We are watching you…
We have a competition this week to win a pair of tickets to see Birmingham Royal Ballet: Beauty and The Beast on Wednesday 1st May at Bristol Hippodrome.
In order to win answer this very easy question:
In the original Disney animated film, who voiced the role of Mrs Potts?
Competition closes at 1pm on Monday 11 March
To enter either comment on the post on Facebook, on Twitter or by email to [email protected]
Jack Studio Theatre – 23 February 2019
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
3***
Italo Svevo’s brief period of fame as a writer came in his sixties, when Mussolini and his Blackshirts violently suppressed criticism and dissent. Howard Colyer’s monologue imagines Svevo waiting for the critics’ and the authorities’ reactions to his new play, As a Man Grows Younger, a thinly veiled parody of the fascists’ mission to rejuvenate Italy. Will the reviews denounce his work as anti-fascist or will the Blackshirts storm in and carry him to his death?
The play begins with a torpedo attack in the harbour of Trieste which cements Svevo’s pacifist views and signals the upcoming political complications of statehood after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, especially for a Jewish family with Italian, German and Hungarian roots.
As Svevo awaits his fate his emotions rattle back and forth between terror and anger, despair to joyful remembrance as he tells of his family and career. We learn of his repeated resolution to quit smoking and his almost childish, gleeful pride in his reviews and the fact that HE is James Joyce’s Leopold Bloom.
This is an impressive play visually, with William Ingham’s evocative lighting of Karl Swinyard’s detailed set. Kate Bannister’s assured direction and David Bromley’s energetic and compelling performance ensure the audience do not tire of Svevo’s quirks. Bromley puts just the right amount of OTT characterisation into Svevo’s impressions of his wife, mother-in-law and Mussolini, and you wish there were more anecdotes about James Joyce as Bromley’s take on him is delightful
Hopping (literally) rapidly between different trains of thought effectively demonstrates the struggle and fear in Svevo’s mind as the consequences of speaking out are weighed against the moral price of keeping your head down and weathering the storm, but Colyer’s script does occasionally leap from moments of piercing insight to forgettable filler that wouldn’t be missed.
A thoughtful, heartfelt and moving tribute to Svevo that is well worth seeing.
Pleasance Theatre – until 9th March 2019
Review by Heather Chalkley
3***
This is a hard hitting 90 minutes of real life in the 80’s, given to the writers by people who lived through it. A stark illustration of Soho backstreets in all its infamous glory. Playwrights are notorious for bending real life to suit dramatic ends – being faithful to actual events can be hard. As a debut piece from Nicola and Stacey Bland, this piece shows great potential for their writing careers.
Wendi Peters (Sylvie) came across as a very real person, channelling all the emotions of a caring mother, accepting her child’s decision to transition with the knowledge only she could have. Matt Greenwood gives Vicky all the sass of a drag queen, needed to front out the prejudice and outright hostility of 80’s society. Greenwood then shows the vulnerable, frightened underbelly of Vicky that so desperately wants to transition. Nicola Bland plays Debbie with love and understanding, showing how resilient true friendship can be. Stacey Bland (Gabby) carries off well the single mother who feels caught in a trap with only one way out. Ben Welch as Fat Pearl brings a good deal of humour
and a wealth of life experience that manipulates and loves the young people at the Golden Girl with equal measure.
The Director Victoria Gimby, has made good use of costume, set and language to bring to life that era. She has used dark and light shades of the main characters to strengthen the intensity of the dialogue at the most poignant moments. This is heightened by the thrust stage, which increases the intimacy between actors and the audience. However, it does mean there can be prolonged periods when the players have their back on the audience, causing them to twist and turn to make eye contact. There were times when Vicky (Greenwood) spoke so softly you could barely hear her.
Having lived through the 80’s as a young person myself, all the characters are very believable and true to the times. This true story has been delivered with honesty and compassion, giving you an insight that, unless you had walked in their high heels, you would have no idea.
Leeds Playhouse – Saturday 23rd February 2019
Reviewed By Dawn Smallwood
4****
Members of both the Leeds Playhouse’s older people’s and young people’s programmes have come together to collaborate and bring Dinner 18:55. Leeds Playhouse is reputed for their creative and inclusive engagement for people of all ages and backgrounds to access the theatre. Over the six months this new community ensemble has put together Dinner 18:55 and this production consists a sharing of conversations and individual stories and over time they have formed a live theatrical piece.
Intergeneration certainly plays a big part in how the younger and older members interact and grow. Age is no longer an issue and common grounds are established. Life experiences between older and young people are different but not for any better or for any worse. What is explored on stage is why taking the time to sit down and share a meal can be such an effort?
Social isolation and loneliness are on the increase today especially when older people and young people are socially and politically polarised and marginalised by the media. Time is also a big issue as the modern world is much busier compared to past generations. Young people are faced with pressuring expectations, some acknowledge impossible, along with the never ending social media demands. There is certainly an emphasis of intergeneration and a must need across all communities.
This short heart-warming production brings two generations who make time to make and share their meals together. Dinner 18:55 gives a lot of food for thought and under the direction of Maggie de Ruyck and with the sounding of knives, forks and plates the ensemble brings alive a well done inter-generation experience on stage. This emphasises the utmost importance of spending time with people of all ages and backgrounds.
The Lowry, Salford – until Sunday 24th February.
Reviewed by Joseph Everton.
5*****
David Tomlinson. I didn’t know the name but I knew the face and the portrayal of Mr Banks in Mary Poppins, complete with bowler hat and that moustache. I wondered if having little to no knowledge of David Tomlinson would ruin this play for me, whether it would be fair to comment on the script. My fears were assuaged early on as Miles Jupp delivered a brilliantly written script, gifted to him by comedy writer, James Kettle. The Life I Lead, with its name taken from the song performed by Tomlinson in Mary Poppins, turned out to be a show full of laughs and learning.
A bit of research revealed that Jupp, who Kettle wrote the script specifically for, actually shares a strange number of characteristics with Tomlinson. But why Tomlinson? Well, to believe the classic actor’s story, you really have to watch the show. In a one-man performance, Miles Jupp tells the scarcely believable tale of Tomlinson’s life, beginning with his experiences as an airman in World War Two and then skilfully dancing forward and then backwards in time to address, among other things, Tomlinson’s relationship with his father, his wives, sons and his experiences creating the character of Mr Banks under the direction of Walt Disney himself.
Miles Jupp, arguably best known for his comedy and appearances on Mock the Week, beautifully portrays Tomlinson’s enthusiasm for life, wit and desire never to be taken seriously. However, many aspects of his life are incredibly thought provoking and sometimes desperately sad, meaning that Jupp is required to play a range of emotions. He manages this perfectly. One moment the audience is rapt, silent whilst listening to Tomlinson recall the loss of his first wife. The next, chuckling with laughter as he recalls his fabrication of fake agent, Harry Gunnell (not to be rhymed with funnel), who had a particular penchant for turning down roles as Tomlinson sought a quiet retirement.
I was moved by David Tomlinson’s story but this was not a tale full of sadness. In fact, it struck a perfect balance between tugging at your heart strings and inducing snorts of laughter. The Life I Lead, Tomlinson’s story, the neat production, the brilliant script and Miles Jupp’s performance were enthralling and the show deserves to be seen.
DEAFINITELY THEATRE AND BIRMINGHAM STAGE COMPANY ANNOUNCE FULL CASTING OF HORRIBLE HISTORIES – DREADFUL DEAF –
DEAFINITELY NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED!
Deafinitely Theatre and Birmingham Stage Company present
The World Première of
Horrible Histories – Dreadful Deaf – Deafinitely not for the faint-hearted!
Director: Paula Garfield; Designer: Paul Burgess; Lighting Designer: Joe Hornsby
Composer and Sound Designer: Chris Bartholomew
On tour: 29 May – 23 June 2019
Deafinitely Theatre and Birmingham Stage Company today announce the full cast for Horrible Histories – Dreadful Deaf – Deafinitely not for the faint-hearted!. Paula Garfield directs Fifi Garfield, Naomi Gray and Nadeem Islam. Dreadful Deaf has a special school’s performance at Heathlands School in St Albans on 24 May before opening at Bristol Old Vic Theatre on Wednesday 29 May. The show then tours to York Theatre Royal and The North Wall in Oxford before completing its run at Derby Theatre onSunday23 June.
We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is deaf dead!
So it’s time to prepare yourselves for Horrible Histories live on stage as it delves into the dreadful, dangerous and deluded stories of the deaf! From groovy Greeks to gorgeous Georgians, ruthless Romans to vile Victorians, come with us into this incredible world to discover the extraordinary people and amazing stories you simply won’t believe!
Deaf or hearing, this bilingual production – in spoken English and British Sign Language – is a truly frightful treat for all the family!
Fifi Garfield’s previous credits for Deafinitely Theatre include Contractions (New Diorama Theatre) and A Midsummer’s Night Dream (Shakespeare’s Globe) Other theatre credits include London Bubble (UK tour).
Naomi Gray’s theatre credits include Mirror Mirror (UK tour), The Sam Neill Experience: A Dance Musical (The Camden Fringe) and Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood (CAST, Doncaster). For television her credits include Julian Fellows Investigates: A Most Mysterious Murder. For film her credits include The Feast of the Goat.
Nadeem Islam’s previous credit for Deafinitely Theatre is Something Else (UK tour). His other theatre credits include Up N Under. His television credits include Deaf Funny, Lost Community and Up For It.
Paula Garfield directs. For Deafinitely Theatre she has directed 4.48 Psychosis – whichwas nominated for best direction on short list by BroadwayWorld UK, Contractions – which wonthe Off West End Award for Best Production, Two Chairs, Motherland, Children of a Greater God, Playing God, Double Sentence and Gold Dust. She also devised and directed The Boy and the Statue for Deafinitely at the Tricycle Theatre and on a London schools’ tour. Garfield has directed two productions at Shakespeare’s Globe – Love Labour’s Lost, for the Globe to Globe Festival as part of Deafinitely’s 10th anniversary, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Her other directing work includes Tanika’s Journey (Southwark Playhouse) Grounded (Park Theatre).
An actor, director, workshop leader and organiser, Garfield has worked on a variety of television, film and theatre projects over the past fifteen years. In 2002 she established Deafinitely Theatre with Steven Webb and Kate Furby after becoming frustrated at the barriers that deaf actors and directors face across the arts and media. She has produced and directed many plays and worked extensively in TV, including Channel Four’s Learn Sign Language, Four Fingers and a Thumb, BBC’s Hands Up and Casualty, plus appearances in every series of the BBC’s deaf drama, Switch.
About Deafinitely Theatre
Deafinitely Theatre is the UK’s first professional deaf-launched and led theatre company, creating bilingual productions of classic and contemporary plays for deaf and hearing audiences that combine the visual storytelling of British Sign Language with the immediacy of spoken English.
Established in 2002, the company’s vision is a world where deaf people are a valued part of the national theatre landscape, recognised for the excellence of their work. Deafinitely challenges barriers to training and opportunities, working hard to nurture the next generation of deaf theatre makers and audiences through its continuing programme of productions, consultancy work and education and training activities for young people and adults.
The company’s most recent productions include 2018’s sold-out run of 4.48 Psychosis by Sarah Kane at New Diorama Theatre and Derby Theatre and 2017’s award-winning production of Contractions by Mike Bartlett at ND2 (New Diorama Theatre) – winner of the 2018 Off West End Award for Best Production.
About Birmingham Stage Company
Birmingham Stage Company is the award-winning producers of David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny and Awful Auntie. The company produce all the Horrible Histories shows live on stage including the West End productions of Barmy Britain. The company also performs internationally, including David Almond’s Skellig on Broadway, and Horrible Histories at The Sydney Opera House.
Neal Foster is Actor/Manager of Birmingham Stage Company which since its foundation in 1992 has staged over eighty productions. The company has become one of the world’s leading producers of theatre for children and their families, including Horrible Histories Live on Stage for thirteen years in the UK, Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia. Foster has written and directed all of the most recent Horrible Histories shows including Barmy Britain – Parts One, Two, Three & Four (Garrick Theatre, Apollo Theatre and Sydney Opera House); Groovy Greeks andIncredible Invaders for a national tour and Wicked Warwick at Warwick Castle. His first fictional adaptation was David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny,which transferred to the Garrick Theatre and then the Harold Pinter Theatre and was nominated for a Best Entertainment and Family Olivier Award. His adaptation of David Walliams’ Awful Auntie enjoyed an 18 month national tour and his next David Walliams’ show will be Billionaire Boy in autumn 2019.
This production is made possible by the generous support of:
Arts Council Strategic Touring Fund, Autograph Sound Recording, Edwardian Hotels London, The Garfield Weston Foundation, Old Diorama Arts Centre and White Light Ltd.
Dreadful Deaf – Deafinitely not for the faint-hearted
Listings
On tour: 29 May – 23 June 2019
Twitter: @DeafinitelyT
Facebook: deafinitelytheatre
Dreadful Deaf – Deafinitely not for the faint-hearted is suitable for ages 5+
Tour Dates
Bristol Old Vic
29 May – 1 June
Box Office: 0117 987 7877
York Theatre Royal
7 June – 8 June
Box Office: 01904 623 568
The North Wall
18 June
Box Office: 01865 319 450
Derby Theatre
22 June – 23 June
Box Office: 01332 59 39 39
IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR WITH MOTHER DAUGHTER DUO, LINDA LUSARDI AND LUCY KANE IN PANTO AT ST HELENS THEATRE ROYAL THIS EASTER
FULL CAST FOR THE WIZARD OF OZ REVEALED
Regal Entertainments are delighted to announce the full cast of their Easter panto, The Wizard of Oz,which comes to St Helens Theatre Royal from Sat 6 – Mon 22 April.
Recently announced Linda Lusardi who is set to play The Wicked Witch, will be joined by her daughter, ITV’s The Voice star Lucy Kane, as Glinda.
The full cast also includes Charlotte Gallagher; Harry Moore; Steve Arnott; Reece Sibbald; and Jay Lusted.
Linda Lusardi’s career has spanned nearly 30 years. The former Emmerdale and Brooksideactress first shot to fame in the early 80’s as one of Britain’s best-loved models, before moving in to the world of television.
Her major TV roles include Carrie Nichols in ITV’s Emmerdale, where she murdered Tom King in one of the most memorable storylines of the year; Maggie Lyons in The Bill; Frankie in Brookside; and played herself in The Detectorists on BBC4.
Her real-life daughter, singer and actress Lucy Kane, rose to fame on 2017’s series of The Voice as part of Team Tom. Her stage credits include the title role in Annie, Princess Jasmine in Aladdin at Alban Arena, St Albans and the title role in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at The Playhouse, Weston-Super-Mare.
On appearing on stage together, Linda Lusardi said: “I am thrilled to be working with Lucy for the second time this year. She is not only my daughter but my best friend. She’s so talented and I am immensely proud of her. We have great fun spending time on and off stage. We are really looking forward to appearing in The Wizard of Oz and meeting the people of St Helen’s”
Lucy Kane added: “I am so excited to be performing in The Wizard of Oz this year in St Helen’s. It’s such a beautiful story and I get to share the stage with my brilliant Mum!”
Charlotte Gallagher steps back in to the famous ruby slippers as Dorothy. No stranger to the Theatre Royal stage, Charlotte previously appeared in the 2015 and 2016 productions of The Wizard of Oz as well as Snow White and Peter Pan.
Another familiar face to St Helens audiences is Harry Moore,who played the role of the Wizard in last year’s February half-term production. He is back for 2019 as Tin Man.
There are also a whole host of new faces.
Steve Arnott who has a plethora of panto experience including Captain Hook in Peter Pan at Darlington Hippodrome and Abanazer in Aladdin at Venue Cymru, will play Lion.
Playing the role of Scarecrow is Reece Sibbald. His previous stage roles include Scarecrow in the touring production of Chuckles of Oz starring alongside The Chuckle Brothers.
Completing the cast, Jay Lusted, who played one of the seven dwarfs in 2017’s Christmas panto Snow White, returns as the great Wizard of Oz.
Click your heels together and join Dorothy and Toto as they journey along the Yellow Brick Road to meet the Wizard so he can make their dreams come true.
Regal Entertainments’ reimagined panto version of this classic family tale includes a brand-new script and music for 2019 including lots of chart hits, old and new, for audiences to sing along to.
St Helens Theatre Royal manager, Chantelle Nolan said: “I am very excited to announce the full cast for The Wizard of Oz. It will be wonderful to see the chemistry on stage between Linda and Lucy. We have some returning favourites, as well as some new faces to this year’s production; plus, a new script and lots of brilliant new songs to sing and dance to. So be sure to join us over the rainbow in Oz this Easter!”
Get ready for a whole lot of family fun as this fantastic tale is reawakened.
For more information, please visit: www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/St-Helens-Theatre-Royal
Follow us on Twitter: @TheatreRoyalStH
Regal Entertainments Ltd presents The Wizard of Oz
Dates: Saturday 6 April – Monday 22 April 2019
Times: Monday-Friday: 1pm / Saturday and Sunday: 1pm & 5pm
Tickets: From £13*
*All prices are inclusive of a £1 per seat transaction fee. On-line bookings are subject to an additional 50p per seat on-line processing fee.
THEATRE ROYAL BOOKING DETAILS
Book in person at the Theatre Royal Box Office, Corporation Street, St. Helens, Merseyside WA10 1LQ (Mon – Sat 10am – 5pm). Alternatively, call 01744 756 000 or log on to:www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com.
RITA SIMONS AND JOE MCFADDEN STAR IN PETER JAMES’
THE HOUSE ON COLD HILL AT RICHMOND THEATRE
Monday 8 – Saturday 13 April
Following the success of Not Dead Enough (2017), Dead Simple (2015) and The Perfect Murder (2014), multi-million selling author Peter James returns to Richmond Theatre with THE HOUSE ON COLD HILL from Mon 8 – Sat 13 Apr. This new adaptation stars Rita Simons and Joe McFadden in a nail-biting story based on the author’s own real-life experience in a haunted house.
The Harcourt family – Ollie, Caro and daughter Jade – move into the house of the dreams that has been empty for the last forty years. However, their dream home quickly turns into the stuff of nightmares, as they begin to sense that they aren’t the only residents at Cold Hill… THE HOUSE ON COLD HILLis a modern-day ghostly thriller that will send shivers down your spine and make you think twice about returning home to a dark, empty house after the show!
Rita Simons is best known for playing ‘Roxy Mitchel in BBC’s Eastenders, having won numerous awards for her role. Her other credits include Mile High, Dream Team and Legally Blonde. In Spring 2012, Rita was the subject of a major documentary film Rita Simons: My Daughter, Deafness and Me made by Leopard Films for primetime BBC1. Most recently Rita rave reviews for her performance as Lisa Prescott in the film The Krays: Dead Man Walking, an untold chapter from the notorious legend of the Kray Twins. In November 2018, Rita was a contestant on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Outta Here! Finishing in 8th place.
Simons says, “I am really thrilled to be starring in the House on Cold Hill alongside such great actors as Joe, Charlie, Persephone and the rest the cast. I could not put it down when I first read the script – it’s a brilliant and modern day supernatural thriller that had me totally gripped and occasionally jumping out of my seat! I can’t wait to see audiences hopefully have the same reaction to it, in theatres around the UK.”
BAFTA nominated actor Joe McFadden is perhaps best known for playing series regular Raf di Lucca in BBC1’s Holby City from 2014 – 2017, and as ‘P C Joe Mason’ in Heartbeat from 2010 – 2014. Other acclaimed TV roles include Sex, Chips and Rock n Roll, The Crow Road (for which he received a BAFTA nomination), Cranford and Take The High Road. His extensive theatrical credits include working with John Tiffany and the National Theatre of Scotland on The Missing, touring the UK with Alan Ayckbourn’s Haunting Julia, Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song Trilogy at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Rent at the Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End and Rainbow Kiss at the Royal Court. Last year he partnered with Katya Jones in BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing and captured the nation’s hearts, eventually winning the series to become the 2017 Strictly Champion.
McFadden says, “It’s a real honour to be entrusted with the character of Ollie and the words of skilled wordsmith, Peter James. He’s created a story that is both chilling and an interesting portrayal of modern family life and will definitely make you think twice about buying that sprawling dream pad in the country!”
They will be joined by Charlie Clements (EastEnders, Casualty, The Bill) and Persephone Swales-Dawson (Hollyoaks) with THE HOUSE ON COLD HILLmarking her professional stage debut.
World Premiere of The Thunder Girls starring Beverley Callard to preview at The Lowry
Three more leading British actresses to be announced
‘The Thunder Girls,’ is the debut play by Manchester local Melanie Blake, starring four female actors over the age of 50, and will have its will preview run at The Lowry Tue 24 – Sat 28 September.
Blake adapted the play from her debut novel of the same name, which will be published by Pan Macmillan this summer. The play’s all-star female cast will be announced one by one over the next few months and the first ‘Thunder Girl’ to be revealed is Coronation Street star and national treasure Beverley Callard. ‘The Thunder Girls’ is a true celebration of women, with all four of The Thunder Girls actresses, as well as the writer coming from working class roots.
‘The Thunder Girls’ follows an ‘80s girl group reuniting 30 years after greed, envy and ego tore the band and their friendship apart. The play focuses on what goes on during the night from hell when lead singer Chrissie tries to reunite the band she dumped. Chrissie is desperate to salvage herself from bankruptcy after being conned out of her fortune by her toy boy husband. But is there a price which can heal the wounds? Or maybe some friendships never die, even if you want them to?
The soon to be revealed all-female cast are all much loved house hold names. Beverley Callard takes on the role of Roxanne, the former band member who holds the balance of power in the reunion summit – but Roxanne’s wounds are the deepest as Chrissie didn’t just steal her career when she broke up the band, she stole her man. And Roxanne, who has nothing left to lose, is more than happy to cut off her nose to spite her face. For her, revenge might be sweeter than reconciliation and it has been a long time coming.
They say write about what you know, and as one of the UK’s most powerful female talent agent and former music manager, Melanie has lived and breathed ‘The Thunder Girls.’
Melanie came from nothing but was inspired by Jackie Collins’ books and ‘80s television to believe that she could become whoever she wanted to be. She went on to work with the biggest names in showbiz from Destiny’s Child and The Spice Girls while at Top of the Pops before forming her own management company which became the most successful independent agency in the UK.
‘The Thunder Girls’ will have its premiere preview run at The Lowry Tue 24 – Sat 28 September.
Steve Cowton, head of theatre operations at The Lowry, said: “We love being able to host exciting new work. We’re particularly looking forward to welcoming The Thunder Girls premiere as it’s a story that is rooted in the North West and we’re sure our audiences are going to love the show.”
Beverley Callard said: “As an actor, when the scripts for plays land on my doormat – I’m always flattered and read them with relish. Mostly I have to say no because of my commitments to Coronation Street. Often, the lead character is a man, usually in a cast of maybe 10 men, 2 women, if we’re lucky. The females will be 20 something, or 30 something, and if you’re lucky maybe one woman ‘of an age’ max. Then I read ‘THE THUNDER GIRLS’ and WOW! A four strong ensemble of real women with real life experience! Feisty, sexy, funny, not to mention rich in drama, comedy and tragedy. Most important of all, this play is fiercely entertaining, every audience will love it! I simply could not say no and cannot wait to play Roxanne.”
Melanie Blake said: “To be returning to my home city 25 years since I left with my debut play premiering at The Lowry is an honour and a privilege – and proof that dreams really can come true. It’s taken nearly two decades to bring THE THUNDER GIRLS play and book to the public and I can’t wait to come home and see the audiences’ reaction to this strong female narrative. It’s time we saw more strong female leads in theatre and my play is about four incredibly powerful and empowered women and I can’t wait to see it staged in Salford.”
Listings Information
The Thunder Girls
Dates: Tue 24 – Sat 28 September
Times: 8pm. Wed & Sat 2pm.
Tickets: £20.50 – £28.50
Website
JONATHAN CHURCH, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THEATRE ROYAL BATH’S SUMMER SEASON, ANNOUNCES THE OPENING SHOWS FOR ITS 2019 PROGRAMME
Jonathan Church, Artistic Director of Theatre Royal Bath’s Summer Season, today announces the opening shows for its 2019 programme which will see much-loved British comedian Jennifer Saunders star as Madame Arcati in Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit directed by Richard Eyre, and Rupert Everett making his directorial stage debut in Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanyain which he will also play the title role in a new version by David Hare. Blithe Spirit will run from 13 June to 6 July with opening night for press on 19 June, followed by Uncle Vanya from 18 July to 3 August with opening night for press on 24 July, both in the Main House. Further casting and the full summer programme will be announced in due course.
Theatre Royal Bath is also delighted to announce it is extending its tenure with Jonathan Church as Artistic Director of the Summer Season by a further three years through to 2022. It follows Jonathan Church’s inaugural summer season in 2017 and a hugely successful 2018 programme with two West End transfers including the critically acclaimed production of Arthur Miller’s The Price currently playing at Wyndham’s Theatre, and Switzerland at the Ambassadors Theatre.
BLITHE SPIRIT
Thursday 13 June – Saturday 6 July
Jennifer Saunders, one of the UK’s most popular comic actors, makes her Theatre Royal Bath debut as the preposterous clairvoyant Madame Arcati in Noël Coward’s classic comedy Blithe Spirit. The production brings together a distinguished and multi-award-winning creative team, directed by former National Theatre director Richard Eyre with design by Anthony Ward and lighting by Howard Harrison. Lisa Dillon will also star as Ruth Condomine, with further casting to be announced.
Written in 1941, Coward’s inventive, witty and meticulously engineered comedy proved light relief and a popular distraction at the height of World War II when it was first staged. The show had a record-breaking run in the West End and on Broadway and remains one of the playwright’s most popular works.
Novelist Charles Condomine and his second wife Ruth are literally haunted by a past relationship when an eccentric medium inadvertently conjures up the ghost of his first wife, Elvira, at a séance. When she appears, visible only to Charles, and determined to sabotage his current marriage, life – and the afterlife – get complicated.
Jennifer Saunders is well known as one half of the comedy duo French and Saunders, for which she and Dawn French received a BAFTA fellowship in 2009, and for the hit comedy series and subsequent film, Absolutely Fabulous, which she also wrote and starred in. She has received numerous awards including two Emmys, five BAFTAs and four British Comedy Awards. Other recent credits include Lady Windermere’s Fan (West End) and the BBC series Jam and Jerusalem.
Lisa Dillon starred as Mary Smith in the BBC series Cranford. Her stage credits include Richard Eyre’s Private Lives in the West End, the RSC’s The Roaring Girl and The Taming of the Shrew, A Flea in Her Ear and Design for Living at the Old Vic and The Knot of the Heart and When the Rain Stops Falling at the Almeida.
Noël Coward was an English playwright, composer, actor, producer and director. His dramas include Hay Fever and Private Lives. For film, he wrote and directed the Academy Award-winning In Which We Serve and the screenplay for Brief Encounter.
Richard Eyre was at the helm of the National Theatre for 10 years and is the winner of five Olivier Awards including a Lifetime Achievement Award. His numerous hugely-acclaimed productions include Guys and Dolls, The Invention of Love and Private Lives. His award-winning film and television work includes Iris, Tumbledown and The Children Act.
Anthony Ward has designed numerous productions including the Tony Award-winning Mary Stuart, the Olivier Award-winning Oklahoma! and What’s on Stage Award winner Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Howard Harrison is a two-times Olivier Award-winning lighting designer whose recent works includeImpossible and Mamma Mia! (London, Broadway and worldwide).
Blithe Spirit is presented by arrangement with Lee Dean.
UNCLE VANYA
Thursday 18 July – Saturday 3 August
Rupert Everett returns to Theatre Royal Bath where he last appeared in The Judas Kiss in 2012 and which went on to transfer to the West End, and following recent critical acclaim as Oscar Wilde in The Happy Prince which he also wrote and directed. Everett will direct his first stage play and lead the cast in Anton Chekhov’s theatrical masterpiece Uncle Vanya, a playful story of unrequited love, loss and misplaced dreams, in a new version by the playwright and screenwriter David Hare.
It’s late summer, at the close of the nineteenth century. In the heart of the Russian countryside, Vanya and his niece Sonya have worked for years to manage the ramshackle estate on behalf of his brother-in-law, a retired professor. When the professor arrives with his stunningly beautiful young wife and announces his plan to sell the estate, all their lives are thrown into turmoil.
Rupert Everett rose to fame in Another Country which earned him his first BAFTA nomination. Since then he has played many leading roles including in the multi-award-winning film My Best Friend’s Wedding, The Importance of Being Earnest, An Ideal Husband, Dance With A Stranger, The Madness of King George and St Trinian’s. His stage credits include Blithe Spirit on Broadway and Pygmalion andThe Judas Kiss in the West End.
Anton Chekhov was a leading playwright and author of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is regarded as one of the most influential writers of the Russian realist school. His plays include The Seagull, Three Sisters and The Cherry Orchard.
David Hare’s award-winning plays include Racing Demon, Plenty, Skylight, Amy’s View and The Judas Kiss. He received Academy Award nominations for his adaptations of The Hours and The Reader.
LISTINGS
Theatre Royal Bath, Sawclose, Bath, BA1 1ET
Box Office: 01225 448844
Website: www.theatreroyal.org.uk
Facebook: TheatreRoyalBath
Twitter: @TheatreRBath
Blithe Spirit
By Noël Coward
Directed by Richard Eyre
Designed by Anthony Ward
Lighting Design by Howard Harrison
Presented by arrangement with Lee Dean
Thursday 13 June – Saturday 6 July
Press night: Wednesday 19 June, 7pm
Performance Schedule: Mon – Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Thu & Sat 2.30pm (no matinee 13 or 15 June)
Tickets: £25.50 – £39.50 (Preview Perfs and Mondays, all seats £15)
Uncle Vanya
By Anton Chekhov in a new version by David Hare
Directed by Rupert Everett
Thursday 18 July – Saturday 3 August
Press night: Wednesday 24 July, 7pm
Performance Schedule: Mon – Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Wed & Sat 2.30pm (no matinee 20 July)
Tickets: £25.50 – £39.50 (Preview Perfs and Mondays, all seats £15)