Tea Break Theatre presents
Frankenstein
Sutton House, 2 – 4 Homerton High Street, Hackney, London, E9 6JQ
Tuesday 16th October – Saturday 3rd November 2018

A spark of life, a flash… and something new is created. A scientist brings life from death, a young woman invents a new genre of literature and both will be known by the same name: Frankenstein

This Hallowe’en, Tea Break Theatre unravel their new immersive production of Mary Shelley’s twisting tale of the perils of stretching the boundaries of nature. In the 200th year of its publication, this electric adaptation will transport you away from everything safe and familiar into a world of uncertainty, experimentation and danger

Enter Sutton House, step into the past and be swept away into a story which seeks to answer the ultimate question… who is the monster?

Tea Break Theatre’s production sees Victor bringing a female creature to life – the ideal woman who fails to live up to his expectations. The fear, bloodshed and torment that follows is intentionally double-edged as the audience will be torn between whether the true villain is the creature or, in fact, the creator. Through these ideas the company put a feminist twist on the well-known novel, exploring how female identity is shaped by patriarchy and how women are then punished for failing to live up to it

This year’s production is also inspired by a period in the 1980s when Sutton House was occupied by a group of female-led squatters who saved the house from destruction – these underrepresented, often ignored, people who shaped the house’s (and, indeed, the local area’s) history. Using puppetry, shadows and scares, the production will bring both the story and the building to life

Director Katharine Armitage comments, I’m thrilled to be bringing this fearsome feminist Frankenstein to life this Hallowe’en! Our production is going to be bolder and even more unexpected than anything we’ve done and will genuinely be a version of the story audiences have never seen before. In this year, which is both 200 years since Mary Shelley published this incredible book and 100 years since some women were first able to vote, it feels both important and special to be creating work which explores gender roles and expectations whilst also honouring a visionary writer and her wonderfully twisted creation

CELEBRATED BRITISH ACTOR

SIMON CALLOW

RETURNS THIS FESTIVE SEASON TO STAR IN HIS

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED ONE-MAN SHOW

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

 

THE CHARLES DICKENS CLASSIC

DIRECTED BY TOM CAIRNS

RUNNING AT THE ARTS THEATRE FROM 8 DEC 2018 – 12 JAN 2019

A spellbinding piece of theatre – Financial Times

 

★★★★★

Makes one bounce out of the theatre with heart aglow and eyes misted with tears – Daily Telegraph

 

★★★★★

Warm-hearted. Enthralling. Reminds us what a true Christmas might be – Daily Express

The traditional Christmas staple of Charles Dickens’ much loved A Christmas Carol, returns this festive season to the West End stage starring Simon Callow, running at the Arts Theatre for a strictly limited season from 8 December to 12 January.  

With critically acclaimed, sell-out seasons in 2011, 2012 and 2016, A Christmas Carol with Simon Callow, has become a traditional and well-loved adaptation for the festive season. Using the adaptation Dickens made for his own public performances, Simon Callow together with director and designer Tom Cairns, have conjured up a moving, funny and fast-paced one-man theatrical spectacular, that is both intensely dramatic and profoundly heart-warming.

 

Dickens takes us on a man’s astonishing journey through his past, his present and (terrifyingly) his future, led by his three ghostly guides. Will Ebenezer Scrooge, tight-fisted, cruel and bitter, finally re-join the human race and learn to embrace the true generous and humble spirit of Christmas?

 

From the miser’s dank and creaking house filled with shadows to cosy hearths, from stark graveyards to joyful festivities, this treasured story offers a celebration of goodness, a plea for justice and the promise of redemption.

 

National treasure, Simon Callow, is returning to reprise his role and is stepping back into Charles Dickens’ shoes following previous performances as the author in the stage productions The Mystery of Charles Dickens at the Playhouse Theatre, Dr Marigold & Mr Chops at Riverside Studios, the film Hans Christian Andersen: My Life as a Fairytale, on television in the BBC’s An Audience with Charles Dickens, and Doctor Who in 2005 and 2011. Callow has even written two books about the author,Dickens’ Christmas in 2003 and Charles Dickens and the Great Theatre of the World in 2012.

The enduring popularity of A Christmas Carol, both as a novel and on stage, is testament to a story that transcends over centuries and it has never been out of print. Within two months of its original publication in 1843, eight stage productions were known to have been mounted, and Dickens himself chose the story to perform not only at his first public reading in 1853 but also at his farewell performance in 1869.

A Christmas Carol is produced by Assembly Festival, directed and designed by Tom Cairns, with sound design by Ben and Max Ringham, and lighting by Adam Povey.

Alongside the return of the critically acclaimed stage production, Simon Callow and Tom Cairns have also reimagined the production especially for the cinema. A Christmas Carol starring Simon Callow is in cinemas nationwide on Tuesday 11 December. Visit www.cinemalive.com for screenings.

LISTINGS

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

8 DECEMBER 2018 – 12 JANUARY 2019

ARTS THEATRE

WRITTEN BY CHARLES DICKENS

DIRECTED BY TOM CAIRNS

STARRING SIMON CALLOW

Performances: Tuesday – Sunday at 3.30pm & 7.30pm

*With exceptions, please check website

Christmas Performances:

Monday 24 December: 3.30pm

Tuesday 25 December: No performance

Wednesday 26 December: 3.30pm & 7.30pm

Monday 31 December: 3.30pm

Tuesday 1 January: No performance

Ticket Prices: From £25 (Previews from £20)

Address: Arts Theatre, 6-7 Great Newport Street, London, WC2H 7JB

Box Office: 020 7836 8463

Website: www.artstheatrewestend.co.uk

CHRISTMAS IN LEICESTER SQUARE 2018: BRIEFS TO HEADLINE PROGRAMME FEATURING SHOWSTOPPERS, FRISKY & MANNISH AND GINGZILLA

• Further live entertainment from Frisky & Mannish, Gals Aloud, House of Burlesque & Gingzilla
• Family shows from Showstoppers Kids Show, Monski Mouse’s Christmas Baby Disco & Shakespearience
• European-style Christmas Market, food, bars & Santa’s Grotto in the heart of London
• 9 NOVEMBER 2018 – 5 JANUARY 2019

Underbelly are pleased to announce their third season of festive events in the very heart of London: Christmas in Leicester Square 2018-19.

Briefs the legendary godfathers of ‘Boylesque’ are this year’s headliners with their first ever UK Christmas show: adding tinsel and jingle bells to the glitter-and-neon anarchy of their unique drag-cabaret-circus extravaganza Close Encounters. (9 Nov – 3 Jan)

Families and lovers of a late-night afterparty fear not: Briefs will also be presenting festive editions of their acclaimed kids show Brat Kids Carnival (selected dates 10 Nov – 30 Dec) and their legendary club night Club Briefs (Fri-Sat 9 Nov – 29 Dec).

Fellow Underbelly legends Frisky & Mannish will also be presenting their first ever Christmas show after a sold-out 10^th anniversary special on the Southbank this summer, giving all your favourite Christmas songs a hilarious makeover in some of the most spectacularly festive costumes ever to grace the Spiegeltent. (17 December)

Other shows just announced include an extravaganza from the world’s only drag tribute to Girls Aloud, Gals Aloud (20 Nov & 5 Jan), masters of their art House of Burlesque with The Burlesque Carol Concert (27 Nov & 4 Dec) and one of the breakout stars of the Edinburgh Fringe, the beautiful and statuesque (7ft to be precise) Drag Queen Gingzilla (11 Dec).

The incomparable Showstoppers are also back with their acclaimed Christmas Kids Show – a totally improvised musical for all the family: Batman meets Hermione Granger at the North Pole? Peppa Pig joins Father Christmas on his sleigh? Dora explores outer space with Captain Underpants and creates magical carols? Just shout it out and The Showstoppers will bring it to life in front of your eyes. (Selected dates 2-30 December)

For the tots Monski Mouse’s Christmas Baby Disco will get parents, babies and younger kids alike bopping along to a special mix of Christmas classics and kids and dance favourites: the perfect place for a first Christmas dance. (17-19 December)

In Janauary, blowing away the new year cobwebs, there’s Shakespearience: a bedazzling swagger through the Bard’s greatest works for all the family and the perfect introduction to some of the greatest theatre in the English language. (2-5 January)

Another hit with the kids, returning after huge success last year, is Santa’s Grotto – open every day until Christmas Eve. This special North Pole experience will see Father Christmas himself (the real one!) regale kids with a special festive tale before hearing their Christmas wishes, having a photo with them, and giving them a special early Christmas present.

Winter Windows will also return – a unique exhibition in partnership with local schools which will see pupils design stained glass windows with the best being exhibited around the north and west perimeter of the Leicester Square site for thousands of passers-by to enjoy.

In addition to this amazing seasonal entertainment, London’s home of entertainment Leicester Square will be transformed into a wintery haven with a beautiful European-style Christmas Market with over 25 different stalls featuring a range of fascinating Christmas curios, sumptuous food and delicious drinks.

For the third consecutive year and as part of a new two-year partnership between Molson Coors and Underbelly events, Pravha and Rekorderlig will be the key drink sponsors at this year’s Christmas In Leicester Square.

 

Underbelly Directors Ed Bartlem and Charlie Wood said:

“Christmas in Leicester Square is back and with a big fat Christmas bang with the boysleque beaus from Briefs headlining and a festive bonanza of treats for families, party-lovers and all-round Christmas-fans. It’s Underbelly’s third year producing Christmas in Leicester Square on behalf of Westminster City Council and we really can’t wait to deck the halls, throw open the gates, welcome Santa back to his grotto and get the festive fun underway with our phenomenal programme of shows, bustling Christmas market and wide selection of food and bars”     

LISTINGS

Christmas in Leicester Square

9 November 2018 – 5 January 2019

Open every day

12pm – 10pm Monday- Friday

10am-10pm Saturday – Sunday

www.christmasinleicestersquare.com

SHOW LISTINGS

 

Briefs: Close Encounters

Dates: 9^th November – 3^rd January 2019 – 8 weeks only!!
Times: 7.30pm Wednesday – Sunday (additional performance Tuesday 18^th December)
3pm Saturday (except 22^nd December)

Running Time: 100 mins – including interval

Age: 16+

Press Night: Wednesday 14^th November 2018 at 7.30pm

Ticket Prices:
Previews 9^th November 7.30pm and 10^th November 3pm – stalls £21.50/ Posh Seats £26.50/ Private Booth £151.50
Friday – Sunday – stalls £35.50/ Posh Seats £41.50/ Private Booth £221.50

Wednesday – Thursday – stalls £28.50/ Posh Seats £35.50/ Private Booth £186.50

Brat Kids Carnival

Dates: 10^th November – 30^th December

Times: 11am and 1pm Saturday

1pm and 3pm Sunday

3pm Wednesday – Friday

Ticket Prices:

Saturday and Sunday – Stalls £15.50/ Family Price £13.75 (per ticket. Minimum 4 tickets required)

Wednesday – Friday – Stalls £11.50/ Family Price £10.25 (per ticket. Minimum 4 tickets required)

Running time: 45mins

Advice: Recommended ages 4 and up.

Club Briefs

Dates: 9^th November – 29^th December (Friday and Saturday only)

Times:  10.15pm

Ticket Prices: Stalls £23.50/ Concession £22.00

Running time: 90 mins

Advice: Strictly for ages 18 and up

The Showstoppers’ Christmas Kids Show!

Dates: 2^nd – 30^th December

Times: 11am Sunday

                1pm Thursday – Friday

3pm Saturday

Ticket Prices: Standard Seats £14.50/ Sirloin Seats £19.50

Running time: 60 mins

Advice: Recommended for ages 3 and up.

Monski Mouse’s Christmas Baby Disco

Dates: 17^th – 19^th December

Times: 1pm Monday – Wednesday

                3pm Monday and Tuesday

Ticket Prices: All visitors £9.50/ Family Price £8.50 (per ticket, minimum of 4 tickets required)

Running time: 60 mins

Advice: For ages 5 and under. Please note all children must be accompanied by an adult. No more than 2 children per adult. All customers require a ticket with the exception of babies under 6 months, old who go free.

Frisky & Mannish: Christmas!

Dates: 17^th December

Times: 7.30pm

Ticket Prices: Standard Seats £19.00/ Sirloin Seats £24.00

Running time: 60 mins

Club Briefs: The NYE Extravaganza

Dates: 31^st December

Times: 10pm

Ticket Prices: Stalls £41.50/ Posh Seats £61.50/ Private Booth £301.50

Running time: 240 mins

Advice: Strictly ages 18+

Shakesperience

Dates: 2^nd – 5^th Jan 2019

Times: 1pm

Ticket Prices: Standard Seats £10.25/ Sirloin Seats £15.25

Running time: 60 mins

Advice: Recommended for ages 7 and up

Gals Aloud: Not the Tucking Kind

Dates: 20^th November and 5^th January 2019

Times: 7.30pm

Ticket Prices: Standard Seats £15.50 / Sirloin Seats £20.50

Running Time: 60 mins

Gingzilla’s Gingerbread Haus

Dates: 11^th December

Times: 7.30pm

Ticket Prices: Standard Seats £12.50 / Sirloin Seats £17.50

Running Time: 60 mins

The Burlesque Carol Concert

Dates: 27^th November and 4^th December

Times: 7.30pm

Ticket Prices: Standard Seats £14.50 / Sirloin Seats £19.50

Running Time: 60 mins

GLASGOW GIRLS TO MAKE KING’S THEATRE DEBUT

TUESDAY 15 – SATURDAY 19 JANUARY 2019

Cora Bissett and David Greig’s life affirming Scottish drama, Glasgow Girls is to run at the King’s Theatre, Glasgow next year.

The production, which is based on real life events, will make its debut on the big stage from Tuesday 15 – Saturday 19 January 2019.

Filled with song-and-dance-filled this true story tells of seven feisty Glaswegian teenagers, whose lives change forever when their school friend and her asylum-seeking family are forcibly taken from their home to be deported. They are galvanised to fight for her rights, inspiring a whole community to unite behind its residents.

Glasgow Girls was an Edinburgh Festival Fringe sell out in 2016 and winner of the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award.

James Haworth, Theatre Director of the King’s, said: “I am especially excited to welcome this local production to the King’s Theatre in January.

“Glasgow Girls has become a cultural staple in the city and it has proved itself more than worthy of its praise and accolades to date.

“I just know our audience will love this show and I invite anyone who considers themselves a Glasgow Girl or Glasgow Boy to come along and see this spectacular production.”

Glasgow Girls is presented by Raw Material in association with Regular Music.

Underbelly & Briefs Factory Presents

BRAT KIDS CARNIVAL BOOGIES ON DOWN FOR CHRISTMAS IN LEICESTER SQUARE!

The high octane children’s show BRAT KID’S CARNIVAL, headlining the children’s live shows in the magical Spiegeltent, at Christmas in Leicester Square from Saturday 10 November – Sunday 30 December 2018 

 

BRAT KIDS CARNIVAL is a high-energy super fun variety show for all the family, from tots to teenagers.Mischief makers Briefs Factory have created a noisy fun show for kids who love spectacle, wild circus skills, flying acrobatics, edgy dancing, pumping music, spectacular aerialists, eye popping party tricks and cheeky clowning antics. A show where the audience gasp and laugh out loud at the world classridiculous acts of amazement.

Put on your party outfit and express yourself with a boogie (on stage!) at the fun and inclusive BRAT KIDS CARNIVAL!

The brilliant Australian Briefs Factory has created their 45 minute children’s show specially to get youngsters excited about circus and getting on stage. BRAT KIDS CARNIVAL will play during the day in the stunning Spiegeltent and features members of the Briefs Factory Family including: the naughty acrobat Mr Monkey all the way from New York, circus supremo Captain Kidd from Close Encounters and the girls from the award-winning Hot Brown Honey, ready to raise the roof with circus skills and vocal prowess! A fantastically noisy, fun, silly afternoon for all ages – not just for mum and dad – but they can come too! So grab a hula hoop and join the carnival!

 

‘It’s a rare thing that a children’s piece holds its young audience in such high regard… no wishy-washy storytelling: this is as hardcore as you get for children. ★★★★★‘  – The Irish Times

 

“Best Kids Shows” Melbourne Comedy Festival 2018 – Herald Sun

The festive season starts in Leicester Square with BRAT KIDS CARNIVAL – where all your Christmas wishes come true. Christmas in Leicester Square is transformed into a wintery haven and is the destination for all the family’s festive fun including: Santa’s Grotto, a European-style Christmas market, yummy drinks and food and BRAT KIDS CARNIVAL!

Underbelly & Briefs Factory Presents

Plus Santa’s Grotto, Christmas market, food and drinks all at

CHRISTMAS IN LEICESTER SQUARE

 

Venue: The Spiegeltent, Christmas In Leicester Square, Leicester Square Gardens, Leicester Square, WC2H 7NA

 

Leicester Square site open: Monday – Friday 12pm – 10pm, Saturday – Sunday 10am – 10pm

 

For full programme information on BRAT KIDS CARNIVAL and all shows + Santa’s Grotto, European-Style Christmas market, drinks and foods:

Box Office:      www.christmasinleicestersquare.com

0333 344 4167

 

BRAT KIDS CARNIVAL – high-energy super fun variety show for all the family

Dates:  Saturday 10 November 2018 – Sunday 30 December

Times:                                                  Saturday: 11am and 1pm

                                               Sunday: 1pm and 3pm

                                                Wednesday – Friday from 12 December: 3pm

Running Time:                  45 mins –  no interval

Age:                                                       Tots to teenagers – recommended 4+

Ticket Prices:

Saturday and Sunday – Stalls £15.50/ Family Price £13.75 (per ticket. 4 tickets required)

Wednesday – Friday –   Stalls £11.50/ Family Price £10.25 (per ticket. 4 tickets required)

A questionable figure lurks amongst the unsuspecting customers queueing at Dungeon!

Members of the York public got a big surprise to find Dracula amongst them as they queued to go into York Dungeon.  They were all amused to find out that Grand Opera House York was just promoting Dracula – The Bloody Truth, which comes to the theatre on Saturday 29 September.  This hilarious comedy reveals the true story of the famous Count and takes the audience on a journey into the world of the supernatural.

Tickets from £22.50

Box office: 0844 871 3024

Online: www.atgtickets.com/york

Theatre Royal, Haymarket – until 24 November 2018

Reviewed by Jess Brady

5*****

Following a sell out run at The Other Palace, Heathers has hit the West End with a BANG! Carrie Hope Fletcher takes the lead as Veronica with Jamie Muscato as J.D.

The story is based on the 1988 cult classic ‘Heathers’ starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater which takes teen stereotypes and adds a dose of murder and explosives that set it apart from your usual teen movie. The musical is no exception and stays true to its inspiration hitting you hard with its cutting lyrics and book that include many iconic lines from the movie.

Set in 1989 Westerburg High School where social hierarchy is law and can determine your survival in what is already a hormone fuelled, teen angst world, the three ‘Heathers’ are the top of the food chain [played by Jodie Steel, T’Shan Williams and Sophie Isaacs]. They take the awkward Veronica under their wing and transform her into the thing she hates most about high school in order to make it past the constant bullying but the consequences prove to be deadly once Veronica meets the mysterious JD. Veronica falls head over heels for JD who is damaged beyond repair but that only fuels their toxic relationship.

The show is vibrant, full of energy and quite simply perfection. The full cast are outstanding giving a perfect balance of sass and evil with characters that are all identifiable as soon as they step onto the stage. Carrie Hope Fletcher plays Veronica with a level of cool and calm that makes her seem even more twisted in parts which work so well along with a voice which is so powerful it nearly blows the roof off the theatre! Jamie Muscato does an incredible job with JD and is entirely captivating as the show progresses and JD becomes more undone playing the fine line between insane and evil with unbelievable skill, along with a voice that is gold. The three Heathers lead by Jodie Steel are hideous but in the best possible way and are characters that you love to hate and absolutely smash ‘Candy Store’ making it a highlight for any longstanding Heathers fans. Special mention must go to Jenny O’Leary who plays Martha who brings an honesty and sincerity to the show and a character a lot of people will identify with. She sings ‘Kindergarten Boyfriend’ beautifully and plays the pain and comedy with real skill.

The production is truly outstanding and it’s not difficult to see why this show had such huge success at The Other Palace and it fully deserves this West End transfer. The score is wonderful and full of songs that will stick with you for days after which in my opinion is the sign of a great show! Qudos to the entire production team for bringing all the elements together seamlessly, it’s just a shame it’s only playing till November! I urge everyone to catch this limited run as you will not be disappointed and you will get swept along with the Heathers Buzz, it really is ‘Beautiful’!

Soho Theatre, London – until 6th October

Reviewed by Heather Chalkley

5*****

A spellbinding performance by Nancy Sullivan as Leah. We were taken through the whole range of emotions experienced by a young women, trying to live the dream and realising very quickly the fairy tale is exactly that! Leah (Nancy Sullivan) travels a quick journey to adulthood after suffering a traumatic sexual assault from her husband on their wedding night. Battling her way through the myriad of expectations, false images and pressures of married life, she then faces
another assault from someone she thought was coming to her aid. Nancy Sullivan (Leah) engages with the audience, with individual eye contact that felt like she was talking directly to you. She bought characters in her story to life through her physical presence and tone of voice.

The warrior in Leah (Nancy Sullivan) was forced to come out, after being emotionally battered by the courts, her family and the attitude of the world in general towards women. It is sad that Leah’s beauty and grace are interpreted by all as the reason, the excuse for the abuse. At the end Nancy Sullivan (Leah) portrayed a fragile strength that enabled her to step forward into a fresh start with new hope.

Abi Zakarian has written a power script, every word and action conveying a message. The direction and staging by Hannah Hauer-King and The Creatives is perfectly timed to deliver a dramatic piece that captivates you from the start. I particularly liked the use of ansaphone messages to convey the attitude of others.

Solace Women’s Aid have chosen the right company to partner with, to deliver this impactful way to raise awareness of domestic and sexual abuse. Damsel Productions are bringing the subject in at a comprehensible, everyday level that I believe audiences can relate to. Good theatre is entertaining, informing and questioning and Fabric certainly delivers on that. For the full benefit of the performance I recommend you sit on the little stalls in the front row!

TAVERN RENAMED IN HONOUR OF YORK AND DICK TURPIN

 

The York Dungeon have renamed their tavern ”The Goose & Gallows”, with inspiration from

York’s past and present

 

York is famed to have 365 pubs, one for each day of the year. But one of the newest additions to this is The York Dungeon’s historically-themed tavern, where visitors can stop for a drink after finishing their tour. Formerly known as “Ye Olde Yorke Inn”, the name has now been changed to “The Goose and Gallows”, and the inspiration is more appropriate than you think.

“We wanted a name that evoked York’s past and present all into one” explains Marketing Executive, Simon Alnaimi. “And at the same time we were discussing making September a month of celebration of Dick Turpin. As part of this, we decided to make a nod towards his famous death in York, hanged on the gallows at the Knavesmire; and the Goose part was because no other animal is as synonymous with York.”

Joining them for the renaming was Professor Jim Sharpe of the University of York, who has spent years researching Dick Turpin, and in 2017 partnered with The Dungeon to question the true whereabouts of the Highwayman’s final resting place.

The renaming is all part of The Dungeon’s “Month of Dick”, which takes place for the whole of September, for what would be Dick Turpin’s 313^th birthday, with the aim to raise awareness of one of history’s most infamous characters, and his connection to York.

As Jim Sharpe summarises: “For most people the most famous felon to have been hanged in York in the eighteenth century; Dick Turpin was arrested in Yorkshire, tried at the York assizes and paraded up Micklegate to be executed at York’s Knavesmire, while his fictional yet epic ride from London  to York on Black Bess remains an almost universally known story.  Turpin the man and, perhaps more importantly, Turpin the legend, will remain vital elements in York’s rich heritage.”

The Goose & Gallows is now open, for more information head to www.thedungeons.com/York