Author: FairyPoweredProductions

BIRDS OF A FEATHER STAR LINDA ROBSON TO HEADLINE ST HELENS THEATRE ROYAL’S CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME

ACTRESS WILL PLAY THE FAIRY GODMOTHER IN CINDERELLA

Regal Entertainments are delighted to announce that award-winning TV actor and radio presenter Linda Robson will play the Fairy Godmother in their forthcoming Christmas panto, Cinderella at St Helens Theatre Royal.

Best known for playing Tracey Stubbs in hit TV sitcom Birds of a Feather, Linda will lead an all-star cast when the curtain goes up on Cinderella at St Helens Theatre Royal from Sat 5 Dec ’20 – Sun 3 Jan ’21. A special early booking offer on adult tickets has been introduced if bought before the end of May, the theatre will also be offering a whole performance complementary to NHS workers.

Linda has worked in many TV productions, including Play for Today and sitcoms such as ITV’s much-loved Shine On Harvey Moon. The show’s writers also created hit BBC sitcom Birds of a Feather, starring Robson and Quirke, running for 10 years and attracting 17m viewers. The popular comedy series has also had two successful UK stage tours that led to the series’ award-winning revival on ITV after a gap of 15 years.

Outside acting, Linda has presented BBC’s Inside Out and The One Show and is a regular panellist on ITV’s Loose Women.  She has been a contestant in ITV’s I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here and was part of Gareth Malone’s All Star Choir on the official BBC Children In Need single, Wake Me Up, which became 2014’s Christmas No.1. 

Linda Robson said: “Pantomime is something very dear to me and I absolutely love it!  I’ve played both goodies and baddies over the years and I thrive on the feedback I receive from family audiences.  I have lots of friends in the area and I can’t wait to wave my magic wand and bring a bit of Christmas cheer to everyone in St Helens.”

In the most magical fairy-tale of them all, Cinderella lives a life of servitude, with her Ugly Sisters making her life a misery.  When an invitation to the Grand Ball at the Palace arrives, things may be about to change for our Cinders… but not if her scheming siblings have their way!

Can some fairy magic get her to the Ball and meet the handsome Prince Charming? Expect a festive extravaganza with enchanted pumpkins, glass slippers, a sparkling fairy-tale carriage and a Fairy Godmother to make all your dreams come true, as Regal Entertainments bring you the ultimate ‘rags to riches’ fairy tale.

St Helens Theatre Royal manager, Chantelle Nolan said: “We are delighted to announce that Linda Robson will be playing the Fairy Godmother in our Christmas family panto, Cinderella. She is a well-known and much-loved actress and we cannot wait to welcome her to St Helens. There are still plenty more cast announcements to come, so watch this space and be sure to book early, with our special early booking offer to guarantee the best seats! For every early booking offer purchased, we will be offering a seat to an NHS worker.

“We are continually monitoring the situation regarding the coronavirus and following the advice and guidelines from the Government’s experts and public health agencies. The health of our audiences, staff and performers is our top priority. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to the theatre very soon.”

St Helens Theatre Royal invites you to the ball with Cinderella fromSat 5 Dec ’20 – Sun 3 Jan ’21.

Tickets are on sale now! Book early to avoid disappointment.

For more information, please visit: www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com

Like us on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/St-Helens-Theatre-Royal

Follow us on Twitter: @TheatreRoyalStH

LISTING DETAILS

Regal Entertainments Ltd presents Cinderella

Dates: Saturday 5 December 2020 – Sunday 3 January 2021

Times: Various

Tickets: From £11*

Early Birds Of A Feather Offer: For each adult ticket purchased another adult goes free! (Valid from 13-20 Dec and 30 Dec-3 Jan, offer excludes weekend matinees and school performances) must book by 31^st May! For every ticket booked on the offer, a ticket will go to an NHS worker.

*All prices are inclusive of a £1 per seat transaction fee. On-line bookings are subject to an additional 50p per seat on-line processing fee.

THEATRE ROYAL BOOKING DETAILS

Due to the coronavirus, the Theatre Box Office is closed for in-person and telephone bookings.  Books can be made online at www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com or by emailing the box office at [email protected]

BIBLIOBUZZ ALEXANDRA PALACE’S CHILDREN’S LITERATURE FESTIVAL MOVES ONLINE FOR 2020

Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust has joined forces with Waterstones Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell and six celebrated children’s authors: Aisha Bushby, Kirsty Applebaum, Helen Peters, Rebecca Westcott, Stewart Foster and Thomas Taylor  to deliver the finale of the annual Bibliobuzz reading initiative online from 4 – 15 May.

Since January, hundreds of young people aged nine to twelve have taken part in Bibliobuzz, the annual literature programme from Alexandra Palace, Haringey Libraries and Haringey School Librarians, which is now in its seventh year. Young readers were challenged to complete six selected books before voting for their favourite. As part of the initiative they were also offered the opportunity to attend workshops and reading group sessions, win prizes and competitions as well as meet famous authors of some of their favourite books. 

Originally due to take place at the end of March, the Bibliobuzz weekend festival was postponed due to the closure of Alexandra Palace during the current Covid-19 pandemic. It will now take place online from 4 – 15 May. The digital festival will see the authors involved give selected online readings from their much-loved stories and set creative challenges for the young readers to complete.

Culminating on 15 May, Cressida Cowell, Waterstones Children’s Laureate and Bibliobuzz ambassador, will bring this year’s challenge to a close with the announcement of the winners of the Alexandra Palace Children’s Book Awards, as voted for by the young participants.

This year’s shortlisted titles were:

• A Pocketful of Stars by Aisha Bushby
• The Middler by Kirsty Applebaum
• Anna at War by Helen Peters
• Can You See Me? by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott
• Check Mates by Stewart Foster
• Malamander by Thomas Taylor

Cressida Cowell, Waterstones Children’s Laureate and Bibliobuzz ambassador, says:

“In these extraordinary and difficult times, children need the magic of books and reading more than ever. With schools and libraries currently closed, initiatives such as Alexandra Palace’s Bibliobuzz are incredibly important in providing children with much-needed space and encouragement to be creative, discover new books, and experience the joy of reading. I’m thrilled to be involved.”

Louise Stewart, Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust chief executive said:

“Ally Pally may be closed but we are still delivering our charitable purposes, not only looking after the Park and Palace but continuing our Learning and Community programmes where we can. We are really excited to be able to continue Bibliobuzz, a pillar of our Creative Learning programme. We wanted to make sure there was a finale to enjoy for everyone who has taken part and an opportunity to see and learn with such inspiring authors.”

For more information about Bibliobuzz visit www.alexandrapalace.com/

The Union Theatre’s Elegies Cast dedicate song to NHS Heroes and Theatre Freelancers

In response to Coronavirus and the industry’s shutdown, the phenomenally talented cast of Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens which ran last year at The Union Theatre, have recorded a deeply moving tribute to our NHS heroes and freelancers. They hope the song ‘Heroes’ from the show written by Janet Hood and Bill Russell will raise spirits and vital funds for people who are finding it particularly hard to cope in the present circumstances.

All of the funds raised will be split evenly between NHS Charities Together, and Funds for Freelancers.

NHS Charities Together is providing relief for NHS workers that regular funding doesn’t cover; this includes providing comfortable spaces so NHS staff and volunteers can have breaks, providing electronic tablets to patients, staff and volunteers so they can stay in contact with their loved ones, and offering counselling support to protect mental health, and help staff and volunteers process the issues they are facing during COVID-19.

Funds for Freelancers is a charity initiative set up by the Turbine Theatre, London (led by Paul Taylor-Mills, Helen Clarkson, Sasha Regan, and Sita McIntosh). It was created in the wake of the theatre closures mid-March to help as many people in the theatre industry as possible.

Times are uncertain at the moment for everyone, but any donation you are able to give will go a long way to easing the stress faced by performers, NHS workers and volunteers alike.

Song link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/jspdp7-we-need-heroes/campaign/gallery/0?fbclid=IwAR2X952ESzd7-P9FpYFmQlM8v638-w5ZCLggVrwrcAIltRBpv-pi-zygweI

GoFundMe Page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/jspdp7-we-need-heroes

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74cMh3ARVMA&feature=youtu.be

BBC RE-MAKES ALAN BENNETT’S

T A L K I N G H E A D S

JODIE COMER, MONICA DOLAN, MARTIN FREEMAN, TAMSIN GREIG, SARAH LANCASHIRE, LESLEY MANVILLE, LUCIAN MSAMATI, MAXINE PEAK, ROCHENDA SANDALL, KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS, IMELDA STAUNTON AND HARRIET WALTER

Filming begins today on new productions of Alan Bennett’s critically acclaimed and multi-award-winning Talking Heads monologues, which first aired on BBC Television in 1988 and 1998. Ten of the original pieces will be re-made with the addition of two new ones written by Bennett last year. They are produced by Nicholas Hytner’s London Theatre Company and Kevin Loader, and will air in the coming months on BBC One.

As the British public service broadcaster, the BBC has a key role to play in continuing to offer new programming for our audience at this time of national crisis. The contained nature of Bennett’s monologues allowed the opportunity to tell timely and relevant stories while following the latest government guidelines on safe working practices during Covid-19.

Alan Bennett says: “In such difficult circumstances, that the BBC should choose to remount both series of Talking Heads, and produce two entirely new ones, is a comfort and a huge compliment. I hope a new generation of actors will get and give as much pleasure as we did twenty and thirty years ago.”

Nicholas Hytner, Bennett’s long-term collaborator and Lead Director and Producer, says: “Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads are among the masterworks of one of the very greatest writers in TV, film and theatre history. It has been a profound and fascinating experience to work out a way of making them again, this time with a company of phenomenal actors who are the equal of those who first made them; with a group of leading theatre directors, colleagues and friends of long standing; and with a team behind the camera that represents the best of the British TV and film industries. It is a wonderful bonus that two of the 2020 Talking Heads are totally new, written only a short time before the current crisis began. And everyone involved has been working in an unprecedented way, rigorously observing social distancing, entirely rethinking ways of filmmaking that until a few weeks ago seemed routine. The shoot will never bring any of us within touching distance of each other, but I hope that in every other way it will reach out and touch millions of viewers. We are all of us beyond grateful to the BBC for setting us this challenge.”

Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, says: “Covid-19 has laid waste to drama production in the UK, but it has also posed a challenge: how do we adhere to restrictions while still offering British viewers the chance to lose themselves in great stories at this time of national need? Full of insight, wit, daring and compassion, these are stories of individual lives – but of great resonance. I am so grateful to Alan, Nicholas Hytner, Kevin Loader and the whole team for the caution, ingenuity and wisdom which they have shown in bringing these stories to the screen.”

The Talking Heads monologues were first broadcast on the BBC in 1988 and 1998, breaking new ground for television and widely celebrated as Alan Bennett’s masterpieces. They had a stellar cast including Patricia Routledge, Maggie Smith, Stephanie Cole, Julie Walters, Thora Hird, Eileen Atkins, David Haig and Penelope Wilton, alongside Bennett himself. The monologues won two BAFTAs, an RTS award and have also since been included on the A-level and GCSE English Literature syllabus.

The monologues which will air on BBC One in the coming months are as follows:

[Listed in alphabetical order]

Jodie Comer in Her Big Chance (1988), directed by Josie Rourke

Monica Dolan in The Shrine (2019), directed by Nicholas Hytner

Martin Freeman in A Chip in the Sugar (1988), directed by Jeremy Herrin

Tamsin Greig in Nights in the Garden of Spain (1998), directed by Marianne Elliott

Sarah Lancashire in An Ordinary Woman (2019), directed by Nicholas Hytner

Lesley Manville in Bed Among the Lentils (1988), directed by Nicholas Hytner

Lucian Msamati in Playing Sandwiches (1998), directed by Jeremy Herrin

Maxine Peake in Miss Fozzard Finds Her Feet (1988), directed by Sarah Frankcom

Rochenda Sandall in The Outside Dog (1998), directed by Nadia Fall

Kristin Scott Thomas in The Hand of God (1998), directed by Jonathan Kent

Imelda Staunton in A Lady of Letters (1988), directed by Jonathan Kent

Harriet Walter in Soldiering On (1988), directed by Marianne Elliott

Filming is taking place at BBC Elstree Studios using existing sets. The Talking Heads production team are following the latest government guidelines on Covid-19 to ensure that the series is made safely and responsibly.

Talking Heads will be produced by London Theatre Company for the BBC One, with BBC Studios providing the studios facilities. The series will be produced by Nicholas Hytner and Kevin Loader for London Theatre Company and co-produced by Steve Clark Hall. Executive Producers are Nick Starr and Anthony Jones for LTC, and Piers Wenger for the BBC. The series has been commissioned by Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, and Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content.

Some Enchanted Evening: A free online concert celebrating the music of Rodgers + Hammerstein was streamed last night by Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester

Available until Sunday 3^rd May

Last night Hope Mill Theatre streamed a special online concert featuring an array of musical theatre performers, celebrating the much-loved music from legendary songwriting duo Rodgers + Hammerstein.

The concert saw the cast perform their songs at home, with performances edited together into a complete concert experience, hosted by Hope Mill Theatre’s founders William Whelton and Joseph Houston.

The line-up featured West End stars Maria Friedman (Ragtime, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) Louise Dearman (Wicked, Sideshow) and Sophie-Louise Dann (Lend Me A Tenor, Bend it Like Beckham)

The venue was also thrilled to introduce cast members from the cancelled forthcoming production of Cinderella, Matthew Blaker, Julie Yammanee and Cinderella herself, Georgie Buckland. Buckland is a recent graduate from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and was found through the venue’s open call for the role which received of over 500 submissions.

The concert also included performers from past Hope Mill Theatre productions – Joel-Harper Jackson (Little Women), Laura Harrison (Parade) and Simbi Akande (Putting It Together). As well as Any Dream Will Do contestant Keith Jack.

Songs by the legendary Rodgers + Hammerstein performed included Shall We Dance (The King and I), Edelweiss (The Sound of Music), I Can’t Say No (Oaklahoma!), and of course, Some Enchanted Evening (South Pacific), as well as a ‘singalong’ version of Do, Re, Mi (The Sound of Music). Plus a moving version of You’ll Never Walk Alone (Carousel) reflecting on the current situation and paying tribute to the NHS.

Some Enchanted Evening also featured some special guest hosts and familiar theatrical faces who introduced the songs and paid tribute to Hope Mill Theatre.

These included Hope Mill Theatre patrons Tracie Bennett, Russell T Davies and Denise Welch, director and choreographer Andrew Wright, writer Jonathan Harvey and many supporters of the theatre including Hayley Tamaddon, Sally Dynevor, Nick Winston and more.

The concert was free, but donations can be made by audiences to raise money to help the venue to reopen when the time comes, and to get back on its feet. Full details of this can be found here: https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/support-us

The concert can be found on the theatre’s YouTube channel until Sunday 3^rd May: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sICc_L8tCMw

A video of one of the numbers from the concert – A Lovely Night from Cinderella – can be downloaded and shared here: https://we.tl/t-bMP0FZdBSR

A Lovely Night features orchestrations by Jason Carr, Musical Direction Leo Munby. Cinderella – Georgie Buckland. Charlotte – Helen Aylott and Gabrielle – Eliza Waters 

Joseph Houston, Artistic Director of Hope Mill Theatre, said: “We have worked so hard to bring together our first online production. It is so important to us that we continue to share work and keep engaged with our wonderful audiences. We have had so much support since closing and we are extremely grateful. Theatre is such a powerful art form, so it is important that for now, we continue to bring escapism & entertainment online. However, I think it proves even more the importance and sheer joy that live theatre gives and certainly makes me so excited to be back in a theatre seat. We hope you enjoy our concert and can keep supporting us through these difficult times.”

Like many theatres across the country, Hope Mill Theatre has been closed since Tuesday 17^th March due to Covid-19.

The venue ceased all productions and made the difficult decision to cancel their first in-house production of the year, which was to be the UK theatrical premiere of the Broadway version of  Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, which was due to open in May.

Twitter: @Hopemilltheatr1

Facebook: Hope Mill Theatre

NOËL COWARD FOUNDATION MARKS CENTENARY OF PLAYWRIGHT’S FIRST PRODUCED PLAY WITH £50,000 DONATION TO ACTING FOR OTHERS COVID-19 FUND

In the centenary year of Noël Coward’s first produced full-length play, I’ll Leave It To You,

the Noël Coward Foundation is donating £50,000 to Acting for Others, an organisation founded in 1963 as The Combined Theatrical Charities. Coward was an early champion of the charity, alongside Richard Attenborough and Laurence Olivier. 

The donation is being offered in response to the extraordinarily difficult circumstances that the theatre profession is currently in, and will be distributed to two of Acting for Others’ member charities – the Actors’ Children’s Trust, formerly known as The Actors’ Orphanage, of which Noël Coward was president from 1934 to 1955, and the Royal Theatrical Fund in support of those working off-stage, either in front of house or backstage roles.

Noël Coward said on the opening of his play Blithe Spirit in 1941:

“It’s a special occasion because it proved that in spite of blitzes, discomforts, inconveniences and alarms, the theatre can still function. How proud I am to be able to make even the small contribution of this play towards our universal valiant determination to get on with the job.”

Alan Brodie, Chair of the Noël Coward Foundation, said today, “This current crisis has caused us to postpone events we had planned to celebrate the centenary of Noël Coward’s first play. Noël was a leader in the theatrical community organising events and bringing together his colleagues and celebrity friends to fundraise in support of the industry, so it feels fitting to use the available funds during this time to support the theatrical profession he loved so much. It’s not just actors but everyone connected to the theatre from the creative teams to back stage and front of house workers who needs help and we are therefore pleased to support Acting for Others which has been doing so much to help the many individuals and families in our profession most financially affected by Covid-19.

Noël’s connection with Acting for Others goes back a considerable way and the Noël Coward Foundation looks forward to further collaborations in the future.”

Stephen Waley-Cohen, co-Chair of Acting for Others added, “We are delighted that through the Noël Coward Foundation, Acting for Others has generously been awarded £50,000. Noël Coward was one of our Founders, and 55 years later, recognising this connection, we are deeply grateful for this support which will be of great benefit to those in need who are supported by our Member Charities.”

Dreamgirlsthemusical.co.uk | @Dreamgirls_UK

NICOLE RAQUEL DENNIS IS EFFIE WHITE IN
 

DREAMGIRLS
 

ON ITS FIRST EVER UK TOUR

Sonia Friedman Productions today announced that Nicole Raquel Dennis will play the role of Effie White in the first ever UK tour of Dreamgirls.

A finalist on ITV’s The Voice in 2019, Nicole wowed viewers and judges at her blind audition, performing Dreamgirls mega-hit ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’ alongside team mentor Jennifer Hudson. Hudson won an Oscar (Best Supporting Actress) for her portrayal of Effie White in the 2006 Oscar-winning motion picture adaptation of Dreamgirls, which also starred Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx.

Before opening in the UK Tour of Dreamgirls, Nicole remains in the original West End company of Dear Evan Hansen (Nöel Coward Theatre) in which she plays the role of Alana Beck.

Nicole’s other London stage credits include The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales Theatre), Waitress (Adelphi Theatre) and the West End production of Dreamgirls (Savoy Theatre).

This sensational, multi-award winning new production of Dreamgirls had its critically acclaimed West End premiere in December 2016 at London’s Savoy Theatre, 35 years on from opening on Broadway. The UK tour will begin this autumn and visit Bristol, Milton Keynes, Blackpool, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Sunderland, Hull, Nottingham, Liverpool, Norwich, Canterbury and Leeds. Further venues and dates are to be announced.

Nicole Raquel Dennis said:

I am so thrilled that I can finally speak about something I’ve been holding onto for the LONGEST time!  I will be playing Effie White in the first ever UK tour of ‘Dreamgirls’.

Also, I cannot wait to be back with my ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Fam on the stage at the Noel Coward once theatres reopen and so thrilled that following that, I will be going on tour in this mammoth role! 

Effie has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl and now I will get to share her with audiences around the UK. To say I’m excited is an understatement.

Producer, Sonia Friedman said:

“We are delighted to be able to announce that having wowed viewers on ITV’s The Voice, as well as audiences in the West End, the incredibly gifted Nicole Dennis will be re-joining the Dreamgirls family to play Effie White on tour throughout the UK.

The multi-award winning Broadway classic Dreamgirls is an empowering and hugely entertaining story of hope, redemption, sisterhood, and resillience with an uplifting, and extraordinary score of now-classic hit songs from the golden era of American soul, R&B, and disco. It is a shining example of the best of American musical theatre, and the escapism that we will all need soon.

Nicole Dennis will play the role of Effie White in the Dreamgirls UK tour at certain performances with further casting to be announced soon.

This award winning production is Directed and Choreographed by Olivier® and Tony® Award winning Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Mean Girls, Disney’s Aladdin and Something Rotten!), with Set and Costume Design by Tim Hatley, Lighting Design by Hugh Vanstone, Sound Design by Richard Brooker, Hair Design by Josh Marquette and Music Supervision by Nick Finlow.

With Book and Lyrics by Tom Eyen and Music by Henry Krieger, with Additional Material by Willie Reale, the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls, Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett, opened in 1981 and subsequently won six Tony® Awards. The original cast recording won two Grammy® Awards for Best Musical Album and Best Vocal Performance for Jennifer Holliday’s ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.’

The Original London Cast Recording of hit West End musical Dreamgirls is available via Sony Masterworks Broadway.

The UK Tour of Dreamgirls is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Greenleaf Productions, Fakston Productions, Rupert Gavin, Tulchin Bartner Productions, Griffin Dohr, Adam Blanshay Productions in association with 1001 Nights Productions, Steven Rivellino, Glass Half Full Productions.

JAMIE WILSON AND WHOOPI GOLDBERG

ANNOUNCE RESCHEDULED PERFORMANCES FOR

Due to current government guidelines resulting in a delay to the production, the producers of SISTER ACT announced today that performances in London and on tour have now been rescheduled.

SISTER ACT was due to open at Curve, Leicester this month with a London run at the Eventim Apollo from 21 July 2020 to 30 August 2020. The London run at the Eventim Apollo is now rescheduled to open 20 July 2021 where it will play until 29 August 2021.

Current ticketholders for the London run have been moved into the same seats for equivalent performances by day of week for the 2021 run. Patrons will be able to use their current ticket for performances next year. Performance times remain unchanged. The Eventim Apollo Box Office and tickets agents will be in touch with patrons in the next 14 days. If you are a ticketholder you do not need to do anything. Your point of purchase will be in touch with you to confirm the new date for your booking.

All the latest tour news, along with full details of future productions, will be announced in the coming weeks and ticketholders for the tour will be contacted by the venue they purchased tickets from. Casting for the tour will be announced soon.

In London, the show will star the previously announced Whoopi Goldberg as ‘Deloris Van Cartier’ and Jennifer Saunders as ‘Mother Superior’. Further casting for the London run will be announced soon.

Whoopi Goldberg, who is also one of the producers of Sister Act, said today, “We are thrilled with the overwhelming support from people all over the world who have been buying tickets for Sister Act.  We are all disappointed not to be able to do the show this summer, but Jennifer and I can’t wait to see you all next year”.  

Jamie Wilson said today, “Due to COVID-19, We have made the very difficult decision to reschedule our London run of Sister Act to 2021. By rescheduling the production exactly 12 months later to the same performance dates, meaning ticket holders keeping their same seats, we believe we have made the best decision open to us. I would like to thank the team at the Eventim Apollo, Whoopi, Jennifer and everyone involved with the show who have reworked their schedules to make this move possible. We can’t wait to open the convent next year and share this incredibly celebratory musical with you all”.

Whoopi Goldberg plays Deloris Van Cartier for the first time on stage having played the part in the hugely successful films Sister Act and Sister Act 2 – Back in the Habit. Whoopi is one of the few people to hold the distinction of winning the four major American awards – an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony. As well as Sister Act, Whoopi’s other film credits include Ghost and The Color Purple. On TV she has hosted the Oscars four times and is a moderator and co-host on The View. On stage Whoopi has appeared in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Xanadu on Broadway, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and her own acclaimed one-woman show.

Jennifer Saunders is a multi award-winning actress, comedian and writer. She is one half of the successful comedy duo French and Saunders and also wrote and starred in five series, three specials and a feature film of her hit comedy Absolutely Fabulous. Her many other TV credits include writing and starring in Jam and Jerusalem and guest starring in Friends and Roseanne. Film credits include the voice of the evil Fairy Godmother in Shrek 2. On stage she has appeared in Lady Windermere’s Fan at the Vaudeville Theatre and Blithe Spirit at Bath Theatre Royal and Duke of York’s Theatre in the West End. Sister Act the musical will mark Jennifer’s musical theatre debut.

SISTER ACT has direction by Bill Buckhurst, choreography by Alistair David, Set and Costume Design by Morgan Large,  Lighting Design by Tim Mitchell, Sound Design by Tom Marshall and Musical Supervision by Stephen Brooker. Casting is by Stuart Burt.

SISTER ACT features original music by Tony® and 8-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken(Disney’s Aladdin, Enchanted), lyrics by Glenn Slater, book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner with additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane. SISTER ACT is produced by Jamie Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg. Tom Leonardis, Head of Whoopi’s production company, is also on the producing team.

Based on the iconic movie, this sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, sisterhood and music tells the hilarious story of the disco diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she won’t be found – a convent!  Disguised as a nun and under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. 

Dame Vera Lynn headlines “We’ll Meet Again”: 

the theatre industry’s morale-boosting music video

– available to watch online from Friday 24 April 12:00 BST – 

Dame Vera Lynn extends her personal message of love and best wishes to the theatre industry in a new and exclusive free online film. “We’ll Meet Again” will premiere on Friday 24 April at 12:00 BST on Official London Theatre’s YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/dTWy9jim7Mw. The video shall then remain on OLT’s platform to be viewed at any time.

Alfie Boe joins the previously announced cast of West End stars featured in this special collaboration produced by Dominic Ferris, with creative direction by Martin Milnes and visual direction by Tom Large.

The video features socially-distanced West End stars united in reassurance that West End and UK theatres shall once more rise and thrive – some sunny day.

“We’ll Meet Again” stars Alfie Boe, BLAKE, Gyles Brandreth, Sharon D. Clarke, Jonah Collier, Bill Deamer, Louise Dearman, Kerry Ellis, Shaun Escoffery, Ferris & Milnes, Maria Friedman, Bradley Jaden, Cassidy Janson, Joe Pasquale, Hannah Waddingham, Layton Williams and Michael Xavier.

The sixteen-strong choir provided by Capital Voices, features John Addison, Katie Birtill, Mary Carewe, David Combes, Yona Dunsford, Lance Ellington, Kate Graham, Matt Little, CJ Neale, Andrew Playfoot, Lucy Potterton, Annie Skates (who also created vocal arrangements), Patrick Smyth, James Spilling, Laura Tebbutt and Stephen Weller.

Musician Léon Charles, grandson of “We’ll Meet Again” composer Hughie Charles, is delighted the song has once again proved an inspiration: “‘We’ll Meet Again’ is about the wonderful optimism in the face of uncertainty that those who were close, but for now, apart, will be together again, ‘some sunny day’. I’m thrilled that my grandfather’s music, with Ross Parker’s lyrics, is being performed in the spirit in which it was intended.”

Pianist and producer Dominic Ferris oversaw the creative collaboration, enlisting the help of producer Anthony Cherry, who rallied his Friday Night Is Music Night team to the cause. Dominic said: “This project started life as a simple idea, uniting this country’s wonderful theatrical talent to boost morale among theatregoers and professionals alike. Compiling a multi-layered recording comprising dozens of audio and video files inevitably brings with it some technical challenges, but it has been a rewarding process to see all these elements come together. I’d like to extend my thanks to Anthony Cherry, Susan Fleet, my fellow creatives and all the artistes involved.”

Creative Director Martin Milnes said “It has been important to convey that the theatre is timeless. Therefore, this film is dedicated to the audiences and professionals of yesterday, today … and tomorrow. Our current theatre owes so much to everything which has gone before. And the theatre of tomorrow will be shaped by what we make of it today.”

“We’ll Meet Again” was developed with The Stay Inn, an online digital entertainment space hosting theatre, comedy and live stream concerts. 

CHEEK BY JOWL OFFERS FREE LIVESTREAM OF

MEASURE FOR MEASURE

“Directorial daring and a constant fleet-footedness”

The Daily Telegraph

Today, onShakespeare’s birthday, Cheek by Jowl offers a free livestream of their production of Measure for Measure on YouTube for 30 days. Directed by Declan Donnellan for Cheek by Jowl and Moscow Pushkin Drama Theatre, the production embarked on an international tour before opening at the Barbican on 16 April 2015.Performed in Russian with English subtitles, Measure for Measure joins the company’s production of The Winter’s Tale (2017) which will now be streamed until 25 May.

Vivid and uncommonly moving”
The New York Times

With his unique brew of laughter and high seriousness, in Measure for Measure, Shakespeare dissects the nature of government, love, and justice – asking unsettling questions about how we are governed, exploring the “complex relationships between those in power, and ordinary citizens” (Kristina Matvienko).

Hailed in Moscow as ‘a shattering portrait of contemporary Russia’ (Novaya Gazeta), a corrupt government policing a chaotic city’s convents, prisons and brothels is explored in Cheek by Jowl’s Measure for Measure. Through ‘a series of swiftly changing spectacular scenes’ (Teatral) the production explodes as ‘a real thriller, piercing the heart of the entire audience’ (Mir 24).

Filmed in April 2015 at the Barbican, London. Produced by Cheek by Jowl and the Moscow Pushkin Drama Theatre.

Measure for Measure is suitable for ages 16+

All performances can be accessed here – https://www.youtube.com/user/CheekbyJowl