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REGENT’S PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE ANNOUNCE    

CASTING FOR THE TURN OF THE SCREW

 

• Cast announced for THE TURN OF THE SCREW co-produced with English National Opera
• William Morgan shares The Prologue and the role of Peter Quint with recently announced ENO Harewood Artist Elgan Llŷr Thomas
• Nadine Livingston and Rachael Lloyd share the role of Miss Jessel
• Janis Kelly and Sarah Pring share the role of Mrs Grose
• ENO Harewood Artist Rhian Lois shares the role of the Governess with Anita Watson

 

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre have today announced the casting The Turn of the Screw, a co-production with English National Opera, which plays 22 – 30 June as part of their 2018 season. Two casts will play on alternate performances.

The Prologue and role of Peter Quint will be shared by Elgan Llŷr Thomas and William Morgan. Elgan Llŷr Thomas makes his English National Opera debut as a new ENO Harewood Artist having also covered the role of Count Almaviva in The Barber of Seville. A 2016/17 Scottish Opera Emerging Artist, credits include The Elixir of Love, and The Trial with other credits including Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Mananan International Festival), Paul Bunyan (Welsh National Youth Opera) and Eugene Onegin (Garsington Opera). He is currently singing in The Barber of Seville with the Theatre des Champs-Elysees.

Previously for English National Opera, William Morgan has appeared in The Day After and Between Worlds (ENO at the Barbican) and Le Comte Ory (ENO’s Opera Works programme at Sadler’s Wells. Other notable credits include L’Orfeo (Bayerische Staatsoper), Hippolyte et Aricie (Glyndebourne), The Rake’s Progress (European Tour) and as Anthony in Sweeney Todd (Longborough Festival).

 

Miss Jessel will be played by Nadine Livingston and Rachael Lloyd. Nadine Livingston, Scottish Opera Emerging Artist 2009-2011 has appeared as Mimi and Musetta in La bohème, Micaela in Carmen, Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro, and appears as Nedda in their 2018 production of Pagliacci. Other notable credits include Eugene Onegin (Ryedale Festival) The Minotaur, Gloriana and The Ring Cycle (Royal Opera House), as well as extensive Oratorio and Concert appearances.

For English National Opera, Rachael Lloyd has appeared in The Day After, The Magic Flute, and as Pitti-Sing in The Mikado. Other notable credits include Carmen (Raymond Gubbay), Lucia di Lammermoor and Madama Butterfly (Royal Opera House), Giulio Cesare (Glyndebourne) and A Little Night Music (Théâtre du Châtelet).

Mrs Grose will be played by Janis Kelly and Sarah Pring.  Janis Kelly has performed with English National Opera for over 30 years, and takes the role of Marcellina in The Marriage of Figaro in Spring 2018. She received worldwide acclaim for her portrayal of the title role in Rufus Wainwright’s Prima Donna, which she performed at the Manchester International Festival (World Premiere), Sadler’s Wells, Toronto, Portland, in concert at the Royal Opera House and Teatro Real, Madrid, and is now available on CD. Other recent appearances include Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd (Welsh National Opera), Mrs Nixon in Nixon in China(Metropolitan Opera, New York/Omroep Muziek/English National Opera), Lady Billows in Albert Herring (Los Angeles Opera) and Hazel George in the World Premiere of Philip Glass’ The Perfect American (Teatro Real, Madrid/English National Opera).

 

Sarah Pring has previously appeared with English National Opera in Lucia di Lammermoor, Jenufa, and reprises her performance as Mrs Alexander in Satyagraha in February 2018.  Other recent credits include Lady Bertram in Mansfield Park (The Grange Festival), Mother in Hansel and Gretel (Opera North), Marcellina in Le nozze di Figaro (Welsh National Opera) and, at the Royal Opera House, as Berta in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Giovanna in Rigoletto, and Annina in La traviata.

The role of the Governess will be played by Anita Watson and Rhian Lois. Anita Watson has previously appeared as the Governess in The Turn of the Screw (La Fenice, Venice), Die Zaubrflöte and as Gretel in Hänsel und Gretel (Royal Opera House), Don Giovanni (Australian Opera/Nederlandse Reisopera/ Landestheater Salzburg/Scottish Opera/Teatro La Fenice, Venice), as Mimi in La bohème  and as Anne Trulove in The Rake’s Progress (Teatro Municipal de Santiago).

Rhian Lois is an ENO Harewood Artist, taking the role of Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro in Spring 2018. Previous English National Opera credits include Atalanta in Xerxes, Musetta in La bohème, Frasquita in Carmen, Papagena in The Magic Flute, Peter Grimes, Between Worlds and The Passenger. Other notable credits include Figaro Gets a Divorce (Grand Théâtre de Genève), Die Fladermaus (Welsh National Opera), Don Giovanni (Santa Fe) and The Magic Flute (Royal Opera House).

The roles of Flora and Miles will be announced in due course.

 

Artistic Director of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Timothy Sheader, directs The Turn of the Screw, which plays 10 performances from 22 June – 30 June 2018. ENO Mackerras Fellow Toby Purser conducts members of the ENO orchestra, and the production is designed by Soutra Gilmour. Completing the creative team, lighting design is by Jon Clark, sound design by Nick Lidster for Autograph, and casting by ENO Head of Casting, Michelle Williams. Barbara Houseman is the Season Associate Director (Voice and Text) for the 2018 season.

This story of unearthly encounters at a remote country house, and of a young governess desperate to protect her children, finds chilling new levels of suspense in this unique outdoor production of Benjamin Britten’s masterly reworking of Henry James’ classic novella.

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Other productions in the 2018 season at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre are Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie (17 May – 15 June), Shakespeare’s As You Like It (06 July – 28 July) and Little Shop of Horrors (03 August – 15 September), book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken, based on the film by Roger Corman with screenplay by Charles Griffith.

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BOX OFFICE INFORMATION

 

Box Office 0844 826 4242* | openairtheatre.com Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4NU

Social Media Twitter: @OpenAirTheatre / #OAT2018 / #TheTurnoftheScrew Facebook, Google+: RegentsParkOpenAirTheatre

*Lines open from 9am – 9pm. £1.50 per ticket telephone booking fee applies. Calls cost 7p per minute plus your telephone company’s usual access charge.

 

THE TURN OF THE SCREW LISTINGS INFORMATION

 

Regent’s Park Theatre and English National Opera

The Turn of the Screw

Music by Benjamin Britten  Libretto by Myfanwy Piper

After a story by Henry James

Directed by Timothy Sheader

Friday 22 June – 30 June

First preview: 22 June

Press Night: Monday 25 June (7.45pm)

Performances:

Monday – Saturday @ 7.45pm (gates 6.15pm)

Wednesday & Saturday @ 2.15pm (gates 12.45pm)

no matinee 23 June

 

TICKETS

The Turn of the Screw: £25 – £55

 

Season Ticket

Available when purchasing a ticket for all of the following productions in the 2018 season at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in the same transaction: The Turn of the Screw, Peter Pan, As You Like It and Little Shop of Horrors.

 

Band A Season Ticket: £185 (saving of up to £39)

Band B Season Ticket: £145 (saving of up to £38)

• No per-ticket online or telephone booking fee; a one-off £4.50 telephone transaction fee applies.
• Cannot be combined with any other concession or discount.
• All tickets must be booked in the same transaction and in the same price band.

 

Previews

£2 off all prices during previews

Early Bird: £5 off price bands A – C during previews when booked before 30 April 2018

 

Groups 10+

£5 off price bands A – C. Valid all performances, excluding all Saturday Evening performances. A £4.50 transaction fee applies. This applies on top of the Preview and Early Bird Preview pricing. Call 0844 826 4242*, Monday – Friday, 9am – 9pm.

*Calls cost 7ppm plus your telephone company’s usual access charge.

 

Senior Citizens Matinees

£25 best available weekday matinees (cannot be combined with any other discount or concession).

 

Under 18

Half Price Tickets on all performances excluding Saturday evenings (£1.50 telephone booking fee applies. No online booking fee).

 

A full performance schedule is available at www.openairtheatre.com/schedule

Manchester Palace Theatre – until 30 January 2017.  Reviewed by Marcus Richardson

4****

Beautiful is a musical about the legendary performer Carole King, who shaped and formed the music world with her music composing skills. Creating songs such as “Do The Locomotion” and “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling”, and later on in her career she made herself known as a performing artist winning many awards for her album ‘Tapestry’. The musical also found great success in its platform winning several Tony awards.

The cast were given a big task, to do the songs justice with the bar so high, as these legendary songs were so well received the actors had to measure themselves up. At points throughout the production we would see groups like The Drifters and The Shirelles perform their song, performing it as if it was their own song – which was absolutely outstanding.

The main cast which took upon most of the acting and stage time gave the characters life and made sure that they mirrored the actual people they were playing. Bronté Barbé who played King gave us this quirky character that we fell in love with from the beginning, right off the bat you could tell she knew the essence of Carole King. Gerry Goffin, Carole’s partner was definitely a hard character to play, because he was complex and troubled but James Oliver Parry made sure he didn’t villainise the name

The stage was a character of its own. With amazing stage craft where actors rarely had to move set and scenes flowed seamlessly with the actors and costumes were simple but cleaver making for some amazing displays of creativity of stage.

The show is touring across the UK and I would say no matter what your music taste is, this woman shaped it in some way. The show is an amazing tribute to the history of Carole King and captures the art and heart of the musician very well.

EXCITING CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR WORLD PREMIERE OF NEW BRITISH MUSICAL

THE TOYBOY DIARIES

AT HOPE MILL THEATRE IN MANCHESTER

 

ADAPTED FROM THE BEST-SELLING MEMOIRS BY WENDY SALISBURY, THE TOYBOY DIARIES WILL RUN FROM

THURSDAY 18 JANUARY TO SATURDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2018 AT THE CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED VENUE

 

The cast and creative team has been announced for the World Premiere of The ToyBoy Diaries, the new British musical that is to be the first production staged in 2018 at the critically-acclaimed Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester.

The production, adapted from the best-selling memoirs by Wendy Salisbury, runs from Thursday 18 January to Saturday 10 February 2018 and is the first of five in-house musicals next year from the successful collaboration between Joseph Houston and William Whelton, co-founders of Hope Mill Theatre and producer Katy Lipson, of Aria Entertainment.

This new musical comedy charts the hilarious and sometimes heart-breaking sagas of mid-life dating.

When twice-divorced Lily inadvertently finds herself under a much younger man, it opens the door to a wild new world of inappropriate relationships. From Tom the Tender to Sam the Submissive, via Paul the Policeman, Hat Trick Patrick and Matt the Monstrous (with Old Willy and Philandering Phil mixed in along the way) Lily finally finds Ben the Bountiful.

The ToyBoy Diaries has a book by Simon Warne, music and lyrics by Andy Collyer and is based on the best-selling memoirs of Wendy Salisbury. Directed by Tania Azevedo.

The cast has now been announced for The ToyBoy Diaries. The lead role of Lily will be played by Johanne Murdock.  Recent stage roles include Brutus in Julius Caesar and Lady Macbeth in Macbeth (Guildford Shakespeare Company), Anne Hathaway in The Other Shakespeare (Pitchfork Productions). Film and television credits include Chameleon and Holby City.

The production also features Olivier Award-nominee Nicola Blackman (Destiny Rides Again, Babe the Sheep Pig, Gilgamesh and Just to Get Married) as Lily’s best friend Penny. Matt Beveridge (The Frontier Trilogy, Titanic – Toronto and House of Therapy – Off Broadway) plays ToyBoy 1. Sharif Afifi (Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again, Wonderland – UK Tour) is ToyBoy 2. Alistair Higgins (Dreamboats and Petticoats – UK Tour, Sweeney Todd – Brighton, Charlotte’s Web) plays ToyBoy 3.

The ToyBoy Diaries has music and lyrics by Andy Collyer (Little Women and Pippin Orchestrations – Hope Mill Theatre, The Verb, ‘To Love’ – Old Red Lion Theatre, Claus – Landor Theatre) and a book by his regular collaborator Simon Warne (Claus – Landor Theatre, Truth Talks – Southwark Playhouse, Double Effect – Finborough, and Original Spin – New End Hampstead.)

Director Tania Azevdeo’s recent credits include Tenderly (New Wimbledon Theatre) XY (Page to Stage – The Other Palace) Paper Hears (Edinburgh Fringe and International Tour), Hello Again – Hope Theatre.)

The ToyBoy Diaries has musical direction by Andrew Griffiths, choreography by Sam Spencer-Lane, design by Jason Denvir, lighting design by Ben M Rogers, sound design by Calum Robinson,

Following The ToyBoy Diaries at Hope Mill Theatre is a new revival of the acclaimed modern Broadway hit Spring Awakening (Thursday 29 March to Thursday 3 May 2018) and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic Aspects of Love (Thursday 5 July to Thursday 9 August 2018). Two more yet-to-be announced productions will follow in Autumn/Winter.

The ToyBoy Diaries runs from Thursday 18 January to Saturday 10 February 2018 and is on sale now.

 

LISTING INFORMATION

The ToyBoy Diaries

Hope Mill Theatre

Hope Mill, Ancoats, 113 Pollard Street

Manchester, M4 7JA

Tickets from £16. Visit www.hopemilltheatre.co.uk

Press Night Wednesday 24 January 2018.

WEBSITE: www.hopemilltheatre.co.uk

FACEBOOK: Hope Mill Theatre

TWITTER: @Hopemilltheatr1 @ToyBoyDiaries

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

THE BRAND-NEW BRITISH MUSICAL

AT THE OTHER PALACE

FROM 22 JANUARY UNTIL 3 MARCH

Warwick Davis and Kevin Wood are delighted to announce the full cast for the hotly anticipated new musical for years, “EUGENIUS!” which is coming to London for a strictly limited run at The Other Palace from 22 January until the 3 March 2018.

Making his London theatre debut is American born Liam Forde who will play the lead role of ‘Eugene’. Liam has performed in many shows across America and is looking forward to making his debut across the pond. Joining Liam is Laura Baldwin who will play Eugene’s love interest- ‘Janey’. Laura’s previous credits include UK Tours of “Shrek” and “Betty Blue Eyes” and currently she can be seen in ‘Big Fish The Musical’ at The Other Palace.

Joining them is, Daniel Buckley (“Book Of Mormon”, “Loserville”) as Feris, Ian Hughes (“Guys and Dolls”, “The Lion King”) as Evil Lord Hector, Scott Paige (“The Addams Family”, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”) as Theo, Cameron Blakely (“Les Misérables”, “The Addams Family”) as Lex, Shaun Dalton (“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, “Beauty and The Beast” and “Les Misérables”) as Gerhard, Melissa James (“Bodyguard” UK Tour) as Carrie, Alexander Evans (UK Tour of “Sound of Music”, “Carousel”) as Eugene’s Dad and Alison Arnopp (“Dusty”, “The Tempest”) as Space Diva/Mrs T.

They will be joined by Brian Gilligan, Jacob Fisher, Alex Tranter, Luke Dowling, Rosie Heath, Chloe Chambers and Frances Dee.

Written by Ben Adams and Chris Wilkins, “EUGENIUS!”  tells  the story of Eugene, a teenage boy whose nightly dreams of a distant world of heroes and villains may just be the ticket to him creating his very own comic book movie in Hollywood.  Joined by his best friends ‘Janey’ and ‘Feris’, our comic writing genius must discover the true meaning of growing up, finding the superhero within, saving the world from both earthbound villains and possibly those from distant galaxies, and along the way, falling in love.

 

The production is produced by legendary “Star Wars” and “Harry Potter” actor Warwick Davis, he said, “I’m a huge fan of musical theatre and Eugenius! will be unlike any musical I have seen before. I was so hooked by Ben Adams’ brilliant, original songs and Chris Wilkins wonderfully witty story that I simply had to be involved as a producer. We are thrilled to announce the talented cast and can’t wait to get started in rehearsals to bring the show to life as a fully staged production. We have all the ingredients for Eugenius! to be something truly spectacular and I look forward to sharing it with audiences when it opens at The Other Palace in January.”

 

The book, music and lyrics for ‘EUGENIUS!’ are written by Ben Adams and Chris Wilkins. Award winning Ian Talbot will direct. Ian was previously the Artistic Director at the Regents Park Open Air Theatre for 20 years, for which he received an OBE. He has directed ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ and ‘Lend Me A Tenor’. The creative team is completed by Aaron Renfree who will choreograph, sound design by Gareth Owen, lighting by Andrew Ellis, musical supervision by Stuart Morley and musical direction by Darren Lord. Set and costume design will be byHannah Wolfe and the show’s design features specially commissioned comic book artwork by Marvel artist, Simon Williams (Transformers, Spider Man, Marvel Heroes, The lncredible Hulk).

 

The Other Palace opened in February 2017 as a home for musical theatre. Discovering, developing and reimagining musicals is at the heart of what The Other Palace is about. The spaces are used to nurture the next generation of musicals, and the creatives behind them; celebrating the very best of the art form, from the established to the brand new.

LISTINGS

EUGENIUS! THE MUSICAL – Monday 22 January – Saturday 3 March 2018

 

www.theotherpalace.co.uk

Box Office 020 7087 7900

Twitter @eugeniusuk

Facebook and Instagram @eugeniusthemusical

Website http://www.eugeniusthemusical.com/

Music www.smarturl.it/eugenius01

 

THE OTHER PALACE

12 Palace Street, Westminster, London, SW1E 5JA

PREVIEWS

Monday 22 January                7.30pm

Tuesday 23 January                 7.30pm

Wednesday 24 January           7.30pm

Thursday 25 January                7.30pm

Friday 26 January                    7.30pm

Saturday 27 January               2.30pm & 7.30pm

Monday 29 January                7.30pm

Gala night

Wednesday 31 January          7pm

 

From 1 February – 3 March

Performance times      Monday – Saturday 7.30pm

                                    Saturday 2.30pm & 7.30pm

TOUR LINE-UP CONFIRMED FOR

STRICTLY COME DANCING LIVE TOUR

19 JANUARY – 11 FEBRUARY 2018

Gemma Atkinson & Aljaž Skorjanec

Alexandra Burke & Gorka Marquez

Susan Calman & Kevin Clifton

Davood Ghadami & Nadiya Bychkova

Joe McFadden & Katya Jones

Debbie McGee & Giovanni Pernice

Jonnie Peacock & Oti Mabuse

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

 

Strictly Come Dancing fans will be thrilled to learn that the celebrity dancers and their professional partners for the 2018 Strictly Come Dancing Live UK Tour are announced today. The couples donning their dancing shoes and sequins are: Gemma Atkinson and Aljaž Skorjanec; Alexandra Burke and Gorka Marquez; Susan Calman and Kevin Clifton; Davood Ghadami and Nadiya Bychkova; Joe McFadden and Katya Jones; Debbie McGee and Giovanni Pernice; and Jonnie Peacock and Oti Mabuse.

The fabulous celebrities and professional dancers will be joining the tour judging panel of Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Darcey Bussell. To round off the sparkling line-up, the tour will be hosted by reigning Strictly Champion Ore Oduba. They will all be joined by more Strictly professional dancers, the Strictly singers and the Strictly live band.

The Strictly tour will open at the Arena Birmingham on 19 January 2018 and will then visit some of the biggest entertainment venues across the UK, including a return to Belfast at the SSE Arena, following huge public demand. It will also stop off at Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena, First Direct Arena Leeds, Manchester Arena, The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena and The SSE Arena Wembley, before culminating at The O2 Arena in London on 11 February.

EastEnders heartthrob Davood Ghadami said: “Being on Strictly has been such a blast. The training has been stricter than my gym regime, so am excited to keep it up on the road and can’t wait to perform in the huge arenas all over the country.”

 

TV personality Debbie McGee said: “I don’t think I’ve ever been so fit in my life! This whole experience has been incredible and I can’t wait to get my dancing shoes back on for the 2018 tour.”

Actress and radio presenter Gemma Atkinson said: “Aljaž has really put me through my paces over the last few months, physically, mentally and creatively, so am thrilled we are being paired again for the Strictly tour! Come on the North!”

 

Singer Alexandra Burke said: “I cannot wait to get out on tour and connect with all the Strictly fans in their home towns. This is an amazing opportunity to perform some of my favourite routines in all these huge arenas – what better way to start the new year!.”

Holby City star Joe McFadden said: “I honestly didn’t think I’d make it past the first few weeks on Strictly, let alone get to go on the tour. It’s going to be a wonderful experience, which I’m really looking forward to – particularly dancing in my hometown of Glasgow!”

Tickets for STRICTLY COME DANCING THE LIVE TOUR 2018 are on sale now

 

19–21 January   Arena Birmingham                                          www.arenabham.co.uk

(Friday 19^th at 7.30pm, Saturday 20^th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 21^st at 1.30pm & 6.30pm)

23-24 January    Newcastle: Metro Radio Arena                                 www.metroradioarena.co.uk

(Tuesday 23^rd at 7.30pm, Wednesday 24^th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm)

25-26 January    Leeds: First Direct Arena                              www.firstdirectarena.com

(Thursday 25^th at 7.30pm, Friday 26^th at 7.30pm

27-28 January    Manchester Arena                                          www.manchester-arena.com

(Saturday 27^th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 28^th at 1.30pm & 6.30pm)

30-31 January    Belfast: SSE Arena                                           www.ssearenabelfast.com

(Tuesday 30^th at 7.30pm, Wednesday 31^st at 2.30pm & 7.30pm)

2-4 February      Glasgow: SSE Hydro                                       www.thessehydro.com

(Friday 2^nd at 7.30pm, Saturday 3^rd at 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 4^th at 1.30pm)

6-7 February      Nottingham: Motorpoint Arena                motorpointarenanottingham.com

(Tuesday 6^th at 7.30pm, Wednesday 7^th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm)

 

8-9 February      London: The SSE Arena Wembley            www.ssearena.co.uk

(Thursday 8^th at 7.30pm, Friday 9^th at 7.30pm)

10-11 February  London: The O2 Arena                                   www.theo2.co.uk

(Saturday 10^th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 11^th at 1.30pm & 6.30pm)     

 

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Tickets: £35 – £65 (bands venue dependent) 

The O2 prices are £36 – £66 (Inclusive of a £1 per ticket venue facility fee)

All ticket prices are subject to a booking fee

 

To book tickets please contact the venue or call 0844 875 8758

For online bookings visit www.ticketzone.co.uk or www.ticketmaster.co.uk

For more information visit: www.strictlycomedancinglive.com

Twitter: SCD_Live_Tour

Facebook: @strictlylive

Hull New Theatre – until 31 December 2107.  Reviewed by Catherine McWIlliams

4****

Qdos Entertainment’s production of Peter Pan is guaranteed to warm the soul on a cold winter’s day, full of fun, spectacle and gasp out loud moments, it has something for everyone. I have to be honest I was a sceptic about pantos when I arrived at the theatre, having seen only one before I really didn’t think they were for me as an adult. How wrong I was, I was very quickly joining in the shouting with the children, groaning at the gags and laughing till I ached. I left the New Theatre with a huge smile on my face.

This show is a visual feast with spectacular scenery and costumes. It really benefits from the redevelopment of the New Theatre which has increased the size and the height of the stage, allowing Peter Pan to soar high into the sky. From the start we were treated to stunning dancing and musical numbers. The 3D section was amazing and I have to confess to screaming as loudly as the children were at times.

The story of course is that of Peter Pan taking Wendy and the Darling boys to Neverland and the ultimate defeat of Captain Hook. Along the way we meet Tinker Belle, Tiger Lily, Big Chief Sitting Sid, Mimi the Mermaid, Smee and Starkey.

Darren Day makes Captain Hook a suitably nasty piece of work, Hook is an east Ender sneering at the audience and their City of Culture and clearly reveling in the booing! His timing was excellent and he was more than happy to throw in the odd ad lib (much to the delight of the adults in the audience). His musical numbers were excellent but particular mention must go to his rendition of “I Did it My Way” – one to remember!

Jonny Labey, as Peter Pan, was totally believable as he soared effortlessly into the sky, wielded a sword, asked Wendy to be his Mummy and sang and danced his way around Neverland. Alice Strachan made a delightfully petulant Tinkerbelle, eventually seeing the error of her ways.

Laughter was never far away when Mimi the Mermaid (Charlie Hardwick), Smee (Ricky K) and Starkey (Brendan Sheerin) were around. Ricky K for me was the stand out in this production adding anarchy at the drop of a hat. His two handers with Brendan were spot on.

All in all this is a production to add sparkle, magic and rollicking fun to your Christmas – if you have the chance go and enjoy it. Oh yes one last thing – I believe in fairies

The Majestic Theatre in Darlington is pleased to announce it has teamed up with national charity Cash for Kids.

On Friday 29 December, the Majestic is throwing open its doors for a charity performance of the pantomime Cinderella.  Working in conjunction with Cash for Kids it has given away all the tickets for the performance to children and families in the local area who come from disadvantaged backgrounds to make sure they have a Christmas they can truly remember.

Matthew Campbell, Artistic Director of the Majestic commented I was helped by Cash for Kids a few years ago when I did a Community Dance project and I felt that by donating a performance of Cinderella, I would giving something back to the community and to the charity that helped me when I needed it

Cash for Kids is currently running its annual Mission Christmas Appeal – The largest annual Christmas toy appeal in the UK.

In 2016 the appeal generated upwards of £2 million in gifts and donations which were distributed to more than 47,000 disadvantaged kids across the North East.

With 1 in 4 children across the North East living in poverty this December, for many families Christmas is simply a luxury they can’t afford. This year’s Mission Christmas aims to beat last year’s fundraising total and help make sure it can help as many children as possible.

Amiee Littlefair, Cash for Kids Charity Manager commented Every year we receive an astonishing amount of applications for Mission Christmas, this year we are hoping to help 47,500 local children. The support we receive every year is overwhelming and we couldn’t complete our mission without companies like The Majestic Theatre helping. The tickets are an amazing treat for so many children and for the majority the first time they will have experienced a pantomime.

If you’d like to donate to support Mission Christmas you can contact the charity on www.tfmradio.co.uk/cashforkids or by texting HAPPY to 70808 to donate £5

And if you’d like to see Cinderella at the Majestic you can book tickets here http://themajestictheatre.nutickets.com/event-brand/8173

 

Spring 2018 at Northern Stage
Tickets from £10

The spring 2018 season at Northern Stage features ambitious new productions made in Newcastle, including the UK premiere of Sting’s The Last Ship, alongside new shows from some of the UK’s most exciting and innovative theatre companies. Plus comedy, dance, shows for children and young people and an eclectic programme in the intimate Stage 3 performance space.

A brand new production of Sting’s The Last Ship will open at Northern Stage (12 March – 7 April) before a national tour. Directed by Northern Stage Artistic Director Lorne Campbell and starring Jimmy Nail, Sting’s personal, political and passionate musical comes home to Newcastle in an epic tale of community, hope and a great act of collective defiance

A Northern Stage production in association with Karl Sydow and Kathryn Schenker, The Last Ship tells the story of a community amid the demise of the shipbuilding industry in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, with the closure of the town’s shipyard. Director Lorne Campbell says, “It is a great pleasure and a privilege to be bringing this new version of The Last Ship to Newcastle. Sting’s score is steeped deep in the traditions of Northumbrian music and this epic story is fundamental to the identity of the people of the North East. This is a story of community, of resilience and how in even the very darkest of moments, hope and possibility remain.”

Northern Stage has expanded its pioneering NORTH programme beyond actor training to include staging and touring a new production, offering four emerging actors from the North East the opportunity to perform professionally with the theatre in Spring 2018. The maiden production will be a new adaptation of H.G.
Wells’ classic sci-fi story of survival, The War of the Worlds (31 Jan – 10 Feb), written by Laura Lindow (Key Change, Open Clasp) with sound design by Mariam Rezaei (A Song for Ella Grey, Northern Stage), and directed by Elayce Ismail, recipient of the Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme’s pilot Associate Directorship to prepare directors for artistic leadership.

This vivid and dynamic new production relocates the story to the North East of England, where a band of survivors confront a Martian invasion against the backdrop of 1898 Newcastle. Director Elayce Ismail explains, “Setting the story in the North East has given us a brilliant opportunity to reveal the secrets of this area and delve into its rich and evocative past. We’re really excited to be bringing this part of the world to life on stage for our audiences.”

Following on from the success of David Almond’s A Song for Ella Grey in which more than 50 young people worked with the creative team to create a virtual Greek chorus, Northern Stage Young Company presents Where Do We Stand (25-28 April). Collectively written by a team of professional writers, and co-produced and co-authored by young people from across North East England, Where Do We Stand will combine spoken word, live music, physical and virtual landscapes to tell stories of what it is to live, work and dream in Newcastle in 2018. Led by Associate Director Louie Ingham, and thanks to funding awarded by the Clothworkers Foundation in 2016, Northern Stage has expanded Young Company to give more 16-21 year olds from disadvantaged communities open access to a diverse and innovative programme offering new opportunities to explore key roles and areas of theatre making through practical workshops in Theatre Design, Composition, Directing, Production and Stage Management.

Offbeat romantic comedy Frankie & Johnny in the Clair de Lune (21 May – 2 June) will be directed by Northern Stage Associate Director Mark Calvert (James & the Giant Peach, Northern Stage). Written by American playwright Terrence McNally who also wrote the screenplay for the hit 1991 film starring Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer, the play started life off-Broadway in 1987 and is an intimate look at the first fragile moments of risking your heart and taking a chance. Casting to be announced early 2018.

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) will bring its acclaimed production of Hamlet to Northern Stage (20-24 February). Originally seen in Stratford-upon-Avon in 2016, Hamlet will tour the UK before transferring to London’s Hackney Empire in March. Directed by Simon Godwin, the production will see RSC Associate Artist Paapa Essiedu reprise his award-winning performance in the title role as one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragic heroes. Paapa Essiedu won Best Performance in a Play at the UK Theatre Awards in 2016 for his role as
Hamlet. Other RSC credits include Edmund in King Lear, Fenton in The Merry Wives of Windsor and The Mouse and his Child. Additional theatre credits include King Lear (National Theatre) and Romeo and Juliet (Tobacco Factory) and he played Demetrius in Russell T Davies’ adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream for BBC1 (2016).

Complicité present a reimagined version of A Pacifist’s Guide to the War on Cancer (7-10 February), a collaboration with performance artist Bryony Kimmings. Known for her unique take on taboo topics – from her sexual health (Sex Idiot), to her boyfriend’s depression (Fake It ’Til You Make It), Kimmings’ acclaimed collaboration with Complicité blows everything you think you know about cancer out of the water. Originally a co-production with the National Theatre in association with HOME Manchester, Kirsty Housley, Co-Director
of The Encounter and long-term Complicité collaborator will direct, with writer Bryony Kimmings leading the company in this reworked production touring the UK before heading to Australia.

Black Men Walking (15-17 February) by writer and award-winning beat boxer Testament is the first national tour born from Revolution Mix – a three year movement to create and produce an ambitious body of work telling Black British stories. An Eclipse Theatre Company and Royal Exchange Theatre co-production, Dawn Walton will direct this story of a black men’s walking group in Sheffield.

Third Angel and Northern Stage present The Department of Distractions (2-10 February), a consipiracy theory documentary for the 21st century. Pilot Theatre and York Theatre Royal are co-producing a new adaption of Graham Greene’s Brighton Rock (1-5 May) by acclaimed writer Bryony Lavery. LIFT present Lola
Arias’ Minefield (22-24 March) – a collaboratively created work with Falklands/Malvinas war veterans merging theatre and film. And Javaad Alipoor brings The Believers Are But Brothers (14-16 June); this Fringe First award winning multi-media show exploring an online world of fantasy, gaming and extremism was a huge hit in the Northern Stage at Summerhall programme at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe.

Dance includes Phoenix Dance Company celebrating the 70th anniversary of SS Empire Windrush’s arrival bringing the first Caribbean migrants to the UK with Windrush: Movement of the People (9-10 May); and Kelly-Abbott Dance Theatre presents Launch Day (29 May) – a celebration of the working class and shipbuilding in all its industrial glory. Inspired by the paintings of artist Alexander Millar with an enchanting soundtrack featuring music by Mark Knopfler.

For families and young people, Theatre Alibi’s The Boy Who Climbed into the Moon (6-7 April) features live music and puppetry to tell a fantastical story for 6-11 year olds from the novel by award-winning writer David Almond; Highly Sprung present Fall Out (13-14 March) – a high-energy physical theatre performance set in a nightclub for young people age 14+; Showstopper! (17 February) offer an afternoon family show of their must-see improvised musical; The Owl & the Pussycat (13-17 February) from Kitchen Zoo uses puppets and live music to bring to life an unexpected ted telling of Edward Lear’s classic tale for 3-7 year olds; Bamboozle present Gentle Giant (21-22 February) – an immersive, multi-sensory experience for children aged 6-14 with profound and multiple learning disabilities and their families; and on the first Saturday of every
month The Storyteller Chris Bostock shares stories from all over the world with children aged 5-8 and their grown-ups.

Comedy, live music and spoken word includes Sophie Willan: Branded (15 March) – fresh from a sell to run at the Edinburgh Fringe Branded; Ruby Wax: Frazzled (20-21 April); Newcastle Poetry Festival (3-5 May); and Sunderland’s Mercury Prize Award-nominated Field Music launch their sixth album Open Here (2-3 February) with three specially staged shows at Northern Stage.

The Stage 3 programme will feature an eclectic mix of theatre, music, comedy, spoken word, poetry and scratch nights which will be announced later in the year.

Tickets for most shows start at £10. For full details or to book tickets see northernstage.co.uk or call the box office on 0191 230 5151.

A MONTH OF SPECIAL EVENTS AT RICHMOND THEATRE

Richmond Theatre has a whole host of musical entertainment to delight audiences this January. From hilarious, rock-tastic concerts, to toe-tapping classics, kick-start the new year with an exciting mix of special events.

Direct from its success in London’s West End, a sold out UK tour and standing ovations at every performance, The Simon & Garfunkel Story is back at Richmond Theatre! Using projection photos and original film footage, this 50 Anniversary Celebration also features a full live band performing all the hits including Mrs Robinson, Cecilia, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Homeward Bound and many more.

Returning for its second year at Richmond, Someone Like You: The Adele Songbook is an immaculate celebration of one of our generation’s finest singer-songwriters. Hand-picked by Adele herself on Graham Norton’s BBC ADELE Special, the outstanding Katie Markham has the show-stopping voice and captivating charisma to deliver all your favourite Adele hits in an enthralling concert performance.

Vampires Rock: Ghost Train is the spectacular sequel to the phenomenally successful Vampires Rock from Steven Steinman. For more than two decades, Steinman and his crew have delivered exhilarating performances packed with energy, thrilling dance routines, spectacular special effects and rocking music that gets everyone up on their feet. This rock-tastic, hilarious, musical concert includes tracks from Queen, AC/DC, Meat Loaf, Journey, Bon Jovi, Guns n Roses and many more.

 

Back to Bacharach returns to Richmond to take you on a journey through music, narration, and projected imagery of legendary songwriter Burt Bacharach and lyricist Hal David. Together, they helped shape the path of modern music as we know it today. This fantastic show features all of the hits, including Walk on By, The Look of Love, What’s New Pussycat, and many more. With a full West End cast and 10-piece band, this show is destined to take Richmond Theatre by storm.

January’s full list of special event listings follows below.

Richmond Box Office: 0844 871 7651* Website: atgtickets.com/Richmond*
*Fees apply.  Calls cost up to 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.

 

 

 

January Special Events Listings Information:

 

The Simon & Garfunkel Story                                                                                                    Tues 14 Jan at 7:30pm

Someone Like You: The Adele Songbook                                                                             Wed 24 Jan at 7:30pm

Vampires Rock: Ghost Train                                                                                                        Thurs 25 Jan at 7:30pm

Back to Bacharach                                                                                                                            Frid 26 Jan at 7:30pm

 

 

January Week-Long Listings Information:

 

Aladdin                                                                                                                                                Sat 9 Dec – Sun 14 Jan

Moscow City Ballet                                                                                                                         Wed 17  – Sun 21Jan