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KILN THEATRE, FUEL AND BIRMINGHAM REPERTORY THEATRE PRESENT

THE HALF-GOD OF RAINFALL

By Inua Ellams

• CAST ANNOUNCED: RAKIE AYOLA AND KWAMI ODOOM WILL PLAY THE CHARACTERS OF MODUPE AND DEMI DIRECTED BY NANCY MEDINA
• TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FOR INUA ELLAMS’ NEW PLAY AT BIRMINGHAM REPERTORY THEATRE FROM APRIL 13^th – APRIL 20^th AND KILN THEATRE FROM APRIL 25^th – MAY 17^th.

‘For thousands of years, Gods enjoyed full dominion over the lives of men. As prayers dwindled, Gods felt their power cut’

Casting has been announced for Nancy Medina’s forthcoming production of Inua Ellams’ new play The Half-God of Rainfall. Rakie Ayola (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) will play Modupe, mother to her half-god son Demi who will be played by Kwami Odoom (Barber Shop Chronicles). This world premiere production will be directed by Nancy Medina, designed by Max Johns, with movement direction by Imogen Knight, sound design by Tanuja Amarasuriya, lighting design by Jackie Shemesh and casting by Briony Barnett.

Modupe, cursed with extraordinary beauty, draws the unwanted attention of the Greek and Yoruba gods. Her son Demi, half Nigerian-mortal, half Olympian child, is bestowed with powers; one of them manifests in the game of basketball. When he unknowingly sparks Zeus’ wrath, Modupe tries to protect him from the capricious whims of the gods.

Inua Ellams writes this contemporary saga that weaves poetry with storytelling in a majestic, chaotic journey across mythologies that transports us from a tiny village in Southern Nigeria to the further reaches of our galaxy and beyond.

This production is a collaboration between Kiln Theatre, Fuel and Birmingham Repertory Theatre and is Ellams’ next play since Barber Shop Chronicles.

Rakie Ayola
Rakie’s recent theatre work includes: Leave To Remain (Lyric Hammersmith), Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (The Palace Theatre), The Rest of Your Life (Bush Theatre), King Lear (Royal Exchange/Talawa), Crave/4:48 Psychosis (Sheffield Crucible), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time (National at The Apollo), The Winter’s Tale (RSC). Recent television includes:Noughts and Crosses (ITC/BBC), Shetland (ITV/BBC), No Offence (Abbott Vision/Channel 4),King Lear (Talawa/BBC4) Film includes: Been So Long (Netflix), Dredd (DNA Films), Now Is Good(BBC Films), Sahara (Paramount). Rakie is Patron of @ChildhoodTT, @MelqoshM and @eclipsetcl.

Kwami Odoom 
Kwami Odoom’s work in theatre includes: BOYS (The PappyShow/Vaults); A Christmas Carol(Royal Shakespeare Company); Queen Margaret (Royal Exchange); Barber Shop Chronicles(National Theatre); DNA, Pigeon English, and Romeo and Juliet, (National Youth Theatre REP Company). Television includes: The Athena (Sky Kids / Brycoed Productions); The Rook(Lionsgate); and Doctors (BBC).
Film includes: A Family Affair (Florence Keith-Roach)

LISTINGS

The Half-God of Rainfall
By Inua Ellams
Supported by London Community Foundation & Cockayne – Grants for the Arts.

Birmingham Repertory Theatre
13 April – 20 April 2019
7.45pm (except 16 April at 7pm)
Press night: 16 April
Tickets: From £15
www.birmingham-rep.co.uk
0121 236 4455

Kiln Theatre
25 April – 17 May 2019
7.30pm / 2.30pm (Wednesday and Saturday)
Press night: 30 April
Tickets: From £10
www.kilntheatre.com
020 7328 1000

Storyhouse, Chester- until Friday 22nd February 2019.

Reviewed by Joseph Everton

4****

The Moscow City Ballet, brainchild of Victor Smirnov- Golovanov and now under the charge of artistic director, Luidmila Neroubachtchenko, has extensively toured the globe since 1988, sharing Smirnov- Golovanov’s interpretation and celebration of the ideas of 19th and 20th century Russian choreographers with the world. The climate of political distrust wasn’t on the minds of the Cheshire audience as this beautiful production brought a welcome distraction and a splash of festive nostalgia to a midweek evening in February.

The emphasis was on storytelling in Act One, where the cast displayed their ability to act, as well as dance with Daniil Orlov impressing as Drosselmeyer. At times, I forgot that it was February as the stage filled with Christmas colour, gifts, a tree and a short cameo for Santa Clause. Certain scenes sometimes felt a little rough around the edges, with an over use of slightly tacky props reminding me more of a low-budget children’s production than a celebrated ballet. However, this did help to provide an easy-to-follow narrative to Nutcracker newbies.

As perhaps Tchaikovsky and original choreographers Petipa and Ivanov had little more to add to the original story of ‘The Nutcracker and the Mouse King’ by E.T.A. Hoffman, Act Two was largely devoted to divertissement after divertissement. This provided a chance for individuals from the corps de ballet to demonstrate their ability with the stage to themselves, flanked by lines of dancers subtly changing position but not distracting from the main event, and they delivered excellently. Kozhabayev Talgat showing he was the full package, delighting with a powerfully precise and athletic display.

The Moscow City Ballet’s The Nutcracker was a testament to Russian artistry and the skill of Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, done justice by an accompanying orchestra. It was enthralling, enjoyable and would provide an excellent introduction to ballet to all who have not yet experienced it.

Rediscover the ‘People’s Palace’ St George’s Hall
Public invited to tour the refurbished Grade ll listed building
Saturday 2 March 11am – 3pm

After an extensive transformational refurbishment, St George’s Hall is throwing its doors wide open for residents of Bradford and beyond to rediscover their ‘People’s Palace.’

The Open Day on Saturday 2 March from 11am-3pm will give people the opportunity to look around the much loved building and find out about its amazing history and recent refurbishment.

Visitors can learn about the early history of the Hall in the Victorian era and discover how the building has evolved over 165 years from its time as a Classical Concert Hall, a Cinema, Rock and Pop Venue and even
an Airport Departure Lounge! Incredibly, in 1964, air travellers were invited to St George’s Hall to check in, leave baggage and relax in the lounge, before taking a coach to the airport in Yeadon.

Self-guided tours will be available on the open day, to provide information on the conservation of the venue, a chance to browse heritage displays across all four levels of the Hall, and view some historic objects found during the refurbishment.

There will be hands on family activities and a chance to dress up as some of the famous faces of St George’s Hall including leading author Charles Dickens, suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst and rock legends
David Bowie and Freddie Mercury! The newly opened ground floor café with its beautifully restored mosaic
floor will be serving refreshments, with hot food available 11am – 2pm.

The extensive refurbishment of St George’s Hall has included major works to the roof, windows, electrics and
stone work. The front-of-house areas have been increased, and seating has been upgraded to improve sight
lines and comfort, whilst ensuring the world class acoustics are unaffected.
Adam Renton, General Manager Bradford Theatres said:
“We are throwing open the doors of St George’s Hall so that everyone can discover just how special
the wonderful St George’s Hall is. This is an informal Open Day for all to enjoy. I’m sure you will
find out some truly fascinating facts!”

Rose Theatre, Kingston – until 23rd February 2019

5*****

Any event which gets children interested in the theatre is always a good thing. Zog, based on the book of the same name by Julia Donaldson (she also wrote The Gruffalo) tells the story of Zog, a Dragon who desperately wants a gold star at school.

Accompanied on his quest for the good star, Zog (played by Elliot MacKenzie) are Princess Pearl (Emily Benjamin), fellow dragons Henry (Dixie McDevitt) and Pip (Robert Ginty) and Dragon teacher Madame Dragon (Euan Wilson).

The story line is simple to follow and at 55 minutes the production is just the right length to keep children engaged, especially as there is audience participation and the dragons “fly” around the audience. The set looks like a giant climbing frame but acts as various things from the woods where the dragons live to Princess Pearl’s prison cell. The use of puppets is well thought out as well as puppet versions of the dragons are used when they are flying but the Dragon costumes worn by the cast being the dragons to live on stage. Pearl is a wonderful character who decides against being a princess and decides to become a doctor. Joining Pearl is Sir Gadabout The Great (Robert Ginty) who becomes the nurse to Pearls doctor. The duo become a trio when Zog offers to be their ambulance and fly them around the world healing people.

All in all Zog is a brilliant production to get children interested in theatre all I’m still not sure if it is a musical or a play with songs but any production that shows that girls can be doctors and boys can be nurses are amazing and every one should go and see this show.

New Victoria Theatre, Woking – until 23rd February 2019

Reviewed by Alexandra Sykes

4****

Over the years I have seen a lot of jukebox musicals and I have loved each and every one of them so The Band is no different. Featuring the music of Take That, The Band has audiences singing and dancing along.

The musical starts with 16 year old Rachel (Faye Christell) explaining that she grew up listening to a boy band, knew all the words to their songs and all her friends – Heather (Katy Clayton), Claire (Sarah Kate Howarth), Zoe (Lauren Jacobs) and Debbie (Rachelle Diedricks) loved them as well. After an unfortunate event after going to see the boy band in Manchester the girls part ways but are brought back together 25 years later after a grown up Rachel (Rachel Lumberg) wins tickets to see the boys on their reunion tour in  Prague. Leaving behind boyfriend Jeff (Martin Miller), she meets up with Heather (Emily Joyce), Claire (Alison Fitzjohn) and Zoe (Jayne McKenna)

The story makes you want to ring your best friend and tell them you love them (which I did) whilst singing along to Take That. With the songs woven well into the story and sung mainly by AJ Bentley, Nick Carsberg, Curtis T Johns, Sario Soloman and Yazdan Qafouri who all won their parts via a TV Talent show. The set works well with the story as do the outfits worn by the characters.

All in all a good innocent girly night out that will be enjoyed for many years to come

Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of ‘Les Misérables’ to return to Greater Manchester in May 2020!

Cameron Mackintosh announced that his acclaimed production of the Boublil and Schönberg musical ‘LES MISÉRABLES’ will return to Greater Manchester in May 2020 when it plays The Lowry in Salford from Tue 12 – Sat 30 May 2020. Booking opens to members at 10am on Mon 25 February 2019 with general on sale at 10am on Fri 1 March 2019.

The musical opened its sell out run at the Manchester Palace Theatre last night where it plays until Sat 30 March. The run at The Palace sold out within days.

Since Cameron Mackintosh first conceived this new production of ‘Les Misérables’ in 2009 to celebrate the show’s 25th anniversary it has taken the world by storm. Originally touring the UK throughout 2009/10, and concluding with 22 performances at the Barbican, this production was hailed by audiences and critics alike. This tour opened in Leicester in November last year and has already played sell out runs in Dublin and Edinburgh.

This production inspired the hugely successful movie version starring Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Eddie Redmayne. This brilliant new staging has scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo,and has to date already been seen in North America, Brazil, Mexico, Korea, Japan, Canada, Australia, Spain, France, Manila, Singapore, Dubai and Broadway.

Boublil and Schönberg’s magnificent score of ‘LES MISÉRABLES’ includes the songs, ‘I Dreamed a Dream’, ‘On My Own’, ‘Stars’, ‘Bring Him Home’, ‘Do You Hear the People Sing?’, ‘One Day More’, ‘Empty Chairs at Empty Tables’, ‘Master Of The House’ and many more.  Seen by over 120 million people worldwide in 52 countries and in 22 languages, ‘LES MISÉRABLES’ is undisputedly one of the world’s most popular musicals.

Cameron Mackintosh’s production of ‘LES MISÉRABLES’ is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and is based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, additional material by James Fenton and original adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird. The original ‘LES MISÉRABLES’ orchestrations are by John Cameron with new orchestrations by Christopher Jahnke, Stephen Metcalfe and Stephen Brooker. The production is directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell, designed by Matt Kinley inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo with costumes by Andreane Neofitou and Christine Rowland, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter, musical staging by Michael Ashcroft and Geoffrey Garratt, projections by Fifty-Nine Productions and music supervision by Stephen Brooker and Graham Hurman.

DAVID WALLIAMS SCORES A HAT-TRICK AS NEW PRODUCTION OF BILLIONAIRE BOY IS ANNOUNCED

Birmingham Stage Company Presents

David Walliams’ BILLIONAIRE BOY

Tour runs September 2019 – November 2020

National press performance: Wed 30 October 2019, 7pm at Richmond Theatre

The bestselling children’s author David Walliams and the award-winning Birmingham Stage Company have today announced a new production of Billionaire Boy to tour Britain. This will be their third collaboration after the Olivier Award nominated Gangsta Granny and acclaimed Awful Auntie productions. Billionaire Boy started life as a David Walliams novel for children in2010, published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, and was filmed for the BBC in 2016. It will nowembark on a national tour on 26 September 2019 from Horsham’s Capitol Theatre.

Billionaire Boy tells the story of Joe Spud, who is twelve years old and the richest boy in the country. He has his own sports car, two crocodiles as pets and £100,000 a week pocket money. But what Joe doesn’t have is a friend. So he decides to leave his posh school and start at the local comp. But things don’t go as planned for Joe and life becomes a rollercoaster as he tries find what money can’t buy!

David Walliams said today: “I absolutely loved the BSC’s terrific productions of Gangsta Granny and Awful Auntie so I can’t wait to see their brand-new production of Billionaire Boy! It promises to be a brilliant show!”

David Walliams has become one of today’s most influential writers. Since the publication of his first novel,The Boy in the Dress (2008), illustrated by the iconic Sir Quentin Blake, David Walliams has celebrated more than ten years of writing success with global sales exceeding twenty-nine million copies, and his books have been translated into fifty-three languages. David’s titles have spent 138 weeks (non-consecutive) at the top of the children’s charts – more than any other children’s author ever. He closed 2018 as the UK’s biggest-selling author for the second year running. In addition to his fiction, David has worked with Tony Ross on six picture books as well as three bestselling short-story collections, The World’s Worst Children.

Neal Foster is the adapter and director of Billionaire Boy. He is the Actor/Manager of The 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 fourteen years in the UK, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia. Neal has written and directed all of the most recent Horrible Histories shows including the Barmy Britain series seen in the West End, across the UK, and abroad. Billionaire Boy will be his third David Walliams stage show after Gangsta Granny and Awful Auntie. Last week he opened the world premiere of Tom Gateswhich he adapted with the author Liz Pichon which will be touring the country through to 2020.

Billionaire Boy is adapted and directed by Neal Foster, designed by Jackie Trousdale, lighting by Jason Taylor, sound by Nick Sagar, special effects by Scott Penrose and music by Jak Poore.

Billionaire Boy is suitable for ages 5 +

Twitter: @BillBoy_Live

Facebook: birminghamstage

List of tour dates: billionaireboylive.co.uk

Tour dates currently on sale are:

Capitol Theatre, Horsham                                             26 – 29 Sep 2019

Hull New Theatre                                                             09 – 12 Oct 2019

Derngate Theatre, Northampton                              16 – 19 Oct 2019

Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe                               23 – 26 Oct 2019

Richmond Theatre                                                          30 Oct – 02 Nov 2019

Orchard Theatre, Dartford                                           13 – 16 Nov 2019

Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham                                 20 – 23 Nov 2019

Theatre Royal, Glasgow                                                 15 – 19 Jan 2020

Cliffs Pavilion. Southend-on-Sea                                23 – 26 Jan 2020 [on sale 26 Feb]

De Montfort Hall, Leicester                                          04 – 08 Mar 2020

THE BEST OF…

ROCK MUSICALS
In aid of The Charlie Waller Memorial Trust

• CASTING HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED FOR THE PERFORMANCES ON MAY 12TH
• THE BEST OF… ROCK MUSICALS AT THE EVENTIM APOLLO, HAMMERSMITH, IN AID OF THE CHARLIE WALLER MEMORIAL TRUST
• THE PERFORMERS TAKING PART WILL INCLUDE THE PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED ADAM PASCAL, KERRY ELLIS, ADRIANNA HICKS, KRISTINA LOVE AND DAVID MICHAEL JOHNSON. THEY WILL BE JOINED BY SABRINA ALOUECHE, ELVIE ELLIS, RACHEL FABRI, CHARLOTTE HARWOOD, ROB HOUCHEN, DEBBIE KURUP, CHRISTIAN LUND, JON ROBYNS, RAY SHELL, NOEL SULLIVAN AND JUDY KUHN.
• DEVISED AND DIRECTED BY HUGH WOOLDRIDGE (THE NIGHT OF 1000 VOICES)
• TICKETS ON SALE NOW www.thebestofmusicals.com

On Sunday 12 May 2019 at London’s Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, there will be two concerts ofThe Best of… Rock Musicals for the benefit of The Charlie Waller Memorial Trust.  It will be the 20th Anniversary production from the same team who for the last 19 years have presented The Night of 1000 Voices at the Royal Albert Hall and elsewhere.

As previously announced The Best of… Rock Musicals will feature New York’s Adam Pascal(Rent); Europe’s Adrianna Hicks (The Color Purple), Kristina Love (Tina) and David Michael Johnson (Jesus Christ Superstar); and London’s Kerry Ellis (Wicked) together with a host of Broadway and West End talent, the West End Chorus, the City of London Philharmonic AllStars. They will be joined by Judy Kuhn (Fiddler on the Roof), Debbie Kurup (The Bodyguard), Ray Shell (Starlight Express), Sabrina Aloueche (We Will Rock You), Elvie Ellis (The Little Shop of Horrors), Rachel Fabri (The Sound of Music), Charlotte Harwood (Loserville), Rob Houchen (Titanic the Musical), Christian Lund (Phantom of the Opera), Jon Robyns (Hamilton) and Noel Sullivan (We Will Rock You).

Amongst many others, The Best of… Rock Musicals will include songs from Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair, Evita, Chess, Aida, Miss Saigon, RENT, Tommy, We Will Rock You, Spring Awakening, The Rocky Horror Show, Next To Normal, The Little Shop of Horrors, Dear Evan Hansen, Wicked and The Lion King.

The Charlie Waller Memorial Trust was formed in 1997 by the Waller family in memory of their son and brother, Charlie, who took his own life whilst suffering from depression.  The Trust offers support and education to those affected by depression and mental illness.  Its vision is of a world where people understand and talk openly about depression; where young people are educated on the importance of staying mentally well, and where treatment is available to everyone who needs it.

Particularly in musical theatre and the performing arts, depression and mental unhappiness is often masked by a smiling face.  Everyone has a duty to protect each other in a profession where rejection and redundancy are two of the most common words in daily usage.  The Charlie Waller Memorial Trust offers vital information on preventing depression and is producing tailored guidance for performers.

With musical directors Stuart Morley (We Will Rock You) and Kevin Amos (Jesus Christ Superstar), and choreographers Kevan Allen and Andrew Wright, The Best of… Rock Musicals will again be devised and directed by Hugh Wooldridge who says “This event is a must for all who love rock musicals and musical theatre.  With the very best artistes in the world coming together to celebrate the very best in rock musicals from the last 50 years.  Come along again on our 20th birthday and join in the fun and support this most splendid charity in the name of Charlie Waller, whilst raising the roof of the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith.”

Further performers will be announced in due course.  All artistes are subject to their professional commitments.

LISTINGS

THE BEST OF… ROCK MUSICALS
Devised and Directed by Hugh Wooldridge
Musical Directors: Stuart Morley and Kevin Amos
Choreographers: Kevan Allen and Andrew Wright
Eventim Apollo Hammersmith
45 Queen Caroline St, Hammersmith, London W6 9QH
020 8563 3800

First performance           Sunday May 12, 2019 at 4.00pm
Final performance         Sunday May 12, 2019 at 8.00pm

Box office details             0844 249 1000

                                                www.thebestofmusicals.com

Prices from                        £15.00

Websites:

The Best of Musicals                                          www.thebestofmusicals.com

The Charlie Waller Memorial Trust            www.cwmt.org.uk

THE CAST IS ANNOUNCED FOR

NICHOLAS HYTNER’S IMMERSIVE PRODUCTION OF SHAKESPEARE’S

A   M I D S U M M E R   N I G H T ’ S   D R E A M

Gwendoline Christie, Oliver Chris, David Moorst and Hammed Animashaun lead the cast as Titania, Oberon, Puck and Bottom in Nicholas Hytner’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dreamwhich has its first performance in the Bridge Theatre’s immersive format this summer on 3 June.

The theatre becomes the forest – a dream world of flying fairies, contagious fogs and moonlight revels.  The seating is wrapped around the action while the immersive tickets allow the story to be followed on foot.

The production re-unites the team responsible for last year’s smash-hit Julius Caesar.  Direction is byNicholas Hytner, design by Bunny Christie, costume by Christina Cunningham, lighting byBruno Poet and sound by Paul Arditti and joining the team will be Grant Olding.

The full cast is Paul Adeyefa (Demetrius), Hammed Animashaun (Bottom), Charlotte Atkinson (Moth), Tessa Bonham Jones (Helena), Oliver Chris (Oberon/Theseus), Gwendoline Christie (Titania/Hippolyta), Jermaine Freeman (Flute), Isis Hainsworth (Hermia), Chipo Kureya (Peasebottom), Francis Lovehall (Starveling), Kevin McMonagle (Egeus), Ami Metcalf (Snout), Jamie-Rose Monk (Snug), Felicity Montagu (Quince), David Moorst (Puck), Lennin Nelson-McClure (Mustardseed), Rachel Tolzman (Fairy), Jay Webb (Cobweb) and Kit Young (Lysander).

A Midsummer Night’s Dream runs at the Bridge Theatre from 3 June – 31 August 2019 and has its opening night on 11 June 2019.  Evening performances are Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm with weekday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm (check website for details). 

Three hundred immersive tickets at £25 are available in advance for each performance with a special allocation of £15 immersive tickets held for Young Bridge members, a free scheme for those under 26.  

Gwendoline Christie is best known for portraying Brienne of Tarth in Game of Thrones. Her theatre credits include Dr Faustus and Mirandolina at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Breakfast at Tiffany’s at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, Cymbeline at the Barbican Theatre, Pravda for Chichester Festival Theatre and Great Expectations for the Royal Shakespeare Company. On television Christie’s credits also include Top of the Lake: China Girl by Jane Campion. Her film credits include Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Star Wars: The Last Jedi, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2, In Fabricby Peter Strickland, Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie as well as the forthcoming production of The Personal History of David Copperfield by Armando Ianucci.

Oliver Chris’ credits include One Man Two Guvnors and King Charles III both of which transferred to the West End and then to Broadway. He was in the Bridge’s opening production, Young Marx. His other work in the theatre includes Great Britain, Season’s Greetings and Twelfth Night for the National Theatre, Closer for the Donmar Warehouse, Women and Cyrano de Bergerac for the Royal Exchange Theatre and The Taming of the Shrew at Wilton’s Music Hall.  On television he has been seen inMotherland, King Charles III, The Musketeers, The Scandalous Lady W, Bluestone 42, Breathless, Silent Witness, Hotel Babylon, Green Wing, The IT Crowd and The Office. His film credits include The Little Stranger, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason and The Gathering. He recently directed Ralegh: The Treason Trial at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.

David Moorst won Best Newcomer (Critics’ Circle) and Emerging Talent Award (Evening Standard) a year after graduating from LAMDA.  He was at the Bridge Theatre last summer in Allelujah!. His other theatre credits include Shopping and Fucking at the Lyric Hammersmith, Into the Woods for the Royal Exchange Theatre, Violence and Son at the Royal Court and Wonderland at Hampstead Theatre. His television and film credits include Grantchester, Partners in Crime, Holby City and Peterloo. 

Hammed Animashaun was in Barbershop Chronicles, Amadeus and The Threepenny Opera for the National Theatre, The Importance of Being Earnest, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Bugsy Malone andSecret Theatre for the Lyric Hammersmith, Measure for Measure at the Young Vic, Hate at the Barbican Theatre and The Boy Who Fell Into a Book at Soho Theatre. His television and film credits include Black Mirror and The Festival.

This is the first time Nicholas Hytner has directed A Midsummer Night’s Dream. His previous Shakespeare productions are As You Like It, Hamlet, Henry IV Part 1, Henry IV Part 2, Henry V, Julius Caesar, King Lear, Measure for Measure, Much Ado About Nothing, Othello, Timon of Athens, Twelfth Night and The Winter’s Tale.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Address:                           Bridge Theatre, 3 Potters Fields Park, London, SE1 2SG

Box Office:                        0333 320 0051 or [email protected]

Tickets are priced from £15 to £69.50 with a limited number of premium seats available.   A special allocation of £15 tickets are held for Young Bridge, a free scheme for those under 26. 

Access:                            0333 320 0051 or [email protected]

Website:                           www.bridgetheatre.co.uk

Twitter:                            @_bridgetheatre

Instagram:                        _bridgetheatre

Facebook:                         facebook.com/bridgetheatrelondon

Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh – until 2 March 2019

Reviewed by Hannah Plumb

5*****

As a long-standing Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons fan I was optimistically looking forward to seeing The Jersey Boys musical. In my experience with jukebox musicals even if the entire show isn’t up to scratch it’s a pleasure to be able to hear the music of a legend. However, from the opening scene of Jersey Boys, I was transfixed. This is a musical that will leave you filled with joy and listening to the soundtrack for days on end. Not to mention bothering your friends and families with your own interpretations of Valli’s astounding vocals. 

This production has so many strong points I’m not entirely sure where to start. I will begin by saying it is a genuine pleasure to watch so many talented professionals excel in their art. In a time where most musicals, especially touring productions, have at least one role filled by a celebrity stunt cast it is wonderful to see so many performers trained not only by institutions but paying their dues in smaller roles have their chance to show the world why they’re the best at what they do. 

The production is led by the Jersey Boys themselves. Simon Bailey as Tommy Devito starts us off in the story as the man who makes trouble for himself and others but you can’t help but love. His charm and charisma paired with his smooth voice are what lets you know you are in for a treat. Then comes Declan Egan as Bob Gaudio, the playing the musical genius that enthrals the audience from the second he hits the stage. His theatre credits may not be as long as the rest of the cast but what he has done speaks for itself. I believe we can expect more great things from this man in the future. Lewis Griffiths, playing the understated Nick Massi may be the quieter one of the quartet but not only does his silky bass notes round out the harmonies beautifully his characterisation and comic timing make him and standout in this production. Lastly, but certainly not least we have the man himself, Michael Watson as Frankie Valli. Close your eyes and you will believe that Valli is there himself. Not everyone can capture the unique vocals of such a highly skilled artist but Watson delivers while also being a fantastic actor and dancer. 

In fact, every member of this company is a genuine triple threat. A particular nod to James Alexander Gibbs who among other parts plays Joe Pesci a smaller role but one which sticks with you. Gibbs is comedy gold as he interacts with the four and even when he isn’t the focal point of the number draws your attention. 

I was blown away by this whole production, the band were outstanding, the set is the perfect backdrop to the story of underdog to worldwide legend. The whole musical is a triumph. If you see one show this year, go and see Jersey Boys!