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SUE TOWNSEND’S

THE SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE AGED 13¾ – THE MUSICAL

TRANSFERS TO THE AMBASSADORS THEATRE

FROM 15 JUNE TO 12 OCTOBER 2019

GALA NIGHT TUESDAY 2 JULY

Following two highly acclaimed runs at Leicester’s Curve theatre in 2015 and the Menier Chocolate Factory in 2017, Sue Townsend’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13¾ – The Musical, will open at the Ambassadors Theatre for a limited season from 15 June until 12 October 2019, with a Gala Night on Tuesday 2 July. Tickets on sale from 5 April. The musical has book and lyrics by Jake Brunger, music and lyrics by Pippa Cleary and direction by Luke Sheppard. Casting to be announced.

Set in 1980s Leicester, this adaptation of Sue Townsend‘s best-selling book is a timeless tale of teenage angst, family struggles and unrequited love, told through the eyes of tortured poet and misunderstood intellectual Adrian Mole. One of the most enduring comedy characters of all time, he is the hapless, hilarious, spotty teenager who captured the zeitgeist of 1980s Britain, and this critically acclaimed production brings Adrian’s story to life for a new generation of theatregoers.

“Honestly. My family just don’t understand me. Perhaps when I am famous and my diary is discovered people will understand the torment of being a 13¾ year-old intellectual” Adrian Mole.

Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster said, “It has been a great joy for all of us at Curve to see Sue Townsend’s ‘misunderstood intellectual’ flourish under the inspired writing of Jake and Pippa. We are immensely proud that, after a triumphant opening in Leicester and acclaimed season at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Adrian, Nigel, Pandora and their motley crew are now rocking up in the glitzy West End. It is wonderful to see Sue’s legacy live on and that this quirky, joyous, turbo-charged, home-grown new musical has been embraced so whole-heartedly by audiences at home in Leicester and London.”

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ was Townsend’s first novel, was originally published in 1982 by Methuen, but is now published by Penguin Books. It has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, been translated into 30 languages, and spawned seven sequel Adrian Mole novels. The novels have previously been adapted for the stage, radio and television.

The Townsend family said, “Sue loved West End theatre, and she loved working with Jake and Pippa on the creation of this show. We’re very happy for her and Mole that thirty years after his last appearance, a new generation has brought him back.”

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13¾- The Musical has choreography by Rebecca Howell, set and costume design by Tom Rogers, lighting design by Howard Hudson, musical direction by Mark Collins, musical supervision & orchestrations by Paul Herbert and children’s casting by Jo Hawes CDG.

This production is produced by Anthony Clare, Ramin Sabi, Knickerbockerglory, Mark Puddle, and Curve.

Originally commissioned by Curve and Royal and Derngate, Northampton.

Website: www.adrianmolethemusical.com

Facebook: adrianmolethemusical

Twitter: @adrianmoleuk        

Instagram: AdrianMoleUK

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Sue Townsend’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13¾ – The Musical

15 June – 12 October 2019

Ambassadors Theatre

West Street

London

WC2H 9ND

Ticket Prices: Previews from £15

Performance Times:

Monday – Saturday 7.30pm*

Matinees – Thursday & Saturday 2.30pm

Additional matinee Tuesday 23 July

*7pm start on Tuesday 2 July

Running time: 2 hours 20 minutes (including interval)

Box Office: 0843 904 0061*

*Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s usual access charge

www.atgtickets.com  

h CLUB LONDON ANNOUNCE STAR STUDDED CELEBRATION FOR WORLD BOOK NIGHT ON TUESDAY 23^RD APRIL

Authors and Celebrities Come To h Club London To Read Passages from Their Favourite Books And New Releases

h Club London (formerly The Hospital Club) are pleased to announce their celebratory event for this year’s World Book Night taking place on Tuesday 23^rd April at 7pm. The event will celebrate all that is wonderful and inspiring about reading, with the club hosting a range of authors and celebrities who will read passages from much-loved and upcoming books to attendees.

Confirmed celebrity attendees reading passages from their favourite books include, Harry Potter actorJason Isaacs; Luther actor Steven Makintosh; Being Human actress Annabel Scholey; Downton Abbey actress Catherine Steadman; The Following, Altered Carbon & Sex Education actor James Purefoy and Eastenders and Coronation Street’s Michelle Collins.

They are joined by a host of top-tier authors who will read passages from their recently released/upcoming books. These include Mike Gayle (The Man I Think I Know and The Hope Family Calendar); Rebecca Reid (Perfect Liars and upcoming novel Truth Hurts); Emma Jane Unsworth(Animals); Rosie Walsh (The Man Who Didn’t Call and Ghosted); Fiona Neill (The Betrayals); Bev Thomas (A Good Enough Mother) and Louise Doughty (Apple Tree Yard).

ALEX JENNINGS ANNOUNCED FOR SIX-TIME TONY AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA

Royal Festival Hall 14 June-05 July 2019

• Three-time Olivier Award Winner and film and TV leading man, Alex Jennings, completes all-star cast
• World Renowned Soprano Renée Fleming and star of Disney’s The Descendants Dove Cameron in lead roles
• London Stage Favourites Rob Houchen, Celinde Schoenmaker, Marie McLaughlin. Liam Tamne and Malcolm Sinclair.  
• Top Creative team: written by Craig Lucas, music & lyrics by Adam Guettel and directed by Daniel Evans
• Full 34 piece Opera North Orchestra

Scenario Two are delighted to announce that three-time Olivier Award winner and current BAFTA nominee,Alex Jennings (My Fair Lady, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The Queen, Bridget Jones: The Edge, Babel, The Lady in the Van and most recently the critically acclaimed Netflix series The Crown and Unforgotten for which he has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor) will complete the cast for the London premiere of the acclaimed Broadway musical The Light in the Piazza. A stunning storyaboutthe life-changing thrill of first love, Jennings will play Signor Naccarelli the father of dashing Italian lover, Fabrizio.

He will be joining the exceptionally talented cast led by opera superstar and four-time Grammy winner and Tony nominee Renée Fleming who is making her London musical theatre debut as American Margaret Johnson and Disney Film and Emmy-winning TV star Dove Cameron who is also making her UK debut as Margaret’s troubled daughter Clara. Dove is best known for her role in Disney’s The Descendants trilogy. In addition, she recently played the role of Amber von Tussle in NBC’s Hairspray Live! and starred as Cher in the Off-Broadway production of Clueless: The Musical.

Also appearing are West End star Rob Houchen (Marius in  Les Misérables and named Best Male in a Musical at the 2019 Off West End Awards for his performance in Eugenius), who will play Clara’s suitor, Fabrizio Naccarelli, and Celinde Schoenmaker (female lead in The Phantom of the Opera as Christine Daaé, and Fantine in the West End production of Les Misérables) as Franca Naccarelli. Malcolm Sinclair (who is currently nominated for an Olivier Award and whose career onstage and screen spans more than three decades encompassing a vast array of West End, National Theatre and RSC productions alongside roles in films such as Casino Royale and V for Vendetta) will play Margaret’s husband and Clara’s father Roy Johnson.  Fabrizio’s mother Signora Naccarelli will be played by leading operatic soprano Marie McLaughlin (Le nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, La bohème,The Greek Passion and Falstaff). Playing Fabrizio’s brother Giuseppe is Liam Tamne (The Phantom of the Opera, Link Larkin in Hairspray and Frank N Furter in the Rocky Horror Show).

The talented ensemble includes Simbi Akande, Danny Becker, Jordan Castle, Nicholas Duncan, Chlöe Hart,  Molly Lynch, Rhona McGregor, Tom Partridge, Monica Swayne and Matthew Woodyatt.

Based on the novella by Elizabeth Spencer, The Light in the Piazza is written by Craig Lucas, with music and lyrics by Adam Guettel. Set in Florence during the summer of 1953, it’s a touching and heart-wrenching love story with music described by the New York Times as “the most intensely romantic score of any musical since West Side Story”.  The Light in the Piazza’s rich, emotional score is totally unique genre amongst Broadway musicals. Unapologetically lyrical and romantic, it transports us into the world of Margaret Johnson and her daughter Clara, as they take in the wonders of Florence. A fateful gust of wind whisks Clara’s hat into the hands of local dreamer Fabrizio Naccarelli and it’s love at first sight. However, Clara isn’t quite what she appears and soon they must all confront a secret that’s been kept in the shadows for far too long. 

The Light in the Piazza will be performed in a specially-designed full theatre staging at the Royal Festival Hallfor only twenty performances, with the 34-piece Orchestra of Opera North providing a unique opportunity to hear the wonderful score . The production will be directed by multiple Olivier Award-winner Daniel Evans, music director is  Kimberly Grigsby (who performed the same role on the original Broadway production), set is designed by Robert Jones with Brigitte Reiffenstuel providing costumes evoking the inimitable style of the 1950s.  It is produced by John Berry and Anthony Lilley for Scenario Two Ltd.

York Theatre Royal until Saturday 6th April 2019.

Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

4****

Pilot Theatre presents Noughts and Crosses, the dystopian best selling novel by Malorie Blackman, at York Theatre Royal. Adapted for the stage by Sabrina Mahfouz, it’s a story about prejudice, institutional racism, though completely turned up on its head from what our society would expect.

Selphy Hadley (Heather Agyepong) is a Cross, she’s black, privileged and part of the upper class, the eldest daughter of a renowned politician Kamal. Whereas Callum McGregor (Billy Harris) is a Nought, white, oppressed, disadvantaged and distinctly under class. We watch their growing friendship, despite the race and class divide, as equals, insulated and not understanding how the outside world will affect them once they get older. As the relationship matures, they each pay a heavy price. Sephy is tormented by her schoolmates for associating with a Nought and Callum’s brother and father turn to the militia after his mother, Meggie is unjustly sacked as the McGregor’s housekeeper.

Once things started going wrong for both families, my heart was really pumping, really caught up in the tragic events that were unfolding before my eyes. I was anticipating what was going to happen, which didn’t and then wishing it wasn’t going to happen, which it then tragically did. Utterly thrilling.

Both leads are excellent, delivering heartfelt performances. Agyepong has got great stage presence and your really get to believe in her character. Both her and Harris have really chemistry and you can’t help just wanting their relationship to succeed despite all the obstacles all around them. The rest of the cast, Chris Jack, Lisa Howard, Doreene Blackstock, Jack Condon, Kimisha Lewis are very strong, and as well as playing family members, they double hat and take on other characters.

The set, from the very first glance of a large illuminated symbol, which to me appeared quite demonic, dominated the stage before the play actually started, to panels, red in colour, really gave it the sense of a dystopian world, stark and uninviting. TV screens in the panels were used to show news reports to assist in the telling of the story.

I haven’t read the book, but my plus one had, I understand from him that it is studied at school, and I did not know what to expect. The theatre was packed out with young students, obviously coming to see the show as part of their GCSEs. They appeared to be thoroughly gripped and sniggered a bit at the “love scenes” between Sephy and Callum.

This was certainly engaging, with a powerful message about the complexities of living in such a racist society. It is well presented, and we get to see how the pressures of being the oppressed underclass can drive people, even the most innocent of souls, into committing such evil acts as terrorism, setting off bombs and killing bystanders. It is interesting to see prejudice from a completely different prospective, thought provoking. Fascinating and compelling, one to definitely watch!

Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough – until April 20th 2019

Reviewed by Sara Garner

5*****

We are introduced to Martha (Shelly Atkinson) and Brenda Marie (Zara Jayne) in the opening scene of this funny and deeply emotional play. Martha is a devout religious Irish cleaner who has lead a sheltered life and has OCD. She has to do everything in 5’s. Brenda Marie is fanatical about ice dancing and spends a lot of time in her tent in the garden thinking about her dead twin sister Shelly Louise. She is wise beyond her years.

Unbeknown to Martha, Josie (Jemma Churchill) is a shameless dominatrix and has male clients coming to her house for “counselling”. Its her 50th birthday buts she’s not in the mood to celebrate, she too is thinking about Shelly Louise who allegedly died 4 years ago who is always on her mind. She blames herself for the arguments that led to her daughter leaving. Lionel (Eamonn Riley) her most loyal client, loves dressing up in women’s clothes. He decides she must have a party to celebrate. Novice Chinese Elvis impersonator played by Jun Hwang (making his professionals stage debut) provides the entertainment and unintentionally acts as a confidant as the characters face their own demons. He provides the catalyst for transformation.

But there is one more surprise guest, Shelly Louise (Rachel Henley) who arrives at the end of Act 1. We get to know the characters very quickly in this characteristic front room setting which is also set as a cage. This becomes more poignant as the play goes on. The Elvis songs were pertinent for each scene and performed well by Jun throughout.

We see the intertwining relationships develop and the characters pretending to be something they are not, hiding behind the façade that they feel they should play. Martha, Josie and the Chinese Elvis captures the intricacies of life and the affect the past can play. Given the glimmer of hope and potential that lies in all of us, it shines on the opportunities if only we were brave enough to grasp them.

The rapport that develops between Lionel and Martha and his pursuit of her is amusing throughout culminating in a fantastic laugh out loud scene accompanied by Its Now or Never in the 2nd half.

Written by Charlotte Jones 20 years ago Martha, Josie and the Chinese Elvis has a good mix of laughter and tragedy that leaves all expect those with a wooden heart smiling and teary eyed that will stay with you long after you have left the building.

Dutch landmark production Soldier Of Orange – The Musical to come to the UK

Producer secures UK location to build innovative theatre for Autumn 2020

The audience is immersed into the action through a revolutionary ‘SceneAround’ 360-degree rotating set design system

After thorough research in the UK, NEW Productions, the producer of Soldier of Orange – The Musical, the acclaimed historical Dutch theatre experience staged in a revolutionary 360-degree ‘surround set’ – has found an ideal location in London’s Royal Docks, opposite London’s City Airport. Subject to planning permission, the producer expects to start building their innovative new theatre by the end of 2019, with the aim of opening a UK-version of Soldier of Orange – The Musical in the second half of 2020:soldieroforange.com

The production has been seen by over 2.8 million people in Holland, has broken all Dutch theatre records and celebrated eight years of sold-out shows in October last year. Soldier of Orange – The Musical is based on the autobiography of Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema (born on this day, 3 April 1917), a renowned Dutch resistance fighter and British RAF war pilot, who chronicled his remarkable WWII experiences. His book was also adapted for a Dutch international hit film in 1977 directed by Paul Verhoeven (Basic Instinct, RoboCop, Total Recall, Elle), which was nominated for a Golden Globe and starred Rutger Hauer in the title role.

Soldier of Orange’s pioneering use of ‘SceneAround’ staging – a revolutionary theatre technology especially engineered for this production and to be used in the UK for the first time – pulls the audience into the story delivering a unique theatrical experience. The UK production will be directed by renowned Dutch director Theu Boermans. The book is written by Edwin de Vries, with music and lyrics written by Americans Tom Harriman and Pamela Phillips Oland. This first English production is adapted for the British stage by Jeremy Brock.

In the Netherlands, the production opened to great acclaim in October 2010. Set in a converted airplane hangar at a former military air base just half an hour outside of Amsterdam, the audience finds itself in a traditional raked 1,100 seat auditorium. As the story unfolds, the entire seating platform rotates along a 360-degree panoramic set, by turns revealing an actual 150-foot-wide coastline with sea, sand and rainstorms, student dorms, interrogation cells, a palace and an outdoor scene with a real DC3 Dakota Airplane.

Soldier of Orange – The Musical is produced in the Netherlands by NEW Productions and was co-produced by Robin de Levita. Producer Fred Boot of NEW Productions commented: “With the Dutch production playing throughout 2019, we have explored new markets for this chapter of WWII history for the past 3 years. London was the location of our Queen in exile during the war. The UK plays a significant role in our history and this WWII story. Therefore, the UK has always had our priority and we are very pleased with this development for such a relevant location. The production and script are slightly adapted for an international audience, to ensure that it reflects the show as it has been embraced in Holland. We are looking forward to sharing this universal story of a group of friends, forced by war to make life-changing choices. It is a celebration of the time that the Allies came together to fight for our freedom and democracy.”

To register for the pre-sale and to receive regular updates prior to the opening in Autumn 2020 visit the website: soldieroforange.com

MILDRED HUBBLESPELLSTROUBLE

FLIES INTO THE WEST END FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON 

BRINGING MILDRED HUBBLE AND THE ACTION-PACKED ADVENTURES OF MISS CACKLE’S ACADEMY TO THE LONDON STAGE

FILLED WITH ORIGINAL SONGS, MUSIC AND MAGIC TO CHARM 

FAMILY AUDIENCES OVER THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS

RUNNING FROM 24 JULY – 8 SEPTEMBER FOR 60 PERFORMANCES ONLY

AT THE VAUDEVILLE THEATRE

The Worst Witch will fly into the West End for 7 weeks only, over the summer holidays, from 24 July * to 8 September (*all tickets for the 24 July performance are just £20.00!) following its hugely successful premiere at Royal & Derngate and hit UK tour. This new story, adapted for the stage from Jill Murphy’s original books by Emma Reeves (who won a Royal Television Society Award for Best Children’s TV Programme and 2017 British Screenwriters Award for Best Children’s Programme for the televised version of The Worst Witch) was launched last November as Royal & Derngate’s Made in Northampton 2018 Christmas show. 

The Worst Witch is the story of an ordinary girl who finds herself in 

an extraordinary place: a school for witches.

Accident-prone Mildred Hubble and her fellow pupils leave a trail of mayhem 

behind them as they find themselves at the centre of a battle 

that’s being fought for their future.

Featuring Jill Murphy’s much-loved characters, the production includes original songs, music, magic and a dose of Mildred’s unique brand of utter pandemonium!

The Worst Witch is directed by Theresa Heskins (2017 UK Theatre Award for Best Show for Children and Young People) and designed by Simon Daw, with music by Luke Potter. Kenny Wax Family Entertainment, Novel Theatre and Nica Burns present a Royal & Derngate, Northampton Production.

Jill Murphy says: “My first trip to the theatre aged four, opened up a magical world – so real to me, that I had to be restrained from climbing onstage to help the children in peril! My mum was quite cross with me, but I never wanted the show to end and sang the songs loudly all the way home on the bus. Imagine how proud I feel, all these years later, seeing my own Mildred Hubble on stage with all the characters from Miss Cackle’s Academy. I still feel thrilled to bits when I go to the theatre and The Worst Witch is a magical production.” 

Emma Reeves added: “We’ve created a brand new story as well as revisiting moments from the books. Jealous Ethel Hallow is out to spoil Mildred’s fun, and Miss Hardbroom is opposed to all fun in general. But, without giving too much away, Mildred faces a greater danger than she ever imagined as an old enemy returns, with a plan for revenge that could threaten not just the Academy, but the whole world…”

Theresa Heskins says: “We’ve seen the start of a rebalancing of power within our society and it feels like an important time to be creating a play about young women who are learning, collectively and individually, to use their power; and the danger if they decide to use it not for good but for ill.”  

Jill Murphy’s The Worst Witch stories have sold more than five million copies and been made into films and TV series by HBO, ITV and CBBC. There are now eight Worst Witch titles. The Worst Witchwas made into a television series for ITV in the early 1990s and there is currently a major television series with CBBC. Jill is also well known for her picture books. She was commended for the 1980 Kate Greenaway Medal for Peace At Last. Five Minute’s Peace, the first in her series about the Large Family (of elephants), won the 1987 Parents Magazine Best Books for Babies Award, as well as being shortlisted for the 1986 Children’s Book Award. From the same series, All In One Piece was highly commended for the 1987 Kate Greenaway Award and shortlisted for the 1987 Children’s Book Award, and A Quiet Night In was short-listed for the Kate Greenaway Medal in 1994. The Last Noo-Noo won the 0-5 category of the 1995 Smarties Book Prize and in the same year was shortlisted for the English 4-11 Outstanding Children’s Book of the Year, going on to win the 1996 Sheffield Children’s Book Award. The Last Noo-Noo won the 1996 Gateshead Gold Award and in the same year was adapted as a play and performed at the Polka Theatre, London

Winner of the Royal Television Society Award for Best Children’s Television Programme, and of the 2017 British Screenwriters Award for Best Children’s Programme for the television adaptations of The Worst Witch, Emma Reeves’ screen writing credits include Eve, The Dumping Ground, Young Draculaand The Story of Tracy Beaker. Her stage work includes the Olivier Award-nominated and critically acclaimed adaptation of Hetty Feather (UK tour and West End). 

Theresa Heskins’ past productions include The Snow Queen, which won the 2017 UK Theatre Award for Best Show for Children and Young People. Her wonderfully inventive and hugely popular production of Around the World in 80 Days was nominated for the same award, in both 2015 and 2017, and will tour to America in 2019. 

The show is designed by Simon Daw, whose credits include Baskerville (Liverpool Playhouse) andHumble Boy (Orange Tree Theatre). Lighting design is by Aideen Malone, whose credits include A Monster Calls (London Old Vic/Bristol Old Vic) and Peter Pan (National Theatre), and sound design is by Leigh Davies whose recent work includes Spring Awakening (Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester) andKing Lear (Old Vic). Original music is composed by Luke Potter (Hetty Feather), aerial director by Vicki Amedume, choreography by Beverley Norris-Edmunds, and illusions by John Bulleid. 

REMAINING UK TOUR DATES

Plymouth, Theatre Royal – Tue 9 – Sat 13 April

theatreroyal.com

Norwich, Theatre Royal – Tue 16 – Sat 20 April

Theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

Coventry, Belgrade Theatre – Wed 24 – Sat 27 April

belgrade.co.uk

Edinburgh, King’s Theatre – Tue 7 – Sun 12 May

capitaltheatres.com

Birmingham Hippodrome – Wed 22 – Sun 26 May

Birminghamhippodrome.com

Liverpool Playhouse – Tue 28 May – Sat 1 June

everymanplayhouse.com

LISTINGS

THE WORST WITCH

FROM 24 JULY TO 08 SEPTEMBER 2019 

VAUDEVILLE THEATRE

WRITTEN BY JILL MURPHY

ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY EMMA REEVES

Age Recommendation: Most Suitable for Ages 7+

Performances: 1.30pm, 2.00pm 5.30pm & 7.00pm 

(Please check www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-worst-witch for full schedule details)

Running Time: Approximately 2 hours 10 minutes including interval

Ticket Prices: From £20.00

Address: Vaudeville Theatre, 404 Strand, Covent Garden, London, WC2R 0NH 

Box Office: 0330 333 4814

Website: 

UK tour: www.worstwitchlive.com

West End: www.nimaxtheatres.com

Facebook/Twitter/Instagram: @WorstWitchLive  

#WorstWitchLive/#WorstWitchSelfie/#WorstWitchThePlay

Mayflower Theatre Southampton – until 6th April 2019.

Reviewed by Leanne Caplis

5*****

Mischief Theatre have excelled once again with their UK tour The Comedy About a Bank Robbery. Starting its tour in Aug 18 it will continue through Eastbourne, Poole, Dublin, Edinburgh, Sheffield and finally Liverpool where the tour will come to an end at the Empire Theatre on 08 Jun 19.

Transfixed from the very start watch as escaped prisoners along with crooked cops, con-artist girlfriends and what appears to be law abiding people hatch a plan to rob the bank of its precious diamond.

With no let up from start to end this show is full of fast paced slap stick comedy with one-liners that will leave you with tears rolling down your face. The whole cast show remarkable energy and talent as they throw themselves around the stage and deliver some extremely funny scenes; much to the delight of the audience.

Credit must go to the writers (Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields) for this production. It is first class comedy that puts all other comedy shows I have seen in the shadows. The whole production/design crew also deserve a special mention as the staging and props make this show the award-winning success it is. There are two scenes that stand out for me; one is the bedroom scene where the pull-down bed and a very energetic Seán Carey (Sam Monaghan) had me in stiches and I won’t give too much away about the other – it’s so off the wall you need to see it for yourself!

Whilst difficult to pick a stand out star, due to all cast members being superb, my favourite was Warren Slax (Jon Trenchard). He plays the little dweeby old man perfectly! He had members of the audience cooing over him and feeling sorry for him in parts, particularly during the hilarious scene where Robin Freeboys (Damian Lynch) continually beats Slax with various items from the bank. Julia Frith who played the part of Caprice Freeboys should also be mentioned as her stage presence is outstanding and whilst this was her professional debut I am sure we will see much more of her on stages all over the country.

I cannot say it enough you MUST go and see this show. With my belly aching from laughing I am already looking into what other delights the Mischief Theatre have in store as I just can’t get enough of them. This is by far the best show I have EVER seen and I could watch it a million times over and not get bored. Don’t delay, book today!

GIANT BABY DUE TO BE DELIVERED IN YORKSHIRE FOR EASTER WEEKEND

FRIDAY 19 & SATURDAY 20 APRIL 2019

For two nights only Yorkshire is preparing to host a world premiere in a spectacular evening of entertainment on a huge scale!

ZARA opens at The Piece Hall, Halifax on Friday 19^th and Saturday 20^th April and promises to be an epic event for all the family.

The creation of two of the UK’s leading arts organisations – Mind the Gap theatre company and outdoor arts specialists, Walk the Plank – and has been in the making for 3 years.

Nicky Chance Thompson, Chief Executive of The Piece Hall says: “We are really excited to host this world premiere ahead of its London dates. It’s great news for us and great for the North of England.  The Piece Hall has hosted a vast array of events since it re-opened – from contemporary music concerts to intimate site-specific performances, circus spectacle and street theatre – and even the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow – but I think it’s the first time we’ve welcomed a giant baby!”

The baby is central to the production – at 22 feet high, it’s bigger than a double decker bus and will take eight people to operate and make it come to life.

Telling a story of a mother and child against the world, ZARA has a cast of over 100 actors, an army tank, cherry pickers and 4x4s; 3D illuminations will be projected on to the heritage building making it both a backdrop to the performance and central to the story.

The company behind the lighting projection is the internationally-renowned Illuminos who have created projections for buildings, structures and geographical features all over the world. 

“We worked with Illuminos last December when we hosted ‘Illuminating Halifax’ with Halifax Minster and Square Chapel Arts Centre” says Nicky Chance Thompson.  “That was a huge success with our visitors, and I have no doubt that this will be too.”

Artistic Director, Joyce Nga Yu Lee: “There are poignant stories to be told with theatre and this is one; whilst it’s fun, upbeat, contains ridiculous dances and baby ‘poo’ – which we’ve affectionately named ‘Poo-mageddon’ – there is also a story about parenting, motherhood and people with learning disabilities. 

“When I started working on this project, I knew I wanted to make it big – I wanted it to be in your face so that people had to take notice. I always imagined it to be like a cross between Godzilla, the Paralympics opening ceremony, and a sci-fi film! I think ZARA will stay with you long after you leave.”

ZARA premieres at The Piece Hall in Halifax on Easter Weekend

Friday 19^th and Saturday 20^th April

The production starts at 9pm; there are refreshment stalls and pre-show entertainment and visitors are welcomed from 7pm

Tickets are £8 or £28 for a group of four people

https://www.thepiecehall.co.uk/events/zara

Last night, Tuesday 2 April, four of the original calendar girls, Angela Baker, Beryl Bamforth, Christine Clancey and Tricia Stewart celebrated the 20th anniversary of the release of their calendar, at the opening night performance of CALENDAR GIRLS THE MUSICAL at Sheffield Lyceum Theatre. They joined the current cast, which includes Fern Britton, Anna-Jane Casey, Sara Crowe, Karen Dunbar, Rebecca Storm and Denise Welch, on stage for a very special bow, cake and bubbles. 

CALENDAR GIRLS THE MUSICAL is inspired by the true story of a group of ladies, who decide to appear nude for a Women’s Institute calendar in order to raise funds to buy a settee for their local hospital, in memory of one of their husbands, and have to date raised over £5million for Bloodwise. This musical comedy shows life in their Yorkshire village, how it happened, the effect on husbands, sons and daughters, and how a group of ordinary ladies achieved something extraordinary.

Bloodwise, the UK’s specialist blood cancer charity, continues to receive monies from this production.

CALENDAR GIRLS THE MUSICAL continues to tour until November 2019, with new cast members Sarah Jane Buckley, Sue Devaney, Julia Hills, Judy Holt and Lisa Maxwell taking over from 23 April in Southend. Lesley Joseph will play the role of Jessie from 23 April until 10 August in Eastbourne.