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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.

The Works Entertainment, Kilimanjaro Live and Magic Space Entertainment present
THE ILLUSIONISTS

• FULL LINE-UP ANNOUNCED FOR THE WORLD’S BIGGEST-SELLING MAGIC SHOW AS IT PREPARES TO RETURN TO THE WEST END WITH A BRAND NEW SHOW THIS SUMMER
   
• ALL-STAR BILLING INCLUDES FOUR BRITISH ILLUSIONISTS: THE SHOWMAN JAMES MORE, THE MENTALIST CHRIS COX, THE TRICKSTERPAUL DABEK AND THE DAREDEVIL JONATHAN GOODWIN

• THE ILLUSIONISTS – DIRECT FROM BROADWAY WILL PLAY A STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON AT THE SHAFTESBURY THEATRE FROM 6TH JULY TO 1ST SEPTEMBER 2019
   
• TICKETS ON SALE NOW  VIA  THEILLUSIONISTSLIVE.COM

The world’s biggest selling magic spectacular, The Illusionists – Direct From Broadway, will return to London’s West End this summer with a brand new show from Saturday 6th July toSunday 1st September at the Shaftesbury Theatre. The all-star line-up will see audiences wowed by The Showman James More, The Unforgettable Enzo, The Manipulator Yu Ho-Jin, The Futurist Adam Trent, The Mentalist Chris Cox, The Trickster Paul Dabekand The Daredevil Jonathan Goodwin. Tickets are now sale via theillusionistslive.com.

Last seen in the West End in 2015 and having just recently broken its fourth box office record on Broadway, The Illusionists is a mind-blowing spectacular showcasing the jaw dropping talents of seven of the most incredible illusionists on earth. Collectively these performers have been seen by millions across the world and this production showcases their collective talents on stage together for the very first time. The Illusionists has shattered box office records and dazzled audiences of all ages around the world with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever to be seen on stage.

This spectacular show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions. Prepare to witness stunning acts of grand illusion, levitation, mindreading, and disappearance next summer!

The Showman, James More, is currently one of the world’s leading and most viral illusionists. He first made an impact after an incredible run on Britain’s Got Talent in 2013 and has the most watched audition from his series with over 80 million hits on YouTube. The British-born illusionist continued to make waves after a sell-out tour in Russia with his Theatre of Illusion show and soon after was approached by The Illusionists. After performing with the show for over two years in five continents around the globe, More became the first British magician in history to appear on New York’s infamous Broadway.  His fast-growing reputation also includes a special guest appearance on NBC’s, America’s got Talent, a feature on, Got Talent World Stage and numerous other television appearances. His live work comprises of performances at London’s 02 Arena, The Hollywood Pantages in Los Angeles and the Sydney Opera House to name but a few.

The Unforgettable, Enzo, warns his audience to forget everything they know and prepare to live an unprecedented experience though which all their senses will be put to the test. Enzo held his first magic show at 11 years old, with humble resources. However, he wished to stage far more impressive illusions, and spent a year as an engineering student during which he was taught how to draw up plans and to understand mechanics and electrotechnics. It was his performance onFrance’s Got Talent, where he reached a new audience. A few years later, the audience of Le Plus Grand Cabaret du Monde was, in turn, mesmerized. This new publicity opened him the doors to the most prestigious events in Europe, as well as some of the biggest international festivals. Enzo has since been considered a rising star of magic. In 2013, he returned to France’s Got Talent, where he wowed the jury and the audience again by making a helicopter appear on stage, an act that had never been seen before on television. In 2015 at just 26 years old, he premiered his show, Beyond Illusions at the famous Casino de Paris.

The Manipulator, Yu Ho-Jin began his career in magic aged just 9 years old and it was only a decade later that he turned the magic community upside-down and won the first prize in Stage Magic and Grand Prix at FISM World Championship of Magic 2012. Today Yu Ho-Jin is considered to be the most elegant and artistic manipulator alive by the world’s leading magicians. It is no surprise that Ho-Jin is often referred to as “the future of magic”. When Yu Ho-Jin’s nimble fingers rend the empty air as if playing the piano, astonishing notes of mystery flutter in the atmosphere and captivate the hearts of his audience. There is no deception or trickery in his work.  Not only that, there is no doubt that Yu Ho-Jin has the ability of turning anyone into his fan – from children to the world’s finest magicians.  

The Futurist, Adam Trent inaugurated the first two record-breaking Broadway runs on the US tour of The Illusionists. His frequent TV appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Today Show, and countless others as well as an NBC primetime TV special and his own 10-episode TV series premiering May 2017 on Red Bull TV, further highlight his appeal to audiences of all ages.

The Mentalist, Chris Cox is a multi-award winning ‘mind reader who can’t read minds’ and the star of the TV shows Chris Cox’s Mind Boggling Magic (CBBC) and Killer Magic (BBC Three). He has previously appeared in The Illusionists Direct From Broadway in the USA, South Africa, Mexico & Australia, Impossible (London, Dubai Opera and world tour) and five critically-acclaimed one-man solo Edinburgh Fringe Festival shows which Chris has also performed throughout the UK and New Zealand. Chris has appeared with One Direction at the BBC Music Awards (BBC), on America’s Got Talent (NBC), Heston Blumenthal’s Recipe For Romance (Channel 4), Now You See It (BBC One), How TV Changed Magic and The Mentalist Revealed (Channel 5), The Secret Of Star Wars (BBC) and The Project (Channel 9 Australia). As a creator of magic for stage shows and other events, he has worked on Barnum (Menier Chocolate Factory), Dan & Phil’s 2016 and 2018 World Tours, Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck Restaurant and is the Magic and Illusions Assistant for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child Parts One And Two (Palace Theatre, London).

The Trickster, Paul Dabek is one of the UK’s top entertainers, he has performed across 6 continents and headlined his own show in Las Vegas. As well as appearing on BBC TV. An accomplished magician, comedian and actor, Paul’s skills have won him critical acclaim, Time Out magazine named him ‘a superb showman!’ Both the Magic Circle and the International Brotherhood of Magicians have recognized Paul’s talent naming him Young Magician of the Year and awarding him the British Shield. Fast-paced, dynamic magic, quick-witted humor, and a theatrical flair combined with a personality that reaches to the very back of the theatre.  Join Paul as he reveals exactly what’s up his sleeve and delves into his box of tricks while cheekily enchanting the audience with jaw-dropping hilarity.

The Daredevil and Escape Artist, British-born Jonathan Goodwin is widely considered one of the most creative, skilled and frankly crazy stunt performers in the world. Goodwin has been hanged, buried alive, hung by his toes from helicopters, burned at the stake, attacked by sharks and even sewn up inside a dead cow. Jonathan has starred in numerous TV series including One Way Out for Discovery Channel and Dangerman: The Incredible Mr Goodwin for the BBC as well asDeathwish Live, How Not To Become Sharkbait and The Seven Stupidest Things to Escape From.

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE OMISSION OF THE FAMILY COLEMAN AT THE USTINOV STUDIO
 

• LAOISHA O’CALLAGHAN, DAVID CROWLEY, ANNE KENT, EVANNA LYNCH, ROWAN POLONSKI, ROBERT MOUNTFORD, PATRICK MOY AND NATALIE RADMALL-QUIRKE TO APPEAR IN UK PREMIERE OF THE OMISSION OF THE FAMILY COLEMAN
   
• CLAUDIO TOLCACHIR’S AWARD-WINNING PLAY, IN A NEW VERSION BY STELLA FEEHILY, DIRECTED BY LAURENCE BOSWELL, WILL COMPLETE ‘A SEASON OF UK PREMIERES FROM THE AMERICAS’ AT THE USTINOV STUDIO
   
• PRODUCTION RUNS AT THEATRE ROYAL BATH’S USTINOV STUDIO FROM 28 MARCH TO 27 APRIL

Full casting is announced today for The Omission of the Family Coleman by Claudio Tolcachir, in a new version by Stella Feehily and directed by Laurence Boswell at Theatre Royal Bath’sUstinov Studio. Laoisha O’Callaghan, David Crowley, Anne Kent, Evanna Lynch, Rowan Polonski, Robert Mountford, Patrick Moy, Natalie Radmall-Quirke will appear in the UK Premiere which runs from Thursday 28 March to Saturday 27 April with opening night for press on Wednesday 3 April and completes the venue’s Season of UK Premieres from the Americas

Claudio Tolcachir’s absurdist comedy The Omission of the Family Coleman has won several prestigious awards including the Ace Award for Best Argentinian Play and the Best Original Play Award at the Fiesta Nacional del Teatro.

Three generations of the dysfunctional Coleman family live under one roof on the verge of chaos, held in check by their matriarchal grandmother. But how will the family cope when their linchpin is removed?

Laoisha O’Callaghan has performed on stage in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (West End), The Importance of being Earnest (London Classical Theatre) and Roses of Whitechapel (Greenwich Playhouse, Lion and Unicorn Theatre). She has also appeared on screen in Fair City and Doctors.

David Crowley’s screen credits include The Syndicate and In the Flesh for the BBC. Stage credits also include Thick as Thieves (Reform Theatre), The Lonely Clouds of Guernice (The Lowry) andBurt and Joyce (Theatre Royal Nottingham).

Anne Kent has appeared in Waiting for Elvis and Cleaners (Axis Theatre), Little Gem (National Tour), Portia Coughlin at The Old Red Lion theatre for which she was nominated in the Off West End Awards for best actress in a supporting role. Film and TV credits include PS I Love You and RTE’s Fairy City.

Evanna Lynch starred as Luna Lovegood in the final four films of the Harry Potter franchise. Her other screen credits include My Name is Emily and Addiction: A 60’s Love Story. She recently appeared on stage in Disco Pigs (Trafalgar Studios) and the UK tour of Houdini. 

Robert Mountford’s stage credits include Vagabonds (UK tour), The Habit of Art (Original Theatre Company), Bitched (Tristan Bates Theatre), House & Garden for which he was nominated for Best Supporting Artist at the UK Theatre Awards (Newbury Watermill), and Anita and Me(Birmingham Rep).

Patrick Moy’s theatre credits include The Taming of the Shew and The Merchant of Venice with the Royal Shakespeare Company, A Holy Show (Abbey Theatre), The Weir (Tobacco Factory), The Sound of Music and Abigail’s Party (Leicester Curve).

Rowan Polonski returns to Bath following the UK tour of Shakespeare in Love. His other stage credits include Cockamamy (Hope Theatre) and Another Country (Trafalgar Studios). Film credits include Tomb Raider and Kingsman: The Secret Service.

Natalie Radmall-Quirke has appeared on stage in The Weir (English Touring Theatre), The Winter’s Tale(Cheek by Jowl), Martyr (UK Tour), The Playboy of the Western World (Southwark Playhouse) and Romeo and Juliet (The Gate). TV credits include Casualty, Striking Out andDoctors.

Claudio Tolcachir is a prominent Argentine actor, playwright and director and was recognised as The Outstanding Personality of Culture by the Legislature of Buenos Aires. He is the founder of theatre company Timbre 4 which regularly presents work in his hometown in Buenos Aires and internationally. His other works include Third Body and The Wind in a Violin.

Stella Feehily has worked extensively with Out of Joint and the Royal Court and her plays have toured nationally and been produced internationally. Plays include This May Hurt A Bit, Bang Bang Bang, Duck and the award-winning O Go My Man.

Laurence Boswell is an Olivier Award winner, Artistic Director of the Ustinov Studio and an Associate Artist of the RSC. His recent productions include The Model Apartment,The Whale,The Mentor,Trouble in Mind, The Mother, Intimate Apparel and The Spanish Golden Age Season in the Ustinov Studio and A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Theatre Royal Bath’s Main House.

The Omission of the Family Coleman is the third and final play featured in the Ustinov Studio’s ASeason of UK Premieres which opened in November 2018 with Donald Margulies’The Model Apartment, also directed by Laurence Boswell, and Tanya Barfield’s searing dramaBlue Door, directed by Eleanor Rhode which opened in February 2019.

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR CURVE AND BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME’S CO-PRODUCTION OF THE TONY AWARD-WINNING BROADWAY SENSATION

THE COLOR PURPLE

SEYI OMOOBA AS CELIE

JOANNA FRANCIS AS SHUG AVERY

AKO MITCHELL AS MISTER

   KAREN MAVUNDUKURE AS SOFIA

    DANIELLE FIAMANYA AS NETTIE

                   SIMON-ANTHONY RHODEN AS HARPO

DELROY BROWN AS PA

Directed by Tinuke Craig

28 Jun – 13 Jul 2019 at Curve, Leicester

16 – 20 Jul 2019 at Birmingham Hippodrome

Leicester’s Curve and Birmingham Hippodrome today announce the full casting for their co-production of Oprah Winfrey’s hit Broadway musical, The Color Purple, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker. The production, the first to be created outside of London in the UK, will play at Curve, Leicester from 28^th June – 13^th July, followed by 16^th – 20^th July at Birmingham Hippodrome

Leading the cast is Seyi Omooba in the role of heroine Celie. Her theatre credits include Hadestown (National Theatre); Crystal in Little Shop of Horrors (Regent’s Park); Martha in Spring Awakening (Hope Mill Theatre) and Tilly in Junkyard (Bristol Old Vic and UK Tour). She also played the role of Nettie in the Cadogan Hall production of The Color Purple.

Joining Seyi is Joanna Francis who plays jazz singer and preacher’s daughter, Shug Avery. Most recently Joanna played the role of Lois in Dusty (UK Tour). Joanna returns to Curve following alternating the role of Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act in 2016. Her other credits include Elsa in The Harder They Come (Theatre Royal Stratford East and The Barbican Theatre/Birmingham Hippodrome) and alternate Dionne in Hair (The Vaults).

Following his recent roles of The Dryer and The Bus in the critically acclaimed Caroline or Change (Chichester, Hampstead and West End), Ako Mitchell joins The Color Purple as Celie’s abusive husband, Mister. His other theatre credits include Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys And Dolls (Manchester Royal Exchange), Eddie Mackrel inThe Wild Party (The Other Place Theatre), Brooks in Grey Gardens (Southwark Playhouse), How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (Royal Festival Hall), Mitch in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee(Donmar Warehouse), Eddie in Sister Act (London Palladium) and Mufasa in The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre).

They are joined by Simon-Anthony Rhoden (Lola in Kinky Boots – Adelphi Theatre), who plays Mister’s son, Harpo and Karen Mavundukure, who plays his wife, Sofia (Effie White in Dream Girls – Savoy Theatre).

Celie’s sister, Nettie, is played by recent graduate Danielle Fiamanya, and her father (Pa) is played by Delroy Brown (Marty Madison in Dream Girls – Savoy Theatre).

The cast is completed by Geoff Aymer, Owen Chaponda, Perola Congo, KM Drew Boateng, Danielle Kassaraté,Anelisa Lamola, Rosemary Annabella Nkrumah, Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy, Landi Oshinowo and Jo Servi.

The show will be directed by Tinuke Craig, winner of the 2014 Genesis Future Directors Award. Tinuke’s recent credits include random/generations, a double bill of plays by Debbie Tucker Green at Chichester Festival Theatre and I Call my Brothers by Jonas Hassen Khemiri at the Gate Theatre.

The Color Purple is an unforgettable story told over the course of 40 years, which follows courageous heroine Celie, as she journeys through joy, despair, anguish and hope in her own personal awakening to discover her unique voice in the world.

With a profoundly evocative score drawing inspiration from jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues, this moving family chronicle set in racially divided southern America, celebrates life, love and the strength to stand up for who you are and what you believe in.

Speaking about the announcement, Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Fostersaid:

“Curve’s casting director Kay Magson and director Tinuke Craig have assembled an exceptional group of actors to create this Made at Curve and Birmingham Hippodrome co-production of the stunning musical The Color Purple. We are looking forward to welcoming them all to Leicester very much and know they will create something true, mind-blowing and beautiful.

“Seyi Omooba is an actress of immense power and she leads a formidable ensemble of astonishing talent; they are set to blow the roof off Leicester.”

Fiona Allan, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Birmingham Hippodrome said:

“We’re very proud to be working on this co-production with our friends at Curve Leicester, and hope it’s the start of many more collaborations.  I know that our audiences here in the West Midlands will find the powerful story and characters both socially and culturally relevant; and what an incredible cast and creative team has been assembled to tell it.  I can’t think of a better way to mark the Hippodrome’s 120^th birthday than with our first main stage co-production.”

Creative Team

Director Tinuke Craig

Set & Costume Designer Alex Lowde

Musical Supervisor Alex Parker

Orchestrator Martin Higgins

Choreographer Mark Smith

Lighting Designer Joshua Pharo

Sound Designer Tom Marshall

Hair & Make-up Designer Cynthia De La Rosa

Casting Director Kay Magson CDG

Co-producers Birmingham Hippodrome

Tickets for The Color Purple are on sale. Further details can be found online on www.curveonline.co.uk orwww.birminghamhippodrome.com.

Major new stage production of Willy Russell’s ‘Educating Rita’ to star Stephen Tompkinson

David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers and Theatre by the Lake are delighted to announce that a major new stage production of Willy Russell’s Educating Rita will tour the UK in 2019. Starring Stephen Tompkinson as Frank, and introducing Jessica Johnson as Rita, the play will be directed by Max Roberts.

Educating Rita visits The Lowry in Salford from Tuesday 30 April until Saturday 4 May. 

Educating Rita tells the story of married hairdresser Rita, who enrols on an Open University course to expand her horizons, and her encounters with university tutor Frank. Frank is a frustrated poet, brilliant academic and dedicated drinker, who is less than enthusiastic about teaching Rita. However, Frank soon finds that his passion for literature is reignited by Rita, whose technical ability for the subject is limited by her lack of education, but whose enthusiasm Frank finds refreshing. The two soon realise how much they have to learn from each other.

The play was commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company and played at the Warehouse Theatre, London in 1980, starring Julie Walters and Mark Kingston.  Julie Walters reprised her role in the BAFTA, Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning film opposite Michael Caine. 

Born in Liverpool in 1947, Willy Russell left school at 15 and became a women’s hairdresser and part-time singer/songwriter before returning to education to retrain as a teacher. Russell’s other writing credits include the Olivier Award-winning musical ‘Blood Brothers’, and the hugely successful play ‘Shirley Valentine’, which won the Olivier Awards for Best New Comedy and Best New Actress, and a  Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play. The play was adapted for film and nominated for a host of BAFTA and Academy Awards. Willy Russell continues to be one of the most celebrated writers of his generation with works constantly in production throughout the world as well as in the UK.

Stephen Tompkinson’s television credits include ITV’s ‘Torvill & Dean’, BBC’s ‘The Split’, five series of ‘DCI Banks’, four series of ‘Trollied’, seven series of ‘Wild at Heart’, six series of ‘Drop the Dead Donkey’ (British Comedy Award Winner for Best TV Comedy Actor) and three series of ‘Ballykissangel’, and his films include Phil in ‘Brassed Off’.  His theatre work includes ‘Spamalot’, ‘Rattle of a Simple Man’ and ‘Arsenic and Old Lac’e in the West End, ‘Cloaca’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’ (Old Vic), Art and Tartuffe (National Tours).  

Jessica Johnson’s theatre credits include ‘Call Me Mary Poppins’, ‘Goth Weekend’, ‘Kings and Queens’, ‘Each Piece’ and ‘Anti-Gravity’ at the Live Theatre, Newcastle. She previously played Rita in Rebecca Frecknall’s 2017 production of ‘Educating Rita’ at the Gala Theatre, Durham. Her television credits include ‘Wire In The Blood’ (ITV), ‘Coronation Street’ (ITV) and ‘Cuckoo’ (Channel 4).

Max Roberts is Emeritus Artistic Director of Newcastle’s Live Theatre. Under his direction, the Live Theatre has become one of the country’s most successful theatre companies with an outstanding reputation for developing new work. His Olivier Award nominated production of Lee Hall’s ‘Cooking With Elvis’ transferred to the West End’s Whitehall Theatre (now Trafalgar Studios) before touring nationally. He also directed ‘The Pitman Painters’, which transferred to the National Theatre and won Best Play at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards before opening on Broadway. 

Educating Rita will have set and costume designs by Patrick Connelan, lighting design by Drummond Orr and sound design by David Flynn.

Educating Rita is produced by David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers, and co-produced by Theatre by the Lake.

Listings Information
Educating Rita
Dates: Tue 30 April – Sat 4 May
Times: 8pm. Wed, Thu & Sat at 2.30pm
Tickets: £29.50 – £33.50
Website

CASTING ANNOUNCED
Ghost Stories
Written by Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman
Directed by Jeremy Dyson, Andy Nyman and Sean Holmes
A Lyric Hammersmith production.
29 March – 11 May 2019

The Lyric Hammersmith today announces the cast for the worldwide hit production of Ghost Stories, which runs 29 March – 11 May 2019. Written by Jeremy Dyson (The League of Gentleman) and Andy Nyman (Fiddler on the Roof, Derren Brown: Mind Control and Trick of the Mind) the show returns to the Lyric Hammersmith 9 years since its premiere in 2010. Also announced today are the Lyric’s new Friday Film Nights with four horror film screenings, especially chosen by Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson, shown in the Lyric’s intimate 54 seat cinema on Friday nights during the run of Ghost Stories.

The role of Professor Goodman is played by Simon Lipkin, whose theatre credits include the West End productions of Guys and Dolls playing opposite Rebel Wilson, Rock of Ages and Avenue Q, where he played the role of Nicky/Trekkie Monster in the original London cast. Playing Simon Rifkind is Preston Nyman, most recently known for his role in the mystery drama film Crooked House. Playing Mike Priddle is Richard Sutton, whose credits include The Cow Play at Brighton Theatre Festival and the world premiere of Chris O’Connell’s play Tall Phoenix (Belgrade Theatre). Playing Tony Matthews is Garry Cooper, whose credits include King Lear at the Old Vic and The Two Gentlemen of Verona at The Globe.

Following sell out shows, a West End transfer, productions in Shanghai, Australia, Canada, Europe and a smash hit film, the original terrifying live production is back. Experience Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson’s worldwide cult phenomenon in the theatre where it all began.

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

Are you brave enough to book?

Friday Film Nights

As horror returns to Hammersmith, the Lyric presents ‘Friday Film Nights’ in the intimate and exclusive Lyric Cinema. Each film has been personally selected by Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman to give audiences a rare opportunity to see these classic horror films. All tickets are £6 and for the true horror fan can be booked alongside a ticket for Ghost Stories.

Jeremy Dyson has chosen the 1980 cult classic The Fog, directed by John Carpenter, for Friday 12 April at 8:30pm, and 2013’s supernatural horror Mama, directed by Andy Mushietti, for Friday 26 April at 8:30pm. Andy Nyman has selected the 1975 Italian thriller-horror Deep Red, directed by Dario Argento, for Friday 19 April at 8:30pm and Japanese thriller Audition, directed by Takashi Miike for Friday 3 May at 8:30pm. Jeremy and Andy will provide introductions to each film explaining why these are some of their favourite horror films.

All tickets for Friday Film Nights are £6
Film & Theatre Combo Ticket: £35
(Buy a Band B Ghost Stories ticket for Friday performances at 7pm and on the same night a Friday Film Night ticket to receive the discount)

Tickets can be booked by calling 020 8741 6850 or at www.lyric.co.uk

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

THE WORLD PREMIERE OF

JONATHAN MAITLAND’S

THE LAST TEMPTATION OF BORIS JOHNSON

Full casting has been announced for The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson, the new Brexit-inspired comedy drama from journalist, broadcaster and playwright Jonathan Maitland (An Audience with Jimmy Savile, Dead Sheep).  Directed by Lotte Wakeham (Artistic Director of the Octagon Theatre, Bolton), this world premiere will play at Park Theatre from 9 May to 8 June 2019

It was the dinner that changed history: the night in February 2016 when Boris Johnson decided to vote ‘leave’. Guests included fellow MP Michael Gove and his wife columnist Sarah Vine, media mogul Evgeny Lebedev, and, for Boris at least, the spirits of past Prime Ministers – Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill and Tony Blair.
Fast forward to post-Brexit Britain, 2029: a country divided.  Boris is back in the political wilderness and has ambitions to make Britain great again, but what are his true intentions?Navigating a career in politics and the media, Boris remains as divisive as ever and in an unexpected turn of events, soon finds himself mired once again in controversy.
Jonathan Maitland says of his play and protagonist “Boris Johnson is the perfect subject: compelling, colourful, deeply divisive, hugely influential. It was he, perhaps more than anyone, who changed the course of our recent history. Without him, Leave might well have lost in 2016.  And he might be our next Prime Minister. 
“But this play isn’t just about him. It’s about power: the lust for it and the cost of it. “It’s also the ultimate dramatic moving target, which makes it challenging to stage, but also, hopefully, entertaining, exciting and relevant for the audience. During the course of writing this play, things have become increasingly chaotic and unpredictable which is why we’ll be updating the script, nightly if necessary, to keep up with events.”
Leading the cast as Boris Johnson will be Will Barton.  Barton has played Boris before, in the 2017 BBC2 drama Theresa V Boris, and his most recent theatre credits include The Libertine at The Theatre Royal Haymarket, Toast at Park Theatre and in New York and Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’be at Theatre Royal Stratford East.  Also in the cast will be Dugald Bruce-Lockhart (a long-standing member and associate director of Edward Hall’s Propeller,  where roles included Henry V, Petruchio, Lysander and Olivia, and West End appearances include Freddie in The Deep Blue Sea and Bill Austin in Mamma Mia!) as Michael Gove, Davina Moon (London theatre credits include Yellow Face at Park Theatre and National Theatre, Privates On Parade at the Noël Coward, Annie Get Your Gun at the Young Vic, Miss Saigon at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Bombay Dreams at the Apollo Victoria) as Marina Wheeler / Anita (Boris’s girlfriend), Steve Nallon (a founding member of Spitting Image, providing voices for Alan Bennett, David Attenborough, Margaret Thatcher, Roy Hattersley etc, and recent theatre roles includes Sir John Gielgud in In the Life at St James Theatre and Margaret Thatcher in Dead Sheep at Park Theatre and UK Tour) as Margaret Thatcher, Tim Wallers (Prince Andrew in The Windsors on Channel 4 and Netflix, An Ideal Husband at The Vaudeville Theatre, Travesties at The Menier Chocolate Factory and Apollo Theatre West End, and Dead Sheep at Park Theatre) as Evgeny Lebedev / Tony Blair / Huw Edwards and Arabella Weir (The Fast Show, Harry Enfield and Chums, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), Spooks, Posh Nosh, Skins, Drifters, Two Doors Down and Pure, all on TV, and her first two novels, Does My Bum Look Big In This? and Onwards and Upwards, were both international best sellers) as Sarah Vine / Chief Whip / Winston Churchill.
The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson will be directed by Lotte Wakeham, with set and costume design by Louie Whitemore, lighting design by Christopher Nairne and sound design by Andy Graham.

This project has been co-funded by Art50, a scheme commissioned by Sky Arts to explore the notion of British identity in the wake of Brexit.                                                                          

LISTINGS

9 May – 8 June 2019 

PARK200

Park Theatre

Clifton Terrace

Finsbury Park

London N4 3JP

020 7870 6876*

www.parktheatre.co.uk

Performances
Mon – Sat Evening 19:30*
Thu & Sat Matinees 15:00

*Mon 13 May 19:00

Prices*
Previews £18.50
Standard £18.50 – £32.50
Concessions £16.50 – £23.50

Child (Under 16) £15 – £20*
*Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.

Young Patrons
8 – 15 May
Tickets £10* T&Cs apply

Groups
Buy 10 tickets get the 11th free

*Telephone booking fee: 10% (capped at £2.50 per ticket)

Running Time

1hour 55 mins (including interval)

Recommended Age

14+

Please be advised there is strong language used. 

JASON DONOVAN

RETURNS TO THE WORLD FAMOUS LONDON PALLADIUM IN

Jason was the star of the iconic 1991 production

He returns to the stage this summer in the role of Pharaoh

Performances begin Thursday 27 June 2019

Today Michael Harrison and the Really Useful Group are delighted to announce that Jason Donovan will return to the London Palladium in the new production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to star as the Pharaoh.

Jason made his defining stage performance as the title character of Joseph in the 1990s, also at the London Palladium, in a sold-out 18-month run which produced a No.1 single and best-selling soundtrack album. It remains one of the most successful revivals of all time. Jason now returns to the show as Pharaoh, who rocks ‘Song of the King’ in the iconic musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, soon to be re-imagined in this brand new production.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will play a strictly limited 11-week season from Thursday 27 June 

Jason joins Sheridan Smith, with the double Olivier Award winning actress recently announced as The Narrator. Casting for the role of Joseph is to be announced soon.

Jason commented: “You never know the measure of a moment until it becomes a memory, and what a moment that was for me. Joseph was a ground breaker in 1991, and what a blast it will be to be back on the prestigious Palladium stage and be part of it all again with a brand new cast in this re-imagined 2019 production. I’m looking forward to breathing new life into Pharaoh and I’m so relieved he doesn’t wear a loin cloth!”

Jason became an international star with the role of Scott Robinson in Neighbours. The series went on to become one of the highest-rating shows in the UK, which led to Jason’s association and huge success with acclaimed producers, Stock, Aitken and Waterman. His debut album Ten Good Reasons was the biggest selling album of 1989, with career sales of 13 million albums and 4 UK No.1 singles.

Following his Olivier-nominated portrayal of Joseph, he has gone on to star in The Rocky Horror Show, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Priscilla, Annie Get Your Gun, The Sound of Music, The King’s Speech and Million Dollar Quartet. On television he has featured in I’m A Celebrity and Strictly Come Dancing, Who Do You Think You Are,ITV’s Superstar and Piers Morgan’s Life Stories. Jason also appeared in ITV’s drama Echo Beach and he continues to play sell-out tours across the country.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be directed by Laurence Connor (School of Rock Miss Saigon). Laurence will be joined on the creative team by Choreographer JoAnn M Hunter, Morgan Large who will design the set and costumes, Lighting Designer Ben Cracknell and Sound Designer Gareth Owen.

Released as a concept album in 1969,the stage version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has become one of the world’s most belovedfamily musicals. The multi-award-winning show, which began life as a small-scale school concert, has been performed hundreds of thousands of times including multiple runs in the West End and on Broadway, international number one tours, and productions in over 80 countries as far afield as Austria and Zimbabwe and from Israel to Peru! The show features songs that have gone on to become pop and musical theatre standards, including Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door To Me, Jacob and Sons, There’s One More Angel In Heaven and Go Go Go Joseph.

Told entirely through song with the help of the Narrator, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoatfollows the story of Jacob’s favourite son Joseph and his eleven brothers. After being sold into slavery by the brothers, he ingratiates himself with Egyptian noble Potiphar, but ends up in jail after refusing the advances of Potiphar’s wife. While imprisoned, Joseph discovers his ability to interpret dreams, and he soon finds himself in front of the mighty but troubled showman, the Pharaoh. As Joseph strives to resolve Egypt’s famine, he becomes Pharaoh’s right-hand man and eventually reunites with his family.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is produced by Michael Harrison.

For further information, please see www.josephthemusical.com