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YVONNE ARNAUD THEATRE, GUILDFORD – UNTIL SUNDAY 5 JANUARY 2025

REVIEWED BY REBECCA SCOTT

4****

It’s time to head to Nottingham and meet Robin Hood (Ricky Oakley), Maid Marion (Safia Bartley), and their cavalry sort to out the wicked Sheriff (Lucy Benjamin) in their most bonkers pantomime yet!

This panto takes us on a rip-roaring ride through Sherwood Forest, that delivers original songs, fantastic dancing, and A LOT of silliness. The panto has been cleverly directed by Joanna Read and is a far sight livelier than the story originally written by Howard Pyle.

The Sheriff is taxing everyone and stealing their money…and the people of Nottingham are not happy. Benjamin is a brilliant Sheriff! She engaged with the crowd fantastically, and really lapped up the boos! She had good comedic timing with her one liners, and dare I say it even likeable at times for a ‘baddie’.

Oakley and Bartley have been well cast, and I particularly enjoyed Marion being portrayed as feisty and confident, rather than weak and desperate for a hero to save her. The scenes when something supposedly goes wrong were very well done, and this silliness was elevated by Nanny Fanny Annie (Peter Gordon), Much (Matt Pinches) and Lil John (Jacob Kohli). They got the most laughs, and their engagement with the crowd was great, especially during the 12 Days of Christmas! Watching children jumping up and down, screaming for a water pistol soaking and asking for more chocolate just shows how family friendly this show is!

My only reservation is the panto lacked some of the nostalgic heckles of ‘he’s behind you’ and ‘oh no it’s not’, and when a moment/scene did warrant it, the audience either didn’t catch on, or an actor just moved onto their next lines before the audience could even engage. This didn’t happen all the time, but it was noticeable.

The show is filled with so many songs, for all ages, especially Swifties! It really elevated the show, and all the songs were crowd-pleasers. I would like to give a huge mention to the ensemble. They were incredible! As they often go unnoticed in a panto, but the team of 8 dancers were talented, charismatic, and I often found myself watching them more than the main characters. Bravo!

This panto is funny, fast paced, and will leave you feeling 2 feet taller!

PRODUCERS LOOKING FOR SOUTH ASIAN DANCERS, ACTORS AND SINGERS TO APPEAR IN

COME FALL IN LOVE – THE DDLJ MUSICAL A NEW MUSICAL COMEDY INSPIRED BY Bollywood’s Most Successful Film

comefallinlovemusical.com

Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical, a ‘high energy, colourful’ new musical comedy based on one of the biggest blockbuster films in the history of Indian cinema, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, will make its UK premiere at Manchester Opera House on Thursday 29 May 2025 where it will run until Saturday 21 June 2025.

Producers are looking for South Asians to join the cast. If you’re an exceptional dancer, singer and actor from a South Asian background, send your CV, contact details, headshot and a short audition video (2 minutes maximum) showing off your skills to [email protected].

All genders are invited to submit. Closing date for submissions of interest is 7^th January 2025. Please note submission does not guarantee an audition. Auditions will start on Monday 13^th January 2025 – successful applicants will begin rehearsals in London on 14^th April 2025 and performances at Manchester Opera House from 29^th May 2025 until 21^st June 2025. Full details on comefallinlovemusical.com.

Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical will be set in the UK and directed by Aditya Chopra, the original director of the record-breaking, award-sweeping Hindi-language film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, also known as DDLJ. DDLJ is the longest-running title in Indian cinema, playing continuously in Mumbai since its release in 1995.

Cultures will collide in the stage musical adaptation of the beloved hit romantic-comedy film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, set to the exuberant beat of 18 all-new songs created for the production.

Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical is the story of Simran, a young British Indian woman whose future is set: an arranged marriage back in India to a family friend. But when she convinces her strict father that she should spend a summer of freedom and fun in Europe, she falls in love with Rog, a rich, charming British boy who is her father’s worst nightmare. Can she be true to both her heritage and her heart? Can carefree Rog win over her traditional father?

The award-winning creative team for Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical includes Book and Lyrics by Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls with Tina Fey, Olivier Award winner for Legally Blonde with Laurence O’Keefe), Music by Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani (popularly called Vishal & Shekhar in India), Choreography by Rob Ashford (Tony, Olivier and Emmy Award winner whose credits include Frozen, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying on Broadway), Associate Choreography – Indian Dances by Shruti Merchant (Ladies vs. Ricky Bahl, Taj Express), Scenic Design by Derek McLane (two-time Tony Award winner whose credits include MJ the Musical and Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Broadway and West End) and Casting by David Grindrod CDG for Grindrod Burton Casting.

FURTHER DATES ANNOUNCED FOR

THE VIVIENNE AND CHARLIE BROOKS

TO PLAY ‘THE CHILDCATCHER’

ALONGSIDE

ORE ODUBA AS ‘CARACTACUS POTTS’,

EMMERDALE STAR LIAM FOX AS ‘GRANDPA POTTS’

AND

ELLIE NUNN AS ‘TRULY SCRUMPTIOUS’

IN

THE NEW PRODUCTION OF THE

MOST FANTASMAGORICAL MUSICAL OF ALL TIME

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG

CURRENTLY TOURING THE UK

David Ian for Crossroads Live is delighted to announce further dates for The Vivienne and Charlie Brooks to play The Childcatcher in the new production of the most fantasmagorical musical of all time CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, currently touring the UK.

The Vivienne, who currently performs in the role,will play The Childcatcher at The Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield (18 February – 1 March 2025), Birmingham Hippodrome (4 – 9 March 2025), Palace Theatre, Manchester (11 – 16 March 2025), and Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth (19 –23 March 2025).

Charlie Brooks will then return to the role, performing at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury (1 – 12 April 2025), Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff (15 – 19 April 2025), Sunderland Empire (22 – 27 April 2025), Bristol Hippodrome (29 April – 4 May 2025) and Theatre Royal, Plymouth (6 – 10 May 2025). Casting schedule and listings below. www.chittyontour.com

The Vivienne and Charlie Brooks will perform alongside Ore Oduba as Caractacus Potts, Emmerdale star Liam Fox as Grandpa Potts, Ellie Nunn as Truly Scrumptious, Martin Callaghan as Baron, Jenny Gayner as Baroness, Adam Stafford as Boris, Michael Joseph as Goran and John Macaulay as The Toymaker.The cast also includes Charlie Bishop, Ruaraidh Blackwood, Hadrian Delacey, Belle Kizzy Green, Tia Gyngell, Kirsty Ingram, Bibi Jay, Isabella Mason, Joe Press, Theo UK Rose, Molly Rees Howe, Callum Train and Luke Woollaston.

The roles of Jeremy and Jemima Potts will be shared by Charlie Banks, Melody Caruana, Gracie Cochrane, Isla Ithier, Charlie McGuire, Lara Simon, Huxley Syers and Roshan Thomson.

The Vivienne is an actor, singer, and comedian, known for being crowned the first ever winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019 and subsequently appeared in the seventh season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. The Vivienne recently appeared as The Wicked Witch of the West in the UK tour of The Wizard of Oz, and at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London’s West End. Her film credits include Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie and TV credits include Emmerdale. In 2023, The Vivienne was a finalist in the UK series of Dancing on Ice, finishing in third place.

Charlie Brooks is a seasoned actor with a long list of television and theatre credits to her name. Charlie is well known for playing the iconic role of Janine in BBC’s EastEnders,for which she won several British Soap awards. Her other television credits include BBC’s Bleak House, alongside Carey Mulligan and Gillian Anderson, ITV’s Wired, starring Sacha Dhawan and Jodie Whittaker, and Channel 5’s crime thriller Lie With Me, which was nominated for Best Television Script at the Australian Writers Guild awards. She has also recently wrapped on a major recurring role in ITV’s Broken News directed by Lewis Arnold and written by Jack Thorne. On stage, Charlie most recently played the role of Ursula in the National Theatre’s West End run of The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Charlie’s other theatre credits include leading roles in All in a Row at the Southwark Playhouse, Monogamy at the Park Theatre, Beautiful Thing at the Arts Theatre (West End) and Blanche Dubois in A Streetcar Named Desireat Curve, Leicester.

Ore Oduba was most recently seen as Happy Man/Mr Thompson in the UK and Ireland tour of Pretty Woman. His previous theatre credits include Brad Majors in the West End and UK tour of the 50^th anniversary production of The Rocky Horror Show, Aaron Fox in Curtains on tour and in the West End, and Teen Angel in Grease on a UK tour. Ore was crowned Strictly Come Dancing champion in 2016 and more recently made it to the final of Channel 4’s Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.

Liam Fox is probably best known for playing the role of Dan Spencer in ITV’s Emmerdale, where he featured in more than a thousand episodes. His many other TV credits include Stephen Poliakoff’s Dancing on the Edge, Cold Feet, Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, Clocking Off, A Touch of Frost, Always and Everyone, At Home with the Braithwaites and Dinnerladies. His many theatre credits include The Collector and Tuesday’s Class, both at The Lowry Studio and Iron at Manchester’s Royal Exchange.

Ellie Nunn’s many theatre credits include Identical at Nottingham Playhouse, the UK tour of Posh, Shakespeare in Love at the Noel Coward Theare, Twelfth Night at Leicester Square Theatre, The Game of Love and Chance and Daughter in Law, both at the Arcola Theatre, Honk! at the Union Theatre and on tour and Gatsby at the Arts Theatre.

Based on Ian Fleming’s timeless story for children and later made into the famous 1968 film, CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG features the unforgettable songs by the Sherman Brothers including Toot Sweets, Hushabye Mountain, Truly Scrumptious and the Academy Award-nominated title song, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

This new production is directed by Thom Southerland (Titanic, Parade), choreographed by Karen Bruce (BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, The Bodyguard) with Set and Costume design by Morgan Large (Newsies, Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat), Lighting design by Ben Cracknell, Sound design by Gareth Tucker, Musical Supervision by George Dyer (The Wizard of Oz, Annie, Billy Elliot) and casting by Debbie O’Brien.

In CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG we meet absent-minded inventor Caractacus Potts who restores a broken-down old racing car with the help of his children Jemima and Jeremy. Soon the family discover the car has magical powers, and along with the delectable Truly Scrumptious, the family end up on a hilarious fantastical adventure to far off lands.

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG has Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, Music by Special Arrangement with Sony/ATV Publishing and is Adapted for the Stage by Jeremy Sams. Based on the MGM Motion Picture the Licensed Script is adapted by Ray Roderick. It was Originally produced by Eon Productions, Dana Broccoli, Frederick Zollo, Nicholas Paleologos, Jeffrey Sine, Miriam Productions and Michael Rose at The London Palladium.

This production is presented by permission of Music Theatre International.

The Kings Theatre, Southsea – until 31st December 2024

Reviewed by Sally Lumley

5*****

We follow our hero Richard Henry Whittington (George Sampson), as he chases his dream of going to London with his cat Caroline (Jacob Bailey) to fall in love and become the new Lord Mayor. Dick quickly achieves the first of his goals when he meets shopkeeper’s daughter Alice Fitzwarren (Imogen Bailey), but the second is a little more difficult. Dick must defeat evil Queen Rat (Lorraine Stanley) who wants to take over London with her rat gang and become mayor herself. With a bit of help from his friends, and with a good helping of fairy magic on their side, Dick sets off on his adventure.

As always, the Kings Theatre panto ticks all the boxes: a hero, a baddy, true love, adventure, magic, sing-a-longs, a brilliant dame, and of course the traditional Portsmouth flying toilet rolls. George Sampson showcased his classic dance moves, and Joe Rowntree as Silly Billy had all the children shouting along to join his gang. Lorraine Stanley (Queen Rat) and Julia Worsley (Fairy Bowbells) were a brilliant balance of bad vs good, and Imogen Bailey as Alice Fitzwarren showcased a brilliant vocal performance that hit all the right notes, while managing to keep a mostly straight face amongst the chaos that was going on around her.

The star of the show for me however was Pompey legend, and self-proclaimed “fat bloke in a dress”, Jack Edwards, who returns this year for his tenth panto at the Kings Theatre as Dame Dolly. He has become part of Christmas for so many, and clearly has fun doing it, with just the right levels of silliness and chaos. I have to say, Dolly was really pushing the boundaries in her new beachwear outfit this year, well done to the costume designer Helga Wood, and Jack himself for pulling it off! Without giving away any spoilers, the moment when Dolly is rescued from the shipwreck is absolute camp magic. Does it make any sense? None whatsoever, but it was hilarious.

As a musical theatre fan, I really loved the music choices this year. With Hamilton themes for Queen Rat, and a wonderful homage to Les Mis before the interval, it was a real treat and showcased the strong vocal talents of the cast. More traditional sing-a-longs were also part of the fun and had the whole audience on their feet dancing and singing along.

Yet again, the Kings Theatre have created a wonderful panto full of magic, laughter and fun, and it’s a wonderful way to start the festive period. Oh yes it is!

The Grand Theatre, Leeds – until 7th December 2024

Reviewed by Sal E Marino

5*****

Brilliantly directed by Bob Tomson, Blood Brothers received a rousing standing ovation at The Grand Theatre, Leeds on it’s opening night.  This spectacular musical, written by Willy Russell, was first staged in 1983 and tells the compelling story of twin brothers, Mickey (played by the fabulous Josh Capper) and Eddie (the equally fabulous Joe Sleight).  The boys are separated at birth due to the heart-breaking decision made by their biological mother, Mrs. Johnstone (portrayed by the wonderful Vivienne Carlyle). The play’s core lies in its exploration of fate, class, and the choices people make. The musical brilliantly juxtaposes the lives of the two brothers—one growing up in a wealthy family and the other in poverty. It tackles themes such as social inequality, sibling rivalry, and the power of secrets and ultimately raising questions about how much control we have over our destinies.

The musical score of Blood Brothers (supervised by Matt Malone) is emotional and memorable, with songs that range from upbeat to haunting. The music helps convey the emotional depth of the story. Songs like “Tell Me It’s Not True,” which brings the tragic conclusion to a head, and “Marilyn Monroe,” which reflects the characters’ dreams and desires, remain standouts for audiences. The characters are rich and fully realized, making the emotional stakes feel real. Mrs. Johnstone, played as both a loving and desperate mother, stands at the centre of the story. We are asked to ‘judge’ her at the beginning of the play but really, I think Russell is inviting us to look deeper and to ‘judge’ those who structure our society and who create trauma patterns that run through generations of families.

The duality of Mickey and Eddie—so close in blood yet worlds apart in life—adds layers to their relationship and the narrative. The amazing chorus, often used to deliver ominous foreshadowing, also adds an interesting dynamic to the storytelling and it’s impressive how they play multiple characters who smoothly transition into different people and transform the stage set as they do so. The success of a production of Blood Brothers relies heavily on the strong performances from its cast and this cast is exceptional! The portrayal of Mickey and Eddie, especially as they evolve from children to adults, is crucial.  Capper in particular really captures Mickey as the extremely likeable and funny kid who sadly transforms into a melancholic and depressed adult.  The scene where he returns home after being in prison and reliant on his ‘pills’ is heart-rendering and Linda, portrayed by the brilliant Gemma Brodrick, brings tears to one’s eyes as she really tries to fight for him but sadly doesn’t succeed. This part of the play is the climax of the tragedy for me – where we see how a life has been destroyed by the ‘system’ right in front of our very eyes.

Blood Brothers is often marked by a straightforward but effective staging style. The Leeds Grand production, like many, offers a minimalist but authentic set, focusing more on the performances and storytelling rather than elaborate set pieces. This allows for the raw emotional core of the narrative to shine through which it definitely does in this show. This production of Blood Brothers (as commented on earlier, that due to its brilliant cast) is deeply emotional and poignant, with a dramatic ending that leaves the audience reflecting on the themes of the musical long after the curtain falls. The powerful action, combined with the evocative music, makes it a stirring experience that resonates strongly with viewers and so Russell, after all these years, still makes one reflect on the impact that poverty has on society and the never-ending hopeless cycle it creates within families.  Have things changed forty years on – has any progress been made?  Clearly if you read any current news headlines you’ll have the disappointing answer to both of the questions above …

Blood Brothers remains a timeless piece of theatre that continues to capture audiences with its moving story, strong characterisations, and evocative score. If you’re attending a performance at The Grand, you can expect a highly engaging and emotional night.

Hull Truck Theatre Friday – until 4th January 2025

Reviewed by Anne Walker

5*****

I have just had the pleasure of attending ‘The Borrowers’ directed by Mark Babych at Hull Truck Theatre and I have to say, it was quite the delightful experience! 

From the moment the live, on stage musicians started to play, I was transported into the whimsical world of the Clock family. The set design was absolutely charming, with oversized everyday items and clever details that really brought the idea of “little people living in a big world” to life. The creativity in the staging was impressive, and it felt like I was peeking into a secret life hidden right under our noses.

The cast were fantastic. The actors brought such warmth and humor to their roles. The pure childlike wonder that Bea Glancy brought to the character of Arrietty was a joy to watch and her beautiful singing added to her wonderful performance. The way they navigated their adventures was both heartwarming and hilarious. We loved the wonderful use of puppetry during the scenes when the Borrowers interacted with the humans, using miniature versions of themselves to remind us just how small they were.

A relatively small cast all delivered fantastic performances, with some playing various roles. They delivered superb, endearing storytelling throughout and brought the audience in to their little world. 

One of the standout elements for me was the way the production used themes of family, friendship, and the importance of seeing the world from different perspectives. It was a nice reminder of how even the smallest beings can have the biggest impact.

All in all, I left the theatre with a big smile on my face. ‘The Borrowers’ is a charming, imaginative production that’s perfect for both children and adults. If you get a chance to see it, I highly recommend it. 

CAST ANNOUNCED FOR FIRST FULL UK TOUR OF GHOST STORIES

JEREMY DYSON AND ANDY NYMAN’S
LONG-RUNNING WEST END HIT
SET TO TERRIFY THE UK IN THE NEW YEAR

   ghoststoriesplay.com

Wednesday 4 December, London: Casting is today announced for Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman’s worldwide cult phenomenon Ghost Stories, which is set to embark on its first full UK national tour opening at Churchill Theatre, Bromley on Friday 17 January 2025. Dan Tetsell (Rivals, Disney+)will play Professor Goodman, David Cardy (Birds of a Feather, ITV)will play Tony Matthews, Clive Mantle (Casualty, BBC)will play Mike Priddle, Eddie Loodmer-Elliott (Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness)will play Simon Rifkind, with Lucas Albion as ensemble and Simon Bass as understudy. 

After opening in Bromley, Ghost Stories goes on to visit: London, Richmond Theatre; Bath, Theatre Royal;  Plymouth, Theatre Royal; Sheffield, Lyceum; Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes Theatre; Salford, Lowry; Cheltenham, Everyman Theatre; Liverpool, Playhouse; Woking, New Victoria Theatre; Edinburgh, Festival Theatre; Aberdeen, His Majesty’s Theatre; Glasgow, Theatre Royal; Norwich, Theatre Royal; Newcastle, Theatre Royal; Nottingham, Theatre Royal; Southend, Cliffs Pavilion; Birmingham, Alexandra Theatre; Belfast, Grand Opera House; Leicester, Curve; Wycombe, Swan Theatre; Southampton, Mayflower Theatre; Wolverhampton, Grand Theatre; Brighton, Theatre Royal; Shrewsbury, Theatre Severn; Malvern, Malvern Theatres; Cardiff, Wales Millennium Centre.

WARNING

Please be advised that Ghost Stories contains moments of extreme shock and tension. The show is unsuitable for anyone under the age of 15. We strongly advise those of a nervous disposition to think very seriously before attending.

When Professor Goodman, arch-sceptic out to debunk the paranormal, embarks on an investigation of three apparent hauntings – as recounted by a night-watchman, a teenage boy, and a businessman awaiting his first child – Goodman finds himself at the outer limits of rationality, and fast running out of explanations.

After exhilarating audiences for two years in the West End and across the world with record breaking, sell-out productions and a smash hit film, Ghost Stories is “Genuine scary fun” (Sunday Times), a worldwide phenomenon more spine-tingling and fantastically terrifying than ever.

“I had to sleep with the lights on” (Metro).

Are you brave enough to book?

Dan Tetsell plays Professor Goodman. Theatre credits includes: The Wipers Times (Arts Theatre); Trial by Laughter (UK tour); Bleak Expectations (Watermill Theatre); Live Ghost Hunt (Pleasance); Sins of the Grandfathers (Underbelly) TV includes: Rivals (Disney+); The Cleaner, War & Peace, We Are History, Eastenders, Doctors, Miranda, Mongrels, Detectorists, Upstart Crow, Five Daughters (BBC); Three Little Birds, Why Didn’t They Ask Evans, Unforgotten (ITV); Hollyoaks, Generation Z, Peep Show, Utopia, Humans, Skins (C4); Red Dwarf (Dave) and The Nevers, Truth Seekers (Amazon). Radio includes: The Museum of Everything; Paperback Hell; Ed Reardon’s Week; Thanks A Lot Milton Jones; Cabin Pressure; The Ape That Got Lucky; Chris Addison’s Civilization; The News at Bedtime; Armando Iannucci’s Charm Offensive; The Friday Play; Sins of the Grandfathers; Mastering the Universe.

David Cardy plays Tony Matthews. Theatre credits include: Charlie Clench in One Man Two Gunvors (Derby Theatre and UK Tour) Reverend Chasuble  in The Importance Of Being Earnest (The Albert Halls); OJ Berman/Dr Goldman in Breakfast At Tiffany’s (UK Tour); Thrysullus  in The Inn At Lydda (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse); Tipping The Velvet (Lyric Hammersmith); Monty in Made In Dagenham (Adelphi Theatre); Harry McMichael in Not Now Darling (The Mill at Sonning); Tony Matthews in Ghost Stories (Duke of York Theatre, Lyric Hammersmith, Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse), Captain Smollett in Treasure Island (Rose Theatre); Phil in Dreamboats And Petticoats; Kat in All Quiet On The Western Front (Nottingham Playhouse); Reggie in the UK Tour of Losing Louis; Ed in Playing God (Stephen Joseph Theatre); The Prison Orderly in Edward Bond’s Lear (Crucible); Billy Bulldog in Property (National Theatre Studio); The Fool in King Lear for E.T.T (Old Vic); Reg in Bones (Hampstead); Sgt Slater in a tour of Ray Cooney’s Funny Money.  Between 1993 and 1997 he played Sam Weller opposite Sir Harry Secombe in the musical Pickwick. Television includes: Max in The Bill (returning character) and A Touch Of Frost (both ITV); Eastenders, Silent Witness, The Bulla, Absolutely Fabulous, Getting Hurt, Casualty (all BBC). He is probably best known on television as Chris Theodopolopodous in Birds Of A Feather.
Film includes: Brian Epstein in Stephen Frears’ Prick Up Your Ears; Michael Mann’s The Keep; Three Steps To Heaven (BFI Films) and Baby Juice Express (Enterprise Films). 

Eddie Loodmer-Elliott plays Simon Rifkind. Theatre credits include: FIJI (Pleasance Theatre, Omnibus Theatre, Riverside Studios); The Inheritance (Young Vic, Noel Coward Theatre); The Funeral Director (UK TOUR); Mothercare (Southwark Playhouse); Julius Caesar (Bristol Old Vic); All Quiet On The Western Front (Soho Theatre, New York) and Buoy (Bloomsbury Theatre). Film includes: Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness (directed by Johnny Depp).

Clive Mantle plays Mike Priddle. Theatre credits include: Cal McCrystal’s 2018 and 2023 productions of Iolanthe (E.N.O.); Tim Albery’s A Streetcar Named Desire; Stephen Daldry’s The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist; David Toguri’s Robin Hood; David Hayman’s Coming Clean(Bush Theatre); Deborah Warner’s Woyzeck; Howard Davies’s Troilus and Cressida (RSC); Alan Rickman’s Johnny Johnson RSC (The Almeida); Kenneth Branagh’s The Play What I Wrote and 6 productions of Of Mice and Men (Olivier Nomination for his role as Lennie); Educating Rita; Rattle of a Simple Man; The Ladykillers; The Verdict; The Children; and with his wife, Carla Mendonça, Jus’ Like That! Television includes: Robin of Sherwood; The Vicar of Dibley; Casualty; Holby City; Game of Thrones; White Van Man; Mount Pleasant; Bloomin’ Marvellous; Minder; Smith and Jones; One Foot in the Grave; Bottom; Drop the Dead Donkey; A Bit of Fry and Laurie; Damned; Sherlock; Midsomer Murders; Doctors; and many more.
Films include: Party Party; Alien 3; Without a Clue; Churchill -Into the Storm; Morris – A Life With Bells On; The More You Ignore Me; Quicksand; and in White Hunter, Black Heart. Written work includes: The Treasure at The Top Of The World, A Jewel In The Sands Of Time, In The City Of Fortune And Flames and At the Moment When Time Stood Still.

Lucas Albion, ensemble. Theatre credits include: Mr Meininger in Brecht Fragments (Raven Row); Cyrano in Cyrano de Bergerac (Vienna’s English Theatre); Freddy in Pygmalion (The Attic Theatre, Startford-Upon-Avon); Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (SE Theatre Company); Romeo in Romeo and Juliet/Feste in Twelfth Night (Tread the Boards): Peter Kyle in Flare Path, King Charles II in Nell Gwyn, The Trial, The Clockmaker’s Daughter and a 2023 Spotlight Prize Finalist.

Simon Bass, understudy. Theatre credits include: Otto Hahnin Farm Hall (Theatre Royal Haymarket 2024 and 2023 tour);Mayor Kingin The Way to Dusty Death (Camden Fringe 2023); and BradWilliamsin Someone of Significance (Vault Festival 2023). Simon is also a long-standing member of Directors Cut Theatre. TV and Film includes: a reporter in the Bob Marley feature film One Love; Richard Weston in Mary & George (Sky Atlantic); Benjamin Holt in The Machines That Built America (Sky History/HBO); David Blackett in The Testing Point (2023);Moggin Ana Rocha de Sousa’s Listen (2020) anda drunk widower in the LGBTQ+ short Octopus (BFI Flare 2022).

Ghost Stories is written and directed by Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman, originally directed by Jeremy Dyson, Andy Nyman and Sean Holmes. Set and Costume Design is by Jon Bausor, Lighting Design by James Farncombe, Sound Design by Nick Manning, Special Effects by Scott Penrose, Casting Director is Ginny Schiller CDG, Associate Director is Andy Room, Movement Director is Lloyd McDonagh, Costume Supervisor is Rebecca Gunstone and Props Supervisor is Will Edwards.

Simon Friend Entertainment Ltd presents a The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre Production ofGhost Stories.

For more information visit: ghoststoriesplay.com

LEE LATCHFORD-EVANS

TO PLAY LANCE

AT select PERFORMANCES

IN SECOND LEG OF

AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL

& JULIET

uk & Ireland tour

The producers of the global sensation & JULIET are delighted to announce that Steps star Lee Latchford-Evans will play Lance at select performances during the second leg of the tour. He is set to alternate the role with Ranj Singh who is performing at Wimbledon, Dublin, Bradford, Birmingham, Sheffield and Cardiff with Lee performing at Bristol, Aberdeen, Leicester, Woking, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Southend, Stoke, Newcastle and Truro.

The UK and Ireland tour of & JULIET opened at Manchester Opera House on 8 July 2024. 

Lee joins current tour cast members Gerardine Sacdalan as Juliet, Lara Denning as Anne, Sandra Marvin as Angelique, Jack Danson as Romeo, Kyle Cox as Francois and Jordan Broatch as May and newly announced cast member Jay McGuiness who plays Shakespeare at all venues between Bristol and Nottingham in 2025.

Also in the cast are Harriet Caplan-Dean as Eleanor, Alexander Kranz as Lennox, Andilé Mabhena as Augustine / Dance Team, Liam Morris as Richard, Psalms-Nissi Myers-Reid as Lucy/Alternate Juliet, Michael Nelson as Henry, Toni Paise as Violet, Katie Ramshaw as Nell / Lady C Rosie Singha as Judith, Aaron Shales as Gregory / Dance Team, Nia Stephen as Imogen and Samuel Wilson-Freeman as Fletcher / Resident Director and Dance Captain.

Lee Latchford-Evans is best known for being one fifth of the UK pop phenomenon Steps. Steps are the UK’s most successful mixed gender pop group of all time with 14 top five singles, over 22 million record sales, 500 million streams, 11 sold out national tours, achieving numerous awards including the prestigious Brit Award, Attitude’s ‘Icon’ award and are now making history by becoming the first British mixed gender group to achieve a No1 in four consecutive decades. In 2024 Lee and his fellow band mates co-produced their own Musical Here & Now breaking all box office records at The Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham where it played a limited run in November 2024. After its huge success, the musical will embark on a UK and Ireland tour in September 2025.

Lee has had a successful career on stage with some of his theatre credits including Teen Angel in Grease (West End), Christian in Wolfboy (Edinbrugh Fringe Festival), Ade in A Charmed Life (West End), Tristan Farnon in All Creatures Great and Small (UK Tour), Bob in Rita Sue & Bob Too (St Helens Theatre) and Niko Nikovsky in Eurobeat Moldova (Edinburgh Fringe Festival).

There is life after Romeo!

Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as Juliet ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way. Created by David West Read, the Emmy-winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek,” this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told and asks, what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo?

Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, including Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time,” Katy Perry’s “Roar”and chart toppers “Since U Been Gone,” “It’s My Life,” “I Want It That Way,” and “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” — all from Max Martin, the genius songwriter/producer behind more #1 hits than any other artist this century, and his collaborators. Break free of the balcony scene and get into this romantic comedy that proves there’s life after Romeo. The only thing tragic would be missing it.

& JULIET is a global success and has now been performed on four continents since its World Premiere in September 2019. It began at the Manchester Opera House in England, before moving to London’s West End from 2019-2023, where it won three Olivier Awards, and 6 WhatsOnStage Awards. The show had its North American premiere in July 2022 in Toronto, where it broke box office records and played to standing-room-only audiences, before heading to Broadway, where it again broke box office records and plays nightly to sold-out crowds. It can now also be seen around the globe with the North American Tour that started in September 2024 and the German premiere in October 2024. The German production marks the show’s first production with a book translated into a different language and was also the sixth country to welcome & Juliet in less than five years. More information for all productions can be found at andjulietthemusical.com

The full creative team for the UK and Ireland tour of & JULIETincludes David West Read (Book), Max Martin & Friends (Music & Lyrics), Luke Sheppard (Direction), Jennifer Weber (Choreography), Bill Sherman (Musical Supervision, Orchestrations and Arrangements), Soutra Gilmour (Scenic Design), Paloma Young (Costume Design), Howard Hudson (Lighting Design), Gareth Owen (Sound Design), Andrzej Goulding (Video & Projection Design) and Nina Van Houten(Hair, Wig & Makeup Design) and Dominic Fallacaro (Additional Arrangements and Orchestrations). Casting is by Stuart Burt.

& JULIET is presented by Max Martin and Tim Headington and is produced by Max Martin, Tim Headington, Theresa Steele Page, Jenny Petersson, Martin Dodd and Rebecca Quigley.

Website: www.andjulietthemusical.co.uk

Instagram: @julietmusical

Facebook: @julietmusical                                                            

X: @julietmusical

YouTube: @julietmusical1925                                                              

2025 TOUR SCHEDULE

15 – 25 January 2025             Bristol Hippodrome                                                                                                                www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol               

27 January – 1 February        New Wimbledon Theatre

www.atgtickets.com/newwimbledon                         

4 – 8 February                        Aberdeen His Majesty’s Theatre

aberdeenperformingarts.com 

17 – 22 February                    Leicester Curve             0116 242 3595

                                                www.curveonline.co.uk               

25 February – 8 March           Dublin Bord Gais Energy Theatre                 0818719377 (ROI)                                          bordgaisenergytheatre.ie                                08442485101 (UK)

11 – 15 March                        Woking New Victoria Theatre                                                                                                www.atgtickets.com/new-victoria-theatre     

24 – 29 March                        Bradford Alhambra Theatre                          01274 432000

                                                www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

31 March – 12 April                Milton Keynes Theatre

                                                www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes                

14 – 19 April                            Nottingham Theatre Royal                            0115 989 5555

                                                www.trch.co.uk

21 April – 3 May                     Birmingham Hippodrome                              0844 338 5000

                                                www.birminghamhippodrome.com

5 – 10 May                              Southend Cliffs Pavilion                                0343 310 0030                                                www.thecliffspavilion.co.uk

12 – 17 May                            Stoke Regent Theatre                                                                                                            www.atgtickets.com/stoke                             

20 May – 31 May                    Sheffield Lyceum Theatre                             0114 249 6000                                                www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk                           

2 – 7 June                               Newcastle Theatre Royal                              0191 232 7010

                                                www.theatreroyal.co.uk

10 – 14 June                           Truro Hall for Cornwall                                   01872 262 466

                                                www.hallforcornwall.co.uk                             

16 – 28 June                           Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre                   029 2063 6464                                                www.wmc.org.uk                     

EWAN McGREGOR RETURNS TO THE LONDON STAGE,

REUNITING WITH DIRECTOR MICHAEL GRANDAGE,

TO LEAD THE COMPANY OF

LILA RAICEK’S NEW PLAY MY MASTER BUILDER

WITH OVER 10,000 TICKETS AT £25 ACROSS THE RUN

Ewan McGregor returns to the London stage for the first time in 17 years to star in My Master Builder, a new play by American playwright and screenwriter Lila Raicek. Directed by Michael Grandage, the Artistic Director of MGC, who also co-produce with MarketStall and Seaview, the production opens on 29 April 2025 at Wyndham’s Theatre, with previews from 17 April, and runs until 12 July. Further casting and creative team to be announced shortly.

My Master Builder reunites McGregor and Grandage following their previous collaborations on Othello and Guys and Dolls – both for the Donmar, where Grandage was Artistic Director.

With over 10,000 tickets at £25 across the run, public booking opens at midday today, with DMT Priority from 10am.

Ewan McGregor said today, “It’s such a thrill be returning to the stage – and to work with Michael again, an actor’s director with whom I have had some of my happiest working experiences. He’s a generous collaborator, who enables you to discover the play together afresh in the rehearsal room. And what a play – I love where Lila has taken the story, a very modern take on today’s sexual politics.”

Michael Grandage added, “It’s always a privilege to open a new play in the West End and to bring emerging and original voices to as wide an audience as possible. I’m excited to collaborate with writer Lila Raicek, staging My Master Builder in London this Spring. The production is also a joyful reunion with Ewan McGregor – an extraordinary stage actor, working together for the first time on a world premiere, in a brand-new partnership for MGC with MarketStall and Seaview.”

The captioned performance is on Saturday 24 May 2025 at 2.30pm; and the audio described performance is Saturday 14 June 2025 at 2.30pm.

www.mymasterbuilderplay.com/

Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok: @MMBThePlay 

MarketStall, Michael Grandage Company, Seaview

MY MASTER BUILDER

A NEW PLAY BY LILA RAICEK

Cast includes: Ewan McGregor

Director: Michael Grandage

17 April to 12 July

at Wyndham’s Theatre

On the eve of July 4th in the Hamptons, Elena Solness, a publishing magnate, is preparing to throw a party to celebrate her architect husband, Henry Solness, as he unveils his latest masterpiece. Their already vulnerable union is shattered by the unexpected arrival of Mathilde, a former student of Henry’s, with whom he previously shared an intimate connection. As the evening unfolds, each find themselves face to face with a reckoning that indelibly tilts the axis of their lives.

Inspired by Ibsen, My Master Builder is a startling new play by Lila Raicek that lays bare the vulnerabilities we expose, when we leave ourselves open to love.

Ewan McGregor returns to the London stage to play Henry Solness. He previously appeared in Othello (Donmar Warehouse), Guys and Dolls (Donmar West End at the Piccadilly Theatre) and Little Malcolm and His Struggles Against the Eunuchs (Hampstead Theatre and Comedy Theatre); and on Broadway, The Real Thing. His television work includes A Gentleman in Moscow, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Halston (Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie), Fargo (Golden Globe for Best Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television, Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series), Karaoke, Scarlett and Black and Lipstick on Your Collar; and for film, Mother Couch, Bleeding Love, Raymond & Ray, Birds of Prey, Pinocchio, Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, Doctor Sleep, Christopher Robin, Beauty and the Beast, T2 Trainspotting, American Pastoral, Our Kind of Traitor, Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Force Awakens, Last Days in the Desert, A Million Ways to Die in the West, August: Osage County, The Impossible, Haywire, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, Perfect Sense, Beginners, The Ghost Writer, Amelia, Angels & Demons, I Love You Philip Morris, Deception, Incendiary, Cassandra’s Dream, Miss Potter, Stay, The Island, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, Robots, Big Fish, Young Adam (Scottish BAFTA for Best Actor), Down with Love, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Black Hawk Down, Moulin Rouge!, Rogue Trader, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Little Voice, Velvet Goldmine, A Life Less Ordinary, The Serpent’s Kiss, Emma, Trainspotting (Scottish BAFTA for Best Actor), The Pillow Book, and Shallow Grave. McGregor undertook an international motorcycle trip with friend and colleague Charley Boorman which included visits to several UNICEF programmes along the route, and formed the basis of a television series and a best-selling book, both called Long Way Round – this was followed by Long Way Down and Long Way Up.

Lila Raicek is a New York based playwright. Her new play Fire Season, inspired by Measure for Measure, is in pre-production, and she is writing a new play Tulla about Edvard Munch for Seaview Productions. In television, she is penning two original series for Fifth Season and Made Up Stories, and wrote on Younger and Gossip Girl. Her debut novel The Plunge will be published by HarperCollins in Summer 2025. She holds an MFA in playwriting from Columbia University.

Michael Grandage is Artistic Director of the Michael Grandage Company (MGC) where for theatre he has directed Penelope Wilton and Luke Evans in Backstairs Billy (Duke of York’s Theatre), Emma Corrin in Orlando (Garrick Theatre), Dawn French in Dawn French is a Huge Tw*t (UK tour and The Palladium), Ian McDiarmid in The Lemon Table (UK tour), Aidan Turner in The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Noël Coward Theatre), Alfred Molina and Alfred Enoch in Red (Wyndham’s Theatre), Nicole Kidman in Photograph 51 (Noël Coward Theatre), Dawn French: 30 Million Minutes (national and international tour and West End), Jude Law in Henry V, David Walliams and Sheridan Smith in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Daniel Radcliffe in The Cripple of Inishmaan, Judi Dench and Ben Whishaw in Peter and Alice and Simon Russell Beale in Privates on Parade as part of the season at the Noël Coward Theatre. His film work for MGC includes My Policeman (2022) starring Harry Styles, Emma Corrin, Gina McKee, Linus Roache, David Dawson and Rupert Everett, and Genius (2016) starring Colin Firth, Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, and Laura Linney. His opera work includes Madama Butterfly for Houston Grand Opera and Chicago Lyric Opera, Le Nozzi de Figaro for Glyndebourne and Houston, Don Giovanni for the Met and Billy Budd for San Francisco, Glyndebourne and BAM in New York. He was Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse (2002–2012) and Sheffield Theatres (2000-2005) where his work included Chiwetel Ejiofor in Othello, Frank Langella and Michael Sheen in Frost/Nixon, Derek Jacobi in King Lear, Eddie Redmayne and Alfred Molina in Red (Tony Award for Best Director), Jude Law in Hamlet and Kenneth Branagh in Ivanov. He won three Olivier Awards for his musical productions of Guys and Dolls, Merrily We Roll Along and Grand Hotel. His production of Disney’s Frozen – The Musical ran for three years at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. He was President of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama from 2010 to 2022 and is currently President of the Morrab Library. He was appointed CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2011. His book, A Decade At The Donmar, was published by Constable & Robins in 2012. His charity, set up to help young theatre makers, can be found at www.mgcfutures.com. 

Listings Information

MY MASTER BUILDER

Wyndham’s Theatre

Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0DA

www.mymasterbuilderplay.com/

Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok: @MMBThePlay 

www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk

Box Office: 0344 482 5151

Groups booking: 0344 482 5100

Access booking: 0344 482 5137

TICKETS

From £25

With over 10,000 tickets at £25 across the run

17 April to 12 July

Performances Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm

Matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm

NB post press night, the matinee will be on Thursday 1 May

Access performances:

Captioned: Saturday 24 May 2025 at 2.30 pm

Audio Described: Saturday 14 June 2025 at 2.30pm

THEATRICAL LICENSING AGENCY LAUNCHES BACKED BY SIMON FRIEND ENTERTAINMENT

www.theatreglobal.com

New theatrical licensing agency Theatre Global opens its doors today, fully financed by leading UK production company Simon Friend Entertainment, and led by a former Concord Theatricals Vice President Steven Greenhalgh alongside founders of the company Simon Friend and Hanna Osmolska.

The new company represents a variety of professional and amateur rights in titles including Lolita Chakrabarti’s Olivier Award-winning adaptation of Life of Pi; Deborah Moggach’s The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, recently produced on a sell-out, year-long UK tour; the Drop the Dead Donkey playby Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin based on their BAFTA-winning TV series, and forthcoming new play A Role to Die For by Jordan Waller, which premieres in January. Additional titles in the Theatre Global catalogue will be announced shortly.

Steven Greenhalgh says: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to create and lead Theatre Global – an ambitious new venture that seeks to deliver a focussed, bespoke and strategic approach to worldwide theatrical licensing with direct access to the originating authors, producer and creative teams of terrific works.  I am very grateful to Simon and Hanna for entrusting me with Theatre Global and I am excited to drive the company’s growth”.

Simon Friend and Hanna Osmolska continue: “Over the past ten years SFE has been entrusted with the stage rights in many internationally recognisable novels and films, as well as original plays, and brought together hundreds of artists to give these stories life on stage. We are excited for Steven, with his expertise in secondary licensing, to lead Theatre Global in maximising these projects’ reach in all spheres of theatre and across the world. SFE has many projects in development, both original plays and adaptations of well-known IP, with some of the industry’s most sought-after writers as well as emerging artists, which we are excited to include in the Theatre Global catalogue in due course, alongside other acquisitions not produced by SFE.”

Lolita Chakrabarti commented: “I am so thrilled that my stage adaptation of Life of Pi is one of the titles represented by Theatre Global for licensing across the world. To be under the umbrella of this exciting new company, that developed this project from its inception, gives it a unique perspective on the origins and possibilities of the play. I am very excited to see Pi travel further.”

Steven Greenhalgh was the Vice President of Acquisitions and Artistic Development for Concord Theatricals (Europe). Prior to this he was the UK Rights Director for Samuel French Limited. Steven has also worked as an agent representing theatrical creatives all over the world. He has been an Olivier panellist and is a proud Trustee of Mercury Musical Developments.

This comes at a busy period for SFE, ahead of launching a year-long US tour of Life of Pi this month and the play’s Indian premiere in Mumbai. The next month will also see the start of the second extensive UK tour of The Girl on the Train, the London premiere of new Dolly Parton musical Here You Come Again which has been selling out across the UK this year, the world premieres of new plays Second Best starring Asa Butterfield and A Role to Die For starring Janie Dee. The company is also readying for the West End premiere of Paranormal Activity following its world premiere in Leeds earlier this year. Each of these projects have been original SFE commissions, and additionally the company is about to launch an extensive tour of Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson’s Ghost Stories.