ASHLEY ROBERTS & LUCIE JONES
TO STAR IN

It is announced today that from Monday 17 June Ashley Roberts (Strictly Come Dancing 2018 finalist, The Pussycat Dolls) will be making her West End debut as Dawn in Sara Bareilles’ hit musical Waitress for a strictly limited summer season. It is also confirmed that Lucie Jones (Rent,Les Misérables, Legally Blonde) will take over the role of Jenna from this date.

London’s brand-new smash hit musical comedy Waitress tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams her way out of a loveless marriage. When a hot new doctor arrives in town, life gets complicated. With the support of her workmates Becky and Dawn, Jenna overcomes the challenges she faces and finds that laughter, love and friendship can provide the perfect recipe for happiness. 

Waitress celebrated its official opening night at the Adelphi theatre on 7 March and the Tony-nominated musical is now booking to 19 October.

Ashley Roberts will play Dawn. Best known for being a member of one of the biggest girl groups in the world, The Pussycat Dolls, Ashley shot to fame after the release of the album ‘PCD’.  During her seven years in the group they sold over 54 million records and toured the world performing to fans worldwide. Since leaving the group in 2010, Ashley won the hearts of the British public in 2012 when she was voted runner up in I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in one of the closest reality show finals in history. She followed this with a starring role on Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway. Ashley continued her TV career as a judge on ITV’s Dancing On Ice for two seasons and on the popular BBC One talent competition Let It Shine as a guest judge alongside Gary Barlow.

In 2017, Ashley pursued her love of comedy, appearing as a regular on ITV’s The Keith Lemon Sketch Show and Coming In America, in addition to hosting two seasons of 1st Look, which aired every Saturday night on NBC in the US. In 2018, Ashley joined the cast of BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing. With guidance from professional dance partner Pasha Kovalev the pair danced their way to the finals with Ashley becoming the highest scoring contestant with an average score of 36.9 and holds the record for the most perfect scores ever received by a contestant with five perfect scores throughout the season.

Lucie Jones will play Jenna. Lucie has played some of the most iconic roles in musical theatre, with previous theatre credits that include Cosette in Les Misérables (Queens Theatre), Maureen Johnson in RENT (The Other Palace and national tour), Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (national tour), Holly inThe Wedding Singer (national tour), Victoria in American Psycho The Musical (Almeida), Molly Jensen in Ghost: The Musical (Asian tour) and Meat in the We Will Rock You (world arena tour).

Lucie was a finalist in the 2009 series of The X Factor and toured the UK playing to sell out arena crowds on The X Factor Tour in 2010. In January 2017, she won the public vote on the BBC2 showEurovision – You Decide with her original song ‘Never Give Up On You’. She competed at the Eurovision World Final in Ukraine. Other television work includes roles in Midsomer Murders (ITV) and The Sarah Jane Adventures (BBC).

Brought to life by a ground breaking, female-led creative team, Waitress features an original score by 7-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles (Love Song, Brave), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam) and direction by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus (Pippin, Finding Neverland) and choreography by Lorin Latarro. The production is currently touring the US and has also announced it will have its Australian premiere in 2020 at the Sydney Lyric Theatre.

Alongside Lucie Jones and Ashley Roberts as Jenna and Dawn, Waitress also stars Marisha Wallace as Becky, Peter Hannah as Earl, David Hunter as Dr. Pomatter and Shaun Prendergast as Old Joe.

The full company includes Kelly Agbowu, Piers Bate, Nicole Raquel Dennis, Michael Hamway, Peter Hannah, David Hunter, Lucie Jones, Stephen Leask, Chris McGuigan, Olivia Moore, Nathaniel Morrison, Sarah O’Connor, Leanne Pinder, Shaun Prendergast, Charlotte Riby, Ashley Roberts, Marisha Wallace and Mark Willshire. Laura Baldwin will return to the role of Dawn in Waitress at the end of the summer.

On its Broadway opening, Waitress was nominated for four Outer Critics’ Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical; two Drama League Award Nominations, including Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical; six Drama Desk Nominations, including Outstanding Musical; and four Tony Award Nominations, including Best Musical.

LISTINGS

WAITRESS
The Adelphi Theatre
The Strand,
London WC2R 0NS

Monday – Saturday evenings at 7.30pm
Wednesday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm

24 Hour Telephone Booking line: 020 7087 7753
waitressthemusical.co.uk

Day seats are available to purchase in person from the theatre box office from 10am for £25. Mon-Weds performances from Monday 11 February. Subject to availability and at the box office’s discretion.

Images from: https://www.thecornershoppr.com/downloads/waitress/

Twitter: @WaitressLondon
Facebook: Waitress the Musical – London
Instagram: @WaitressLondon

Union Theatre – until 8th June 2019

Reviewed by Catherine Françoise

4****

Elegies For Angels, Punks and Raging Queens is not often done so here’s a wonderful opportunity to grab yourself a ticket or two at the Union Theatre for an engaging, thoughtful, stylish production directed by Brian Hodgson.

A collection of personal stories of unconnected people told in poems and songs ~ stories sympathetic, selfless, selfish, baffled, quiet, angry, funny, resigned, loud, proud and more besides. Described as a song cycle this moving piece was inspired by the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt in San Francisco and Edgar Lee Masters’ Spoon River Anthology. Each of the monologues is written from the perspective of people who have died as a result of AIDS with the songs representing the feelings of friends and family members dealing with the loss.

Strong and moving performances from a committed cast portray so many different types of people AIDS affected. Powerfully for something first written in the early 1980s the characters affected are not just gay men as most people certainly would have assumed 3 decades ago, but also straight men, women and haemophiliacs. And of course 3 decades ago there was no medication that could much alleviate the distressing and devastating effects of AIDS, let alone alleviate or even banish the virus. Tens of thousands of mainly young people died during the 80s and Elegies was originally titled ‘The Quilt’ as an homage to all the quilts made and joined together in San Francisco.

Each character in the show has their own small quilt which they present as they tell their own individual story, though as this is also an ensemble piece, everyone stays on stage for the entire performance supporting each other as ensemble.

Bryan Hodgson directs Aidan Harkins, Ailsa Davidson, Althea Burey, Calum Gulvin, Charlie McCullagh, Chris Cahill, Fraser Leigh Green, Jackie Pulford, Jade Chaston, Jade Marvin, Kristine Kruse, Marcus Ayton, Matthew Grove, Michiel Janssens, Paige Fenlon and Rhys Taylor in an almost choreographed style (Adam Haigh choreography credit). Beautiful, impactful lighting from Alex Musgrave and precise, clever sound effects by Henry Brennan supported changes of mood, place, character and flashbacks in time.

The evocative score includes some of my personal favourite songs and was accompanied most wonderfully by Musical Director Henry Brennan on piano and Pippa Mason on cello. The rich melancholic cello sound really adds something special to these emotional and quite profound songs composed by Bill Russell (Book & Lyrics) and Janet Hood (Music).

Many of these beautiful songs have been heard in cabaret and concert over the past 30 years but here is a wonderful chance to hear them in situ as originally created:

· Angels, Punks And Raging Queens

· Holding On To You

· I Don’t Do That Anymore

· And The Rain Keeps Falling Down

· Celebrate

· I Don’t Know How To Help You

· Heroes All Around

· Spend It While You Can

· My Brother Lived In San Francisco

· Learning To Let Go

Elegies For Angels, Punks and Raging Queens are spoken authentic stories of those lost too soon, told with love, honesty and humour, with those left behind remembering and expressing their best memories and profound loss in beautiful songs ~ A compelling tribute to all millions now lost to AIDS and to those left behind mourning those gone but not forgotten.

Get Tickets here: http://www.uniontheatre.biz/elegies.html

MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY

ANNOUNCES NEW BOOKING PERIOD

TO SUNDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2020

TICKETS ON SALE FROM 10:00 FRIDAY 24 MAY 2019

 

MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY, the new immersive theatrical and dining experience opening in a specially-adapted venue within The O2 London this summer, is extending its booking period from Monday 18 November 2019 to Sunday 16 February 2020 due to popular demand. New tickets will go on sale from 10.00am on Friday 24 May 2019.

Created by ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY is a new and unique entertainment concept that puts guests in the heart of the action. Over the course of more than five hours, they can enjoy a spectacular show, a three-course gourmet Mediterranean meal and an ABBA disco all in one unforgettable evening.

MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY is set in a taverna on the island of Skopelos, where most exteriors of the first MAMMA MIA! film were shot. Nikos and his wife Kate run this exotic and wonderful restaurant together with their family and friends. Told through dialogue and ABBA songs, a warm, romantic and funny story evolves and unfolds during the evening, taking place around the guests as they sit at their tables enjoying a delicious Greek meal. The evening ends with the main floor transforming into a 1970s disco, where audience members are welcome to stay to  sing and dance to original ABBA recordings.

Björn Ulvaeus, the Executive Producer of MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY, said, “We are thrilled with the public response to MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY, which has shown in our phenomenal ticket sales to date. I am excited to be bringing our joyful production to London, and am grateful to Londoners and people around the UK who have shown their support for us in return.”

Producer Ingrid Sutej said, “MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY really is a unique experience, with nothing else like it currently showing in London. We look forward to our guests dining, dancing and having fun when we open at The O2 in August.”

MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY has music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (some songs with Stig Anderson), and a story by Calle Norlén, Roine Söderlundh and Björn Ulvaeus, adapted for the UK by writer, comedian and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig.

The London version of MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY, which originally opened in Stockholm in January 2016 and is now in its fourth sold-out year, will be co-directed by Roine Söderlundh and Stacey Haynes, with set designed by Bengt Fröderberg, costumes designed by Annsofi Nyberg, lighting designed by Patrick Woodroffe and sound designed by Gareth Owen.

MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY is produced by Björn Ulvaeus and Ingrid Sutej for MM! The Party Ltd.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

MAMMA MIA! THE PARTYThe O2
Peninsula Square
London SE10 0DX 
Performances:
Until 18 November 2019: Mondays & Wednesdays to Sundays at 7.30pm, Saturdays & Sundays at 1pm
From 19 to 25 November 2019: Wednesday to Sunday at 7.30pm, Saturday & Sunday at 1pm*
From 26 November 2019: Tuesdays to Sundays at 7.30pm, Saturdays & Sundays at 1pm
(*N.B. No performances Tuesday 19 & Monday 25 November 2019)

Tickets: From £135 (plus booking fees), to include admission and meal (drinks extra)

Box Office: www.mammamiatheparty.co.uk / 0844 844 9545

Currently Booking to 16 February 2020

Recommended Age: 5+Website: www.mammamiatheparty.co.uk
Facebook, Instagram: @mammamiapartyuk  

LYRIC HAMMERSMITH THEATRE ANNOUNCES RACHEL O’RIORDAN’S FIRST SEASON AS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre today announces its 2019/2020 programme of work, Rachel O’Riordan’s inaugural season as Artistic Director:

·         A Doll’s House: A new version of Ibsen’s play by Tanika Gupta and directed by Rachel O’Riordan – her first show as the Lyric’s Artistic Director, with Niru – Nora in the original– played by Anjana Vasan (Summer and Smoke).

·         Solaris: co-produced with Malthouse Theatre Melbourne and The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, the Lyric presentsa new play by David Greig, adapted from the cult science fiction novel by Stanislaw Lem.

·         Cinderella: Panto returns for 2019, written by Jude Christian and directed by Tinuke Craig. Featuring the Lyric Ensemble.

·         Love, Love, Love: Rachel O’Riordan directs Mike Bartlett’s award-winning play.

·         Sophocles’ Antigone: The Burial at Thebes: Roy Alexander Weise (Nine Night) directs a new production of Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney’s translation. The Chorus will be played by the Lyric Ensemble.

·         The Beauty Queen of Leenane: Headlining the Autumn 2020 season, Rachel O’Riordan directs Martin McDonagh’s darkly comic play.

·         In collaboration with Headlong, the Lyric announces a long-term aspiration to commission and produce work of scale by women playwrights for the Lyric Main House and UK touring, with the first production in January 2020.

·         The Lyric announces new Artistic Associates team: Stuart Burt (Casting Director); Tinuke Craig (Director); Phillip McMahon (Playwright and Director); Nina Steiger (Dramaturg) and Simon Stephens (Playwright).

·         30,000 tickets in the season are £15 or under, with 5000 of these completely through the Lyric’s community ticket schemes such as Free First Night.

·         Continuing the Lyric’s commitment to reducing its impact on the environment, e-tickets are introduced for all Main House shows.

·         The Little Lyric Autumn Season, for audiences aged under 11 years, is announced, including the return of Raymond Brigg’s Father Christmas, along with the new sponsor of Little Lyric shows and classes, The Collective.

·         The Lyric continues its commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists with the Lyric Ensemble and Evolution Festival.

·         Priority booking for Lyric Friends and Supporters opens today, 21 May 2019, with public booking opening at 9am on Friday 24 May.

Speaking about her first season at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Artistic Director Rachel O’Riordansaid:

“I’m delighted to be announcing my inaugural season as Artistic Director of the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. I am very proud to be here. We have a stunning 590 seat Frank Matcham designed Main House and will produce plays that celebrate our unique theatre in the heart of Hammersmith. Today we announce seven new productions by exceptional playwrights including reimagined classics, contemporary plays and bold new work; these plays are as dynamic and varied as our audience.

My first play as director is a bold new version of Ibsen’s A Doll’s House by the award-winning West-London born Tanika Gupta. Tanika sets the play in Calcutta, 1879, using the themes of the play to explore British colonialism, in a radical reframing of this classic text. Playing the lead role of Niru, Nora in the original, will be Anjana Vasan, who was compelling in Summer and Smoke. I’m really looking forward to working with her, Tanika, and designer Lily Arnold, to bring a new perspective to this iconic play. An element of my vision for the Lyric is rooted in reimagining classic texts; putting the interpretation of them in the hands of artists (writers and directors) whose voice brings new perspective.

Collaboration will be a vital part of the Lyric’s work. Our first co-production will be with The Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh and Malthouse in Melbourne, with David Greig’s Solaris. I’m also delighted that we today announce a new partnership with Headlong, focused on commissioning and producing major new work of scale by women writers, both on the Lyric Main House stage before the UK. Our first production together will be in January 2020. I am excited to see the great work that will come from these ambitious plans that we are making together.

Christmas at the Lyric is a magical time. Our panto is such an important event for our community, and I’m thrilled that Jude Christian returns to write Cinderella. She will be joined by Tinuke Craig for her Lyric – and panto – directing debut, and members of our Lyric Ensemble in their first professional Main House production –  an opportunity which has become the springboard for many young people into a career in theatre.

At the heart of the vision for the Lyric is great writing, giving our audiences the opportunity to see work by extraordinary playwrights. I’m very excited that in spring I will direct Mike Bartlett’s Love, Love, Love in a major new revival. Bartlett’s play addresses intergenerational conflict with sharp humour and political precision; I can’t wait to see how audiences now will respond to the themes he addresses with such bold theatricality and skill.

Nobel Prize winning poet Seamus Heaney’s The Burial at Thebes, translated from Sophocles’Antigone, is a powerful and immediate text. Pairing this great work with powerhouse director Roy Alexander Weise will take this text into thrilling new territory. This large scale, ambitious production in the spring of 2020 will also include performers from the Lyric Ensemble, playing the pivotal role of Chorus.

In autumn 2020, I am delighted to say that Martin McDonagh’s ground- breaking, wave- making The Beauty Queen of Leenane is our headline show. This is a play I have wanted to direct for many years – its black humour and acute observations on rural Ireland are both hilarious and disturbing. It is a fascinating and compelling study of dysfunctional mother/ daughter love and is, rightfully, a modern classic. I can’t wait for its West London debut on our beautiful stage.

Today we also announce our new team of Artistic Associates. Continuing their association with the Lyric, Simon Stephens and Stuart Burt are joined by our new Associates; Tinuke Craig, Nina Steiger, and Phillip McMahon.

Join us for world class theatre from the heart of Hammersmith.”

Executive Director of the Lyric Hammersmith Sian Alexander said:

“We want the widest possible audience to enjoy the world class theatre that we make and for the Lyric to be open to everyone who wants to come and experience the work on our stages. I am therefore delighted that we are announcing today that there will be over 30, 000 tickets available this season for our Main House productions for £15 or under. 5000 of these tickets will be free tickets offered through our community ticket programmes to people who live, work or go to school in Hammersmith and Fulham. Most importantly these tickets are for some of the best seats in the theatre.

Little Lyric continues to delight our youngest audiences providing their first introduction to theatre and last year we welcomed more than 25,000 children and their families to our Studio programme. Today we announce a new season of autumn shows including regular Saturday performances, for October Half Term Lost and Found based on the popular book by Oliver Jeffers and from November the return of perennial favourite Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas. I’m also pleased to announce the support of West London-based company The Collective Dairy, who will be sponsoring our Little Lyric shows and classes for under 11s.

Building on our work to reduce our environmental impact, from this Autumn, audiences will have the option to use E-tickets for all our Main House shows. This year we have been awarded the highest 5 Star Creative Green certification by Julie’s Bicycle as well as a local business award, and The Stage Award for Sustainability. Ensuring audiences have the option of E-tickets is part of our fight against the climate emergency.

Young people are at the heart of the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and nurturing a new diverse generation of theatre artists is central to our work. We want talented young people from all backgrounds to have viable pathways into our industry and to develop their skills and own artistic practice.

I’m therefore incredibly excited for the new opportunity we will offer this season for our Lyric Ensemble of young performers age 18 – 25 to perform professionally in the Main House as the Chorus in The Burial at Thebes. Each year, as part of their training our Ensemble works with an up and coming theatre director to create their own show in our Studio Theatre each summer. I’m delighted to announce that this year’s Ensemble show director will be Abigail Graham.

Our festival for young emerging artists, Evolution, will return in Spring 2020. Today we are announcing the inaugural winner of The Bill Cashmore Award 2019 is Eve Cowley whose show Screwdriver will headline Evolution 2020. This newly established award, worth £10,000, will support the winner’s professional development and the creation of their new show.

‘World class theatre, cheap tickets, opportunities for all – everyone’s welcome at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre this season.’

THE LARGEST SHAKESPEAREAN COMPANY IN EUROPE THIS SUMMER ASSEMBLES TO REHEARSE

AS FULL CASTING IS ANNOUNCED FOR 2019 SUMMER OF SHAKESPEARE

Preparations are in full swing for a glorious Summer of Shakespeare for the North and South, as the full company of SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE, the award-winning pop-up Shakespearean Theatre, comes together for the first time ahead of its triumphant return to York this summer, and its expansion to a second site at Blenheim Palace. The SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE Company has commenced rehearsals for eight of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, which will be performed in repertory by two companies of actors based at each location.

Over the last few weeks a huge tented rehearsal village has sprung up outside York at the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, which becomes a custom-built temporary home to one of the largest Shakespearean companies in Europe, and possibly the world, this summer. The 2100 square metre rehearsal village is made up of seven tents in total: the two biggest acting as the main performance spaces, able to accommodate areas bigger than the eventual stage, and audiences who will be able to attend open rehearsals. Other tents will be used as stage management offices, a green room (holding up to 70 people at one time), wardrobe spaces and break out rooms for dance, fight and vocal calls.

Artistic Director of SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE, Damian Cruden said, “It’s wonderful to have such a unique and bespoke rehearsal space that accommodates the needs of creating eight fantastic Shakespearean productions and encourages strong creative collaboration.”

In total, 75 actors, 22 creatives, 12 musicians and 41 crew have taken up residence in the grounds of McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, the company’s home until the two pop-up Elizabethan theatres are constructed at the foot of historic Clifford’s tower in York in May and in the grounds of Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire in June.

McArthurGlen Designer Outlet are also hosting an exhibition of costumes and props from SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE.  The items from the 2018 plays of Richard III and Romeo and Juliet can be viewed all summer in Unit 19 at the South Atrium.

The York season of SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE will run from Tuesday 25 June – Sunday 1 September 2019, with Hamlet, Henry V, The Tempest and Twelfth Night, and the Blenheim Palace season will run from Monday 8 July – Saturday 7 September 2019 with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, Romeo & Juliet and Richard III.

Originator of the project and CEO of international theatre company, Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, James Cundall MBE, said “Shoppers at York’s Designer Outlet have already been taken aback by blood-curdling war cries and delighted at the beautiful poetic verse emanating from our rehearsal village… I am both excited and proud to have brought together such an incredible company – we may well be the largest in the world right now!”

Full casting has been announced for the four companies – previously announced cast includes Maggie Bain(Netflix’s Black Mirror, The End of the F***ing World, film Dark Sense and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Shakespeare’s Globe) as ‘Henry V’; ITV’s Victoria star David Oakes as ‘Hamlet’; Sam Callis (Game of Thrones, The Bill) as ‘Prospero’ in The Tempest; and returning from last year’s SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE,  Olivia Onyehara as ‘Viola’, Mark Holgate as ‘Orsino’, and Leandra Ashton as ‘Olivia’ in Twelfth Night.

The Blenheim Palace company includes Dave Fishley (recently seen in the West End as ‘William III’ in Queen Anne at the Theatre Royal Haymarket) as ‘Richard’ in Richard III; Emilio Iannucci (son of Armando) as ‘Romeo’ opposite Ella Dunlop (recently seen in The Secret Garden at York Theatre Royal) as ‘Juliet’ in Romeo & Juliet;Alex Avery (series regular in Doctors, The Bill and EastEnders) as ‘Macbeth’; and Paul Hawkyard (multiple West End credits, Coronation Street, Casualty, ) returns to SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE to play ‘Bottom’ in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

We’re thrilled to announce that Julian Clary will host our production of  Singin’ in the Rain at the Adelphi Theatre on Sunday 13 October in aid of the dementia charity, The Lewy Body Society.

“I’m delighted to be hosting Showtime Challenge 48-Hour Musicals’ production of Singin’ in the Rain at London’s Adelphi Theatre. Best of luck to the heroically plucky cast and crew who are giving up their time and energy to support the Lewy Body Society and the wonderful work they do.” Julian Clary

There’s still time to BOOK AN AUDITION SLOT on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 June, but hurry as there aren’t many left!

And tickets are on sale now, available from the Adelphi Theatre. BUY TICKETS

We’re thrilled to announce that Julian Clary will host our production of Singin’ in the Rain at the Adelphi Theatre on Sunday 13 October in aid of the dementia charity The Lewy Body Society.

“I’m delighted to be hosting Showtime Challenge 48-Hour Musicals’ production of Singin’ in the Rain at London’s Adelphi Theatre. Best of luck to the heroically plucky cast and crew who are giving up their time and energy to support the Lewy Body Society and the wonderful work they do.” Julian Clary

There’s still time to BOOK AN AUDITION SLOT on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 June, but hurry as there aren’t many spaces left!

And tickets are on sale now, available from the Adelphi Theatre. BUY TICKETS

ACTING FOR OTHERS’ INAUGURAL WEST END FLEA MARKET RAISED OVER £26,000

Theatrical charity Acting for Others today announces that over £26,000 was raised at the inaugural West End Flea Market on Saturday 19 May held at St Paul’s Church in Covent Garden, with thousands of people in attendance.

Top West End shows set up stalls full of theatrical goodies and designed showstopping centre pieces – which were on display for judges Christopher Biggins, Celia Imrie and Wayne Sleep. Running stalls on the day were company members from The Book of Mormon, Hamilton, The Phantom of the Opera, The Play That Goes Wrong, Mamma Mia!, Les Miserables, The Mousetrap, Only Fools and Horses and Royal Opera House, manned by Dame Monica Mason.

Taking the prize of Best Dressed Stall this year was Only Fools and Horses with an array of delights including Pina Colada cupcakes, a hoopla for beer bottles containing show trivia, Trigger’s Kissing Booth and one-off treats signed by the company. The winner of the showstopper competition was Mischief Theatre’s The Play That Goes Wrong, proving that sometimes they actually do get it right.

Harriet Thorpe and Tom Read Wilson went up against Wendi Peters and Annette Badland in a fiercely fought Biggins’ Bargains. Their ill-gotten gains competed in Biggins Bargains’ auction – overseen by the man himself, with Harriet and Tom the victors with the two teams raising almost £700 for Acting for Others.

Other stars also popped in to show their support including Come From Away’s Rachel Tucker, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’s Layton Williams and the star of the new Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Jac Yarrow who signed for fans in the celebrity tent; Julian Glover, Bonnie Langford, Belinda Lang, Hayley Mills, Peter Polycarpou, Hugh Sachs and Graham Seed; and there were long queues for the legend that is Su Pollard’s fortune telling. Refreshments were provided by The Theatre Café and The Nell of Old Drury. Entertainment was provided by The Royal Theatrical Fund Choir, Mariachi Loco Band, Michael Batchelor, Robert Pearce and magician, Henri White.

Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen, co-Chair of Acting for Others said today, “We were overwhelmed by the support for Acting for Others’ first West End Flea Market, with queues around the block. It was a joy to share this special event with so many people who share our love of theatre. A huge thank you to the shows, our judges and ambassadors that took part to make Saturday such a success. We can’t wait to see what next year brings!”

The event was sponsored by Spotlight, The Mackintosh Foundation, Reward Gateway and Joe Allen.

www.actingforothers.co.uk       

Twitter: @ActingForOthers / #WestEndFleaMarket

FULL CAST FOR BITTER WHEAT

STARRING JOHN MALKOVICH

ANNOUNCED TODAY

Rehearsals have begun for David Mamet’s new play Bitter Wheat which opens at the Garrick Theatre in London on Friday 7 June 2019, with a press night on Wednesday 19 June 2019.  The run, which was originally scheduled to finish on 14 September, now finishes on Saturday 21 September 2019.

Joining the previously announced John Malkovich as Barney Fein, Doon Mackichan as Sondra and Ioanna Kimbrook as Yung Kim Li are:  Alexander Arnold as Roberto, Teddy Kempner as Doctor Wald, Matthew Pidgeon as The Writer and Zephryn Taitte as Charles Arthur Brown.  (A photograph of the full company with David Mamet can be downloaded from the link above).

The multi award-winning John Malkovich returns to the West End stage after nearly 30 years to play top dog Hollywood producer Barney Fein in Bitter Wheat. 

Malkovich, one of the world’s most revered actors, is best known for his many films including Dangerous Liaisons, Being John Malkovich, Con Air and Mulholland Drive. He recently received widespread critical acclaim playing Hercule Poirot in a new BBC TV Agatha Christie adaptation. 

The Pulitzer prize winning David Mamet has written some of the most iconic plays of the last 50 years includingSexual Perversity in Chicago, American Buffalo, Glengarry Glen Ross, Speed-the-Plow, and Oleanna.

Doon Mackichan, who is well known for her extensive TV work which includes creating and starring in the hit comedy series Smack the Pony for Channel 4, Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge, Plebs for ITV2 andTwo Doors Down for the BBC, will play Barney Fein’s assistant, Sondra.         

Ioanna Kimbook makes her debut West End performance in Bitter Wheat.  Ioanna recently filmed an episode of the BBC comedy, Inside No. 9.

Alexander Arnold’s recent theatre credits include Shopping and F***ing at the Lyric Hammersmith, Crushed Shells and Mud at Southwark Playhouse, and Luna Gale and Four Minutes Twelve Seconds at Hampstead Theatre.  For film, he will appear in Danny Boyle’s Yesterday and is in the TV BAFTA nominated and RTS Award-winning drama series, Save Me for Sky Atlantic. Further television credits include E4’s Skins and A Mother’s Son.

Teddy Kempner’s extensive theatre work includes Caroline, or Change at the Playhouse, Hampstead Theatre and Chichester Festival Theatre, A Month in the Country and Six Pictures of Lee Miller in Chichester and The Merry Wives of Windsor, Three Sisters and Nicholas Nickleby for the RSC.  His films include Truly Madly Deeplyand Yentl.

Matthew Pidgeon’s theatre credits include Local Hero and The Glass Menagerie at the Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh;  This House in Chichester West End and on tour,  Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies for the RSC andThe James Plays for the National Theatre of Scotland.  Films include Mary Queen of Scots,  State and Main andA Shot of Glory.

Zephryn Taitte has just completed a major tour of Glengarry Glen Ross.  Other theatre includes Trust at the Gate Theatre, Result at the Pleasance Theatre, The Tempest and Romeo and Juliet at Oval House and Talawa’s production of The Crucible.  His films include No Shade, Dirty Money, Run it Off and White.  TV credits includeCall the Midwife, Urban Myths, The Hour and Brothers With No Game.

David Mamet directs Bitter Wheat, with designs by Christopher Oram and lighting by Neil Austin.

Bitter Wheat is produced by Jeffrey Richards, Steve Traxler and Smith & Brant Theatricals.

For more information, please see www.bitterwheatplay.com

H A R R Y   P O T T E R   A N D   T H E   C U R S E D   C H I L D

PARTS ONE AND TWO

NEW WEST END COMPANY CHARACTER PORTRAITS RELEASED

OF THE POTTERS, THE GRANGER-WEASLEYS AND THE MALFOYS

FIRST PERFORMANCE WEDNESDAY 22 MAY 2019

WWW.HARRYPOTTERTHEPLAY.COM

Today (20 May 2019), the Producers of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child release the latest set of character portraits ahead of the fourth West End cast’s first performance at London’s Palace Theatre on Wednesday 22 May 2019.  

Seen together in character for the first time as the iconic Potters, Granger-Weasleys and Malfoys are Michelle Gayle as Hermione Granger, Rayxia Ojo as Rose Granger-Weasley and Thomas Aldridge as Ron Weasley; Jamie Ballard as Harry Potter, Susie Trayling as Ginny Potter withDominic Short as Albus Potter; and James Howard as Draco Malfoy and Jonathan Case as Scorpius Malfoy.  

RECORD-BREAKING PRODUCTION OF

STARRING SAMANTHA WOMACK

TRANSFERS TO THE WEST END

23 July – 17 August 2019

Duke of York’s Theatre

The Girl on the Train starring Samantha Womack as Rachel Watson will transfer to London’s Duke of York’s Theatre, St Martin’s Lane for a limited run from 23 July to 17 August 2019.

The gripping thriller, based on the internationally acclaimed number one best-selling novel by Paula Hawkins and the Dreamworks film has been breaking box office records and playing to packed houses on a major tour since the beginning of the year.

Samantha plays Rachel Watson who longs for a different life. Her only escape is the perfect couple she watches through the train window every day, happy and in love.  Or so it appears. When Rachel learns that the woman she’s been secretly watching has suddenly disappeared, she finds herself as a witness and even a suspect in a thrilling mystery in which she will face bigger revelations than she could ever have anticipated.

Paula Hawkins said after watching the show:  ‘Sam was amazing.  You could literally hear a pin drop.Everyone was holding their breath’

Samantha Womack has starred extensively in television, film and theatre.  She is best known for playing Ronnie Mitchell in BBC1’s EastEnders. Other television credits include roles in Silent Witness, Mount Pleasant and the hugely popular Game On.  Her recent films include: Kingsman: The Golden Circle and Kingsman: The Secret Service alongside Colin Firth.  Samantha recently played Morticia in a tour of The Addams Family.

Samantha said:  ‘I am absolutely loving playing Rachel in The Girl on the Train.  She’s such an interesting character to play, and we’ve had a brilliant reception from our audiences who have been gripped by her story.  This tour has already been the journey of a life-time and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to bring it to the West End.’

Further casting for the London run to be announced.

Paula Hawkins’ novel is an international phenomenon, selling over twenty million copies world-wide.  Produced by Simon Friend, Amblin Entertainment and Josh Andrews, The Girl

on the Train is adapted by Rachel Wagstaff & Duncan Abel and is directed by Anthony Banks with set and costumes by James Cotterill, lighting by Jack Knowles, composition and sound by Ben & Max Ringham, video by Andrzej Goulding and fights by Alison de Burgh. 

The Girl on the Train is currently in Nottingham and continues its UK and Ireland travelling on toShrewsbury, Dublin, Belfast, Brighton, Sheffield, Norwich, Guildford, Oxford, Canterbury,Birmingham, Aberdeen, Bradford, High Wycombe, Cambridge, Plymouth, Swindon, Bromley, Malvern, Woking, Eastbourne, Cardiff and Brighton.

Duke of York’s Theatre

St Martins’ Lane

London

Dates:  23 July – 17 August 2019

Monday – Saturday evenings – 7.30pm 

Thursday Matinee, 2.30pm – 25 July 

Wednesday Matinee 2.30pm – 31 July onwards

Telephone Booking : 0844 871 7623
Calls cost 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge.

www.atgtickets.com

@girlontrainplay

UK & Ireland Tour Schedule

Theatre Royal, Nottingham                                          trch.co.uk/

20 – 25 May 2019                                                            0115 989 5555

Shrewsbury Theatre Severn                                         www.theatresevern.co.uk/

27 May – 1 June 2019                                                     01743 281281

Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin                              www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie/

3 – 8 June 2019                                                                 +353 (1) 677 7999

Grand Opera House, Belfast                                        www.goh.co.uk

11 – 15 June 2019                                                            028 9024 1919 

Theatre Royal, Brighton                                                 www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton/

17 – 22 June 2019                                                            0844 871 7615 

Sheffield Lyceum                                                             www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/

24 – 29 June 2019                                                            0114 249 6000

Norwich Theatre Royal                                                  www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk/

1 – 6 July 2019                                                                   01603 63 00 00.  On sale from 9 November

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford                           www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/

8 – 13 July 2019                                                                01483 440000

Oxford Playhouse                                                            www.oxfordplayhouse.com

15 – 20 July 2019                                                              01865 305305                                   

Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury                                    www.marlowetheatre.com

20 – 24 August 2019                                                       01227 787787.

Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham                                 www.atgtickets.com

26 – 31 August 2019                                                       0844 871 3011

Her Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen                              www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

3-7 September 2019                                                       01224 641122

The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford                               www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

10-14 September 2019                                                  01274 432000

Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe                               www.wycombeswan.co.uk

17- 21 September 2019                                                 01494 512 000

Cambridge Arts Theatre                                                www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

23 – 28 September 2019                                               01223 503333

Theatre Royal Plymouth                                                www.theatreroyal.com

30 September – 5 October 2019                                01752 267222 

Wyvern Theatre, Swindon                                            www.swindontheatres.co.uk

7 – 12 October 2019                                                       01793 524481

Churchill Theatre, Bromley                                          www.churchilltheatre.co.uk

14 – 19 October 2019                                                     020 3285 6000

Malvern Theatres                                                            www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

21 – 26 October 2019                                                     01684 892277

New Victoria Theatre, Woking                                    www.atgtickets.com

28 October – 2 November 2019                                 0844 871 7645

Eastbourne Theatres                                                      www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk

4 – 9 November 2019                                                     01323 412 000                                                 

New Theatre, Cardiff                                                      www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

12-16 November 2019                                                   029 2087 8889                 

Blackpool Winter Gardens                                           www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

19-23 November 2019                                                   01253 625252