul’s Church) in London’s Covent Garden, to film the concert: We Need A Little Christmas, in support of Shelter and Crisis at Christmas. The concert will be available to stream from 20 December 2020 to 1 January 2021 via Stream.theatre.

Denise Welch and Amy Hart hosted the event and you’ll be able to watch performances from Dame Maureen Lipman, Courtney Act, David Bedella, Simon Callow, Kevin Clifton, Brenda Edwards, Sheila Ferguson, Dom Hartley-Harris, Sophie Isaacs, Cassidy Janson, Charlie Kristensen (#CheerUpCharlie), Lydia Lucy, Lee Mead, Peter Polycarpou, Jodie Prenger, Sharon Rose, Sally Ann Triplett and The Vivienne, along with Brian Conley and the cast of A Christmas Carol – The Musical and the West End Gospel Choir. 

We Need A Little Christmas is produced by Thomas Hopkins & Michael Quinn for Ginger Quiff Media and Guy Chapman. 

Website: stream.theatre
Twitter: @gingerqmedia / @stream_theatre
Facebook: @gingerquiffmedia / @stream.theatre
Instagram: gingerquiffmedia / stream_theatre

All photo’s credited to Bonnie Britain

LONDON CLASSIC THEATRE ANNOUNCE TWO WEEK RUN OF ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR AT THEATRE ROYAL BATH

London Classic Theatre present

ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR

Written by Alan Ayckbourn 

9 – 20 February 2021

Directed by Michael Cabot;Set design by Simon Scullion; Costume design by Kate Lyons

Lighting design by Andy Grange

Following the postponement of their 20^th anniversary season, London Classic Theatre today announce the return of Alan Ayckbourn’s Absurd Person Singular at Theatre Royal Bath which was postponed in March. Directed by Michael Cabot, returning to their roles are John Dorney (Geoffrey Jackson),Felicity Houlbrooke (Jane Hopcroft), Helen Keeley (Eva Jackson), Rosanna Miles (Marion Brewster-Wright), Graham O’Mara (Ronald Brewster-Wright) and Paul Sandys (Sidney Hopcroft). The production opens on 10 February, with preview from 9 February, and runs until 20 February ahead of a rescheduled Spring/Summer tour, with full details to be announced.

Artistic Director Michael Cabot said today “After a difficult year, we are delighted that Theatre Royal Bath have invited us to be part of their new season. We had to postpone our 2020 tour of Absurd Person Singularafter only three weeks on the road, which left us in a perilous position. Since then, we haven’t received any support from either the Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund or the Culture Recovery Fund, so it has been an extremely challenging few months. This two-week run at Bath feels like a genuine lifeline and the first step on the road to recovery for us. Our cast and stage management team have been incredibly loyal and are all looking forward to getting the show back on stage.”

Three married couples. Three kitchens. Three Christmas parties.

Sidney Hopcroft, a small-time tradesman, persuades wife Jane to throw a party hoping to find favour with a bank manager and local architect. As celebrations begin, class differences and naked ambition combine to hilarious effect as, one by one, the characters seek refuge in Jane’s kitchen.

Over the next two years, the Jacksons and Brewster-Wrights take turns to host festivities. But Sidney’s star has begun to rise and roles are increasingly reversed as the cracks in the other couples’ marriages begin to show.

Absurd Person Singular first premièred in 1972 and was awarded the Evening Standard Best Comedy Award.   

Alan Ayckbourn is an award-winning playwright. His theatre credits include The Norman Conquests (Evening Standard Best Play Award and Tony Award For Best Revival Of A Play), Bedroom Farce, Just Between Ourselves (Evening Standard Best Play Award), A Chorus of Disapproval (Olivier Award for Best Comedy and Evening Standard Best Comedy Award), Woman in Mind, A Small Family Business (Evening Standard Best Play Award), Henceforward (Evening Standard Best Comedy Award), Man of the Moment (Evening Standard Best Comedy Award), House & Garden and Private Fears in Public Places, among others.

John Dorney plays Geoffrey Jackson. Previous credits for the company include Hysteria, Absent Friends, The Caretaker and Humble Boy. Other theatre credits include Flight, Peter Pan (National Theatre), Better Watch Out (Hampstead Theatre), At the Back, Out of Focus (Soho Theatre), Volpone (Wilton’s Music Hall), The Revenger’s Tragedy, The Stranger (Southwark Playhouse), A-Team: The Musical (Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh), Coalition (Pleasance, Edinburgh and Islington) and Seasons Greetings (Union Theatre).

Felicity Houlbrooke plays Jane Hopcroft. Previous credits for the company include My Mother Said I Never Should and The Importance of Being Earnest. Other theatre credits include Hard Times (Oldham Coliseum), The Railway Children (King’s Cross Theatre), Echoes (Arcola Theatre) The King’s Speech (Chichester Festival Theatre and Birmingham Repertory Theatre), Black Coffee (UK tour), The Diary of Anne Frank (York Theatre Royal/UK tour) and Gore (Charing Cross Theatre).

Helen Keeley plays Eva Jackson. Previous credits for the company include Private Lives and The Importance of Being Earnest. Other theatre credits The Picture of Dorian Gray (Trafalgar Studios/UK tour), Yap Yap Yap (Battersea Arts Centre), Half, To the End (Southwark Playhouse) and A Summer Day’s Dream (Finborough Theatre).

Rosanna Miles plays Marion Brewster-Wright. Previous theatre credits include Below Stairs (Arts Theatre), The Crucible (UK tour), When Holly Met Ivy (Nuffield Southampton Theatres), Cinderella (Winchester Theatre Royal), Walking the Tightrope (Arcola Theatre), Beyond Nora (Exeter Northcott Theatre), Le Jardin (Bath Theatre Royal) and The Merry Wives of Windsor (UK tour). Television credits include The Grimleys, Teachers and Specials.

Graham O’Mara plays Ronald Brewster-Wright. Previous credits for the company include No Man’s Land. Other theatre credits include Government Inspector and The Three Musketeers (Young Vic), Borders (Arcola Theatre), Fatzer: Downfall of an Egoist (North Wall Arts Centre), Punts and Cans (Theatre503), BU21 (Trafalgar Studios), Romeo and Juliet, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Othello, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Wind in the Willows (Storyhouse, Chester), Sense and Sensibility (The Watermill Theatre),  Alice (Sheffield Theatres), A Man of Letters (Orange Tree Theatre) and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (Theatre Royal Bury St. Edmunds). For television his credits include Friday Night Dinner, Sirens and The Queen: 1974.

Paul Sandys plays Sidney Hopcroft. Previous credits for the company include Private Lives, Entertaining Mr Sloane and The Importance of Being Earnest. Other theatre credits include Peter Pan (New Vic Theatre) and Friend or Foe (UK tour). For television his credits include Apple Tree House and for film, his credits include The Sprint King.

Michael Cabot directs and is the founder and Artistic Director of London Classic Theatre. He has directed all forty-one LCT productions since their touring debut in 2000, including No Man’s Land, My Mother Said I Never Should, Private Lives, Hysteria, The Birthday Party, Waiting for Godot, Absent Friends, Entertaining Mr Sloane and Equus. His freelance work as director includes three recent collaborations with award-winning playwright Henry Naylor, The Collector (Arcola Theatre), Angel and Borders (Edinburgh Festival Fringe).

This revival of Ayckbourn’s seminal play will be staged in a Covid safe environment following government advice and adhering to social distancing guidelines.

ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR

LISTINGS

Theatre Royal Bath, Sawclose, Bath BA1 1ET

Theatre Royal, Bath

9 – 20 February 2021

Box Office: 01225 448844

www.theatreroyal.org.uk

Hackney Empire presents

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

●            IN WHAT WILL BE 120 YEARS SINCE OPENING, HACKNEY EMPIRE’S PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED PANTOMIME JACK AND THE BEANSTALK STARRING CLIVE ROWE WILL NOW OPEN IN DECEMBER 2021.

●          RUNNING FROM 20 NOVEMBER 2021 TO 2 JANUARY 2022, CLIVE ROWE WILL TAKE TO THE STAGE ONCE MORE IN THE ICONIC ROLE OF THE DAME.

●          TICKETS FOR JACK AND THE BEANSTALK GO ON SALE AT MIDDAY ON 9TH DECEMBER 2020 AT WWW.HACKNEYEMPIRE.CO.UK  

Hackney Empire today announces Jack and the Beanstalk which was previously scheduled to open in December 2020, will now open in December 2021, marking the 22nd pantomime at the East End venue.  Jack and the Beanstalk will run from 20th November 2021 to 2nd January 2022 with press night on Thursday 2nd December 2021.  Tickets will go on sale to the public today at 12noon.

For 2021 and as previously announced earlier this year, Hackney Empire is proud to confirm Grande Dame Olivier Award-winner Clive Rowe will make his 14th pantomime appearance starring as Dame Daisy Trott. The full creative team and casting will be announced in due course.

Yamin Choudury, Artistic Director, and Jo Hemmant, Executive Director, from Hackney Empire said: “Every year pantomimes across the country create opportunities for audiences of all ages and backgrounds to experience first-hand the incredible and transformative effects of live performance in theatre. For many, it is a first of its kind; a truly inclusive, representative and multigenerational access point to arts and culture in theatre, and this is particularly true here at Hackney Empire. So it means a lot more to us than ‘just not being able to put on a show’, it means we have to work doubly hard to create a powerful, magical, exciting and fun experience for you all in 2021 and we can’t wait to welcome you back next year to do just that!”

Clive Rowe added “Sadly pantomime isn’t happening this year at Hackney but in true Panto spirit I’m going to shout, “It’s behind me“ and focus on Jack and the Beanstalk 2021 , which will also celebrate 120 years of Hackney Empire.  My excitement is already bubbling and I can’t wait, even though we’ll have to, for all the magical, mischievous mayhem and the crazy, colourful collidescope of fantastic family fun that Hackney pantomime brings. So “Cooooeeeeeee” and see you all in 2021.”

So, as only Hackney Empire can, Jack and the Beanstalk will get the festive season underway once more, with all the fun, magic and razzle dazzle that Hackney audiences love and will sadly miss this Christmas.

When happy-go-lucky Jack is tempted into selling his family’s beloved cow for a fistful of magic beans, he finds himself tangled in an adventure of epic proportions! Join Jack on his journey up an enchanted beanstalk as he tries to outwit a rampaging giant, all with the help of his larger-than-life mum.

This tall-tale is packed full of slapstick comedy, laugh-out-loud topical gags, outrageous costumes, dazzling song and dance numbers and plenty of chances to cheer, boo and hiss.  Hackney Empire’s pantomime has become one of the city’s most anticipated annual highlights bringing West End value at East End prices to attract an ever growing local, national and global fanbase.

Over 44,000 people attended last year’s pantomime Dick Whittington and His Cat including 10,000 schoolchildren. 41% of the audience were first time visitors to Hackney Empire.

Tickets for Jack and the Beanstalk go on sale today at 12noon from www.hackneyempire.co.uk