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KEEP WATCHING – ENGINEER THEATRE COLLECTIVE TAKE ON SURVEILLANCE CULTURE

·       2 April – 4 May 2019  | New Diorama Theatre NW1

In 2019 we spend our whole lives being watched: whether by the government, private corporations or institutions we don’t yet know, our every move is being scrutinised through phones, computers, satellites, credit cards and devices.

But what if, instead of this multi-faceted, protean collection of algorithms, cameras, microphones and geo-tracking devices, we were being watched by a single, unrelentingly devoted person? How would we feel?

As Kat struggles to navigate the everyday financial, professional, social, romantic and familial issues which define the modern millennial, she gradually realises that her every move is being watched. After the initial shock of this discovery she begins to associate the sensation with comfort and security, getting dangerously close to falling in love with the idea.

Engineer Theatre Collective – the devising company who tackle urgent contemporary issues with a combination of incisive research, fast-paced storytelling and genre-shifting collaborative creativity- return with an unnerving and thrilling tale about modern society’s relationship with surveillance, and the impact of technology and consumerism on our personal privacy.

The show has been written with inspiration from first-hand interviews with public sector workers and surveillance professionals, and valuable guidance from the UK’s premiere surveillance charity Privacy International.

Keep Watching will be written by Engineer’s co-artistic director Jesse Fox, directed by fellow co-artistic director Simon Lyshon and performed by company members George Evans and Beatrice Scirocchi and actress Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo, whose recent performance in The Convert at The Yong Vic was described by britishtheatre.com as “nothing short of extraordinary”.

Recreating an instantly recognisable modern British cityscape, Engineer will continue their track record of innovative directorial techniques by using sung voice to create an overarching and unsettling atmosphere of putative utopia, adding another layer of dramatic tension to the play’s ambivalent relationship to its subject matter.

Engineer’s previous productions include Missing which used first-hand interviews with those who had experienced disappearances to tell the real story behind missing persons investigations, Run – an intensely stylised insight into young people starting out in the financial sector, and The Gap in the Light – a cinematic horror

LISTINGS INFORMATION

KEEP WATCHING by Engineer                                                          2 April – 4 May 2019

TICKETS

£15.00; £3.00 JSA

https://www.newdiorama.com/whats-on/keep-watching

New Diorama Theatre

15-16 Triton Street

Regent’s Place

London NW1 3BF

BOOKING INFORMATION

For the best tickets, book online at www.newdiorama.com

To book by telephone, ring 020 7338 9034

SDWC Productions in association with the Finborough Theatre
Cast announced for the first London revival
of Maggie May
Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, London SW10 9ED
Wednesday 27th March – Saturday 20th April 2019

SDWC Productions announce the full cast for the revival of the hit British musical Maggie May. With music and lyrics by Lionel Bart and book by renowned dramatist Alun Owen, Maggie May has not been seen on the professional stage in London since its 1964 premiere at the Adelphi Theatre.

In this hard-hitting celebration of working class life in Liverpool’s docks in the 1960s, Maggie May will be played by Kara Lily Hayworth (Cilla the Musical, National Tour; Annie, National Tour; The Mystery of Edwin Drood), with James Darch (Wicked, Apollo Victoria; Mamma Mia!, Novello Theatre; Cats, National Tour) as Patrick Casey, and Natalie Williams (Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Theatre Royal Drury Lane; Oliver!, Leicester Curve; Scrooge, London Palladium) playing Maureen O’Neill.

The cast also includes Mark Pearce (Twelfth Night, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre; The Wedding Singer, Leicester Curve), Leon Kay (High Society, The Old Vic; Billy Elliot, National Tour), Michael Nelson (Mamma Mia!, National and International Tour; The Rink, Southwark Playhouse; Our House, National Tour), Barnaby Taylor (The Tempest, The Faith Machine, Guildhall School of Music and Drama), Aaron Kavanagh (Some Lovers, The Other Palace; This is The Greatest Show, National Tour; The Rocky Horror Show, European Tour), Chloe Carrington (Jersey Boys, International Tour; The Wizard of Oz, Blackpool Opera House), Euan Bennet (Sunshine On Leith, West Yorkshire Playhouse and National Tour; Jack and The Beanstalk, Paisley Arts Centre); Cathy McManamon (Me and My Girl, London Palladium; Jack The Ripper, Jermyn Street), Joshua Barton (The Commitments, National Tour and Ireland Tour; What The Ladybird Heard, International Tour) and David Keller (Hamlet, Theatr Clwyd; The Elephant Man, Theatre Royal Plymouth).

This production marks the 20th anniversary of the death of Lionel Bart, described by Andrew Lloyd Webber as ‘the father of the modern British Musical’. Winner of the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Score of the Year and the Critics’ Poll Award for Best New British Musical, Maggie May includes one the most musically diverse scores of the 1960s, ranging from bitter sweet ballads, Mersey Beat rock ‘n’ roll and classic chorus numbers.

Full of vigour, northern wit and brassy tunes, this is the story of ‘street walker’ Maggie May Duffy and her childhood sweetheart, Patrick Casey. Their love story is set against the economic decline of Liverpool’s docks at the height of the City’s cultural revival through the Mersey Beat sound.

Director, Matthew Iliffe, said, In the year which marks the twentieth anniversary of legendary British songwriter Lionel Bart’s death, it seemed appropriate to honour his legacy with a revival of Maggie May, Bart’s hit musical which ran at the West End’s Adelphi Theatre in 1964. Bart was a workingclass maverick from the East End who, despite not being able to read or write music, penned the soundtrack to 1960s Britain, with hits such as Living Doll for Cliff Richard, Bond Theme From Russia With Love for Matt Monroe and of course the score for Oliver! As a librettist and lyricist he also captured the contemporary zeitgeist like no other with shows like Fings’ Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be and indeed Maggie May. In doing so, he is arguably the only British writer of musicals to ever
successfully put working-class experiences centre stage. This anniversary gives us the chance to appraise his extraordinarily wide-ranging body of work and to celebrate a true British Icon.

This is the first professional London production since its premiere 55 years ago at the Adelphi Theatre, starring Rachel Roberts, Kenneth Haigh and Barry Humphries, where it was described by critics as Explosively vigorous (The Times), A punchy, pungent, spectacle of a show…big, bold and energetic (The Observer), and The most vigorous musical since West Side Story (The Daily Express).

Commenting on this London revival, the Lionel Bart Estate said, We are delighted to see Maggie May return to London after 55 years. This show was very important to Lionel and we only wish he were here to see it.

Additionally, Alun Owen’s son, Gareth, commented, Alun was very proud to be a native Liverpudlian and many of his plays were based on settings in Liverpool. Maggie May is a well- known Liverpool story and Alun gave his own unique insight into the events that are described in the production. I am delighted Maggie May is making a comeback.

Maggie May is performed by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) Limited on behalf of Josef Weinberger Limited

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR

THE BARN THEATRE PRODUCTION OF

THE BUTTERFLY LION

MICHAEL MORPURGO’S MUCH LOVED NOVEL

ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY DANIEL BUCKROYD

& DIRECTED BY JESSICA DANIELS

RUNNING FROM 2 APRIL – 4 MAY 2019

Full casting announced for the award-winning Barn Theatre’s (Best Fringe Theatre  – The Stage Awards 2019) upcoming production of The Butterfly Lion by the acclaimed writer and former Children’s Laureate, Michael Morpurgo (War Horse, Private Peaceful,Running Wild).

The cast comprises of: Jasper William Cartwright (Michael/Bertie), Jonathan Charles (Lion), Jeremy Cobb (Merlot), Henry Douthwaite (Father), Hilary Harwood (Millie), and Abigail Matthews (Mother).

One of Morpurgo’s finest works, this heart-warming yet bittersweet story of faithfulness, destiny and love has been adapted for the stage by Daniel Buckroyd. The production runs at The Barn from 2 April – 4 May, with press night on Thursday 4 April 2019, and is directed by Jessica Daniels, with designs by Lizzy Leech, puppetry designs and direction by Maia Kirkman-Richards, and lighting bySam Rowcliffe-Tanner.

The Butterfly Lion tells the extraordinary story of young Albert Andrews and the unlikely friendship that he strikes up with the orphaned white lion cub he rescues one day from the African Veldt. It’s an epic tale that spans more than seventy years and takes us from rural Wiltshire to the plains of South Africa, and from the bleeding heart of war-torn France finally back to England and the safety of home. It’s a journey that begins with a solemn promise made by a boy never to forget his friend, a journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat until its startling conclusion.

Following on from The Butterfly Lion, The Barn’s 2019 season continues with a William Shakespeareclassic history, Henry V (22 May – 22 June 2019), a brand new production of the comic thriller, The 39 Steps (10 July – 10 August 2019), the award-winning musical Daddy Long Legs (2 October – 2 November 2019), and a reimagining of Charles Dickens’ festive masterpiece, A Christmas Carol (27 November 2019 – 4 January 2020). 

LISTINGS

The Butterfly Lion

Tuesday 2 April – Saturday 4 May 2019

Written by Michael Morpurgo

Adapted by Daniel Buckroyd

Directed by Jessica Daniels

Press Night: Thursday 4 April at 18:30

Performance Times: 14:30 / 19:30

Address: The Barn Theatre, 5 Beeches Road, Cirencester, GL7 1BN

Theatre For All: In conjunction with the launch of the 2019 season, The Barn will also be launching a new ticketing initiative as part of their Theatre For All strategy. This initiative provides an all-inclusive strategy that enables everyone in the community to experience high-quality productions at an affordable price.  #TheatreForAll

General Ticket Prices: From £8-£32

Concessions: Available to children under 16, over 65, and members of the Uniformed Public Services.

Season Tickets: From £32-£128

20% off the general ticket pricing, offering audiences five shows for the price of four

Family Tickets: From £24-£96 (4 tickets – 2 adults x 2 children)

Group Tickets: From £10-£12

Save up to 33% on the standard ticket price – tickets only available for Rows Q-S

School Groups: School bookings for performances are available by contacting the Box Office.

Cashback: Available predominantly for charities, or any groups and organisations looking to raise much needed funds. Individuals buy tickets at face value and the Barn Theatre agrees to make a 20% donation of the total purchase back to the charity or group that have visited the theatre under the scheme.

Box Office (Phone): 01285 648 255 (10am-5.30pm, Mon to Sat)

Box Office (Online): boxoffice@barntheatre.com

Téatro Bar & Restaurant: Téatro is open from 5.30pm to late, Wed – Sat

Book A Table: 01285 648 238 or info@teatro-ciren.co.uk

The Barn Theatre Logo: Available to download HERE

The Barn Theatre Images: Available to download HERE 

2019 Season Artwork: Available to download HERE

The Butterfly Lion Cast Headshots: Available to download HERE

Website: barntheatre.org.uk

Twitter: @thebarntheatre

Facebook: @thebarntheatrecirencester

Instagram: @thebarntheatrecirencester

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED

FOR THE WEST END TRANSFER OF TREVOR NUNN’S

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION OF

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

Over 25,000 tickets at £20 or less across the run

★★★★★
‘This Fiddler raises the roof. A note-perfect production.’
The Guardian

Chocolate Factory Productions, Sonia Friedman Productions and Michael Harrison present

The Menier Chocolate Factory production of

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

Book by Joseph Stein               Music by Jerry Bock          Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick         

Director Trevor Nunn; Choreographers Jerome Robbins & Matt Cole; Set Designer Robert Jones   

Costume Designer Jonathan Lipman; Hair and Make Up Designer Richard Mawbey

Lighting Designer Tim Lutkin; Sound Designer Gregory Clarke

Musical Supervisor & Director Paul Bogaev; Orchestrations Jason Carr

Joining Andy Nyman (Tevye) and Judy Kuhn (Golde) to complete the West End company of Trevor Nunn’s critically acclaimed production of Fiddler on the Roof are Nicola Brown (Chava), Harriet Bunton (Hodel), Dermot Canavan (Lazar Wolf), Stewart Clarke (Perchik), Joshua Gannon (Motel), Matthew Hawksley (Fyedka),Louise Gold (Yente), and Molly Osborne (Tzeitel), as well as Miles Barrow, Sofia Bennett, Philip Bertioli , Lottie Casserley, Elena Cervesi, Lia Cohen, Talia Etherington, Shoshana Ezequiel, Isabella Foat, Fenton Gray, James Hameed,  Adam Linstead, Adam Margilewski, Robert Maskell, Benny Maslov, Robyn McIntyre, Gaynor Miles,Ellie Mullane, Tania Newton, Craig Pinder, Valentina Theodoulou and Ed Wade. The production transfers to the reconfigured Playhouse Theatre from 21 March for a limited run – with over 25,000 tickets at £20 or less across the run. The production, which opens on 27 March, with previews from 21 March, and is booking until 15 June, is currently running at the Menier, where it completes its sell-out run on 9 March.

★★★★
‘This production bursts from the stage.’
Financial Times

Direct from its sold-out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Tony and Olivier award-winning director Trevor Nunn’s ‘exuberant revival’ (Daily Telegraph) of the classic Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof transfers to the West End for a strictly limited run. The Playhouse Theatre will be specially transformed into an immersive space for this ‘shiveringly intimate chamber musical about family’ (The Times).

Old traditions and young love collide in this joyous and timely celebration of life. Tevye’s daughters’ unexpected choice of husbands opens his heart to new possibilities, as his close-knit community also feel winds of change blowing through their tiny village.

Featuring the iconic score including ‘Tradition’, ‘Matchmaker, Matchmaker’, ‘Sunrise, Sunset’ and ‘If I Were a Rich Man’, and featuring original choreography from Tony Award-winning Jerome Robbins alongside new choreography by Matt Cole, Fiddler on the Roof ‘bursts from the stage’ (Financial Times), bringing new life to one of the most beloved musicals of all time.

Andy Nyman is an award-winning actor, director and writer who has earned acclaim from both critics and audiences for his work in theatre, film and television. As well as Fiddler on the Roof, his work for the Menier includes Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins and Abigail’s Party (also Wyndham’s Theatre). Other theatre work includes Martin McDonagh’s Hangmen (Wyndham’s Theatre), and the original production of Ghost Stories (Duke of York’s Theatre/Arts Theatre) which he starred in, co-wrote and co-directed with Jeremy Dyson. His extensive television credits include Wanderlust, The Eichmann Show, Campus, Crooked House, Dead Set as well as his highly acclaimed performance as Winston Churchill in Peaky Blinders. This year he will be seen in the up and coming series Hanna. Nyman’s extensive film credits include The Commuter, Death at a Funeral, Kick-Ass 2, Black Death,The Brother’s Bloom, Severance and Shut Up & Shoot Me, for which he won the ‘Best Actor’ award at the Cherbourg Film Festival in 2006. Upcoming films include Jungle Cruise and playing opposite Renee Zellweger in Judy. This year saw the release of the film version of Ghost Stories. Based on their own play, the film was written and directed by Nyman and Jeremy Dyson. Nyman also stars alongside Martin Freeman and Paul Whitehouse. In addition, he has collaborated with Derren Brown for almost 20 years, co-writing and co-creating much of Brown’s early TV work, he has also co-written and directed six of Brown’s stage shows winning the ‘Best Entertainment’ Olivier Award forDerren Brown – Something Wicked This Way Comes and recently a New York Drama Desk Award for ‘Best Unique Theatrical Event 2017’ for Derren Brown – Secret.

Judy Kuhn plays Golde. A four-time Tony Award nominee, she has released four studio albums, and sang the title role in the 1995 film Pocahontas, including her rendition of the song “Colors of the Wind”, which won its composers the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Her theatre credits include Fun Home (Public Theater/Circle In The Square Theatre), She Loves Me (Brooks Atkinson Theater), Chess, The Mystery of Edwin Drood (The Imperial Theatre), Les Miserables (Broadhurst Theatre), Rags (Mark Hellinger Theatre),Two Shakespearean Actors (Lincoln Center Theatre), King David (New Amsterdam Theater) and Metropolis(Piccadilly Theatre – Olivier Award Nomination), The Visit (The Williamstown Theater Festival), Passion, The Cradle Will Rock (City Center), Three Sisters (Intiman Theatre), Passion (Kennedy Center), Sunset Boulevard, Eli’s Comin’ , Dream True (Vineyard Theatre), The Ballad of Little Jo (Steppenwolf Theater), The Glass Menagerie(McCarter Theatre), Martin Guerre (Hartford Stage) and Endangered Species (BAM). Her film credits include Enchanted, Day on Fire, Pocahontas and Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World.

From 1968 to 1986, Trevor Nunn was the youngest ever Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, directing over thirty productions, including most of the Shakespeare canon, as well as Nicholas Nickleby and Les Misérables.  From 1997 to 2003, he was Artistic Director of the National Theatre, where his productions included Troilus and Cressida, Oklahoma!, The Merchant of Venice, Summerfolk, My Fair Lady, A Streetcar Named Desire, Anything Goes and Love’s Labour’s Lost. He has directed the world premières of Tom Stoppard’s plays Arcadia, The Coast of Utopia and Rock n Roll; and of Cats, Sunset Boulevard, Starlight Express and Aspects of Love by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Other theatre includes Timon of Athens, Skellig (Young Vic); The Lady From The Sea (Almeida Theatre); Hamlet, Richard II, Inherit the Wind (The Old Vic), A Little Night Music (Menier Chocolate Factory, West End and Broadway), Cyrano de Bergerac, Kiss Me Kate (Chichester Festival Theatre); Heartbreak House, Flare Path, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, The Tempest (Theatre Royal, Haymarket); Scenes from a Marriage (Coventry & St James), All That Fall (Jermyn Street & New York); A Chorus of Disapproval and Relative Values (West End).  Work for television includes Antony and Cleopatra, The Comedy of Errors, Macbeth, Three Sisters, Othello, The Merchant of Venice and King Lear, and on film, Hedda, Lady Janeand Twelfth Night. 

Listings                                                                                                                         Fiddler on the Roof

Playhouse Theatre

Northumberland Ave, London WC2N 5DE

Box Office: 0844 871 7631

Tickets from £20

www.fiddlerwestend.com

Twitter: @FiddlerWestEnd

Instagram: @FiddlerWestEnd

Facebook: /FiddlerWestEnd

Performances:

Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm until 30 March (matinees on Saturdays)

Tuesday to Saturday from w/c 2 April (matinees on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays)

Groups Bookings: 020 7206 1174

Access Bookings: 0800 912 6971

Captioned performance: Wednesday 8 May

Audio Described: Wednesday 15 May

StoryHouse – until Saturday 2nd March 2019

Reviewed by Julie Noller

5*****

Avenue Q the musical full of misfits, looking like Sesame Streets cute and lovable puppets; suddenly grew up and had a party that included lots of shots and a good dose of reality. This tour comes a whole sixteen years since Avenue Q first opened in New York where it’s set on funnily enough Avenue Q, I admit to googling Avenue Q… no it doesn’t exist but if it did well I’m sure just from looking at the jaw dropping set it would be so far removed from anywhere remotely trendy. It made me wonder if in fact Avenue Q wasn’t a pun in itself making me think of a true mixing pot of every whim society may throw into it.

It’s obvious that there’s a mini cult following of Avenue Q, audience members waiting for certain characters, certain songs. I had a conversation with someone who had listened to the entire show but not seen it, seeing her head bounce in time to the opening theme tune, I don’t doubt that.

All the music and lyrics are brought to us by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx who have an impressive back catalogue and list of awards between them, Frozen’s Let It Go and the Emmy nominated musical episode of Scrubs. Which raises the odd eyebrows when you note some of the musical numbers such as Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist, I’m Not Wearing Underwear Today, If You Were Gay… you get the idea. There may be puppets, there may be monster puppets but this is no where near a fluffy nod to life. It’s a warts and all look at life cleverly told through the mismatched lives of all those living on Avenue Q, perhaps by using puppets you can be a little bit more naughty. Shocked audiences don’t truly exist but laugh out loud audiences do. If you were to write a list of every cliche from homelessness to racism to homosexuality it’s right here tucked into a song somewhere, you’ll remember them but you’ll be laughing.

You’ll also be torn, will you keep your eyes fixed on those amazing puppets or the incredibly talented puppeteers? Multi tasking but at no time do you lose track of the story unfolding, I loved the singing and must mention Lawrence Smith (Princeon/Rod) Cecily Redman (Kate Monster/Lucy The Slut) Tom Steedon (Nicky/Trekkie Monster/Bad Idea Bear) and Megan Armstrong (MrsT/Bad Idea Bear/2nd Arm) for great singing and managing to sing in the different voices of each puppet.

The story itself resolves around Priceton, a recent graduate with a BA in English, having no idea what to do with that degree or indeed what his purpose in life is. His life mirrors an ordinary life perhaps doing extraordinary things and intermingling with the lives of those he meets living on Avenue Q. Rod an investment banker and a republican who lives so firmly in the closet that everyone bar him knows he is indeed gay. Kate Monster seeking a fulfilling relationship yet being so desperate it alludes her. Lucy the Slut (yes you read her name right) imagine any cowboy film of old where there’s always a femme-fatale yup that’ll be Lucy. Trekkie Monster well sounds and looks like the cookie monster crossed with Chewbacca gone wrong, he is sex mad to put it mildly – an adolescent teen who in his own words loves porn and made millions from investing in porn. The Bad Idea Bears who as you imagine are the devils on everyone’s shoulder, have a drink, have another, play drinking games, take her home. They have annoying loud pitched cutesy voices but you can’t help but laugh and love them, we have all played the role of Bad Idea Bear at some time. Nicholas Mclean is great as Superintendant Gary Coleman including delivering his well used catchphrase ‘What you talking about Willis’

It’s a polished performance that’s been practiced, rehearsed and performed countless times, well thought out and developed concept and deserves to be an award winner and well followed with it’s own fan base. Quite a few will proudly be wearing their the internet is full of porn tshirts today. Avenue Q may be cute and fluffy puppets but please don’t take the children unless you awkwardly want to explain what the Princeton and Kate and doing on the bed with no clothes on – yes you will be witnessing puppet intercourse and wow are those puppets supple. It’s a laugh a minute night out with friends who have a sense of humour and aren’t easily offended.

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford – until 2nd March 2019

Reviewed by Antonia Hebbert

4****

Sir Hugo Latymer is a rich, respected author. He lives in a luxurious Swiss hotel with a nice view. He is also a grumpy old thing, but he has married his saintly secretary, so he has someone to answer the phone and gracefully manage his rudeness.

When the play starts, he is fretting. An old flame is about to visit. Is she angry about the way she appears in his autobiography, or is she after money? But when she arrives, old flame Carlotta turns out to be rich and self-possessed. She wants something, but it isn’t clear what. Meanwhile, wife Hilde goes out for the evening, and in the background the waiter smoothly comes and goes.

By this time you are well into the first half of the play, and are wondering where it’s going. It’s all little jibes and sparring, but with no clear direction. Then Carlotta drops her bombshell and we begin to understand Sir Hugo better.

Simon Callow (Sir Hugo) does a fine job of being a fundamentally unhappy man who hasn’t been true to himself and takes out his misery on those around him. Jessica Turner is the lovely Hilde, who keeps her dignity despite the constant barrage of surly comments from Sir Hugo. They are utterly persuasive as one of those couples that are very close while not seeming to get on well together. Jane Asher doesn’t quite sparkle as Carlotta. She has the right mix of coolness and fieriness, but just seems a little awkward. Trite as I am, I felt she had a footwear problem. Things got better once she kicked off those shoes and could move with full natural grace.

This is a late play by Noel Coward. If the name suggests an evening of dazzling wit and repartee, you won’t find it here. But it does become intriguing, as Carlotta remorselessly digs out the truth, and Hilde turns out to be more complicated than a sweet doormat. It is one of a trio that Coward wrote when he had gone out of fashion and become a tax exile (Bermuda then Switzerland). The play draws on real experiences of outwardly brilliant, successful people who felt they had to live a lie.

Simon Higlett’s handsome hotel room design, with lake view, is so realistic that I found myself being slightly distracted by the moon not rising as it should have done in the sky. Drinks are poured and a meal is served very convincingly – special mention here for Ash Rizi, who is a delight to watch as Felix the waiter, discreetly going about his work. He is important too, as the character that links together the three plays in Coward’s trio. The director is Stephen Unwin.

Three stars for the rather laboured first half, but four for the second.

ROB BRYDON TO PROBE BARRY

HUMPHRIES LIVE ON STAGE

• Comedy giant Barry Humphries returns to London for an onstage ‘probing’ by Rob Brydon
• Titans of comedy will come together under one roof at the London Palladium on April 28
• Show will see Byrdon ‘probe’ the Dame Edna superstar about his top comedy moments and life in the limelight

Comedy legend Barry Humphries is returning to London to be probed by Rob Brydon live on stage.

The Dame Edna Everage superstar promises to reveal all during the once-in-a-lifetime event Rob Brydon Probes Barry Humphries Live On Stageat the London Palladium on April 28.

The evening will consist of antipodean antihero Humphries being interviewed by Rob Brydon, star of The Trip, Would I Lie To You? and Gavin and Stacey.

In a vein similar to that of BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, Barry will be revealing his top 10 comedy moments of all time, which will be shown a huge HD screen.

The legendary comic, now 85-years-old, will also give a no holds barred telling of his 64 years on stage.

From his early days after as a fresh-faced graduate starting out at the Melbourne Theatre Company as Dame Edna, to selling out the Palladium in the 80s, Rob Brydon Probes Barry Humphries Live on Stagewill explore the man behind the makeup.

Rob Brydon said: 

“I’ve admired and been influenced by Barry Humphries for as long as I can remember.

“I will probe his every nook and cranny, relentlessly.”

Barry Humphries added: 

“I’m nervous about being probed by Mr Brydon, I consulted his wife.

“She reassured me by saying that it could be rather entertaining on the odd occasion.”

Chris Daniels, Director of Rob Brydon Probes Barry Humphries Live on Stage, commented: 

“The London Palladium could not be a more fitting venue for these two titans of the comedy world to come together and appreciate every inch of one another.

“Though they have their own, unique styles of comedy, Barry has served as a huge source of inspiration for Rob.

“To see them both under one roof will be unforgettable.”

Tickets for Rob Brydon Probes Barry Humphries Live on Stageon Sunday April 28 at 7.30pm are on sale now at www.lwtheatres.co.uk.

Fantasies do come true – Avenue Q is back!
Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
Tuesday 26 – Saturday 30 March 2019
Signed performance: Thu 28 Mar, 7.30pm, Captioned performance: Fri 29 Mar, 5.30pm
Audio Described performance: Sat 30 Mar, 2.30pm
*Tickets: £36.50 – £15.50
Call the Box Office on 01274 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk
*All prices shown include booking fees but are subject to postage charge if applicable.
Bradford Theatres usual terms and conditions apply

Guess Q’s back! The naughtiest puppets in town are coming to the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford when comedy musical Avenue Q makes a welcome return with all of your favourite fuzzy friends

Following five years in the West End, sell-out runs worldwide and smash hit tours in 2014, 2015 and 2016 (packed with mischief, bad behaviour and political incorrectness!) Tony Award-winning Musical, created by Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez ,Co-creator of Book of Mormon and writer of the songs for Disney’s Frozen, is an irresistibly charming tale of the loveable characters on a downtown New York street trying to make sense of life’s burning issues.

Cast includes Megan Armstrong, Jasmine Beel, Ellis Dackombe, Chloe Gentles, Nicholas Mclean, Robbie Noonan, Saori Oda, Cecily Redman, Lawrence Smith, Oliver Stanley and Tom Steedon.

Meet Princeton, a bright-eyed graduate who comes to New York City with big dreams and a tiny bank account. Brian the out-of-work comedian and his therapist fiancée Christmas Eve; Nicky the good-hearted slacker and his closet gay Republican roommate Rod, an Internet ‘sexpert’ called Trekkie Monster, Lucy the Sl*t (the name says it all!) and a very cute kindergarten teacher named Kate Monster. Featuring hysterically funny songs including The Internet is for Porn and Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist, Avenue Q is a hilarious musical with a warm (and very fuzzy) heart.

Avenue Q first opened Off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre in 2003, before transferring to Broadway later that year where it won three Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. In 2006 it transferred to the West End where it ran for five years before touring the UK. It has appeared in more than ten countries all over the world.

Hilarious, cheeky and uproariously entertaining, with a cast of 11 hugely talented performers and puppets, Avenue Q is the musical like no other. Suitable for audiences 14+

Please call the Box Office on 01274 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk for more information

CREATIVE TEAMS ANNOUNCED FOR 2019 SUMMER OF SHAKESPEARE

TICKETS NOW ON SALE

York: 25 June – 1 September

Blenheim Palace: 8 July – 7 September

The creative teams have been announced for SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE Europe’s first ever pop-up Shakespearean Theatre, both for the return to its original site in York and at the new site at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.

Both theatres will run simultaneously this summer, performing a total of eight Shakespeare plays.  The plays have been selected from across the genres, offering something for everyone, and will be performed in repertory by two companies of actors based at each location, with casting to be announced.

In York, the new repertoire of plays for 2019 will be Hamlet, Henry V, The Tempest and Twelfth Night.

Damian Cruden returns to SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE, having directed Macbeth last year in York.  This year he will direct Hamlet and will serve as overall artistic director for both companies. Joyce Branagh will join the company to direct Twelfth Night, Philip Franks will direct The Tempest, and Gemma Fairlie will direct Henry V. Sara Perks will be overall season designer and will act as set and costume designer for Hamlet and costume designer for Twelfth Night. Adrian Linford will be set and costume designer for The Tempest and costume designer for Henry V. Max Dorey will be scenic designer for Twelfth Night and Henry V.

The Blenheim Palace companies will be reviving the productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Macbeth as experienced in York last year as well as creating exciting new productions of Romeo & Juliet and Richard III.

Tom Wright will be Associate Director for Macbeth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Juliet Forster, who was the original director of A Midsummer Night’s Dream last year, will turn her skills to directing Romeo & Juliet this year. Amy Yardley will be associate scenic designer for both Macbeth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and scenic designer for Romeo & Juliet. Sarah Mercade will be associate costume designer for Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo & Juliet. Lucy Pitman-Wallace will direct Richard III, which will have scenic and costume design by Adam Nee.

Originator of the project and CEO of international theatre company, Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, James Cundall MBE, said “We are thrilled that Damian Cruden is once again joining us at SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE, this time as overall artistic director.  With him we are delighted to have found a first- class team of directors and designers for our eight productions.  We are looking forward to seeing their interpretations of these great plays.”

SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE – a 13-sided Elizabethan-style playhouse, complete with an Elizabethan village – will be constructed over a three week period in the glorious grounds of ‘Britain’s Greatest Palace’ where it will run from 8 July until 7 September, whilst in York the theatre will return to the foot of 13^th century Clifford’s Tower, where it will open on 25 June and run until 1 September.

At both the York and Blenheim Palace sites, the Shakespearean theatres will be constructed using state-of-the-art scaffolding technology, corrugated iron and timber.  Inspired by the famous London Rose Playhouse built in 1587, 12 years prior to The Globe, SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE will house an audience of 900, with 560 seated on three tiered balconies around an open-roofed courtyard with standing room for 340 ‘groundlings’.

Both theatres will be located within a Shakespearean village, bringing an authentic Elizabethan ambience and theatricality to the event, and will feature:

• ‘wagon’ performances of Elizabethan-style entertainment, including comic mini-plays, speeches and medieval musicians
• the best Yorkshire and Oxfordshire food and drinks, housed in the oak-framed and reed-thatched Bear Arms pub
• in York, an Elizabethan garden created by Yorkshire garden designer Sally Tierney, with ornate box-edged beds of roses, cottage flowers, herbs and vegetables.  Mrs Tierney is the winner of a Silver-Gilt medal at the Royal Horticultural Society’s renowned Chelsea Flower Show, and created the Elizabethan garden for SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE in York last year to great acclaim.
• in Blenheim, a village pond, farm wagons and carts, and an array of vintage farming implements, evoking a rustic rural scene
• tables and benches around the village, enabling visitors to enjoy the medieval atmosphere.

Dominic Hare, Chief Executive of Blenheim Palace, said “When I visited SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE in York last summer I was absolutely blown away, not only by the quality of the whole event, even down to the vintage carts and wagons, but by the extraordinary experience of seeing Shakespeare performed in such an intimate setting.  It created the most astonishing connection between audience and actors, and produced some truly spine-tingling moments. 

“I immediately thought it would be the ideal summer event for Blenheim Palace and am immensely excited at the prospect of bringing these outstanding Shakespeare productions, as well as the Elizabethan experience, to such a stunning setting. We believe that SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE will bring many more visitors to the area for everyone’s benefit as well as being a marvellous cultural experience for local people.”

The Blenheim Palace season will be co-presented by Raymond Gubbay Ltd, who have a wealth of experience promoting events and concerts worldwide, including the popular ‘Christmas at Blenheim Palace’ illuminated trail and Cinderella experience.

Anthony Findlay, Chief Executive of Raymond Gubbay Ltd, said “We have had the pleasure of working closely with Blenheim Palace for the past three years and have also enjoyed successful partnerships with Lunchbox Theatrical Productions on their touring shows. It’s hugely exciting that all three companies have now joined forces to bring this fabulous Shakespearean experience to the beautiful grounds of Blenheim Palace and the audiences of Oxfordshire and beyond.”

SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE and Shakespeare’s Village are produced by Yorkshire-based Lunchbox Theatrical Productions.  The Blenheim Palace season is presented in association with Raymond Gubbay Ltd and Blenheim Palace.

@ShakespearesRT

For more information on SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE or to book tickets at York please visit:www.shakespearesrosetheatre.com

To book tickets at Blenheim Palace please visit :www.blenheimpalace.com/shakespearesRT

York Listing Information

SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE – YORK

Clifford’s Tower, Tower St, York, YO1 9WD

Tuesday 25 June – Sunday 1 September 2019.

Hamlet, Henry V, The Tempest and Twelfth Night

For full performance schedule please visit www.shakespearesrosetheatre.com/performance-schedule

York Booking Information

Book online www.ticketmaster.co.uk

By phone 0844 847 2483

For Groups 0844 844 2121 or email groups@ticketmaster.co.uk

Calls cost up to 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.

In Person SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE, Tower St, York, YO1 9WD from 11am, Tues 25 June 2019

Tickets also available from

York Theatre Royal

Book online www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

By phone 01904 623 568

In person St Leonard’s Pl, York YO1 7HD

Tickets

All seats in SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE are the same – comfortably cushioned and backed, with plenty of leg room.  Groundling tickets in the courtyard are open-air, all other seats are under cover.  Visit www.shakespearesrosetheatre.com for seating plan and further details.

The York Experience £90.00*

Premium £65.95

A Reserve £54.95

B Reserve £43.95

C Reserve £32.95

D Reserve £27.45 (restricted view)

Groundlings £13.75

Wheelchairs – Courtyard £13.75, Premium £65.95.  Each wheelchair space includes carer seat free of charge.

Children (17 and under) £3 off all seats, £2 off Groundlings.

Groups of 10+ receive 10% off and groups of 20+ receive 20% off Premium, A and B Reserve tickets, with a further 5% off if booked and paid for by the end 28 February 2019.

Schools – Ten morning performances have been set aside for schools during July (see schedule), at £10 per ticket anywhere in the theatre, available by booking direct through Lunchbox Theatrical Productions on 01653 619650.  School tickets can be purchased for all other performances at the discounted price of £11.50 for Groundlings or £22 for best available B and C Reserve (limited to 50 tickets per performance). Teacher goes free with every 10 children.

Multi-Show Discounts: Buy tickets for 2 shows and enjoy 5% discount, 3 shows – 10% discount and all 4 shows – 15% discount. Only available through York Theatre Royal in Premium, A and B Reserve.

* The York Experience – 16 VIP seats are available for corporate entertainment or private parties, with an exclusive backstage experience and hospitality. Please contact Lunchbox Theatrical Productions on 01653 619650 for full details and to book tickets.

Prices inclusive of booking fee.  All transactions are subject to a single delivery charge, which varies by ticketing agent.

Blenheim Listing Information

SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE – BLENHEIM PALACE

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1UL

Monday 8 July – Saturday 7 September 2019.

Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Richard III, Romeo & Juliet

For full performance schedule please visit www.blenheimpalace.com/shakespearesRT

Blenheim Palace Booking Information

Book online www.blenheimpalace.com/shakespearesRT

By phone 0115 9129107 

Calls cost up to 13p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.

In Person SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE, Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1UL from 10am, Mon 8^th July 2019

Tickets

All seats in SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE are the same – comfortably cushioned and backed, with plenty of leg room.  Groundling tickets in the courtyard are open-air, all other seats are under cover.  Visit blenheimpalace.com/shakespearesRT  for seating plan and further details.

Premium £70.00

A Reserve £55.00

B Reserve £45.00

C Reserve £35.00

D Reserve £25.00 (restricted view)

Groundlings £15.00

Wheelchairs – Courtyard £15.00, Premium £70.00.  Each wheelchair space includes carer seat free of charge.

Children (16 and under) £3 off all seats, £2 off Groundlings.

Groups of 16+ receive 10% off all ticket types (excluding groundlings). Contact SEE groups on 0844 412 4650 or by emailing groups@seetickets.com

Schools – Eight morning performances have been set aside exclusively for schools at £10 per ticket in the theatre. 1 teacher goes free with every 10 children. Tickets available through SEE Tickets on 0800 852 7244 or by emailing education@seetickets.com.

There is up to 15% off when purchasing ‘combined tickets’.

Prices inclusive of booking fee. All transactions are subject to a single charge of £2 for print at home tickets and collections or £2.50 for postal orders.

John Godber’s 
Scary Bikers to make London transfer

SCARY BIKERS, starring the BAFTA Award-winning duo of John Godber and Jane Thornton, makes its London debut in April 2019 at the famous Trafalgar Studios on Whitehall.

Produced by The John Godber Company and Theatre Royal Wakefield, and written and directed by Godber, SCARY BIKERS is a new comedy that was commissioned by Sky Arts in 2018 as part of their ART 50 project which explored the idea of what it is to be British in a post-Brexit world.

When retired miner Don (Godber) and former private school teacher Carol (Thornton) meet by chance after both suffering a loss, they thought they’d found a new beginning. But a bike ride through Europe would test their budding romance, and the road to love is rocky when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object.

With themes of finding love after loss and the ongoing impact of the Brexit vote, Don and Carol travel across Europe as they reconcile the past, debate the present and worry about the future.

SCARY BIKERS opens for previews at Trafalgar Studios on Tuesday 2 April 2019 and runs until Saturday 27 April 2019. For more information or to book tickets go to atgtickets.com