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FIRST LOOK AT JOE SUGG IN HIS WEST END DEBUT AS OGIE IN

• Joe Sugg will star in the role of Ogie in Waitress the musical at the Adelphi Theatre from Monday 9 September.

Waitress has today released the first images of Joe Sugg as Ogie in London’s smash hit musical comedy where he will be making his West End debut from 9 September. The YouTube star, filmmaker, author, vlogger and 2018 Strictly Come Dancing finalist will take over the role from Blake Harrison, as previously seen as Neil from The Inbetweeners, following his final performance on 7 September.

Waitress tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams her way out of a loveless marriage. When a hot new doctor arrives in town, life gets complicated. With the support of her workmates Becky and Dawn, Jenna overcomes the challenges she faces and finds that laughter, love and friendship can provide the perfect recipe for happiness. 

Joe Sugg (Ogie) is a British YouTuber, filmmaker, author and vlogger. As of 2019, he has over 27 million followers across all social media channels and is an international star. His videos consist of challenges, pranks, impressions and gaming, across his three YouTube channels. Joe is the author of the tremendously successful graphic novel series ‘Username’, which was the fastest selling graphic novel of all time. He also wrote, starred and executive produced the travelogue specials ‘Joe and Caspar: Hit the Road’ and ‘Hit the Road USA’, with best friend – Caspar Lee, which set pre-order DVD sales records for Amazon, and both of which are available on Netflix. Last year, Joe launched Margravine Management with Caspar Lee. Margravine is a new talent management company that identifies, nurtures and elevates new talent in the digital sphere. Most recently, Joe was a finalist of one of the UK’s largest shows, BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.

Waitresscelebrated its official opening night at the Adelphi Theatre on 7 March and extended by popular demand, now booking through Christmas and New Year to 4 January 2020.

Brought to life by a ground breaking, female-led creative team, Waitress features an original score by 7-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles (Love Song, Brave), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam) and direction by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus (Pippin, Finding Neverland) and choreography by Lorin Latarro. The production is currently touring the US and has also announced it will have its Australian premiere in 2020 at the Sydney Lyric Theatre.

Alongside Joe Sugg as Ogie, Waitress stars Lucie Jones as Jenna, Laura Baldwin as Dawn,Marisha Wallace as Becky, Tamlyn Henderson as Earl, David Hunter as Dr. Pomatter andAndrew Boyer as Old Joe.

The full company includes Kelly Agbowu, Laura Baldwin, Piers Bate, Cindy Belliot,Andrew Boyer, Michael Hamway, Tamlyn Henderson, David Hunter, Lucie Jones,Stephen Leask, Chris McGuigan, Olivia Moore, Nathaniel Morrison, Sarah O’Connor, Leanne Pinder, Charlotte Riby, Joe Sugg, Marisha Wallace and Mark Willshire.

Waitress premiered on Broadway in March 2016 and has since become the longest running show in the history of the Brooks Atkinson Theater. The production is also currently touring the US and Canada and has announced an Australian premiere in 2020 at the Sydney Lyric Theatre with further productions to open in Holland next year and Japan in 2021.

On its Broadway opening, Waitress was nominated for four Outer Critics’ Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical; two Drama League Award Nominations, including Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical; six Drama Desk Nominations, including Outstanding Musical; and four Tony Award Nominations, including Best Musical.

Mites
Tristan Bates Theatre, 1A Tower St, London, WC2H 9NP
Monday 7th – Saturday 26th October 2019

The world premiere of the bleakly comic, psychological thriller Mites from James Mannion (Hedgehogs & Porcupines, Old Red Lion) comes to Tristan Bates Theatre this October. This absurdist piece is a sinister exploration of the manipulation which can underpin relationships, and especially considers the impact of this upon the mentally vulnerable in society. The production will star, as Ruth, Claire Marie Hall (The Grinning Man, West End; The Colours, Soho Theatre), Richard Henderson (Cursed, Netflix; Impact, Edinburgh Fringe) as Bartholomew and George Howard as Ken (Votes for Women, New Vic; The Comedy of Errors, UK tour)

A lonely woman, abandoned by her husband, lives in an isolated house with her outspoken, anthropomorphic cat, Bartholomew. One day she is visited by Ken, a Pest Controller, who claims to be her ex-husband returned to her. Deceived by his lies and obsessed with memories of the past, the woman accepts Ken into her life, despite the sceptical protestations of Bartholomew. As her self-deception grows and Ken’s true intentions become clear, how will she survive the competitive machinations of her two male companions? And is there more to Bartholomew than meets the eye?

Director Marcus Marsh comments, I am really excited to maintain Blueleaf Theatre’s ethos of developing new writing, working with emerging playwrights and creatives. James has produced a ground-breaking script in Mites which tackles mental health head on and the absurdist style of the piece means it is something we are sure an audience will have never seen on stage before. The play’s exploration of the manipulation in relationships and the effect this has on an individual’s mental health are issues both James and I feel are very important in today’s society. We hope this production widens the conversation and provokes discussion amongst audiences

An allegorical interpretation of mental health based on personal experiences, Mites explores the emotional turmoil which accompanies descent into mental instability. It creates a web of mistrust, intrigue and control using an absurdist narrative to mirror the disorientating panic, paranoia and helplessness. It is a psychological thriller which centres on a worsening spiral of manipulation and gaslighting. Mites is an eviscerating take on the predatory and the vulnerable, autonomy and delusion which pushes boundaries and throws probing questions up in the air

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR TRANSLATIONS

After a sold-out run, Ian Rickson’s acclaimed production of Translations returns to the NT in October 2019. Brian Friel’s modern classic is a powerful account of nationhood, which sees the turbulent relationship between England and Ireland play out in one quiet community. Dermot Crowley, Ciarán Hinds, Seamus O’Hara, Judith Roddy, and Rufus Wright return to reprise their roles, with Jack Bardoe, Liádan Dunlea, Fra Fee, Amy Molloy and Julian Moore-Cook joining the cast. Previews from 15 October.

Owen, the prodigal son, returns to rural Donegal from Dublin. With him are two British army officers. Their ambition is to create a map of the area, replacing the Gaelic names with English. It is an administrative act with radical consequences.

Directed by Ian Rickson, with design by Rae Smith, lighting design by Neil Austin and music by Stephen Warbeck sound design by Ian Dickinson, movement director Anna Morrissey.

NEW ‘DANCE FUSION’ COMPANY LAUNCHES IN MANCHESTER

Z BO JACKSON DANCE GALA

HOSTED BY KIMBERLY WYATT

PALACE THEATRE, MANCHESTER

TUESDAY 10^TH SEPTEMBER 2019

Z Bo Jackson, in partnership with the Palace Theatre, Manchester, are proud to announce a gala night of dance- hosted by Kimberly Wyatt – to launch The Z Bo Jackson Company – the UK’s first dance fusion theatre company.

From free runners to hip hop, ballet to street dance, the Z Bo Jackson Company will combine a diverse mix of dance styles with compelling storytelling and magnetic physicality.

The mix of dance styles on display, combined with stunning visuals, means the company’s performances will appeal to dance fans and musical theatre-lovers alike, as well as today’s YouTube and Insta-audiences.

The company launches on Tuesday 10^th September with a star-studded gala night of dance at the Palace Theatre, Manchester.

Hosted by the amazing Got to Dance judge and Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt, with guest artists Flawless(Britain’s Got Talent and Street Dance 2), ballet star Brandon Lawrence (Principal Dancer with the Birmingham Royal Ballet) and West End star Chrissy Brooke (winner of ITV’s Dance Dance Dance.)

Singer, dancer and choreographer Kimberly Wyatt will perform alongside Flawless in one number, while BRB’s Brandon Lawrence will perform a solo choreographed by the award-winning George Williamson. Chrissy Brooke will perform with the Z Company ensemble.

Innovative and respected choreographer and director Bo Jackson has created the vision behind the thrilling new company and is excited to launch in Manchester at the Palace Theatre.

Said Bo: “Manchester is the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and as such the perfect international city in which to launch a new dawn in dance for the 21st Century.

“The gala will provide a taste of Z’s future ambitions and celebrate Manchester’s unique placement as a Northern Powerhouse in theatre and dance.

“The Z brand will break down the walls of dance to create a uniquely diverse dance experience, as free runners mix with elite dancers, and ballet cross-pollinates with hip hop. Dance is a universal language and as Einstein observed ‘Dancers are the athletes of God’.

“As with this gala, the Z brand will invite celebrities and well-known dancers to appear alongside our main ensemble moving forward. We can’t wait to unleash our brand at the Palace Theatre next month.”

Host of the gala, Kimberley Wyatt, said: “I’m very excited to be part of this unique evening of dance in Manchester to celebrate the launch of Z Bo Jackson Company. It will be a spectacular night of celebrating all things dance, with street dance superstars Flawless, principal dancer of the Birmingham Royal Ballet Brandon Lawrence and Dance, Dance, Dance Star Chrissy Brooke. Prepare to be amazed!”

Get ready for an explosive night of entertainment at the Manchester Palace Theatre on Tuesday 10th September at 7.30pm. Tickets from £13.

To book tickets, please visit https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/z-bo-jackson-dance-gala/palace-theatre-manchester/

BIRTHDAY GIFTS GALORE FROM DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

To celebrate their 112th birthday, Darlington Hippodrome has unwrapped some special presents for the Autumn 2019 theatre season

With the theatre celebrating its 112th birthday today, Monday 2 September, there is a new autumn season brochure available including some thrilling drama, a hand-picked selection of the world’s most dazzling musicals and some truly magical family shows, alongside some huge household names to grace the Hippodrome stage

Drama lovers are in for a treat with a fabulous selection of plays. The classic Miss Marple tale A Murder is Announced, starring Sarah Thomas, Kazia Pelka and Tom Butcher (September 10-14) will have audiences on the edge of their seats as will The Lady Vanishes, a new stage adaptation based on the classic Hitchcock film, which stars Gwen Taylor, Andrew Lancel, Denis Lill and Mark Wynter (October 15-19). For those who like a really chilling night at the theatre The Woman in Black returns to Darlington (November 18-23). Kay Mellor’s smash hit TV drama Band of Gold has been adapted for the stage and stars Gaynor Faye and Shayne Ward (Jan 27 – February 1). National treasure Gwen Taylor stars in The Croft (February 11-15) a thriller by Ali Miles and we welcome back our pantomime dame Eric Potts but this time in a more serious role in By The Waters of Liverpool (April 9-11). Completing the season of drama is The Kite Runner (May 12-16)

There are gifts galore for musical theatre fans too

Celebrating 30 terrific years, Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story will have you dancing in the aisles (September 17 – 21). The entire family will simply love Madagascar The Musical (October 9 – 13) and there will be chills abound when DarlingtonOS presents Jekyll & Hyde The Musical (October 23 – November 2). Jason Manford heads a star-studded cast of West End theatre performers in the musical comedy / murder mystery Curtains (November 12 – 16). Joining Jason will be Carley Stenson, Rebecca Lock, Samuel Holmes, Leah West and Alan Burkitt. Catch up with ‘the girls’ as Menopause The Musical 2 stops off in Darlington (February 5-7)

For younger visitors and families there is a whole host of goodies.

A brand new stage show of In The Night Garden will enthral young visitors to the Hippodrome (September 28 & 29) and the David Walliams classic story Billionaire Boy will hit the stage later in the year (November 6 – 10). The annual festive family pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk stars Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas alongside dancing sensation George Sampson and comedian Phil Walker.

Operetta and Song & Dance fans have a selection of productions which will appeal to all tastes and ages.

The Russian State Ballet & Orchestra of Siberia present four spectacular ballets with Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker (January 23-26) and the spellbinding BalletBoyz return to Darlington with their new show Deluxe (March 5). In the autumn season, Darlington audiences will also be entertained by The English Youth Ballet, balletLorent, The Halle Orchestra, The London Mozart Players, The K&K Philharmonic and the Russian State Opera

There will be a number of fabulous ‘one night only’ appearances by some of the biggest names in entertainment including Brian Blessed (September 4), Julian Norton (September 16), David Harper (September 20), Frank Skinner (October 6), Alexander Armstrong (November 4), Alan Titchmarsh (January 8), Sir Michael Parkinson (February 9) and Jools Holland (May 23)

This is just a selection of the shows currently on offer at Darlington Hippodrome, additional shows are regularly being added to the schedule. To ensure you get the latest news visit the website and sign up to receive regular updates

Pick up one of the new Autumn 2019 season brochures and see for yourself what delights are in store at Darlington Hippodrome

For further information and to book contact the box office on 01325 405405, or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk to choose your own seats online. Follow the theatre on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Grand Opera House York – Saturday 31 August 2019

Reviewed by Zoe Giles

5*****

Wow, simply wow, Elesha Paul Moses has an amazing powerful voice and commands the stage with her performance, she certainly has stage presence and had perfected her Tina Turner moves, and with costume changes she led us through Tina’s iconic music career.

Starting the show in the classic Tina look of black leather mini skirt and high heels, she opened to the sound of Steamy Windows along the way Elesha interacted with the audience which certainly loosened up the atmosphere and prepared us all for later in the evening.

The live musicians were hugely talented and did several solo pieces to showcase their individual musical skills, one of the backing singers also gave an extremely strong performance, again she had a powerful voice which had the audience spellbound. Throughout the evening you could tell everyone involved in the production was enjoying the evening as much as the audience via eye contact and interaction with one another.

Elesha in the second half of the show changed again and the audience really warmed up clapping along to Addicted to Love then singing to the title song What’s Love got to do with it by the time we got to River Deep Mountain High, Simply the Best and Nutbush City Limits 90% of the audience including myself were up on our feet dancing!!!

And if they were not up they were singing and clapping along we were all genuinely sorry to see the show end.

On the way out everyone was saying how much they’d enjoyed it and how good it was, true testament for anyone considering going to see it don’t think about it just BOOK IT!!

Underbelly Festival Southbank – until 15 September 2019

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

This “Circus for Grownups” is a glorious night of escapism and joy. The tone is more cheeky than sultry, with the burlesque elements full of fun, and the male performers eagerly becoming the butt of jokes and laughter. With acts that appeal to everyone – Paul Westbrook welcomes “Ladies, gentlemen, and friends beyond the binary” – director Elena Kirschbaum has put together a titillating, high energy show that you can’t help but love.

Unfortunately, opera singer Issie Hart was unable to accompany the acts with her amazing voice on the night I visited, which would certainly have added an extra frisson to the risky acts on display. Paul Westbrook, Jessie Mckibbin and Lyndon Johnson deliver exciting aerial routines, and Madison Burleigh and Liam DeJong are a fantastic acrobatic team. Jessie Mckibbin and Lyndon Johnson’s duet on the cyr wheel is breath-taking, and her fire act had the entire audience whooping and clapping along (the musical choices throughout are eclectic and inspired).

With no introductions between acts, the show encourages the feeling that the cast are flying by the seat of their pants and just winging it, emphasised by the way some acts enter the stage. This adds to the jeopardy as the performers begin before the professionalism, strength and skill on display shines through, but there’s always a cheeky wink or wave just to make sure nobody is taking the show too seriously. The most memorable acts were also the funniest – the men ‘s OTT dance routine, a hilarious hula hoop act involving lamp shades that has to be seen to be believed, and Mckibbin’s routine keeping her 3 male unicorns in check with her whip. Fantastic filthy fun. Definitely not for children, but your gran will love it.

Cast announced for Fast at Park Theatre
Park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, London, N4 3JP
Tuesday 15th October – Saturday 9th November 2019

The cast has been announced for the compelling and chilling true story, Fast. A psychological drama, laced with suspense, it follows the cult health professional Linda Hazzard, played by Caroline Lawrie (Peaky Blinders, BBC; An Ideal Husband, The Old Vic; The Master Builder,
Theatre Royal Haymarket), whose cures had a shocking mortality rate. In a chilling parallel to our modern world of influencers peddling protein shakes and pills, Fast is the true story of Linda Hazzard who advocated a fasting cure that gripped the press and divided a nation

How far would you go to find the perfect cure? In an isolated region of the Pacific Northwest, ‘Dr’ Linda Hazzard opens her clinic to the public. But, the public do not always survive. Joining Lawrie on stage will be Jordon Stevens (Harlots, ITV and Hulu; Call the Midwife, BBC; Phantom Thread) and Natasha Cowley (Othelllo, Shakespeare’s Globe; Connections 2018, National Theatre; War and Peace, BBC Radio 4) who appear as her patients Claire and Dora Williamson. Journalist Horace R. Cayton Jr. will be played by Daniel Norford (Small Island, National Theatre; Disney’s The Lion King, UK and international tour; Rocky Shock, Wardrobe Theatre)

Shortlisted for Best New Play 2018 by New Writing South, Fast is a dark and powerful thriller, based entirely on real historical figures, which interrogates the lengths people will go to for ambition, for a story, for a cure. When searching for a clean slate without discomfort, niggles or twinges, it can be easy to lose sight of the risks of extreme methodologies when they promise to be the miracle solution

Director Kate Valentine comments, Hooked on Internet influencers, we now risk trusting people who peddle pills and potions and can lose sight of the perils to our health when adopting extreme regimes. Fast depicts a remarkable woman who uses her powers of persuasion to lure patients, desperate for any miracle cure. Laced with suspense and psychological drama, Fast explores the true crime of a woman determined to prove herself to a world challenging her methodologies

York Theatre Royal – until Sunday 1 September 2019

Review by Zoe Giles   

4****

For Jacqueline Wilson fans Hetty Feather at York theatre Royal is a real treat. The Youth Theatre put on a fantastic show. The stage production follows the book, so transports us into Hetty’s, or should that be Jacqueline’s, world. The stage set is perhaps more basic than expected, however, clever use of props helps us to understand exactly what is going on. The main structure is a frame with acrobatic equipment attached, which transforms itself from a tree in the children’s play,  and transforms to the big top of the circus and creates the back drop for all scenes. Rather than distract us, it is used to clever effect to the point that you forget  all about it at times.The young performers were amazing and extremely talented, the acrobatics were amazing considering they had no previous experience of such equipment before rehearsals, this made up for the loss of some of the opening lines from the younger performers. I was not sure if they were a bit shy and so not heard or sound issues as the music playing over the top drowned them out. Also watch out for the smoke effects if sitting in the first few rows of the stalls as in the first half they are very over powering for those seated near the front! 

The puppetry for the elephant was outstanding and very believable even down to squirting water on some unsuspecting audience members! They certainly had put a lot of thought and research into creating the elephant and how it was to move and interact with everyone. Also movement from the cast throughout the performance made the show even more memorable. Hetty, (Hannah Brown) gave a strong performance throughout and certainly had stage presence, the other main male characters, Joshua Burland and Stan Gaskell, were very humorous and performed through their bodies and voices as the much younger characters they were portraying.

The costumes were colourful and eye catching as well as being  well suited for the acrobatic movements required of the young performers. Whether they were children at play or members of the circus, Jasper McCarthy and Laura Sopher gave believable and strong performances within their circus roles. Another mention must go to Luke Tearney as matron; he had amazing stage presence, a strong powerful voice and at the end some unusual and funny dance moves!!!

All of the cast members gave a beautiful, powerful, emotional finale. Cast, crew members, sound engineers, musicians and everyone involved in this production, should be extremely proud of themselves for a very enjoyable production, which Jacqueline Wilson fans and theatre lovers everywhere will enjoy.

CAST OF BRAND NEW MUSICAL & JULIET

SURPRISE MANCHESTER METROLINK COMMUTERS WITH AN EXCLUSIVE PERFORMANCE

Manchester Metrolink commuters were treated to a surprise acoustic performance this morning from the cast of & Juliet, a brand new contemporary musical that will premiere at the Opera House on 10^th September for a five-week run in the city before transferring to the West End.  

& Juliet is a fresh and fast-paced musical that asks: what if Juliet’s famous ending was really just her beginning? The musical features some of the biggest pop anthems of the last 30 years from Grammy award winning songwriter Max Martin including Baby One More Time, Everybody, Love Me Like You Do and Can’t Feel My Face.

The talented and acclaimed stars of & Juliet hopped on the tram at Deansgate Castlefield and sang I Want It That Way by The Backstreet Boys on their journey to Victoria Station, where they stopped for photos before jumping back on the tram to St Peter’s Square and reprising the song.

The performance follows an appearance by Miriam-Teak Lee (Juliet) at last weekend’s Manchester Pride where the award-winning musical theatre star blew away the Sackville stage crowds delivering songs from the musical including Roar and Baby One More Time. 

& Juliet brings together a host of acclaimed West End stars who have headlined some of the most celebrated shows of recent years: Award-winning Miriam-Teak Lee (Hamilton, On The Town), Cassidy Janson (Leading Ladies, Chess, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical); Oliver Tompsett (Kinky Boots, Wicked); David Badella (Mack and Mabel, Rocky Horror Live), Arun Blair-Mangat (Leave to Remain, Angels in America); Melanie La Barrie(Wicked, Matilda); Jordan Luke Gage (who starred in the lead role of Strat in Bat Out of Hell), and Tim Mahendran (Spring Awakening).

& Juliet is the hilariously irreverent new musical that proves when it comes to love, there’s always life after Romeo…

& Juliet soars with some of the biggest pop anthems from acclaimed songwriter Max Martin and recorded by artists including Backstreet Boys, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Katy Perry and Ariana Grande, all brilliantly arranged by Tony® and Grammy Award-winning orchestrator Bill Sherman.

Brought to life by an award-winning creative team in an explosive fusion of styles, & Juliet will be directed by Luke Sheppard (In the Heights) with a book by David West Read (Schitt’s Creek), electrifying choreography from Jennifer Weber, stunning set design from Soutra Gilmour and costume design by Paloma Young.

Max Martin and Tim Headington present & Juliet, which is produced by Max Martin, Tim Headington, Theresa Steele, Jenny Petersson and Martin Dodd.

The production will play a limited season at Manchester Opera House, from Tuesday 10 September to Saturday 12 October, before beginning performances in London at The Shaftesbury Theatre on Saturday 2 November.

The ensemble includes Jocasta Almgill, Josh Baker, Alishia-Marie Blake, Ivan De Freitas, Rhian Duncan, Danielle Fiamanya, Kieran Lai, Nathan Lorainey-Dineen, Jaye Marshall, Grace Mouat, Antoine Murray-Straughan, Kerri Norville, Christopher Parkinson, Dillon Scott-Lewis, Kirstie Skivington and Alex Tranter.

https://seatplan.com/london/shaftesbury-theatre/