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Mark Goucher and Jason Donovan present
PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL
in association with Nullarbor Productions and MGM On Stage

Book by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott
Directed by Paul Kerryson

Joe McFadden (Tick/Mitzi), Nick Hayes (Adam/Felicia) and Miles Western (Bernadette). Photo credit Darren Bell

• PRODUCERS MARK GOUCHER AND JASON DONOVAN ANNOUNCE EXTENSION THROUGH TO SPRING 2020
  
• JOE MCFADDEN TO STAR IN BRAND-NEW PRODUCTION OF THE CULT CLASSIC PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL
• PAUL KERRYSON WILL DIRECT THE SHOW WHICH WILL OPEN IN DARTFORD IN SEPTEMBER 2019 AHEAD OF A UK AND IRELAND TOU

Mark Goucher and first-time producer Jason Donovan have today announced that their brand-new production of the much-loved glittering hit musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert the Musical will extend its UK tour dates through to 2020. The show, which was announced last year, and will star Strictly Come Dancing winner Joe McFadden, will tour the UK and Ireland from September 2019. It marks Donovan’s first time as a producer, having performed in the cast of the original West End production and two subsequent UK tours. The producing team is completed by Gavin Kalin and Matthew Gale. Priscilla, Queen of the Desert the Musical will preview in Dartford from 5 September 2019.

Full tour dates include: Dartford; Bradford; Rhyl; Milton Keynes; Wimbledon; Malvern; Blackpool; Leicester; Edinburgh; Liverpool; Inverness; Manchester; Brighton;Southampton; Plymouth; Nottingham; Dublin; Cambridge; Newcastle; Southend; Sheffield; Carlisle; Woking; Ipswich; Hull; Oxford; Birmingham; Northampton; Glasgow; Cardiff; Bristol. 

Full casting for the production has also been announced today. Previously announced Joe McFadden will play Tick/Mitzi, Laurence Olivier Award Winner Miles Western will take on the role as Bernadette and Nick Hayes will play Adam/Felicia. They are joined by Daniel Fletcher(Bob), Miranda Wilford (Marion), Kevin Yates (Miss Understanding), Jacqui Sanchez(Cynthia). The Divas will be played by Nikki Bentley, Claudia Kariuki, Rosie Glossop and the cast is completed by Jak Allen-Anderson, Natalie Chua, Emma Crossley, Jordan Cunningham, Martin Harding, Justin-Lee Jones, Nell Martin and Edwin Ray.

The iconic hit musical has more glitter than ever before, featuring a dazzling array of stunning costumes, fabulous feathers and a non-stop parade of dance-floor classics including It’s Raining Men, I Will Survive, I Love The Nightlife, Finally and many more.

Based on the Oscar-winning film, PRISCILLA is the hilarious adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus bound for Alice Springs to put on the show of a lifetime. Their epic journey is a heart-warming story of self-discovery, sassiness and acceptance. 

This brand new production comes from the team behind the critically acclaimed UK tours of Hairspray; with direction by Paul Kerryson, choreography by Tom Jackson-Greaves with designs by Phil R Daniels and Charles Cusick Smith, musical supervision by Stephen ‘Spud’ Murphy, musical direction from Sean Green, lighting design by Ben Cracknell and sound design by Ben Harrison. Casting by David Grindrod Associates.

PriscillaUKTour.com & PriscillaUKTour.co.uk 

TOURING SCHEDULE

Thursday 5 September – Saturday 14 September 2019
DARTFORD ORCHARD THEATRE
Tel: 01322 220000
Tickets now on sale

Tuesday 17 September – Saturday 21 September 2019
BRADFORD ALHAMBRA THEATRE
Tel: 01274 432000
Tickets now on sale

Monday 23 September – Saturday 28 September 2019
RHYL PAVILLION
Tel: 01745 330000
Tickets now on sale

Monday 30 September – Saturday 5 October 2019
MILTON KEYNES THEATRE
Tel: 0844 8717652
Tickets now on sale

Monday 7 October – Saturday 12 October 2019
NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE
Tel: 0844 8717646
Tickets now on sale

Monday 14 October – Saturday 19 October 2019
MALVERN FESTIVAL THEATRE
Tel: 01684 892277
Tickets now on sale

Monday 21 October – Saturday 26 October 2019
BLACKPOOL WINTER GARDENS
Tel: 0844 8561111
Tickets now on sale

Monday 28 October – Saturday 2 November 2019
LEICESTER CURVE
Tel: 0116 2423595
Tickets now on sale

Tuesday 5 November – Saturday 9 November 2019
EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE
Tel: 0844 8713014
Tickets now on sale

Monday 11 November – Saturday 16 November 2019
LIVERPOOL EMPIRE THEATRE
Tel: 0844 8713017
Tickets now on sale

Monday 18 November – Saturday 23 November 2019
INVERNESS EDEN COURT
Tel: 01463 234234
Tickets now on sale

Monday 25 November – Saturday 30 November 2019
MANCHESTER PALACE THEATRE
Tel: 0844 8713019
Tickets now on sale

Tuesday 17 December 2019 – Saturday 4 January 2020 
BRIGHTON THEATRE ROYAL
Tel: 0844 871 7650
Tickets now on sale

Monday 13 January – Saturday 18 January 2020
SOUTHAMPTON MAYFLOWER THEATRE
Tel: 02380 711811
Tickets now on sale

Monday 20 January – Saturday 25 January 2020
PLYMOUTH THEATRE ROYAL
Tel: 01752 267222
Tickets now on sale

Monday 27 January – Saturday 1 February 2020
NOTTINGHAM THEATRE ROYAL
Tel: 01159 895555
Tickets now on sale

Monday 3 February – Saturday 8 February 2020
BORD GÁIS ENERGY THEATRE
Tel: 01 677 7999
Tickets on sale soon

Monday 10 February – Saturday 15 February 2020
CAMBRIDGE CORN EXCHANGE
Tel: 01223 357851
Tickets now on sale

Monday 17 February – Saturday 22 February 2020
NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL
Tel: 08448 112121
Tickets now on sale

Monday 24 February 2020 – Saturday 29 February 2020
SOUTHEND CLIFFS PAVILION
Tel: 01702 351135
Tickets on sale soon

Monday 2 March 2020 – Saturday 7 March 2020
SHEFFIELD LYCEUM
Tel: 01142 496000
Tickets on sale soon

Monday 9 March 2020 – Saturday 14 March 2020
CARLISLE SANDS CENTRE
Tel: 01228 633766
Tickets now on sale

Monday 16 March – Saturday 21 March 2020
WOKING NEW THEATRE
Tel: 08448 717645
Tickets now on sale

Monday 23 March – Saturday 28 March 2020
IPSWICH REGENT THEATRE
Tel: 01473 433100
Tickets now on sale

Monday 30 March – Saturday 4 April 2020
HULL NEW THEATRE
Tel: 01482 300306
Tickets on sale soon

Monday 6 April – Saturday 11 April 2020
OXFORD NEW THEATRE
Tel: 08448 713020
Tickets now on sale

Monday 13 April – Saturday 18 April 2020
BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME
Tel: 08443 385000
Tickets on sale on 2 April

Monday 20 April – Saturday 25 April 2020
ROYAL & DERNGATE
Tel: 01604 624811
Tickets on sale soon

Tuesday 28 April – Saturday 2 May 2020
GLASGOW KING’S THEATRE
Tel: 0844 871 7648
Tickets now on sale

Tuesday 5 May – Saturday 9 May 2020
CARDIFF WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE
Tel: 02920 636464
Tickets on sale on 25 March

Tuesday 12 May – Saturday 16 May 2020
BRISTOL HIPPODROME
Tel: 08448 713012
Tickets now on sale

Haymarket Theatre, Basingstoke – until 15th March

Review by Heather Chalkley

3***

The Director, Mary Swan, attempts to blend Shakespeare’s Macbeth with the events written in Liar’s Poker by author Michael Lewis, sticking to the original script. Liar’s Poker is based on the events that lead to black Monday on 19th October 1987. Swan is clever in her use of modern references in the old text, particularly with the amount of narcotics used! The physical use of the stripped back set manages to create just enough imagery to know whether you were in the bedroom, on the battlements or in a night club, all of which has a touch of the 80’s.

You have some strong players in the cast, particularly Alexandra Afryea as Lady Macbeth. She has a touch of Grace Jones about her, with added eloquence and emotional intelligence. It is worth seeing the play just for her performance. Danny Charles (Duncan/Macduff/Lennox) also has a clarity in his performance that Shakespeare’s script welcomes. Jessica Andrade (Malcolm, Lady Macduff/Witch/Doctor) and Umar Butt (Banquo/Witch/Ross/attendant) display an impressive range of accents and characters, moving seamlessly between each. Unfortunately, Riz Meedin (Macbeth) is not a believable stock market wise guy or Macbeth. The ruthless greed and passion do not come across in Meedin’s performance. His lines are too often mumbled and trip over themselves. As a whole, the cast needed more rehearsal time to polish their dialogue so that it matched the almost seamless physical performance.

This is an interesting experiment for Proteus, who are known for pushing the boundaries and experimenting. I have to commend them for their ingenuity and having the courage to give it a go.

Peter Polycarpou to play Sancho Panza

in the Tony Award-winning musical

MAN OF LA MANCHA

joining Kelsey Grammer, Danielle de Niese,

Nicholas Lyndhurst & Cassidy Janson

London Coliseum

Friday 26 April – Saturday 8 June 2019

It was announced today (Friday 15 March 2019) that renowned stage, film and TV performer Peter Polycarpouwill play Don Quixote’s squire, Sancho Panza in Man of the Mancha at the London Coliseum; the first West End production of this multi-Tony award-winning Broadway musical for 50 years.

Polycarpou joins the already announced cast of  Kelsey Grammer, Danielle de Niese,  Nicholas Lyndhurst and Cassidy Janson in the acclaimed musical which opens at the London Coliseum on 26 April 2019 for a limited six week season and will be performed with the ENO orchestra.

Peter is a leading artist in musical theatre, having appeared in some of this country’s most enduring West End Musicals, in plays, on film and television.  His work in musicals includes Les Miserables (on stage and in the film version with Madonna), Fagin in Olivier! and Beadle Bamford in Jonathan Kent’s triple Olivier winning production of Steven Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd at The Adelphi Theatre.  On TV he is well known for playing Chris Theodopoulopoudos in five series of the popular BBC1 comedy, Birds of a Feather.

Featuring the iconic song ‘Dream the Impossible Dream’, Man of La Mancha is inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’s masterpiece Don Quixote.  It is produced by Michael Linnit and Michael Grade, the same team who brought to the Coliseum the smash hit productions of Sweeney Todd, Sunset Boulevard, Carousel and Chess.

Emmy award winning and Tony nominated actor Kelsey Grammer, best known for playing Dr Frasier Crane in NBC’s hit series Cheers and Frasier will make his West End debut playing Miguel de Cervantes and Don Quixote and the international opera star and soprano Danielle de Niese will share the role of Aldonza and Dulcinea with Cassidy Jonson.  Danielle will play the roles in 33 performances and Cassidy in 17. 

Nicholas Lyndhurst,  best known for his TV work which includes the classic series Only Fools and Horses as well as Goodnight Sweetheart and New Tricks will play the Innkeeper and Governor. His previous stage credits include  the Grade/Linnit production of Carousel at The Coliseum and Trevor Nunn’s The Tempest at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.

Opera Soprano Danielle de Niese, who wasdescribed by the New York Times magazine as ‘opera’s coolest soprano’ has performed to audiences world-wide, from the Metropolitan Opera to Covent Garden as well as performing on stage with LL Cool J.

Cassidy Janson played the lead role in the recent production of Chess at the London Coliseum and the lead in the West End production of Beautiful: The Carole King Story.  Cassidy is one third of Leading Ladies, a group formed in 2017 with fellow musical stars, Beverly Knight and Amber Riley.

Completing the cast of Man of La Mancha are:  Eugene McCoy (Dr Carrasco/The Duke), Lucy St Louis(Antonia), Natasha Leaver (Fermina), Debra Michaels (Maria), Julie Jupp (Housekeeper), Minal Patel (Padre),Emanuel Alba (Barber), Rakesh Boury (Muleteer), Stephen John Davies (Muleteer), Paul F Monaghan(Muleteer), Ryan Pidgen (Muleteer), David Seadon-Young (Muleteer/Pedro), Samuel Thomas (Muleteer),Teddy Wills (Muleteer), Femi Akinfolarin (Muleteer), Tim Hodges (Ensemble), Luke Jackson (Ensemble),Dominic Owen (Ensemble), Joseph Poulson (Ensemble), Jocelyn Prah (Ensemble), Anna Woodside (Ensemble),Tash Holway (Swing), Helen Walsh (Swing), Luke McCall (Swing) and Alex Pinder (Swing).

Man of La Mancha will be directed by Lonny Price, who directed Linnit and Grade’s acclaimed London production of Sunset Boulevard at the Coliseum starring Glenn Close, as well as its hugely-successful subsequent Broadway transfer. 

In a 16^th century dungeon Cervantes and his man servant await trial from the Spanish Inquisition.  In his possession he has a trunk carrying an unfinished novel, Don Quixote.  As prisoners attempt to steal his possessions, Cervantes embarks on acting out his novel as his defence, transforming himself into Alonso Quijano.

Quijano, deluded, believes he is a knight errant, renames himself Don Quixote de la Mancha, and sets off on a fantastical quest with his man servant Sancho Panza. 

Chivalry abounds in this classic tale of knighthood, love, loyalty and adventure. 

The music in Man of La Mancha is by Mitch Leigh, lyrics by Joe Darion and book by Dale Wasserman.

‘The impossible Dream’ has become an internatonally-renowned song, and has been performed by Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Andy Williams, Luther Vandross and The Temptations, amongst others.

Joining Lonny Price on the creative team is conductor David White, set designer James Noone, lighting designer Rick Fisher, sound designer Mick Potter and casting director David Grindrod CDG.

Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester – until Saturday 23rd March 2019

Reviewed by Julie Noller

5*****

I’ll begin with the one thing that was weighing on me before I even arrived at the theatre, at nearly 2 hours long without an interval, would my mind be actively engaged for that length of time? If this is putting you off, honestly; don’t let those doubts win out. Be warned; don’t bank on any running times going to plan for now you’re on African time! The fast paced action you will somehow follow and understand totally and the only disappointment you will feel is when it’s time to leave the theatre and go home.

Barber Shop Chronicles was written by self confessed poet Inua Ellams, who after receiving a flyer back in 2010 all about how barbers should be taught the basics in counselling started to develop and the very idea of how much impact barbers have on everyday lives. How the men would lounge in their local barbers around his home in Peckham, this revived memories of his early days in Nigeria. What began life as 60 hours of recordings from researching barbers shops around Africa and London was slowly whittled down and polished into those nearly 2 hours of dissecting one day and life in six cities.

The action begins before the play even starts, there’s music, there’s dancing so take your seat early or you may miss a treat. A theme that repeats throughout; it bonds the stories and characters together, for isn’t music and dance a sort of universal language that speaks to our very soul? The interaction with the audience is fantastic and watching men and women pulled up out of their seats before they’ve had a chance to remove coats and relax is interesting, are we an audience or just part of the performance?

The Globe, no one can fail to notice, how you choose to interpret it is down to the individual. It hangs suspended from the ceiling as a central object. It’s educational, cities are lit up when it’s their segment in the story. Not everyone has a great grasp for geography. But is it there as a reminder that we are all living together on one planet, Earth. How we may leave our homes, where we were born, but how big or small the world feels, it’s people who make it so. The rope lights that are spread out across the upper floors reminded me of the World Wide Web or perhaps telephone lines how they make time and miles appear meaningless. Around the world we can still be connected, regardless of what we may believe. Barber Shop Chronicles is so full of ‘banging tunes’ you can’t help but move in your seat, wanting to jump up. You’ll be smiling throughout, it’s certainly fast paced the way the set can be switched around to reflect all six cities. This contrasts brilliantly against the day to day existence within the barber shops, where life is so chilled you wonder how they survive. This is only a small cast of twelve actors, most take multiple roles, leaving the arena and changing costumes. This does not impact with your enjoyment in any way.

The concept of the barber shops at first I found puzzling, perhaps because I’m a woman? But what I came away believing is that simply visiting the barber shop is for a majority of these men the equivalent of women getting together for a coffee, it’s to chat, to share laughter and tears. And put the world of politics and football to rights! My sad moment has to be how self sacrificial the barber can be; Anthony Ofoegbu as Emmanuel portrays this with great empathy and perfection in how he stands back and allows the petulance and almost toddleresque rants of Mohammed Mansaray as Samuel wash over him. His sadness indeed becomes apparent at the very end and it is a heartbreaking moment as he confesses after being ribbed throughout about how no one ever sees his wife. In a simple statement we discover how his wife died only months earlier, how do they not know? These people who visit daily, these friends. How much we are caught up in our own lives and fail to truly see those closest to us.

It’s not all poignant moments there is certainly many humorous moments, some so incredibly subtle it will take a keen eye to see them. My laugh out loud moment has to be an audience member being offered a crisp, almost as if they were sitting waiting in a chair to be called forward for a cut. The debate rages on throughout should English be the dialect of choice or should Pidgin be used, not once did I feel confused by the switch in language. The overall story is extremely easy to follow. It brings to life an understanding of being human. To witness the stories develop is poetic justice. So many morals interwoven it’s not hard hitting but in it’s own way it’s sharp. London appears to be the connecting city, London we like to see portrayed as cosmopolitan with an eclectic culture. Sometimes in life the one father figure you have may just be your barber, he knows what an important role he has. But who will be the listening ear for him. If offered a chance to watch Barber Shop Chronicles again, well I wouldn’t hesitate.

SECOND PRODUCTION OF

DOLLY PARTON’S

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL

TO PLAY 11 CITIES ONLY ACROSS THE UK,

STARTING AT THE ALEXANDRA THEATRE BIRMINGHAM

ON 6 SEPTEMBER 2019

Following the huge success of 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL at the Savoy Theatre in London’s West End, the producers of the show are delighted to announce that a second production of the hit musical will play 11 cities throughout the UK and Ireland, opening at the Alexandra Theatre Birmingham on 6 September 2019, before visiting Manchester, Milton Keynes, Liverpool, Glasgow, Woking, Aberdeen, Cardiff, Sunderland, Edinburgh and Dublin

The London production continues at the West End’s Savoy Theatre where it is currently booking until 31 August 2019. It stars Caroline Sheen as ‘Violet Newstead’ (until 23 March 2019), Amber Davies as ‘Judy Bernly’,Natalie McQueen as ‘Doralee Rhodes’, Bonnie Langford as ‘Roz Keith’ and Brian Conley as ‘Franklin Hart’.Louise Redknapp re-joins the cast as ‘Violet Newstead’ from 25 March – 29 June 2019. The show opened in the West End last month, where Dolly Parton attended the premiere and joined the cast on stage at the finale.

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL features a book by Patricia Resnick, the legendary film’s original screenwriter, and an original Oscar, Grammy and Tony award-nominated score by multi Grammy Award winner, country legend and pop icon Dolly Parton.

Dolly Parton said today “I am beyond thrilled to the response from across the pond to 9 to 5 The Musical.  The overwhelmingly positive fan reaction to this universal story tickles every rhinestone on my body! I can’t wait for more people throughout the UK and Ireland to enjoy it and sing along”. 

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL tells the story of Doralee, Violet and Judy – three workmates pushed to boiling point by their sexist and egotistical boss. Concocting a plan to kidnap and turn the tables on their despicable supervisor, will the women manage to reform their office – or will events unravel when the CEO pays an unexpected visit?Inspired by the cult film this hilarious new West End production is about teaming up, standing up and taking care of business!

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL is written by Patricia Resnick, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. It is directed by Jeff Calhoun, choreography by Lisa Stevens, design by Tom Rogers, lighting design by Howard Hudson, sound design by Poti Martin, video design by Nina Dunn, original arrangements by Stephen Oremus & Alex Lacamoire, original Broadway orchestrations by Bruce Coughlin, musical supervisor, reductions & extra arrangements by Mark Crossland, musical direction by Andrew Hilton and casting by Victoria Roe.

Based on the 20^th Century Fox Picture. Originally produced on Broadway by Robert Greenblatt, April 2009.

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group, Selladoor Worldwide and Gavin Kalin Productions with Benjamin Lowy Productions, Glass Half Full Productions, Showtime Theatre Productions, Hartshorn – Hook Productions, Harmonia Holdings and Kilimanjaro Live.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL

Savoy Theatre, Savoy Court, London, WC2R 0ET

Currently booking until 31 August 2019

Box Office: 0844 871 7687

Performances: Monday – Saturday 7.30pm, Wednesday and Saturday 2.30pm

Website: 9to5themusical.co.uk

Instagram: @9to5themusicaluk

[http://Facebook:%20www.facebook.com/9to5TheMusicalUK/]Facebook: 9to5TheMusicalUK

Twitter: @9to5MusicalUK

YouTube: 9 to 5 The Musical

VENUE LISTINGS

FRIDAY 6 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2019

The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/9-to-5-the-musical/alexandra-theatre-birmingham

ON SALE 18 MARCH

TUESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2019

Palace Theatre, Manchester

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/9-to-5-the-musical/palace-theatre-manchester

ON SALE 18 MARCH

TUESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2019

Milton Keynes Theatre

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/9-to-5-the-musical/milton-keynes-theatre

ON SALE 18 MARCH

TUESDAY 1 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER 2019

Liverpool Empire

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/dolly-parton-9-to-5-the-musical/liverpool-empire

ON SALE 18 MARCH

TUESDAY 8 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER 2019

King’s Theatre, Glasgow

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/9-to-5-the-musical-2/kings-theatre

ON SALE 18 MARCH

TUESDAY 15 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER 2019

New Victoria Theatre, Woking

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/9-to-5-the-musical/new-victoria-theatre

ON SALE 18 MARCH

TUESDAY 22 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER 2019

His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen

www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/his-majestys-theatre

ON SALE 22 MARCH

TUESDAY 29 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2019

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff

www.wmc.org.uk

ON SALE 25 MARCH

TUESDAY 5 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2019

Sunderland Empire

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/9-to-5-the-musical/sunderland-empire

ON SALE 18 MARCH

TUESDAY 12 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2019

Edinburgh Playhouse

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/9-to-5-the-musical/edinburgh-playhouse

ON SALE 18 MARCH

TUESDAY 19 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2019

Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin

www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie

ON SALE 22 MARCH

York St Johns – Musical Production Society

Joseph Rowntree Theatre York until 16th March 2019

Reviewed by Sara Garner

3***

High School Musical is modern adaptation of Romeo & Juliet and Grease rolled into one enthusiastic musical production and that’s certainly what we got last night – buckets of enthusiasm.

It’s a story about two high school juniors from rival cliques – Troy Bolton (Mitchell Strong), captain of the basketball team, and Gabriella Montez (Lucy Griffiths), a shy student that has just moved to a new school who excels in mathematics and science. Together, they try out for the lead parts in their high school musical, and this causes division among all the school’s students. Despite other students’ attempts to spoil their dreams, Troy and Gabriella resist peer pressure and rivalry, inspiring others along the way not to “stick to the status quo”. High school diva Sharpay Evans (Jasmine Towse) and her twin brother Ryan (Liam Smith), will do anything not only to disrupt the friendship and romance between Troy and Gabriella but also to get the leads in the school musical.

It was a slow burner with technical issues throughout the performance leaving the audience straining to hear some of the dialogue and singing. It got better as time went along. There were also some stage management issues that need improving leading to the play appearing clumsy in some scenes.

This said it was a very enthusiastic performance by all the cast, the detention scene with Miss Darbus played brilliantly by Emma Sharpe was hilarious and had the audience is fits of laughter. Jack Scott’s (Sam Strickland) Wildcats News flashes and Zeke Baylor (Yee Tsai Sern) school boy crush on Sharpay kept us entertained throughout the performance. Sharpay’s sassy attitude and Ryan’s under shadowed little brother was portrayed well, as was the two leads Tory and Gabriella and they were well supported by the entire cast.

The Group singing was full of enthusiasm and got audience excited who joined in throughout the performance. A fun way to spend a couple of hours on a cold windy night supporting local theatre and York St Johns – Musical Production Society.

Kings Theatre, Edinburgh – until 2 March 2019

Reviewed by Siobhan Wilson

4****

This Gilbert & Sullivan classic is brought to life beautifully with modernisation threaded throughout.

The curtain rises to audible gasp from the audience to the beautifully painted yet simply put together set. The opening let people a little restless in its length. It was difficult to focus on the incredible musical ensemble as the rotating projector was making you feel dizzy. Luckily once the people emerged, the show really began. The script allowing the modern take to continue with Gilbert & Sullivan’s vision of freedom to address political issues right here in the UK by setting the Opera in the far off country of Japan.

In the little town of Titipu, Japan, where you can get punished to death for flirting, The High Executioner, Ko-Ko is set to marry one of his wards named Yum-Yum when her long lost love interest, Nanki-Poo, comes into the village to find her. The story unfolds that the Mikado is concerned that nobody has been executed in Titipu for over a year, and an execution must then be carried out in within a month. So, The High Executioner on advice from the ‘The High Everything Else’ agrees that Nanki-Poo can marry Yum-Yum so long as he gets executed after a month, which would allow Nanki-Poo to marry Ko-Ko as planned. The promised Katisha, comes in search of Nanki-Poo as he bailed on her the night before the wedding, with hilarious consequences. An unexpected visit from the Mikado, really sends the town into a tizzy. The twists and turns through this come unexpectedly, the comical timing and delivery was impeccable.

Colin Tovey as Ko-Ko was inspired. His whole performance was effortless and hilarious. He had the air of a Jester of the Court whilst holding the audience in the palm of his hand leading the story down the tumultuous path. His ability to deliver was second to none. He managed to address the modern political issues & PC warriors in a style that Gilbert & Sullivan would have been proud of.

Simon Boothroyd as Pooh-Bah the High Everything else has something very familiar about him and his dry sarcastic humor immediately likens him to that one uncle who sits in the corner at parties trying to make every situation as awkward as possible in the most comical way. Simon’s expressive face means that he can impact the scene without even saying a word.

I would recommend this to anyone especially as in introduction to the opera. There are scripted and lyrical sections which makes it a smooth and enjoyable experience.

PETULA CLARK AND JOSEPH MILLSON

JOIN THE CAST OF DISNEY AND CAMERON MACKINTOSH’S

MULTI AWARD-WINNING

M A R Y   P O P P I N S

Cameron Mackintosh and Disney are delighted to announce that Petula Clark and Joseph Millson will join the Company to play the Bird Woman and George Banks in the new production of Mary Poppins, which returns to its original West End home at the Prince Edward Theatre from 23 October 2019.  They join the previously announced Zizi Strallen in the title role and Charlie Stemp as Bert.

The magical story of the world’s favourite Nanny arriving on Cherry Tree Lane has been triumphantly and spectacularly brought to the stage with dazzling choreography, incredible effects and unforgettable songs. The stage version of Mary Poppins, brilliantly adapted from the wonderful stories by PL Travers and the original beloved Walt Disney film, continues to be a smash hit around the world since it opening in London 15 years ago.

Petula Clark became a star in the UK at nine years old singingfor the troops stationed in England during World War II.  Many years later she moved to France and soon became an European star recording in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish.  While still living in Paris, English songwriter Tony Hatch presented her with his new composition, Downtown, which became a worldwide hit and led to a string of top ten records, winning her two Grammy awards and making her an international star.  She later met with Charlie Chaplin who penned one of her further major hitsThis Is My Song.  She has performed in her own TV shows in the UK, the US and France and has starred in the iconic films Finian’s Rainbow with Fred Astaire and Goodbye Mr. Chips with Peter O’Toole.  She has been seen on stage in West End and on Broadway, and has just finished a triumphant US tour.  During her extensive career spanning eight decades she sold over 70 million records.  Clark was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1998 and was installed as a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres on France in 2012.

Joseph Millson’s extensive theatre credits include Apologia at Trafalgar Studios, The Rover for the Royal Shakespeare Company for which he won the Best Performance in a Play Award at the 2017 UK Theatre Awards, Mr Foote’s Other Leg at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, Macbeth at Shakespeare’s Globe, Much Ado About Nothing, King John and the Spanish Golden Age Season for the RSC/West End, Rocket to the Moon, Pillars of the Community and Every Good Boy Deserves Favour for the National Theatre, Love Never Dies at the Adelphi Theatre for which he won the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical and The Priory for the Royal Court Theatre. His more recent television work includes Catch 22, Grantchester, Ransom, Banished, 24 Live Another Day, as well as regular roles in The Last Kingdom, Campus, Holby City and The Sarah Jane Adventures.  His film credits include Casino Royale, I Give It A Year, All The Devils Men, Dragonheart Vengeance, Angel Has Fallen, No Vacancies, Burning Men, Tango One, The Dead 2 and Devil’s Bridge.

Zizi Strallen’s previous theatre credits include Fran in Strictly Ballroom The Musical at the Piccadilly Theatre, Follies at the National Theatre, Mary Poppins on tour in the UK, Ireland and in Dubai, Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man and Cinderella at Sadler’s Wells and on tour, Cats and Scrooge at the London Palladium, Hairspray and Chicago at Leicester Curve, Merrily We Roll Along at the Harold Pinter Theatre, Rock of Ages at the Shaftesbury Theatre and The Music Man for Chichester Festival Theatre.

Award-winning Charlie Stemp can currently be seen in the UK tour of Rough Crossing and was last on stage in the West End in Snow White at the London Palladium.  His previous theatre credits include Barnaby Tucker opposite Bette Midler and Bernadette Peters in the Broadway production ofHello, Dolly!, Dick Whittington at the London Palladium and his critically acclaimed performance as Arthur Kipps in Half a Sixpence at the Nöel Coward Theatre, a role he first performed at Chichester Festival Theatre.  His further theatre credits include Wicked at the Apollo Victoria and the international tour of Mamma Mia!

The original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman include the classic songs Jolly Holiday, Step in Time, Feed the Birds and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.  New songs and additional music are by the Olivier award-winning British team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

Book is by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter and Downton Abbey creator, Julian Fellowesand this production is co-created by Cameron Mackintosh.  The producer for Disney Theatrical Productions is Thomas Schumacher.

This production of Mary Poppins has orchestrations by William David Brohn with dance and vocal arrangements by George Stiles. It has a new sound design by Paul Gatehouse and new lighting by Hugh Vanstone and Natasha Katz. Co-choreography is by Stephen Mear. The reimagined set and costume designs are by Bob Crowley. Co-direction and choreography is by Matthew Bourneand direction by Richard Eyre.

The stage production of Mary Poppins originally opened in the West End in December 2004, running for over 1,250 performances. During this time, the production won two Olivier Awards and an Evening Standard Award. Subsequently the Tony Award®-winning Broadway production ran for over six years.  This new production of the show will be seen for the first time in London following record-breaking runs in Australia, North America, the UK and Ireland, New Zealand, Holland, Mexico, Austria, Switzerland, Dubai, Japan and Germany, where the production recently entered its second hit year in Hamburg. Mary Poppins is also the biggest hit musical ever in Italy where it is currently running in Milan, with several further new productions to open in Europe over the next three years.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Theatre:                    Prince Edward Theatre, Old Compton St, Soho, London W1D 4HS

Dates:                       23 October 2019 – 29 March 2020

Opening night:           13 November 2019

Performances:           Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7.30pm

                                Thursday, Saturday and Sundays at 2.30pm

                                Family Night performances on Wednesdays at 7pm

See website for Preview performance schedule

Prices:                       Tickets from £15

Reduced price tickets for Family Nights and Preview performances

£2.50 booking fee applies

Box Office:                0844 482 5151

Face Book:                 facebook.com/marypoppins
Twitter:                     twitter.com/marypoppins

Instagram                  instagram.com/marypoppinsmusical

Website:                    marypoppinsonstage.co.uk

Festival Theatre Edinburgh – Saturday 16 March 2019

Reviewed by Manetta McIntosh

4****

For those whose knowledge of Beauty and the Beast is grown from the house of Disney, then be prepared for a very different experience. This production from David Bintley is closer to the original story. It opens with Belle in a library looking for a book and then cunningly the scene changes to the uncaring Prince hunting in the woods with his friends. They are tormenting a fox when a woodsman casts a spell, turning the Prince and his friends into a Beast and animals respectively, and the fox into a young girl. The story then follows a wealthy merchant who has 3 daughters, he thinks his ships are lost at sea but then hears they have been sighted. He travels to meet them and promises his daughters a gift on his return, Belle’s sisters are materialistic and ask for dresses and jewels but Belle has a simple request for a sweet smelling rose.

The merchant gets lost in the woods during a storm and finds respite in an enchanted castle. Once rested he makes his leave but remembers the rose for Belle, as he picks one from the garden the Beast catches him, he agrees to let him take the rose but makes him promise to send his youngest daughter back as a trade for his own life. The story then unfolds as most of us know it, Beast loves girl, girl doesn’t love Beast, Beast let’s her go and almost dies, girl realises she does love Beast and everyone lives happily ever after.

Delia Mathews, who plays Belle, is an incredibly graceful dancer who epitomises the classic picture of a ballerina, her dancing on pointe was on point, did you see what I did there, her solos were a thing of beauty…I’m on a roll. The role of Beast was played by Tyrone Singleton, he showed incredible strength in his performance, his ability to hold Belle in pose whilst simultaneously lower themselves to the floor was a testament to his muscularity.

It was not all doom and gloom, the production was peppered with humorous performances by Monsieur Cochon (James Barton), his signature leg-shake had us all in stitches as well as his interaction with Belle’s sisters, Fiere (Ruth Brill) and Vanite (Samara Downs). Grandmere (Laura Day) put another chuckle-worthy performance and, my favourite, Raven (Tzu-Chao Chou) whose stage presence had swagger in abundance.

The dance of the birds was cleverly choreographed, although I am not a fan of chaotic music, this particular part of the score captured the chaos of birds in flight perfectly. The music and the dancing was paired beautifully, matching the emotion of the act.

The set design was astounding, the ease with which the set changes were performed transforming you from being ‘lost in the woods’ to being within an enchanted castle was bewildering. A minor Disney moment was enabled when the castle chair moved into position and ‘lumiere’ glowed. I particularly liked the final castle interior set, when the sheets at the window were removed and the glistening light from outside was magically revealed. I’m not going to lie, Angela Lansbury was singing in my head at the end.

HEART BREAKFAST PRESENTER LUCY HOROBIN & JACK MCBRAYER WILL
HOST THE NEXT

CAST ALBUM KARAOKE NIGHT ON 18 MARCH

Music and lyrics by seven-time Grammy Award-nominee Sara Bareilles
Book by Jessie Nelson
Based upon the motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly
Directed by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus

The hosts of the next Waitress London Cast Album Karaoke Night have been announced today. 30 Rock star Jack McBrayer, who has made his West End debut as Ogie in the show, will host the post-show event alongside Heart Breakfast presenter Lucy Horobin on Monday 18 March. Audience members can sign up before the show for the chance to sing one minute of any song from Waitress – live on stage at the Adelphi and accompanied by the show’s musical directorKatharine Woolley.

Waitress celebrated its official opening night last week on 7 March and the Tony-nominated musical by Sara Bareilles is now booking to 19 October.

Waitress opened on 24 April 2016 at Broadway’s Brooks Atkinson Theater. Based on the 2007 motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly, Waitress is the first Broadway and West End musical in history to have four women in the four top creative team spots, featuring original music and lyrics by 7-time Grammy®​ ​nominee Sara Bareilles (“Love Song”, “Brave”), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (​I Am Sam​), 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.

Waitress stars Katharine McPhee as Jenna,  Jack McBrayer as Ogie, Marisha Wallace as Becky, Laura Baldwin as Dawn, Peter Hannah as Earl, David Hunter as Dr. Pomatter andShaun Prendergast as Old Joe.

The full company includes Kelly Agbowu, Laura Baldwin, Piers Bate, Nicole Raquel Dennis, Michael Hamway, Peter Hannah, David Hunter, Stephen Leask, Jack McBrayer, Chris McGuigan, Katharine McPhee, Olivia Moore, Nathaniel Morrison, Sarah O’Connor, Leanne Pinder, Shaun Prendergast, Charlotte Riby, Marisha Wallace and Mark Willshire.

Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. Pouring her heart into her pies, she crafts desserts that mirror her topsy-turvy life such as “​The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie” and “Betrayed By My Eggs Pie.” When a baking contest in a nearby county — and a satisfying run-in with someone new — show Jenna a chance at a fresh start, she must find the courage to seize it. Change is on the menu, as long as Jenna can write her own perfectly personal recipe for happiness.

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.