Author: FairyPoweredProductions

WEST END CAST RECORDING OF

DOLLY PARTON’S

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL

RECORDED LIVE AT THE SAVOY THEARTE

IS RELEASED TODAY

The producers of Dolly Parton’s phenomenally successful 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL are delighted to announce that the West End Cast Recording is available to stream and download now. It can be found on all streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. https://slinky.to/9to5-TheMusical

Recorded live at the Savoy Theatre with the West End cast, led by Caroline Sheen, Amber Davies, Natalie McQueen, Bonnie Langford and Brian Conley, 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL has a rip-roaring score by the Queen of Country herself featuring Backwoods Barbie, Get Out and Stay Out, Shine Like the Sun and the of course, the title number. It tells the story of three workmates pushed to boiling point by their sexist and egotistical boss. Concocting a plan to kidnap and turn the tables on their despicable supervisor, will the ladies manage to reform their office – or will events unravel when the CEO pays an unexpected visit?

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL took the West End by storm in February 2019, where Dolly Parton attended the premiere and joined the cast on stage at the finale. Now celebrating its first birthday in London, the hit show continues to play to sold-out audiences in the capital as well as around the UK (embarking on the second leg of its national tour in May 2020) and, from April, Australia too!

The musical features a book by Patricia Resnick, the legendary film’s original screenwriter, and an original Oscar, Grammy and Tony award-nominated score by multi Grammy Award winner, country legend and pop icon Dolly Parton.

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL is written by Patricia Resnick, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. It is directed by Jeff Calhoun, choreography by Lisa Stevens, design by Tom Rogers, lighting design by Howard Hudson, sound design by Poti Martin, video design by Nina Dunn, original arrangements by Stephen Oremus & Alex Lacamoire, original Broadway orchestrations by Bruce Coughlin, musical supervisor, reductions & extra arrangements by Mark Crossland, musical direction by Andrew Hilton and casting by Victoria Roe and Anne Vosser.

Based on the 20^th Century Fox Picture. Originally produced on Broadway by Robert Greenblatt, April 2009.

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Selladoor Worldwide and Gavin Kalin Productions with Benjamin Lowy Productions, Glass Half Full Productions, Showtime Theatre Productions, Hartshorn – Hook Productions, Harmonia Holdings and Kilimanjaro Live.

RAGS THE MUSICAL

AT PARK THEATRE, LONDON

TO RELEASE CAST RECORDING

PRODUCED BY

STEPHEN SCHWARTZ

Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and her co-producers are delighted to announce that there will be a cast recording of their production of RAGS The Musical which is currently playing to sold out houses at Park Theatre, London, running until tomorrow, Saturday 8 February. This will be the first recording of the show since Sony’s 1991 album with the Broadway cast.

The Album will be released by Ghostlight/Sh-K-Boom Records (a subsidiary of Warner Music and four-time Grammy Award winners in the Best Musical Theatre Album category for The Band’s Visit, In the Heights, The Book of Mormon and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), with Stephen Schwartz as Executive Producer, Nick Barstow as Music Producer and Orchestrator and Joe Bunker as Musical Director. The album will be recorded, mixed & mastered by Joe & Nikki Davison at Auburn Jam Music.

Stephen Schwartz said of the recording “I could not be more pleased that this beautifully sung production of Rags is being recorded by this group of terrific actors and musicians.  I and my fellow authors consider ourselves lucky indeed!”

RAGS The Musical has a book by Joseph Stein (Fiddler on the Roof), revised book by David Thompson, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked) and music by Charles Strouse (Annie).  

RAGS The Musical stars Carolyn Maitland as Rebecca, Dave Willetts as Avram and Sam Attwater as Bronfman, with Debbie Chazen as Anna, Alex Gibson-Giorgio as Sal, Rachel Izen as Rachel, Samuel Jones and Jude Muir as David, Martha Kirby as Bella, Oisin Nolan-Power as Ben and Jeremy Rose as Jack. Completing the cast are Arthur Boan, Angela Caesar, Adam Crossley, Drew Dillon, Matthew Gent and Natasha Karp. 

RAGS The Musical is a heart-warming and powerful musical, which tells the story of Russian immigrant Rebecca, who, with her son David, travels to America in search of a better life. Rebecca must decide what matters more to her – staying true to her roots or adopting a new cultural identity in an attempt to ‘fit in’.

RAGS The Musical is directed by Bronagh Lagan (Little Women, Broken Wings), with musical direction by Joe Bunker, choreography by Philip Michael Thomas, orchestrations by Nick Barstow, set and costume design by Gregor Donnelly, lighting design by Derek Anderson, sound design by James Nicholson, casting by Jane Deitch and children’s casting by Keston and Keston.

RAGS The Musical at Park Theatre is produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Hope Mill Theatre, in association with Knockhardy Productions, Edward Prophet, People Entertainment Group and Park Theatre and is presented by arrangement with MTI Europe.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

RAGS THE MUSICAL

9 January – 8 February 2020

Park Theatre

Clifton Terrace

Finsbury Park

London N4 3JP

020 7870 6876*

www.parktheatre.co.uk

*Telephone booking fee: 10% (capped at £2.50 per ticket)

Tickets

from £18.50 

Performances

Mon – Sat 7.30pm, Thurs & Sat 3:00pm

Running Time

2 hours and 30 minutes

Twitter: @RagsMusicalLDN/@ParkTheatre

THE LAST QUIZ NIGHT ON EARTH UK TOUR OPENS NEXT WEEK IN SALFORD

Innovative new play by Alison Carr from Box of Tricks theatre company

Award winning Box of Tricks theatre company recently announced plans for a UK Tour of their latest production The Last Quiz Night on Earth an immersive, innovative new play by Alison Carr.

The tour opens at the Welcome Inn in Salford, in association with The Lowry, from Tuesday 11 February to Saturday 15 February 2020, before touring unusual spaces until Saturday 11 April 2020.

The latest tour from Box of Tricks follows two sold-out tours of critically acclaimed Chip Shop Chips. Pre-apocalyptic comedy, The Last Quiz Night on Earth,breaks the fourth wall, plunging audiences in to the drama of the show.

Today the company can announce the cast for the unique production which will be staged in urban and rural venues across the country, including theatres, village halls, community arts centres and local pubs.

Pub Landlady Kathy will be played by Meriel Scholfield; Meriel trained at RADA and is a regular on TV with appearances in all the major soaps including Coronation Street, fans may recognise her from numerous appearances on the famous cobbles, she has also appeared in Last Tango in Halifax, Holby City and Doctors.

Shaban Dar takes the role of ‘host with the most’, pre-apocalyptic Quizmaster Rav. Shaban is a familiar face in theatre with credits including I Believe in Unicorns (Theatre Alibi),  Peggin Out (Unheard Theatre) and Brink (Royal Exchange Theatre).

Unexpected guests Bobby and Fran played by Chris Jack and Amy Drake bring plenty of drama to the piece when they arrive at the quiz with some unresolved business.

Chris Jack has appeared in a number of stage plays including Beryl (Octagon Theatre),  Noughts and Crosses (Pilot Theatre/ Derby Theatre/ Coventry Belgrade)  and Brighton Rock (York Theatre Royal/ Pilot Theatre); his TV credits include Hollyoaks, Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

Amy Drake’s TV credits include Cold Feet, Hollyoaks and Emmerdale. In theatre Amy has appeared in several productions including A Christmas Carol (Theatr Clwyd) and My Mother Said I Never Should (Theatre by the Lake)

The cast of four will embark upon a UK tour throughout Spring 2020 –connecting with audiences in the heart of local communities.

It’s the final countdown. Landlady Kathy invites audiences to the last quiz night on earth with Quizmaster Rav. He’s the host with the most. But with time ticking, some unexpected guests turn up out of the blue. Bobby wants to settle old scores, and Fran wants one last shot at love. Expect the unexpected to the bitter end and plenty of drama as the show gets quizzical!

The Last Quiz Night on Earth is written by Alison Carr, directed by Hannah Tyrrell-Pinder, associate producer is Max Emmerson, with design by Katie Scott.

Playwright Alison Carr received critical acclaim for her plays Caterpillar and Iris, and her play Tuesday has been commissioned for the National Theatre’s 2020 Connections programme.

Website:         www.boxoftrickstheatre.co.uk

Facebook:       www.facebook.com/boxoftrickstheatre
Twitter:           @bottc #LastQuizNight

Instagram:      @boxoftrickstheatre

Box of Tricks is an award-winning new writing theatre company based in Manchester. They are an Associate Company at the Stephen Joseph Theatre.

LISTING INFORMATION

THE LAST QUIZ NIGHT ON EARTH

Running time approximately 120 minutes including interval

Age guidance 14+

THE WELCOME INN, SALFORD (in association with The Lowry)

Tuesday 11 February – Saturday 15 February 2020, 7.30pm

Tickets: From £12

Booking: https://thelowry.com/whats-on/last-quiz-night-on-earth/

WINGATES VILLAGE INSTITUTE

Thursday 20 February, 7.30PM

Tickets: £12/10

Booking: https://highlightsnorth.co.uk/event/the-last-quiz-night-on-earth-by-box-of-tricks-theatre-company/

BARDON MILL AND HENSHAW VILLAGE HALL

Friday 21 February, 7.30PM

Tickets: £12.50/10

Booking: https://highlightsnorth.co.uk/event/the-last-quiz-night-on-earth-by-box-of-tricks-theatre-company/

MICKLETON VILLAGE HALL

Saturday 22 February, 7.30PM

Tickets: £10/6

Booking: https://highlightsnorth.co.uk/event/the-last-quiz-night-on-earth-by-box-of-tricks-theatre-company/

THE HOLBECK, SLUNG LOW, LEEDS

Sunday 23 February 2020, 5pm

Tickets: PWYD (Pay what you decide)

Booking: https://www.slunglow.org/event/the-last-quiz-on-earth/

THE BEGGARS THEATRE

Thursday 27February 8pm

Tickets: £12/10

Booking: https://www.kirkgatearts.org.uk/arts-out-west/

ULLOCK VILLAGE HALL

Friday 28 February, 7.30pm

Tickets: £15

Booking: https://www.kirkgatearts.org.uk/arts-out-west/

OULTON VILLAGE HALL

Saturday 19 February, 7.30pm

Tickets: £10/5

Booking: https://www.kirkgatearts.org.uk/arts-out-west/

FLORENCE MINE EGREMONT

Sunday 1 March, 7.30pm

Tickets: £10/5

Booking: https://www.kirkgatearts.org.uk/arts-out-west/

HOPE MILL THEATRE, MANCHESTER
Monday 2 March – Wednesday 4 March 2020, 7.30pm

Tickets: £12/10

Booking: https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/events/the-last-quiz-night-on-earth

ISAAC DIXON BOAT HOUSE

Thursday 5 March, 7pm

Tickets: £12/8

Booking: http://spotonlancashire.co.uk/whats-on/

CALDER VALE VILLAGE HALL

Friday 6 March, 7.30pm

Tickets: £12.50

Booking: http://spotonlancashire.co.uk/whats-on/

LONGTON VICTORY MEMORIAL CLUB

Saturday 7 March, 7.30pm

Tickets: £12/10

Booking: http://spotonlancashire.co.uk/whats-on/

BANK TOP TAVERN (in association with Oldham Coliseum & live@thelibrary)

Monday 16 March – Tuesday 17 March 2020, 7.30pm

Tickets: £10

Booking https://www.coliseum.org.uk/plays/the-last-quiz-night-on-earth/

NEW HAMPTON ARTS CENTRE

Wednesday 18 March, 7.30pm

Tickets: £8/7

Booking: http://bctouring.co.uk/whats-on/

THIMBLEMILL LIBRARY

Thursday 19 March, 8pm

Tickets: £8

Booking: http://bctouring.co.uk/whats-on/

POCKLINGTON ARTS CENTRE

Friday 20March 2020

Booking: https://www.pocklingtonartscentre.co.uk/

NORTHWICH MEMORIAL COURT
Saturday 21 March 2020

Booking: https://www.brioleisure.org/what-we-offer/entertainment/whats-on

STEPHEN JOSEPH THEATRE, SCARBOROUGH
Tuesday 24 March – Wednesday 25March 2020, 7.30pm

Tickets: From £10

Booking: https://www.sjt.uk.com/event/940/the_last_quiz_night_on_earth

GREAT WHITTINGTON VILLAGE HALL

Thursday 26 March, 7.30PM

Tickets: £12/10

Booking: https://highlightsnorth.co.uk/event/the-last-quiz-night-on-earth-by-box-of-tricks-theatre-company/

HAMSTERLEY VILLAGE HALL

Friday 27 March, 7.30PM

Tickets: £8/4

Booking: https://highlightsnorth.co.uk/event/the-last-quiz-night-on-earth-by-box-of-tricks-theatre-company/

HELSINGTON & BRIGSTEER VILLAGE HALL

Saturday 28 March, 7.30PM

Tickets: £12/6

Booking: https://highlightsnorth.co.uk/event/the-last-quiz-night-on-earth-by-box-of-tricks-theatre-company/

ARNSIDE EDUCATION CENTRE

Thursday 26 March, 7.30PM

Tickets: SOLD OUT

Booking: https://highlightsnorth.co.uk/event/the-last-quiz-night-on-earth-by-box-of-tricks-theatre-company/

THE BURNTWOOD PUB, BUCKLEY (in association with Theatr Clwyd)
Tuesday 31 March – Wednesday 1 April 2020, 7pm

Tickets: £10

Booking: https://www.theatrclwyd.com/en/whats-on/the-last-quiz-night-on-earth/

GAWSWORTH VILLAGE HALL

Friday 3 April, 7.30pm

Booking: http://www.cheshireruraltouringarts.co.uk/whats-on/

GOOSTREY VILLAGE HALL

Saturday 4 April, 7.30pm

Booking: http://bctouring.co.uk/whats-on/

MOLLINGTON AND BACKFORD DISTRRICT VILLAGE HALL

Sunday 5 April, 6.30pm

Booking: http://bctouring.co.uk/whats-on/

THE TWO TUBS

Tuesday 7 April, 7.30pm

Tickets: £13

Booking: https://themet.org.uk/whats-on/

RADCLIFF MARKET

Wednesday 8 April, 7.30pm

Tickets: £13

Booking: https://themet.org.uk/whats-on/

RAMSBOTTOM CIVIC HALL

Thursday 9 April, 7.30pm

Tickets: £13

Booking: https://themet.org.uk/whats-on/

THE DUKES, LANCASTER

Friday 10 April – Saturday 11 April 2020

Booking: https://dukes-lancaster.org/events/theatre/

Richmond Theatre – until 8 February 2020

Reviewed by Carly Burlinge

3 ½ ***

My Cousin Rachel by Daphne Du Maurier, adapted by Joseph O’Connor and directed by Anthony Banks, is set in Cornwall. At the Ashley Estate where Rachel Coryn Ashley (Helen George) makes the journey back from Florence to the home of her recently deceased husband Lord Ashley, to return all his worldly possessions to the estate as well as wanting to visit his childhood home and feel a connection towards him now that he is gone.

She plays a very distraught character at times, as well as playing a very calm and collective role throughout the show. She reminisces over her former life with Lord Ashley talking about him dearly to Estate Servant John Seecombe (Sean Murray) who has served Lord Ashley for 40 years. He plays a fantastic role in being very loyal, pleasant and knowledgeable also quite the philosopher always offering his opinions about life and people and working alongside Thomas Connors (John Lumsden), the younger servant of the house that plays a courageous but cheeky character throughout.

Although her cousin Philip Ashley (Jack Holden) is heir to the Ashley Home he is struggling with the death of his guardian. He plays a part that seems somewhat misplaced around her, does not hold much trust in her and is convinced she has something to hide. Although whilst her stay at the Estate Philip Ashley (Jack Holden) later finds himself drawn towards her and his perception of her changes. He plays an erratic character at times and seems to be quite infatuated by her falling for her charms making this a classic gothic romance.

This production offers a fantastic set with some dramatic music played to highlight some of the more darker scenes along with some superb lighting, giving the whole set an eerie atmosphere. Along with its sweeping staircase and its rotational stage offering something different whilst fascinating to watch.

& JULIET ANNOUNCES

SPECIAL “SING-A-LONG” PERFORMANCE

Performance confirmed for Tuesday 12 May at 7.30pm

Shaftesbury Theatre, London

www.andjulietthemusical.co.uk

The producers of & Juliet – the West End’s joyous and fun-loving new musical– are thrilled to announce today that there will be a special sing-a-long performance of the acclaimed show at the Shaftesbury Theatre on Tuesday 12 May.

The musical, which has recently extended its booking period through until October 2020, contains many of the biggest and most anthemic songs of the last 30 years, including Baby One More Time, Everybody (Backstreet’s Back), Love Me Like You Do, Confident, It’s My Life, Can’t Feel My Face and the roof-raising Roar.

This special performance, complete with screens displaying the lyrics to every song, will be an opportunity for theatre goers and fans of the show to let their hair down and sing-a-long to the sound-track of their lives.

& Juliet soars with the music of Max Martin, the acclaimed song-writer of some of pop’s most iconic songs and recorded by artists including Backstreet Boys, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Katy Perry and Ariana Grande, all brilliantly arranged for the musical by Tony® and Grammy Award-winning orchestrator Bill Sherman.

Luke Sheppard, the director of the production, said: “During our first 100 shows at the Shaftesbury Theatre, we’ve been reminded again and again that audiences love the songs of & Juliet. We wanted to create a special occasion where everyone is welcome to join in and have as much fun singing our songs as the actors do every night – when normally we ask the audience to leave the performing to them! A key message of the show is celebrating inclusivity through the magic of theatre, and our hope is that this event continues to open up this show to new audiences as well as those who want to experience the show in a unique way.”

Miriam-Teak Lee leads the cast in the role of Juliet, with Cassidy Janson as Anne Hathaway, Oliver Tompsett as William Shakespeare, David Bedella as Lance, Arun Blair-Mangat as May, Jordan Luke Gage as Romeo, Melanie La Barrie as Nurse,and Tim Mahendran Francois.

The ensemble includes Jocasta Almgill, Josh Baker, Ivan De Freitas, Rhian Duncan, Danielle Fiamanya, Kieran Lai, Nathan Lorainey-Dineen, Jaye Marshall, Grace Mouat, Antoine Murray-Straughan, Billy Nevers, Kerri Norville, Christopher Parkinson, Dillon Scott-Lewis, Kirstie Skivington, Alex Tranter and Sophie Usher.

Brought to life by an award-winning creative team in an explosive fusion of styles, & Juliet is directed by Luke Sheppard with a book by David West Read (Schitt’s Creek), electrifying choreography from Jennifer Weber, stunning set design from Soutra Gilmour and costume design by Paloma Young.

Max Martin and Tim Headington present & Juliet, which is produced by Martin Dodd, Tim Headington, Max Martin, Jenny Petersson and Theresa Steele Page.

ZUBIN VARLA AND

ROBERT TRIPOLINO

COMPLETE THE CAST OF

ZORRO

IN CONCERT AT CADOGAN HALL

ON SUNDAY 23 FEBRUARY

Club 11 London and Take Two Theatricals are delighted to announce that Zubin Varla and Robert Tripolino will join the cast of ZORRO in concert at Cadogan Hall on Sunday 23 February as Don Alejandro and Ramon respectively. They join the previously announced Ricardo Afonso (Jesus Christ Superstar, We Will Rock You) as the titular role and Diego, Olivier Award-winning actress Lesli Margherita (Matilda on Broadway, Dames At Sea on Broadway, Zorro original West End cast) reprising the role of Inez and four-time Olivier-nominated actress Emma Williams (Half A Sixpence, Mrs Henderson Presents, Zorro original West End cast) who will also reprise the role of Luisa.

The cast will be accompanied by the London Musical Theatre Orchestra chorus featuring Catalina Amaral, Daniel Amity, Charlotte Clitherow, Richard James-King, Danny Lane, James Leeman, Lauren Lockley, Matthew McDonald, Mia Michaud, Grace Mouat, Rebecca Ridout, Justine Saville, Margarida Silva, Joe Thompson-Oubari, Richard Upton and Enrico Volpi.

Zubin Varla most recently starred in Ghost Quartet at Boulevard Theatre and Equus at Theatre Royal Stratford East. In 2019, Zubin was nominated for an Olivier Award for Fun Home at the Young Vic in the Best Actor in a Musical category. His other theatre work includes Measure for Measure and The Changeling (Young Vic), Dara, The Enchantment, Attempts on Her Life, The Life of Galileo and Cyrano de Bergerac (National Theatre), War Horse (National Theatre/New London Theatre), Two Gentlemen of Verona, Midnight’s Children, The Tempest, Roberto Zucco, Bartholomew Fair, Faust, The Painter of Dishonour and Romeo & Juliet (RSC) and Jesus Christ Superstar and Beautiful Thing (West End). His TV work includes series regulars in Our Girl (BBC One), Holby City (BBC One) and Little Dorrit (BBC One).

Robert Tripolino most recently starred in High Fidelity at the Turbine Theatre and played Jesus in Regents Park Open Air Theatre’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar at The Barbican, to great critical acclaim. Prior to this Robert played Sal in the revival of Rags at Hope Mill Theatre, his first role in a musical in the UK. In his native Australia, Robert appeared in West Side Story (State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne), La Cage Aux Folles (The Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne), The Addams Family (Capitol Theatre, Sydney) and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne).

Tickets are available now from www.club11.london/zorro

The Gipsy Kings are that rare thing – an international household name famous solely for their music. The Gipsy Kings began with two bands of brothers, the Reyes (Nicolas, Canut, Paul, Patchaï, André) and the Baliardos (Tonino, Paco, Diego), and after 25 years is still fronted by the two songwriters and producers Nicolas Reyes and Tonino Baliardo. In 1987 the Gipsy Kings’ self-titled debut album introduced the world to “rumba Gitano,” the sound of South America’s rumba rhythm married to flamenco guitars. With “Bamboleo” the Gipsy Kings scored a huge international hit, and since then the Kings have never stopped singing to the world. Their total album sales worldwide now exceed 18 million.

ZORRO is staged by Annabel Mutale Reed with musical direction by Freddie Tapner, featuring the London Musical Theatre Orchestra (LMTO). ZORRO has a book and lyrics by Stephen Clark, and will feature additional compositions, orchestrations and arrangements by John Cameron.

ZORRO is produced by Darren Bell for Club 11 London and Brian Zeilinger & Jack Maple for Take Two Theatricals and presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International Europe.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

ZORRO

6.30pm

Cadogan Hall

5 Sloane Terrace

London

SW1X 9DQ

Box Office: 020 7730 4500

Ticket Prices: From £32.50

www.club11.london/zorro

www.cadoganhall.com

CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE RSC’S 2020 PRODUCTION OF THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare

Directed by Phillip Breen

Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

Saturday 25 April – Saturday 3 October 2020

Press night: Tuesday 5 May, 7pm

Box Office: 01789 331111, rsc.org.uk

Casting details are announced for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC) 2020 Summer production of The Comedy of Errors, which plays in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from 25 April 2020.  Joining the previously announced Miles Jupp, who will make his RSC debut as Antipholus of Syracuse, is Jonathan Broadbent (Dromio of Syracuse), Justin Edwards (Antipholus of Ephesus), Greg Haiste (Dromio of Ephesus), Georgia Landers (Luciana) and Annette McLaughlin (Adrianna). Directed by Phillip Breen, the production will be cross-cast with The Winter’s Tale (from 28 March 2020) and Pericles (from 15 August 2020).  All three plays are sponsored by Darwin Escapes.

A fairytale farce of everyday miracles and double vision that asks how we really know who we are? A man arrives in a strange town only to find that everyone knows his name, but thinks he’s someone else. A woman wonders why her husband is not the man he was, but starts to rather like it. Confusion mounts as identities split apart. Will they ever find themselves again? And do they really want to?

Following its run in Stratford-upon-Avon, the production, along with The Winter’s Tale and Pericles, will transfer to the Barbican in London.

Phillip Breen said, “I am absolutely thrilled that Miles is making his Royal Shakespeare Company debut after our collaboration on A Day in the Death of Joe Egg at the Glasgow Citizens. He is joining this brilliant and talented ensemble and I am really happy to be bringing this collaboration to the RSC. Miles is known for his great improvised wit and humour as a comedian but here he brings the other side of his game; his serious chops as a classical actor.”

Jonathan Broadbent will play Dromio of Syracuse. His previous RSC credits include The Tempest, Queen Anne and Love for Love. Other theatre credits include Henry VI Parts 1,2 and 3, Richard III, Henry IV Parts 1 and 2 and Henry V, all for Shakespeare’s Globe, The Double Dealer and Humble Boy for the Orange Tree Theatre, The Wizard of Oz for Sheffield Crucible, The Norman Conquests for Chichester Festival Theatre and My Night with Reg both at the Donmar Warehouse and at the Apollo Theatre in the West End. Jonathan’s screen credits include The Crown, Father Brown, Silent Witness, EastEnders and Kenneth Branagh’s film adaptations of The Magic Flute and As You Like It.

Justin Edwards will make his RSC debut as Antipholus of Ephesus. Justin was most recently seen on stage in The Ferryman, both in the West End and on Broadway. His film credits include Sam Mendes’ multi award-winning feature 1917, the Richard Curtis/Danny Boyle feature Yesterday, The Man Who Invented Christmas, Armando Iannucci’s The Death of Stalin and Whit Stillman’s Love and Friendship. Justin is also well known for his extensive work in comedy and television including The Thick of It, In and Out of the Kitchen, and Michael Winterbottom’s The Trip as well as returning in the forthcoming second series of acclaimed show There She Goes alongside David Tennant and Jessica Hynes.

Greg Haiste will make his RSC debut as Dromio of Ephesus.  His numerous theatre credits include Quiz for Chichester Festival Theatre and the Noël Coward Theatre in the West End, Richard III and Nell Gwynn for Shakespeare’s Globe and its West End run at the Apollo Theatre, 39 Steps at the Criterion Theatre, Peter and the Starcatcher and A Christmas Carol both at Royal and Derngate, Lysistrata, at the Rose Theatre, Kingston, Low Pay, Don’t Pay at the Salisbury Playhouse andThe Lady in the Van, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Hamlet and The Accrington Pals, all for the West Yorkshire Playhouse. His TV credits include Pennyworth, Timewasters, Home Fires, True Crimes, See How They Run, Heartbeat, Jane Hall, Emmerdale, and Touch Me, I’m Karen Taylor whilst film credits include The Current War, The Time of Our Lives and Starfish.

Miles Jupp makes his RSC debut as Antipholus of Syracuse. Miles’ most recent theatre credits include the West End productions of The Life I Lead and Neville’s Island, as well as Rules for Living and Alan Bennett’s People, both at the National Theatre. Miles played Nigel McCall in the Bafta-winning BBC series Rev. and Basil in ITV’s The Durrells. His other television credits include Howard’s End, The Crown,The Thick of It, Bad Move, A Young Doctor’s Notebook and Watership Down. His film credits include Journey’s End, Misbehaviour, The Man Who Invented Christmas and the Michael Winterbottom films The Look of Love and Greed. Miles hosted BBC Radio 4’s flagship topical comedy show The News Quiz for four years and wrote and starred in the series In And Out Of The Kitchen, for Radio 4 for and for BBC television. His book Fibber In The Heat was shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book Of The Year.

Georgia Landers makes her RSC debut as Luciana. Her previous theatre credits include A Woman of No Importance on UK tour, Anna and Antony and Cleopatra both for the National Theatre. Her screen credits include the BBC One series Press and The Looming Tower.

Annette McLaughlin plays Adrianna. Her previous RSC credits include Volpone, Love’s Sacrifice, The Jew of Malta, Measure for Measure, Written on the Heart, and the West End company of Matilda the Musical. Other theatre credits include Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre, Pinocchio for the National Theatre, Twelfth Night for Shakespeare’s Globe, the UK Tour of Billy Elliot, Kneehigh’s Brief Encounter on tour in UK, St Ann’s Warehouse Brooklyn and Studio 54 on Broadway, Chicago at the Cambridge Theatre and Adelphi Theatre, Anything Goes at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Our Town for the Almeida Theatre, She Loves Me, 5/11, and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying all for Chichester Festival Theatre. Her TV credits include Heartbeat, Law & Order and Lunar V1 whilst her film credits include Leigionaire. 

Further cast comprises Alfred Clay (Dr Pinch), Andrew French (Duke Solinus), William Grint (Merchant), Avita Jay (Luce), Cornell S. John (Egeon), Zoe Lambert (Aemilia), Mogali Masuku (Courtesan), Dyfrig Morris (Jailer/Merchant), Baker Mukasa (Merchant), Patrick Osborne (Balthasar) and Zach Wyatt (Angelo).

Joining Phillip Breen on the creative team are Max Jones (Designer), Tina MacHugh (Lighting), Paddy Cunneen (Music), Dyfan Jones (Sound), Charlotte Broom (Movement) and Renny Krupinski (Fights).

The production will be broadcast live into cinemas on 15 July 2020.

THE JAMIE LLOYD COMPANY ANNOUNCES FULL CAST FOR

ANYA REISS’ ADAPTATION OF CHEKHOV’S THE SEAGULL

The Jamie Lloyd Company, the successful partnership between Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) and Artistic Director Jamie Lloyd, today announces the full cast for Anya Reiss’ adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull. Joining the previously announced Emilia Clarke (Nina) to complete the cast are Danny Ashok (Medvedenko), Robert Glenister (Sorin), Tom Rhys Harries (Trigorin), Daniel Monks (Konstantin), Tamzin Outhwaite (Polina), Patrick Robinson (Dorn), Seun Shote (Shamrayev), Indira Varma (Arkadina), and Sophie Wu (Masha). The production opens at Playhouse Theatre on 19 March, with previews from 11 March, and runs until 30 May.

The Seagull is the second production in the Playhouse season, in association with British Airways, which opened last year with the critically acclaimed production of Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac, in a new version by Martin Crimp and starring James McAvoy – running until 29 February 2020; and closes with Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, in a version by Frank McGuinnesswith Jessica Chastain, which opens on 18 June, with previews from 10 June and runs until 5 September 2020.

As part of its continued commitment to audience development, The Jamie Lloyd Company, supported by British Airways, are offering 15,000 free tickets to first time theatre-goers and 15,000 £15 tickets for under 30s, key workers and those receiving job seeker’s allowance and other government benefits across the season.

‘We need the theatre, couldn’t, couldn’t do without it. Could we?’  

A young woman is desperate for fame and a way out. A young man is pining after the woman of his dreams. A successful writer longs for a sense of achievement. An actress wants to fight the changing of the times. In an isolated home in the countryside where dreams are in tatters, hopes dashed, hearts broken and there is nowhere left to turn, the only option is to turn on each other.

Anya Reiss’ playwriting credits include Oliver Twist (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Uncle Vanya (St James’ Theatre), Spring Awakening (UK tour), Three Sisters (Southwark Playhouse), and The Acid Test and Spur of the Moment (Royal Court Theatre); and as screenwriter her credits include Ackley Bridge and EastEnders.

Danny Ashok plays Medvedenko. His theatre credits include Alys, Always (Bridge Theatre), Guards at the Taj, Zaida and Aadam (Bush Theatre), Disgraced (Bush Theatre/Lyceum Theatre, Broadway), The Djinns of Eidgah (Royal Court Theatre), The Royal Duchess Superstore (The Broadway Theatre), Small Fish Big Cheese (Unicorn Theatre), Henry IV (Theatre Royal Bath) and Blood and Gifts (National Theatre). His television credits include C.B. Strike, Cobra, Deep Water, Capital, Chasing Shadows, Silk, The Dumping Ground and The Tower; and for film, Dark Justice, Finding Fatimah and Four Lions.

Emilia Clarke plays Nina. Her theatre credits include Breakfast at Tiffany’s (Cort Theatre, New York). Her television credits include as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones; and for film, Spike Island, Dom Hemingway, Terminator: Genisys, Me Before You, Solo: A Star Wars Story and Last Christmas.

Robert Glenister plays Sorin. His theatre credits for the company include Moonlight/Night School (Pinter at the Pinter, Harold Pinter Theatre). Other theatre credits include Alys Always (Bridge Theatre), Glengarry Glen Ross (Playhouse Theatre), Great Britain, Never So Good, Blue Remembered Hills (National Theatre), Noises Off (The Old Vic/Novello Theatre), The Late Middle Classes (Donmar Warehouse), Hedda Gabler (Theatre Royal Bath), The Winterling (Royal Court Theatre), Uncle Vanya (Royal Exchange Theatre), Measure for Measure, The Tempest, The Spanish Tragedy, Little Eyolf (RSC), According to Hoyle (Hampstead Theatre), Hamlet (Sheffield Theatres) and Tango at the End of Winter (Piccadilly Theatre). His television credits include C.B. Strike, Curfew, Cold Feet, Close to the Enemy, Paranoid, Code of a Killer, The Cafe, Hustle, We’ll Take Manhattan, Legless, Spooks, Between the Sheets, Dirty Work, Soldier Soldier, Chancer and Sink or Swim; and for film The Aeronauts, Journey’s End, Live by Night, Cryptic, Creation and The Secret Rapture.

Tom Rhys Harries plays Trigorin. His theatre credits include Tumulus (VAULT Festival), The Pitchfork Disney (Shoreditch Town Hall), Dedication (Nuffield Southampton Theatres), Creditors (Young Vic), Four Play (The Old Vic), Mojo (Harold Pinter Theatre), The History Boys (Sheffield Theatres) and Torch Song Trilogy (Menier Chocolate Factory). His television credits include Britannia, 15 Days, Merched Parchus, Unforgotten, Chewing Gum, Hinterland, Jekyll and Hyde, Under Milk Wood, If I Don’t Come Home: Letters from D-Day, Parade’s End and the forthcoming White Lines for Netflix; and for film, The Gentlemen, Slaughterhouse Rulez, Dragonheart: Battle for the Heartfire, Crow, Hot Property, Iron Clad: Battle for Blood and Hunky Dory.

Daniel Monks plays Konstantin. His theatre credits include Teenage Dick (Donmar Warehouse), Lord of the Flies (Sydney Theatre Company) and The Real and Imagined History of The Elephant Man (Malthouse Theatre, Sydney – for which he was nominated for a Helpmann Award and Green Room Award for Best Lead Actor in a Play). For film, he wrote, produced, edited and starred in Pulse – which won the Busan Bank Award at the Busan International Film Festival 2017 and for which he was nominated for the Australian Academy Award (AACTA) for Best Lead Actor in a Film. He is an Ambassador for the Starlight Children’s Foundation, and in 2018, he was named the Ambassador for People with Disabilities Australia at the 40th Sydney Mardi Gras Parade. 

Tamzin Outhwaite plays Polina. Her theatre credits include Stepping Out (Theatre Royal Bath/Vaudeville Theatre), How the Other Half Loves (Theatre Royal Haymarket), Di & Viv & Rose (Hampstead Theatre/Vaudeville Theatre), Breeders (St James Theatre), Sweet Charity (Menier Chocolate Factory/Theatre Royal Haymarket), Boeing Boeing (Comedy Theatre), Breathing Corpses, Flesh Wound (Royal Court Theatre), Oliver (London Palladium), Grease (UK tour/Dominion Theatre), Carousel (National Theatre) and Radio Times (Birmingham Rep/The Queen’s Theatre). Her television credits include as series regular Melanie Owen in EastEnders, Josh, New Tricks, Paradox, The Fixer, Vital Signs, Hotel Babylon, Walk Away and I Stumble, Frances Tuesday, When I’m Sixty-Four, Red Cap, Final Demand and Out of Control; and for film, Great Expectations, Radio Cape Cod, Cassandra’s Dream and Backwaters.

Patrick Robinson plays Dorn. His theatre credits include Macbeth (National Theatre/UK tour), Baskerville (Liverpool Everyman Theatre), King Lear, Merchant of Venice (Chichester Festival Theatre), The Rover, King John (RSC), Shawshank Redemption (UK tour), Waiting for Godot (West Yorkshire Playhouse), War Horse (New London Theatre), Rough Crossings (Headlong), Much Ado About Nothing (RSC/Novello Theatre), Gem of the Ocean (Tricycle Theatre), Macbeth (international tour), Festen (Almeida Theatre/Lyric Theatre), Guantanamo (Tricycle Theatre/Ambassadors Theatre), Mappa Mundi (National Theatre), and Dangerous Corner (Garrick Theatre). His television credits include as series regulars Ash in Casualty and DC Jacob Banks in The Bill. Other television credits include Mount Pleasant, Him, Daylight Robbery, A Many Splintered Thing, Pig Heart Boy and The Man.

Seun Shote plays Shamrayev. His theatre credits for the company include Cyrano de Bergerac (Playhouse Theatre). Other theatre credits include The Princess and The Hustler, Egusi Soup, Our Country’s Good, Mother Courage and Her Children (UK tours), Pitchfork Disney (Shoreditch Town Hall), Bob, Routes (Royal Court Theatre), Hearing Things (Albany Theatre), City of God, (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Play Mas (Orange Tree Theatre), One Man, Two Guvnors, Death and the Kings Horseman (National Theatre), 12th Night (Nottingham Playhouse), Salome (Headlong Theatre), Sizwe Bansi is Dead (New Vic Theatre/Stephen Joseph Theatre), The Fortune Club (Tricycle Theatre/Leicester Haymarket) and Off Camera (West Yorkshire Playhouse). His television credits include Black Mirror, Unforgotten, Birds of a Feather, One Child, Little Miss Jocelyn and Little Britain; and for film, Bruno and Welcome to the Punch.

Indira Varma plays Arkadina. Her theatre credits for the company include The Hothouse (Trafalgar Studios). Other theatre credits include The Treatment, Five Gold Rings (Almeida Theatre), Man and Superman, Ivanov, Remembrance of Things Past, Othello (National Theatre), Tiger County (Hampstead Theatre), Titus Andronicus (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Dance of Death (Donmar Trafalgar), Twelfth Night (Donmar Warehouse/Wyndham’s Theatre), The Vortex, Privates on Parade (Donmar Warehouse), Ingredient X, The Vertical Hour, The Country (Royal Court Theatre), Hysteria (Theatre Royal Bath), The Skin of Our Teeth (Young Vic), Celebration (Almeida Theatre/Lincoln Centre/Harold Pinter Theatre). Her television credits include as series regular Ellaria Sand in Game of Thrones and as Zoe Luther in Luther. Her other television work includes This Way Up, Carnival Row, Patrick Melrose, Paranoid, What Remains, Silk, Remains, Rome and Indian Summer; and for film, Close, Official Secrets, Exodus: Gods and Kings, Una and Basic Instinct 2.

Sophie Wu plays Masha. Her theatre credits include Vassa (Almeida Theatre), Sketching (Wilton’s Music Hall), Shopping and F**king (Hammersmith Apollo), The Callous Corruption of Wesley McBunion (Paines Plough), Punk Rock (Royal Exchange Theatre/Lyric Hammersmith), The Wood Orchid (Bush Theatre,) and The Table (National Theatre). Her television credits include New Blood, Babylon, The Midnight Beast, Fresh Meat, Black Mirror, The Fades; and for film, Wild Child, Tormented, Kick-Ass, Kick-Ass 2 and Tonight You’re Mine.

Jamie Lloyd directs. His credits as Artistic Director of the company include Cyrano de Bergerac (Playhouse Theatre), Betrayal (Harold Pinter Theatre/Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, Broadway), One For The Road, The New World Order, Mountain Language, The Lover, The Collection, Landscape, A Kind of Alaska, Monologue, Party Time, Celebration, A Slight Ache, The Dumb Waiter (Pinter at the Pinter, Harold Pinter Theatre), Doctor Faustus (Duke of York’s Theatre), The Maids, The Homecoming, The Ruling Class, Richard III, The Pride, The Hothouse, Macbeth (Trafalgar Studios). Other theatre credits include Evita (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre – Evening Standard Award for Best Musical).

With design by Soutra Gilmour; Lighting Design: Jackie Shemesh

Composition & Sound Design: George Dennis; Projection Design: Duncan McLean

Casting Director: Stuart Burt CDG; Costume Supervisor: Anna Josephs

Props Supervisor: Fahmida Bakht; Associate Director: Jonathan Glew

Associate Designer: Rachel Wingate

£15 tickets

For specific Monday evening and Thursday matinee performances across the season every seat in the house is £15. These tickets are exclusively for under 30s, key workers and those receiving government benefits.

The first four £15 performances of The Seagull will take place on Monday 16March (7.30pm), Thursday 9 April (2.30pm), Monday 13April (7.30pm) and Thursday 23April (2.30pm) – and will go on sale on Monday 24 February at 12pm via www.atgtickets.com/seagull15 only.

For A Doll’s House these will take place on Thursday 23 July (2.30pm), Monday 27 July (7.30pm), Thursday 6 August (2.30pm) and Monday 10 August (7.30pm) – and will go on sale on Monday 8 June at 12pm via atgtickets.com/adollshouse15 only.

Free tickets

A dedicated outreach manager will be distributing these tickets amongst both secondary state schools and community organisations who otherwise would not have access to the theatre. If you work with a group who does not have the means or opportunity to visit the theatre, please register your interest here.

Season Listings                                                                                                                                                                

Playhouse Theatre

Northumberland Avenue, Charing Cross, London WC2N 5DE

CYRANO DE BERGERAC

Until 29 February 2020

THE SEAGULL

11 March – 30 May 2020

A DOLL’S HOUSE

10 June – 5 September 2020

Box Office: 0844 871 7631

https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/playhouse-theatre/

Please note £15 tickets must be booked via a special link on the ATG Tickets website and can only be picked up from the theatre box office 45 minutes prior to the show, and valid ID must be presented upon collection, or entry will be denied

http://thejamielloydcompany.com

Twitter: @JamieLloydCo

Instagram: @jamielloydco

Churchill Theatre, Bromley – 5 February 2020

Reviewed by Elizabeth Smith

4****

Marketed as a special evening with the “Prince of Soul”, An Evening with Marvin Gaye is exactly that.

With a plethora of songs sung beautifully by the main man Wayne Hernandez, the auditorium came alive within minutes with gyrating bodies. 

Wayne was accompanied firstly by Holly Petrie, who had amazing power and tone to her voice and the chemistry between the two was super sexy. Hot on Holly’s tail was Ladonna Young who sung with great passion. It almost felt spiritual, especially as the opening number was The Lord’s Prayer.

The band were visibly enjoying themselves and that shown through their music. The trumpet player, Matt Holland and the percussionist, Rob Anderson, were especially animated through out.

Working through all of Marvin’s greatest hits and a few lesser known numbers the evening flew by with sing-alongs and plenty of stand up and dance tunes.

Wayne Hernandez had incredible charisma and had the audience eating out of his hand. Speaking in his dulcet tones he was making most of the audience weak at the knees.

This is not just a band playing covers of Marvin’s songs this is a performance of talented musicians and vocalists.

Come the finale the audience had reach fever pitch and the Churchill Theatre was truly alive with music.

If you’re a soul devotee this is an evening not to be missed

4 February 2020

Reviewed by Hayley Thompson

The Friarage Theatre is a lovely small venue which is a brilliant place for a live theatre event. Comfy seats, huge screen and great speakers give you a wonderful experience of theatre, as if you were there. Highly recommend for any customers who would wish to visit London to go and watch a live theatre show. The bonus of this is that you really get to see the full picture close up. Sat in row M on the upper circle wont give you this type of experience. We get to see the detail, the expression, the real emotion and even the sweat from all the hard working performers on that stage! What a brilliant piece of entertainment to bring to an audience. 

Killian Donnelly was the perfect actor for this part. If you have seen the movie you can really see the similarity! His vocals were outstanding with his wide range. Matt Henry was brilliant as Lola who I like to call Angels Father from RENT! What a great link we could find here… But most of all the favourite of mine would have to be Natalie McQueen who played a wonderful and hilarious role of Lauren. Her quirks were brilliant and I wanted more of her on stage! 

Kinky Boots is a wonderful production with a great story line to follow. The moments of acceptance and even forgiveness are so heartwarming and relatable for others it pulls you into the story more. The team of Angels are the most fabulous drag queens that you would have ever seen with the most perfect wardrobe collection. 

If your one for a night out but cant stand wearing your high heels then Kinky Boots will be the one to watch! Let them wear the heels for you! I’m sure they will teach you a thing or two.