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A West End Christmas 2018 – A magical night at The Actors Church, Covent Garden.

The Make A Difference Trust has been restoring the spirit of Christmas Since 2003, with casts and stars of West End shows coming together to be a part of A West End Christmas. With carols, Christmas songs and readings, Christmas is celebrated in true West End style. Once again this year we will be returning to the beautiful surroundings of St Paul’s (The Actors) Church in Covent Garden on Sunday 2^nd December 2018 at 7.30pm

Hosted by Richard Sheldon, the MAD 12 piece band, choirs and tap dancers will be joined by members of the West End companies of Disney’s The Lion King, Disney’s Aladdin, Mythic the Musical, Heathers, The Phantom of the Opera, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and Six. Liz Connelly, Adrien Hansel, Maria Kesselman, Kerry Ellis, Eve Polycarpou, Michael Hobbs, Jane Milligan and Hannah Grace Lawson along with other special guests will be bringing their own unique styles to make sure that, as always, it is an evening of pure joy!

 

Melanie Tranter the Chair of The Make A Difference Trust, said: “Christmas is a time for tapping our toes, raising a glass and making merry. But it is also a time for charity and for reflection.  We are delighted that so many people from the West End Community are coming together on this special evening to raise funds for HIV/AIDS.”

The Make A Difference Trust is a UK based charity with a vision of a world free from HIV and AIDS. Building on the legacy of 30 years of fundraising by the Theatre industry, they continue to make the vision a reality having distributed over £1.6million in grants to support individuals experiencing hardship across the UK as well as over £1.5million to support projects with their UK and international partners. For further information about the Make A Difference Trust please visit  www.madtrust.org.uk

Tickets for this amazing show are priced from £35.00 and are available from

https://www.madtrust.org.uk/events/a-west-end-christmas/

Press contact and further information: David Pearson, [email protected]

LISTINGS INFO

A WEST END CHRISTMAS 2018

Sunday 2^nd DECEMBER 2018

Time: 7.30pm

Venue: St Paul’s (The Actors) Church, Bedford St, London, WC2E 9ED

Tickets: £45.00 £40.00, £35.00 (Booking fees apply) Ticket includes complimentary wine and & mince pies.

http://actorschurch.org/event/?show=10&id=873595117

WISE CHILDREN ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL UK TOUR DATE

Wise Children and The Old Vic present

The world première of

WISE CHILDREN

By Angela Carter

Adapted and directed by Emma Rice

Co-produced by the Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Oxford Playhouse and York Theatre Royal

Wise Children today announces an additional date for the UK tour of Emma Rice’s adaptation of Wise Children by Angela Carter. The production will now visit Richmond Theatre in addition to Oxford Playhouse, where the tour opened last week, Cambridge Arts Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, HOME Manchester, York Theatre Royal and Storyhouse Chester before completing its run at Belgrade Theatre Coventry on 6 April.

‘Let’s have all the skeletons out of the closet, today, of all days!’ It’s 23 April, Shakespeare’s birthday.

In Brixton, Nora and Dora Chance – twin chorus girls born and bred south of the river – are celebrating their 75th birthday. Over the river in Chelsea, their father and greatest actor of his generation Melchior Hazard turns 100 on the same day. As does his twin brother Peregrine. If, in fact, he’s still alive. And if, in truth, Melchior is their real father after all…

A big, bawdy tangle of theatrical joy and heartbreak, Wise Children is a celebration of show business, family, forgiveness and hope. Expect show girls and Shakespeare, sex and scandal, music, mischief and mistaken identity – and butterflies by the thousand. Emma Rice brings her unique, exuberantly impish vision to Angela Carter’s great last novel, Wise Children, launching her new theatre company of the same name.

Emma Rice, said today, “Wise Children is a love letter to theatre, and in particular to the glorious traditions of music hall, pantomime and cabaret. The Richmond Theatre is a perfect addition to the tour! With its glittering chandelier, gilt edged proscenium arch and sumptuous red velvet seats, it’s exactly the kind of theatre our show’s heroines, the Chance Sisters, would have performed in night after night. After a joyful start at The Old Vic, we’re thrilled to be taking our heart warming show to audiences across the country. Bringing it back to Richmond, London and the banks of the Thames is the cherry on the top of our inaugural tour!’

 

Wise Children

Tour Listings

 

Oxford Playhouse

Until Saturday 17 November

www.oxfordplayhouse.com

Box Office: 01865 305305

Cambridge Arts Theatre

Tuesday 20 November – Saturday 24 November

www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

Box Office: 01223 503333

2019

Bristol Old Vic

Weds 23 January – Saturday 9 February

www.bristololdvic.org.uk

Box Office: 0117 987 7877

HOME Manchester

Tuesday 26 February – Saturday 2 March

www.homemcr.org

0161 200 1500

York Theatre Royal

Tuesday 5 March – Saturday 16 March

www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

Box Office: 01904 623568

Richmond Theatre

Tuesday 26 March – Saturday 30 March

www.atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre/

Box Office: 0844 871 7651

Storyhouse Chester

Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 March

www.storyhouse.com/

Box Office: 01244 409 113

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 April

www.belgrade.co.uk

Box Office: 024 7655 3055

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford – until 24th November 2018

Reviewed by Antonia Hebbert

3***

A grumpy, tormented detective with a crumpled look investigates the gruesome murders of teenage girls. Sometimes crime fiction feels like your oldest jumper – familiar, comfortable and rather revolting. And like your old jumper, it may be baggy in places, with surprising twists.

Ian Rankin published his first Rebus detective novel in 1987, and there have been lots more books and TV adaptations since then. This is the first Rebus stage play, written by Rankin with playwright Rona Munro. By now Rebus (a convincingly weary Charles Lawson) is old and tired. An odd meeting with a girl on his tenement staircase leaves him haunted by unsolved mysteries of two decades ago. He is retired, but a procedural shortcut he took in the past (whacking a crook on the head with a plank) may be about to jeopardise an important murder investigation. Cathy Tyson plays the determined former colleague who is trying to get the truth out of him. With her capable manner, she gives us a sense that Rebus and his ways are out of date. There is much talk of DNA evidence. She also points out that murders of teenage girls are rather rare, which makes you wonder why this is yet another crime plot involving young female victims. Eleanor House and Dani Heron are the accusing ghosts of murders past; Neil McKinven plays almost everyone else, which is sometimes confusing. Characters from past and present overlap and emerge out of the shadows in Ti Green’s dark, sparse set (atmospherically lit by Chahine Yavroyan and Simon Bond). It is beautiful and elegant, like an abstract painting, but doesn’t have the feel of Edinburgh’s murky underside that Rebus fans might expect.

There is a change of pace in the second half, as Rebus faces his arch-foe ‘Big Ger’ Cafferty, played by a splendidly villainous John Stahl. This is all a bit more fun, as Cafferty savours his expensive wine and lofty views, not quite but nearly saying ‘mwah ha ha, now I have you in my power.’ And then there’s the twist which rather niftily picks up the loose threads and brings them together in a surprising way. Clever stuff, but not utterly compelling.

ALEXANDRA PALACE TO CELEBRATE THE REOPENING OF EAST COURT
AND THEATRE ON 1^ST DECEMBER FOLLOWING £27MILLION RESTORATION

• NEW SEASON MARKS FIRST PUBLIC PERFORMANCES IN 80 YEARS AT ALEXANDRA PALACE THEATRE
• BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED EAST COURT TO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
• ALLY PALLY’S FIRST EVER CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL TO RUN 1^ST – 16^THDECEMBER
• OPENING WEEKEND WILL HOST FREE EVENTS THROUGHOUT EAST WING INCLUDING FAMILY PROMS WITH BBC CONCERT ORCHESTRA, BBC SINGERS AND HARINGEY MUSIC SERVICE
• RESTORATION SUPPORTED BY THE NATIONAL LOTTERY AND HARINGEY COUNCIL

Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust (APPCT) will reopen its Theatre and East Court on 1^stDecember 2018 with a series of events that encapsulates the vision for the venue. The reopening follows the completion of the three-year East Wing Restoration Project. In December, visitors can experience an eclectic arts programme in the sensitively restored Alexandra Palace Theatre whilst the East Court creates an open and accessible space in the complex to welcome visitors throughout the year.

The East Wing Restoration Project would not have been possible without the support of the National Lottery and Haringey Council. The East Wing Restoration is £27million project – the £18.8 million National Lottery grant was one of their biggest ever for a heritage project.

On the 1^st and 2^nd December, Alexandra Palace will open its doors to the public with a weekend of free events and celebrations as it begins its Christmas Carnival. On 1^st December, the BBC Concert Orchestra and BBC Singers will return to the Alexandra Palace Theatre, following their performances as part of the BBC Proms, to curate a day of music and interaction. Families will be able to perform and rehearse with the renowned orchestra and performers – creating a new Christmas piece. The performance will be recorded and broadcast on BBC Radio 3 over Christmas. Open to ages 7-plus and all abilities are welcome. Registration via christmas.alexandrapalace.com is required.

On 2nd December, Haringey Music Service will be inviting its choirs, made up of young people from across the borough, to rehearse and perform in the Theatre throughout the day. This will be followed by a free finale performance from Haringey Music Service’s Symphony Orchestra.

Ally Pally Christmas Carnival will run from the 1st until the 16th December.  Throughout the period, the Palace will host performances from local choirs, free workshops run by the Palace’s Creative Learning Team, a Christmas market curated by the Crouch End Market and Muswell Hill Creatives, funfair and street food. The events will run alongside ticketed attractions including a Santa’s Grotto, film screenings with Luna Cinema and the Palace’s ever-popular Ice Rink and Pantomime on Ice. The full programme can be found at christmas.alexandrapalace.com.

Last month saw the announcement of Alexandra Palace’s first theatrical co-production with Headlong and Bristol Old Vic, Richard III will open in March 2019. The current programme includes performances from legendary club Ronnie Scott’s, Dylan Moran, Gareth Malone and the BBC’s long-running “Friday Night is Music Night”. Further events will be announced soon.

Louise Stewart, Chief Executive of APPCT, said: “This December, people from London and beyond will be able to explore this incredible space that has been hidden from the public. The Christmas Carnival is a great opportunity to celebrate the hard work that has gone into completing this immense project, but also give people a chance to experience the work of the Charity and our Creative Learning Programme. We would like to thank the HLF, Haringey Council and the countless individuals, trusts and businesses who have supported this project and helped make the reopening a reality.”

Stuart Hobley, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund, London said: “Alexandra Palace is one of North London’s best-loved landmarks and has played an era-defining role in popular culture, from the birth of television to the Pink Floyd-headlined 14 Hour Technicolour Dream.  The beautifully-restored theatre and East Court will build on this unique legacy, and is only possible thanks to money raised by National Lottery players”.

Opening Weekend Schedule

Saturday 1 Dec
Christmas Family Orchestra & Chorus: 10:00 – 18:00
Performance at 19:00  

Join members of the BBC Concert Orchestra and BBC Singers for a very special Christmas Family Orchestra and Chorus workshop at the newly refurbished Victorian Theatre at Alexandra Palace! Professional BBC musicians and singers will work with you to create your own Christmas inspired soundscape.

The BBC will be recording this event for future broadcast on BBC Radio 3.

Registration at bbc.in/2F6boIs

Sunday 2 Dec
Haringey Music Service activity: 14:00 – 16:00

Including performances from the Haringey Youth Music Service Orchestra and other ensembles.

About Alexandra Palace Theatre

Originally opened in 1875, Alexandra Palace Theatre was a home for spectacle and delight, where audiences were entertained by pantomime, opera, drama, ballet and music hall. A marvel of Victorian engineering, it was home to some of the most advanced stage machinery and mechanics of the age, allowing performers to disappear, reappear and fly through the air.

From those grand beginnings, it went on to be used as a chapel during World War One, a cinema and the theatrical testing ground of stage icon Gracie Fields before being closed to the public and used as a BBC prop store and workshop.

Following a multi-million pound restoration project, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fud and Haringey Council, Alexandra Palace Theatre will reopen in December 2018 with a mixed programme of drama, music, comedy and family shows.

Alexandra Palace is surrounded by 196 acres of Grade II listed parkland and offers unprecedented views of the city. The multi-award winning destination maintains its original enterprising spirit by hosting an eclectic mix of live music, sport, cultural and leisure events throughout the year.

Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust is the body responsible for maintaining and repairing the charitable assets of Alexandra Park and Palace as a place of public resort and recreation, forever, by Act of Parliament. The Charity aims to restore the iconic assets to create a successful and sustainable asset for all. For further information about the Park and Palace and the work of the Trust visit www.alexandrapalace.com

About The East Court

The East Wing’s reopening will herald a new chapter for Alexandra Palace, creating a new ways for the public to interact with the building and its unique history. The East Court of the Palace, which was originally dubbed the “Cabinet of Curiosity”, will provide a new communal space for the Palace and its community; from the Creative Learning Zone to exhibitions and events, plus space to relax with a coffee and refreshments.

The East Court will also be a home to a new interactive installation that will tell the story of the Palace’s role in development of leisure and entertainment in Britain. From exhibitions, music hall and theatre through to the advent of television and the development of the live music industry – Alexandra Palace has played a pivotal role and continues to be at the forefront of innovation.

NEW ADVENTURES

ANNOUNCES THE FULL CAST FOR

WORLD PREMIERE

OF97 YOUNG DANCERS MAKE THEIR DEBUTS WITH NEW ADVENTURES

UK TOUR OPENS 13 MAY 2019

New Adventures is delighted to announce full casting for the world premiere of Matthew Bourne’s “ROMEO AND JULIET” opening at Curve, Leicester on Monday 13 May 2019, as part of a UK tour to 13 venues including a four-week summer season at Sadler’s Wells from Wednesday 7 August to Saturday 31 August 2019. Full tour schedule below.

Matthew Bourne’s “ROMEO AND JULIET” is a passionate and contemporary re-imagining of Shakespeare’s classic love story. Bursting with youth, vitality and Matthew Bourne’s trademark storytelling, Britain’s brightest young dance talent join the New Adventures company for this World Premiere production.

As part of New Adventures’ ambition to support the next generation of on-stage talent “ROMEO AND JULIET” will feature the finest emerging male and female dancers from around the UK. The search began in April 2018 with a call-out for young dancers currently in training aged between 16 and 19. Attracting over 1000 applications and following a UK-wide audition tour, Young Cast members will perform at each venue alongside the New Adventures company.

Matthew Bourne said today “New Adventures’ “Romeo and Juliet” will be a celebration of youthful energy, talent and creativity both on and off-stage and, uniquely, in all aspects of Choreography, Design and Music through the appointment of a series of “Young Associate Artists”.   As we enter our fourth decade as a company I’m finding the development of young talent ever more important and fulfilling. Our new company of “Romeo and Juliet” features a staggering 97 young dancers making their debuts with us; some are joining us as part of their third year of training, others have come through our Company initiatives such as “Swan School”, “A Summer Adventure” and of course, our production of “Lord of the Flies” which inspired so many young men to seek careers in dance. This time we have focused on nurturing young male and female dancers, and I have been overwhelmed by the talent that we have had to choose from throughout the UK. I’m particularly happy to be working alongside my Young Associate Choreographer, Arielle Smith, an exceptional young dancemaker of great maturity and vision. In turn, after 30 years as a professional choreographer, I look forward to being refreshed and inspired by what this team of young artists will bring to Shakespeare’s classic tale of tragic conflict and young love”. 

As previously announced the title roles of ‘Romeo’ and ‘Juliet’ will be played by six New Adventures rising stars and two exciting new dancers making their professional debuts.

Creating the role of Juliet will be Cordelia Braithwaite, currently performing as ‘Cinderella’ on the international tour; Seren Williams, who joined New Adventures in 2016 with Matthew Bourne’s award-winning production of “The Red Shoes” and Bryony Harrison who is making her debut with New Adventures on tour with Matthew Bourne’s legendary production of “Swan Lake”

 

The role of Romeo will be created by Andrew Monaghan, currently ‘The Pilot’ in “Cinderella”, Paris Fitzpatrick who is playing the ‘Angel’ in “Cinderella” and João Carolino who joined the company in 2017 with “Early Adventures”

Making their professional debuts with the company are Harrison Dowzell, as ‘Romeo’, who auditioned for the Young Cast in Nottingham, and Bryony Wood, as ‘Juliet’, discovered during the Young Cast auditions in Southampton. Both are in their graduate years at Performers College and Tring Park School for the Performing Arts respectively.

They are joined by leading New Adventures artists, Madelaine Brennan, Daisy May Kemp, DannyReubens and Daniel Wright who will create the “adult” world of “Romeo and Juliet”.

Ben Brown, Reece Causton, Jackson Fisch, Kate Lyons, Stephen Murray and Mark Samaraswho will come to this production direct from our USA Tour of Matthew Bourne’s “Cinderella”.

 

In addition there are sixteen young artists making their debut with New Adventures: Natasha Chu, Gaby Conn, Monique Jonas, Sharol Mackenzie, Hannah Mason, Asher Rosenheim, Catrin Thomas, Chris Thomas and Roisin Whelan; along with Benjamin Derham from Canterbury,Cameron Flynn from Aberdeen and Billy Scott from Plymouth who all performed in the Young Cast in the acclaimed New Adventures production of “Lord of the Flies” in 2014; and Alexander Fadayiroat Central School of Ballet, Jana Baldovino at Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance and Stanley Duventru-Huret at Urdang Academy who are completing their third year of dance training while on tour with “ROMEO AND JULIET”.

In addition to the full time cast above we will be joined by 6 young cast members (82 in total) at each venue making their debut with New Adventures:

At Curve, Leicester: Cerise Bedder, Austin Bladon, Megan Ferguson, Christian Knight and Alexander Love.

At Alhambra Theatre, Bradford: Pattarapong Chomchan, Zac Crowe, Bethany Curry, Yvette Levine, Hollie Smith and Tom Sutton.

At Royal & Derngate, Northampton: Matthew Brion, Jamie Blackadder, Edwin Cheng, Alanah Corbridge, Elise Ward and Karishma Young.

At Theatre Royal Plymouth: James Knott, Jamel Maarfi, Maea Morgan, Samuel Parham, Ella Roberts and Jessica Tarrant.

 

At The Lowry, Salford: Katie Agarwal, Georgia Collier, Orla Collier, Brandon Hunter, Patrick King and Kayde-Samuél Wright.

At Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff: Rachel Brookes-Brent, Llewelyn Brown, Berwyn Cooper, Atlanta Hatch and Francesca Rees.

At Sadler’s Wells, London, Cast One:  Tanisha Addicott, Dan Baines, Emily Galvin, Ashton Hall, Hannah Kremer and Janacek Wood.

At Sadler’s Wells, London, Cast Two: Matt Cotton, Alexandra De Le Bastide, Hannah Joseph, Matthew Rawcliffe, Cleo Rose and Thomas Walton.

At Norwich Theatre Royal: Joe Barbrook, Chandi Brading, Freya Brown, Isis Clunie, Amonik Melaco and Jack Richardson.

At Birmingham Hippodrome: Lewis Baker: Órla Baxendale, India-Rose Cox, Savannah Ffrench, Alexander Love and Enrique Ngbokota.

At Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury: Matthew Amos, Eleanor McGrath, Charlie Mellor, Casper Mott, Rossana Samele and Holly Saw.

 

At Mayflower Theatre, Southampton: Dillon Berry, Samuel Dilkes, Bethany Hunt, Isabelle Evans, Arianne Morgan and Jago Mottart.

 

At Theatre Royal, Nottingham: Austin Bladon, Megan Ferguson, Alistair Fernie, Victoria Keal, Jaimie Tank and Sua Tsubokura-Aguiriano.

At Theatre Royal, Newcastle: Louis Baxter, Sam Carruthers, Kayleigh Oborka–Letman, Lisa Robinson, Andrew Scott and Chloe Shutt

 

New Adventures is committed to finding and developing diverse young talent from across the UK. Since “Lord of the Flies” in 2014 New Adventures has been supporting young dancers from this production on their journey into training and professional work.  The company have delivered various initiatives, including Swan School, two week-long intensives designed to prepare graduate level dancers for the audition process.

Continuing New Adventures’ commitment to developing off-stage talent we have recruited a team of Young Associate Artists to work alongside the Artistic team in the creation of this world premiere production. Arielle Smith joins as Young Associate Choreographer; Elin Steele as Young Associate Set & Costume Designer and Ali Hunter as Young Associate Lighting Designer.

 

“ROMEO AND JULIET” is directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne, collaborating with his entire New Adventures Associate Artistic team; Etta Murfitt, Associate Artistic Director, set and costume design by Lez Brotherston; lighting by Paule Constable; sound by Paul Groothuis; and new orchestrations of the Prokofiev score by Terry Davies, played live at every venue by The New Adventures Orchestra conducted by Brett Morris.

For more information please visit: www.new-adventures.net

Facebook /MBNewAdventures    Twitter @New_Adventures     Instagram @MBNewAdventures

 

LISTINGS

ROMEO AND JULIET TOUR DATES 2019

MONDAY 13 MAY – SATURDAY 18 MAY

CURVE, LEICESTER – www.curveonline.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

WEDNESDAY 22 MAY – SATURDAY 25 MAY

ALHAMBRA THEATRE, BRADFORD – www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 28 MAY – SATURDAY 1 JUNE

ROYAL & DERNGATE, NORTHAMPTON – www.royalandderngate.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 4 JUNE – SATURDAY 8 JUNE

THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH – www.theatreroyal.com

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 11 JUNE – SATURDAY 15 JUNE

THE LOWRY, SALFORD – www.thelowry.com

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 18 JUNE – SATURDAY 22 JUNE

WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE, CARDIFF – www.wmc.org.uk

ON SALE 26 NOVEMBER 2018

WEDNESDAY 7 AUGUST – SATURDAY 31 AUGUST (PRESS NIGHTS 9 AUGUST & 23 AUGUST)

SADLER’S WELLS, LONDON – www.sadlerswells.com

ON SALE NOW

 

TUESDAY 3 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 7 SEPTEMBER

NORWICH THEATRE ROYAL – www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

ON SALE SPRING 2019

 

TUESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER

BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME – www.birminghamhippodrome.com

ON SALE 3 DECEMBER 2018

 

TUESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER

MARLOWE THEATRE, CANTERBURY – www.marlowetheatre.com

ON SALE SOON

 

TUESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER

MAYFLOWER THEATRE, SOUTHAMPTON – www.mayflower.org.uk

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 1 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER

THEATRE ROYAL, NOTTINGHAM – www.trch.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

WEDNESDAY 9 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER

THEATRE ROYAL, NEWCASTLE – www.theatreroyal.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

 

Please note: Alexander Love will perform in both Birmingham and Leicester. Austin Bladon and Megan Ferguson will perform in both Leicester and Nottingham.

PLAYSTART: AN INITIATIVE BY THE MONO BOX TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW PLAYWRIGHTS

• NEW WRITING NIGHT AND FUNDRAISER ANNOUNCED FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE MONO BOX
• PLAYSTART WILL TAKE PLACE ON WEDNESDAY 28TH NOVEMBER
• THE MONO BOX WAS SET UP IN 2013 TO SUPPORT EMERGING ACTING TALENT
• TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT THEMONOBOX.CO.UK/PLAYSTART

The Mono Box announces PLAYSTART: on 28 November 2018.  With patrons including Sir Derek Jacobi, Vanessa Kirby and Joseph Marcell tickets VIP and general access tickets are now on sale.

Over the last 10 weeks The Mono Box has curated and mentored 5 new playwrights, 5 directors and 16 actors, showing their commitment to support young theatre makers. Mentors include playwrights Tristan Bernays, Lisa Carroll, Arinze Kene, Hannah Khalil, Rory Mullarkey and director Ned Bennett.

Join The Mono Box for an evening sharing of these 5 short plays and help raise money for the continued personal, professional and social development of young artists. As PLAYSTART received over 700 applications for just 26 places, they need your help to support this pool of British talent.

THE PLAYS:

The Interview 
By Graeme Brookes
Directed by Emma Baggott
A panel of three interviewers are meeting with one of many applicants to see if they’re ‘working class enough’ to obtain support from their elite organisation. In trying to offer their support, the expert panel slowly lose control with their own reality. What starts with honest intentions turns into a grotesque grilling.THE INTERVIEW is an absurd comedy written with a biting political edge that will make you laugh, wince, cringe and scream! 

Papa 
By Sid Sagar
Directed by Sam Hardie
PAPA explores the troubled relationship between a father and a daughter. It questions notions of parenting, failure and masculinity, and asks whether we can ever truly overcome our past mistakes. 

NSA
By Charles Entsie
Directed by Imogen Wyatt Corner
SA is about the conflict between doing what it takes to survive in the present, when also trying to secure something for your future.

LA MERDE 
By Roberta Livingston
Directed by Fiona Kingwill
La Merde follows the journey of Chrissy, a black student who is obsessed with make-up. She aspires to be as successful as her idol Allegra Aldridge, a YouTube beauty sensation. But as she delves into the growing beast that is the YouTube world she soon discovers the cracks that are hidden within it.

Godfrey 
By Aisling Towl
Directed by Roberta Zuric
GODFREY is a short play set in an ‘up and coming’/ gentrified South London restaurant. It follows four people; Simone, Jason, Carys and Godfrey, through one working day, honing in on the kind of seemingly mundane conversations that expose the parts of ourselves we try desperately to hide. 

A playtext of the plays will be launched by Oberon at the event.

The evening is sponsored by Hallgarten & Novum Wines and will present food from pOrX and The Indians Next Door Street Food. Expect live music and raffle with prizes including VIP access to Royal Academy, Curtain Call membership and designer gifts.

LISTINGS

DATE: 
Wednesday 28th November

LOCATION: 
The Biscuit Factory,
Block F Warehouse,
100 Clements Road,
SE16 4DG
(Nearest station: Bermondsey)

TIME: 
Doors 6.30pm
7pm – 10pm

GENERAL ADMISSION:
£12

VIP TICKETS: 
Includes drink reception, food and a gift.
£50

To buy tickets:https://www.themonobox.co.uk/playstart
To donate to The Mono Box: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/supportthemonobox

Anomaly
Old Red Lion Theatre, 418 St John Street, London EC1V 4NJ
Tuesday 8th January – Saturday 2nd February 2019

Anomaly is the unsettling debut play from Liv Warden exploring sisterhood, reputation and loyalty. It is a provocative and timely glimpse into fame, fathers and how the abuse of power can scratch far beyond the surface. Post-Weinstein, this is a story that is ready to be told

It’s 6am. News has just broken that Phillip Preston, media mogul and film-industry powerhouse has been arrested for assaulting his wife. His three daughters, who lead separate lives, are left with the fallout. As they battle the world’s press, the board members of Preston International and each other, they soon find themselves not only fighting to save the Preston dynasty but to protect
everything they know to be true

In our Kardashian soaked culture of sensationalism, victims’ testimonies are finally being taken seriously and the world is listening. But, this play is not about men like Harvey Weinstein. Anomaly is a war cry for the women who have been left to pick up the pieces

Liv Warden comments, The main inspiration for me writing this play is how women deal with destruction. Watching the events of the Harvey Weinstein case unfold, I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen to his young family. How his two children would be treated at school when the name ‘Weinstein’ was read out, and how unfair it all is that the actions of one man, their father, will inevitably impact their lives forever. So, I created my own Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Mel Gibson or Louis CK. Phillip Preston, a man in position of immense power who we never see face up to his actions. Instead leaving it up to his three daughters to deal with the whirlwind of trauma that he has created over years of abuse, violence, and manipulation.

NEW BRITISH MUSICAL

THE DREAMERS

ANNOUNCES FOUR PREMIERE PERFORMANCES AT

ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS

ON

FRIDAY 7 AND SATURDAY 8 DECEMBER 2018

AT

2.00PM AND 7.30PM

 

The producers of the brand-new British musical “THE DREAMERS” are thrilled to announce four premiere performances of the show at the world-renowned Abbey Road Studios on Friday 7 December and Saturday 8 December at 2.00pm and 7.30pm.

“THE DREAMERS” will mark the first time in history that a musical has been performed at Abbey Road Studios. The iconic Studio One, which has played host to the likes of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Stevie Wonder, Sting and U2, will be transformed into a theatre especially for this event. These performances are co-produced by Stars Foundation for Cerebral Palsy, and any profits from the event will go directly to the charity.

Created and written by James Beeny and Gina Georgio, “THE DREAMERS” is directed by Jean-Pierre Van Der Spuy, choreography by Lee Proud, set and costume design by Simon Wells, sound design by Andrew Josephs, lighting design by Tim Deiling, associate choreography by Joanne McShane and costume supervision by Mary Charlton.

At the outbreak of the First World War, a young and inexperienced officer, Reggie, is pushed into leadership by his rich and powerful father. On an ill-fated voyage to the battlefield, Reggie struggles to hold his unit together when a jealous and bitter recruit, Jack, stirs trouble amongst the men. Disaster strikes when their ship crashes, and amidst the chaos, Reggie and Jack are thrown together. Inspired by true events, “THE DREAMERS” is a testament to the power of comradeship in the face of adversity.

“THE DREAMERS” stars Will Carey (It’s Only Life), Earl Carpenter (Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, Evita), Dougie Carter (Sunset Boulevard, Les Misérables), Zoe Doano (Miss Saigon, Les Misérables, Death Takes A Holiday), Col Farrell (Oh! What A Lovely War!, In Loving Memory, Young Chekov Trilogy), Phoebe Fildes (Once The Musical, The Mousetrap), Maria Graciano (Miss Saigon, Matilda The Musical, Wicked), Thomas Grant (Vanity Fair, Midsomer Murders), Tom Hier (Miss Saigon, Footloose, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Devon-Elise Johnson (Half A Sixpence, Titanic), Dean John-Wilson (Aladdin, The King and I), Craig Nash (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Sam O’Rourke (Half A Sixpence, Mrs Henderson Presents), Claire Parrish (Mary Poppins, Miss Saigon, Les Misérables), Leah Pinney(The Clockmaker’s Daughter), Charlotte Wakefield (Spring Awakening, The Sound of Music, Crazy For You, Mamma Mia!), Paul Wilkins (Les Misérables) and Annette Yeo (Love Never Dies, Les Misérables, Mamma Mia!, City of Angels, The Phantom of the Opera).

 

LISTINGS AND INFORMATION

Website: www.thedreamersuk.com

Twitter: @TheDreamersUK

Instagram: @thedreamersUK

Facebook: facebook.com/TheDreamersUK

 

Performances: Friday 7 December and Saturday 8 December at 2.00pm and 7.30pm

Tickets:  https://www.designmynight.com/london/whats-on/theatre/the-dreamers-abbey-road-studios

UK’s leading devising physical theatre companyGecko announces Arlene Phillips and Dominic West as its first patrons

 

The UK’s leading physical theatre company Gecko announces Arlene Phillips and Dominic West as its first patrons, both set to bring the company’s ground-breaking work to new audiences.

This exciting announcement comes at an auspicious time for the company who have recently announced the London premiere for their most ambitious show to date, The Wedding, at the Barbican Theatre as part of the prestigious London International Mime Festival.

Arlene Phillips, CBE is a much-loved English choreographer, theatre director, talent scout, television judge and presenter, perhaps best known recently as a judge on hit TV series Strictly Come Dancing. Her and Gecko’s Artistic Director Amit Lahav became acquainted through their both having worked with the late choreographer Lyndsey Kemp, and Arlene has been a fan of Gecko’s work since 2015 when she saw Institute.

Dominic West is a Sheffield-born actor, director and musician. He is perhaps best known for his role in hit TV series The Wire and The Affair but has worked extensively across screen and stage in both UK and US. Dominic is starring in the upcoming BBC adaptation of Les Misérables by Andrew Davies, and in October 2018 was awarded the Canneseries Excellence Award at the international TV showcase Mipcom for his outstanding contribution in TV series.

Arlene Phillips said: “I’m thrilled and excited to become a patron of Gecko. It’s exciting theatre that combines dance with extraordinary music and soundscapes and a unique and strange storytelling style that draws you in. I’ve loved Gecko from the first moment I saw the company perform, and have the utmost admiration for Amit and the company.”

Dominic West said: “A Gecko show is always a thrillingly inventive concert of lyrical movement, breathtaking imagery and a wry humanity.  I have loved watching them for nearly two decades, since I first met Amit through the Argentinian group ‘De La Guarda’. In 2019 we’ll see a long overdue broadening of their resources and their audience and I am delighted to be associated with that”.

Amit Lahav said: “I am delighted to announce Arlene Phillips and Dominic West as our first Gecko patrons.  They have both shown real enthusiasm and encouragement for the company’s work over the years and are keen to support Gecko’s the future plans. Both Arlene and Dom have enormous experience and expertise in their respective fields in choreography, directing, performance and film and I look forward to continuing our conversations, reflecting on the industry and dreaming of future possibilities.  I have always declared relationships as the central ethos of Gecko and I feel a warmth and connection with our new patrons energised by a drive to keep seeing Gecko grow and pursue its dreams.  It is important to us that we have patrons who have a love for Gecko, a willingness to support our future development and who bring to the company diverse expertise – Dominic and Arlene are perfect ambassadors and great friends too”.

This exciting news marks the next phase in Gecko’s story. Since being established by Amit Lahav in 2001, the company has become the epitome of visceral, provocative physical theatre in the UK, with a unique language of movement, music and set design that come together to create a distinctive and unforgettable experience.

Now, in its 18^th year, Gecko is the UK’s leading devising physical theatre companywhich, despite the increasingly challenging arts funding landscape in the country, creates increasingly ambitious shows performing to audiences across the UK and internationally. The company’s work is studied by students preparing for their GCSE and A’Level exams across England, and they are also guest artists as part of a new MA degree programme in Contemporary Physical Performance Making at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. In 2019 the company will begin development of its next production. As an expert on movement, Amit has recently worked with directors Adam Smith and Marcus Lyall on imagery for the new songs on The Chemical Brothers’ 2018 world tour. He has also been working on movement for BBC 2’s documentary about Austrian painter Egon Schiele, Dangerous Desires: The Scandalous Life of Egon Schiele, broadcast in November to mark the painter’s 100^th anniversary of death. It is available to watch on BBC iPlayer here.

 

THE MOUSETRAP COMING TO DARLINGTON

The Mousetrap, the legendary whodunnit from Dame Agatha Christie, has announced a major national tour opening in January 2019 starring Gwyneth Strong and is coming to Darlington Hippodrome in April.

This unstoppable West End hit has been delighting theatregoers for 67 years with its macabre murder mystery. Following a record-breaking 60th anniversary tour in 2012, this timeless thriller The Mousetrap returns by popular demand, embarking on an extensive new tour that will travel the length and breadth of the country giving audiences all across the UK the opportunity to discover theatre’s best kept secret.

Gwyneth Strong will perform as Mrs Boyle. The cast also includes David Alcock (Mr Paravacini), Geoff Arnold (Detective Sgt. Trotter), Nick Biadon (Giles Ralston), Lewis Chandler (Christopher Wren), John Griffiths (Major Metcalf), Harriett Hare (Mollie Ralston) and Saskia Vaigncourt-Strallen (Miss Caswell).

Gwyneth Strong is best known for her role in the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses in which she starred in the role of Cassandra. The role gained Gwyneth mainstream recognition and she appeared in the hit comedy show as well as several Christmas specials between 1989 and 2003. More recently, she joined the cast of EastEnders in the role of Geraldine Clough. Other television credits include The Great Train Robbery, Silent Witness, Casualty, Doctors and Murder in Suburbia.

First seen in Nottingham in 1952 starring Richard Attenborough and his wife Sheila Sim, The Mousetrap went on to become the world’s longest running stage production following its West End transfer to The Ambassadors in 1952 and St Martins in 1973 where it has played ever since, continuing a record-breaking run with over 27,500 performances in London so far.

The Mousetrap runs at Darlington Hippodrome from Monday 29 April to Saturday 4 May.

For more information or to book call 01325 405405 or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk