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Casting announced for The Tempest and Lord of the Flies at The Greenwich Theatre.
Today we announce our gender switched production of Shakespeare’s legendary The Tempest which sees Prospero now female and Miranda now male; exploring gender, sexuality and identity and Golding’s 20^th Century epic Lord of the Flies returns after a triumphant run in 2018 as part of our second season at The Greenwich Theatre in a 50/50 gender cast production.

The Tempest

Returning to the company Micha Colombo takes on the role of Prospero. Micha’s previous Lazarus credits include Troilus and Cressida, Coriolanus and Henry V.

Also returning to the company; David Clayton (Edward II, A Midsummer Night’s Dream) playsTrinculo, Georgina Barley (Lord of the Flies) plays Caliban and Nell Hardy (Lord of the Flies) plays Sebastian.

Making their Lazarus Debuts; Miranda – Alexander da Fonseca, Ariel – Abigail Clay,Alonzo – Nikolas Salmon, Antonio – Peace Oseyenum, Ferdinand – Aaron Peters,Gonzalo – Conor Hadfield and Stephano – James Alston.

Shakespeare’s legendary last play sees a ship caught in a storm, violent and destructive. When the casualties awake on an enchanted island their true self is revealed, an island full of magic, where love is love, revenge and forgiveness.

This new production is adapted and directed by Ricky Dukes, designed by Rachel Dinglewith lighting design by Stuart Glover, sound design by Sam Glossip and songs by Bobby Locke.

Lord of the Flies

Returning to the company Ben Victor plays the role of Simon which he played in the 2018 production.

Making their Lazarus Debuts; Ralph – Alice Hutchinson, Piggy – Tommy Carmichael, Jack – Matt Penson, Roger – Darcy Willison, Eric – David Angland, Sam – Larissa Teale, Percival – Lucy Ioannou, Henry – Oliver Franks, Maurice – Phoebe Stapleton, Bill – Denis Rai. The Voice is voiced by Jennifer Shakesby.

Full cast biographies can be on our company page.

“What are we? Humans? Animals? Or savages?”

Eleven children, one island… an incredible adventure turns into a fight for survival.

The production is directed by Ricky Dukes, with movement direction by Julia Cave designed by Rachel Dingle* with lighting design by Ben Jacobs and sound design by Nicola Chang.

*Based on the original design by Alfie Heywood and costume design by Rebecca Carpenter.
Full press releases are attached for both productions along with headshots for Micha Colombo (Prospero),  Alexander da Fonseca (Miranda) Aaron Peters (Ferdinand) as the two young lovers in The Tempest and Matt Penson (Jack) and Alice Hutchinson (Ralph) in Lord of the Flies.

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – until 19 January 2019

Reviewed by Jo Gordon

5*****

Based on a true story and film of the same name , Calendar Girls the Musical written by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth has been a touring success story.

Set in the rolling dales of Yorkshire we follow the trials and tribulations encountered by a group of WI ladies and their families. It covers all bases from troublesome teens, relationship breakdowns, friendships, ageing and death of a loved one. With the main focus being on Annie ( Anna-Jane Casey) and the loss of her husband, John, to cancer, much hilarity follows when the group come together to raise funds for a new hospital families room sofa through the means of a naked calendar.

With household names such as Fern Britton, Ruth Madoc and Denise Welch on board it really puts bums on seats. They each portray the real ladies beautifully and the casts comedic timing is next to none. With lots of humorous show tunes such as Celia (Denise Welch) I’ve had a little work done and Annies ( Anna-Jane Casey) heartbreaking Scarborough and Kilimanjaro you are guaranteed to ride an emotional roller-coaster so take tissues!

With a stunningly simple backdrop of green hills and dusky skies you really do feel in the heart of Jam, Cake and Jerusalem country and come away feeling empowered by those ladies ability to bare all to the audience, but not quite enough to feel the need to follow suite!

A definite must see and as a child in the 80’s watching Hi-De-Hi never in my wildest dreams  would I have thought I’d ever utter the words “I saw Ruth Madoc bare her breasts this evening”.

 

NEW YEAR, NEW SEASON

AT STORYHOUSE WITH

MORE SHOWS ANNOUNCED

Calendar Girls The Musical and Cabaret,

comedian Ed Byrne and author Matt Haig

now all confirmed for 2019 programme

As the new spring season for Storyhouse fast approaches, the award-winning Chester venue has added four new shows to its programme – revealing its first three shows for autumn.

Audiences can look forward to headline shows including West End musicals, comedy giants, beautiful dance, and captivating opera.

Spring highlights include Wise Children; Annie; Ghost – The Musical; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; Avenue Q; Brian Blessed; Collabro; Brendan Cole; Julian Clary; Moscow City Ballet; The Noise Next Door; Nick Sharratt; and English Touring Opera.

But before the new season starts, four new shows have been added to the line-up for 2019.

Author Matt Haig has been added to the spring season and comes to Storyhouse this April. Followed by Cabaret in September and Calendar Girls The Musical in October, then comedian Ed Byrne in December – this hat-trick of new shows are the first to be announced for the autumn 2019 programme.

Author Matt Haig comes to Storyhouse on Sunday 14 April with Notes on a Nervous Planet, apersonal and vital look at how to feel happy, human and whole in the 21^st Century and the follow-up to his bestseller Reasons To Stay Alive. Join the author for an evening of positive and insightful discussion about the modern world, offering a closer look at the challenges posed by our ever-changing technological landscape and his advice on how best to navigate it.

Cabaret comes to Storyhouse between Tuesday 24 September and Saturday 28 September for eight performances only, including three matinees.

Bill Kenwright presents the multi award-winning production of Kander and Ebb’s landmark musical, Cabaret. Directed by National Theatre Artistic Director Rufus Norris, the production has enjoyed two smash-hit West End runs at The Lyric and The Savoy theatres. Since its Broadway premiere and the movie version starring Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey, Cabaret has won numerous stage and screen awards including eight Oscars, seven BAFTAs and 13 Tonys. Cabaret features show-stopping choreography, dazzling costumes and iconic songs Money Makes The World Go Round, Maybe This Time and, of course, the title song Cabaret.

Make a date with the Calendar Girls between Tuesday 29 October and Saturday 2 November, with matinee performances on the Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Calendar Girls The Musical by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth is the award-winning production based on the true story of the calendar girls – a group of ordinary women from Yorkshire who achieved something extraordinary. This marvellous musical comedy, based on the smash-hit film of the same name, received fantastic five-star reviews in London’s West End. The Times described Calendar Girls The Musical as “pure gold”.

Comedian Ed Byrne makes his first trip to Storyhouse on Monday 9 December with his new show If I’m Honest.

Join Ed as he takes a long hard look at himself and tries to decide if he has any traits that are worth passing on to his children. A masterclass in observational comedy, the show comes hot on the heels of his 2017/2018 hit tour, Spoiler Alert! In the past year Ed has appeared on Live At The Apollo, Mock The Week, The Pilgrimage, QI, and Top Gear.

The spring season starts with The Comedy About a Bank Robbery from Tuesday 29 January to Saturday 2 February. Mischief Theatre return to Storyhouse with their latest West End smash hit, which follows the hugely successful The Play That Goes Wrong.

Musicals fare strong throughout spring and Storyhouse audiences can look forward to Avenue Q, Ghost – The Musical, Annie, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Avenue Q runs from Monday 25 February and Saturday 2 March. This Tony Award-winning musical ishilarious and cheeky, and full of mischief, bad behaviour and political incorrectness. With a cast of 11 hugely talented performers and puppets, it’s a musical like no other.

Based on the blockbuster 1990 film starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg,Ghost – The Musical will pull on the heartstrings. It runs from Tuesday 5 March to Saturday 9 March,and includes songs co-written by Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart.

West End smash hit Annie stars actress Anita Dobson (EastEnders, Wicked, Chicago) as Miss Hannigan. With songs including Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street, and Tomorrow, the show runs from Monday 25 March to Saturday 30 March.

The Biblical story of Joseph, his 11 brothers and coat of many colours is portrayed through Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat from Tuesday 16 April to Saturday 20 April.

Visionary director Emma Rice presents the new theatrical production of novelist Angela Carter’s Wise Children direct from the West End from Tuesday 19 March to Saturday 23 March. The carnivalesque tale of the tangled fortunes of two theatrical families is inspired by Shakespeare’s greatest comedies.

Laughter is often thought to be the best medicine, so a trip to Storyhouse is a must with appearances from a whole host of comedy giants.

An Evening with Brian Blessed is on Wednesday 6 February; Jason Manford returns to Storyhouse and brings his show Muddle Class for two nights on Wednesday 13 February and Thursday 14 February; risqué comedian Julian Clary presents Born To Mince on Sunday 31 March; while DaraO’Briain is the Voice of Reason from Monday 1 April to Wednesday 3 April.

The Noise Next Door present a double bill on Wednesday 20 February. The improv comedy troupe present new family show The Noise Next Door At Sea in the afternoon, followed that evening byRemix, a brand new full-length show for the grown-ups.

Music and dance are high on the programme with Collabro performing on Monday 11 February as part of their UK tour Road To The Royal Albert Hall; and Moscow City Balletpresent a double bill ofThe Nutcracker on Thursday 21 February and Friday 22 February, followed by Sleeping Beauty onSaturday 23 February.

Star of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing Brendan Cole is back with new stage production Show Man onSunday 24 February; and English Touring Opera return to present a season of Kings and Queens in the battle for love, loyalty and power with a double bill of Verdi’s Macbeth on Friday 15 March andMozart’s Idomeneo on Saturday 16 March, both will feature a large chorus and live orchestra.BalletBoyz also return with two new works, Them & Us on Thursday 4 April.

Acclaimed children’s writer and illustrator Nick Sharratt presents his Right Royal Drawalong onSaturday 16 February, showing audiences how to sketch their favourite characters. Nick has illustrated close to 260 books including Tracy Beaker.

Young dragon Zog flies into Storyhouse from Friday 5 April to Sunday 7 April. The stage adaptation is based on the book by Julia Donaldson with illustrations by Axel Scheffler. Large in size and keen in nature, Zog has promises plenty of adventures and fun for all ages.

Storyhouse Artistic Director Alex Clifton said: “What an exciting and diverse season we have this spring. Showstopping musicals, West End productions, and household comedy names – this is just a taster of the fantastic line-up we have heading to Storyhouse.

“It may only be January, but we’re also thrilled to announce our first shows for autumn – Cabaret, Calendar Girls The Musical, and comedian Ed Byrne. We’re looking forward to a colourful, exciting and entertaining 2019, we hope you can join us.”

Tickets for all spring season shows at Storyhouse are now on sale. Storyhouse has a dynamic pricing policy on the majority of shows, ensuring the earlier you book your tickets, guarantees the best seats at the lowest price.

The online version of the Storyhouse spring season 2019 brochure can be viewed by visitinghttps://issuu.com/storyhouselive/docs/storyhouse_spring_19

Website:         www.storyhouse.com

Facebook:       www.facebook.com/storyhouselive/

Twitter:           @StoryhouseLive

LISTING INFORMATION

STORYHOUSE SPRING SEASON 2019

THE COMEDY ABOUT A BANK ROBBERY

Dates: Tuesday 29 January – Saturday 2 February 2019

Times: Tuesday – Saturday 7.30pm / Wednesday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm

AN EVENING WITH BRIAN BLESSED

Date: Wednesday 6 February 2019

Time: 7.30pm

COLLABRO

Date: Monday 11February 2019

Time: 7.30pm

JASON MANFORD: MUDDLE CLASS

Dates: Wednesday 13 February – Thursday 14 February 2019

Time: 7.30pm

NICK SHARRATT’S RIGHT ROYAL DRAWALONG

Date: Saturday 16 February 2019

Time: 2pm

THE NOISE NEXT DOOR: AT SEA

Date: Wednesday 20 February 2019

Time: 2pm

THE NOISE NEXT DOOR: REMIX

Date: Wednesday 20 February 2019

Time: 8pm

MOSCOW CITY BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER

Dates: Thursday 21February – Friday 22 February 2019

Time: 7.30pm

MOSCOW CITY BALLET: SLEEPING BEAUTY

Date: Saturday 23 February 2019

Times: 3pm & 7.30pm

BRENDAN COLE LIVE: SHOW MAN

Date: Sunday 24 February 2019

Times: 2.30pm & 7.30pm

AVENUE Q

Dates: Monday 25 February – Saturday 2 March 2019

Times: Monday – Saturday 7.30pm / Wednesday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm

GHOST – THE MUSICAL

Dates: Tuesday 5March – Saturday 9 March 2019

Times: Tuesday – Saturday 7.30pm / Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm

ENGLISH TOURING OPERA: MACBETH AND IDOMENEO

Dates: Friday 15 March 2019 – Macbeth / Saturday 16 March 2019 – Idomeneo

Time: 7.30pm

WISE CHILDREN

Dates: Tuesday 19 March – Saturday 23 March 2019

Times: Tuesday – Saturday 7.30pm / Wednesday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm

ANNIE

Dates: Monday25 March – Saturday 30 March 2019

Times: Monday – Saturday 7.30pm / Wednesday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm

JULIAN CLARY: BORN TO MINCE

Date: Sunday31 March 2019

Time: 7.30pm

DARA O BRIAIN: VOICE OF REASON

Dates: Monday 1 April – Wednesday 3 April 2019

Time: 8pm

BALLETBOYZ: THEM & US

Date: Thursday 4 April 2019

Time: 7.30pm

ZOG:

Dates: Friday 5 April – Sunday 7 April 2019

Times: Friday 4.30pm / Saturday 11am, 2pm & 4pm / Sunday 11am & 2pm

MATT HAIG: NOTES ON A NERVOUS PLANET

Date: Sunday 14 April 2019

Time: 7.30pm

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

Dates: Tuesday 16 April – Saturday 20 April 2019

Times: Tuesday – Thursday 7.30pm / Wednesday & Thursday 2.30pm / Friday 5pm / Saturday 2pm & 5pm / Friday & Saturday 8pm

STORYHOUSE AUTUMN SEASON 2019

CABARET

Dates: Tuesday 24 September – Saturday 28 September 2019

Times: Tuesday – Saturday 7.30pm / Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm

CALENDAR GIRLS THE MUSICAL

Dates: Tuesday 29 October – Saturday 2 November 2019

Times: Tuesday – Saturday 7.30pm / Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm

ED BYRNE: IF I’M HONEST

Date: Monday 9 December 2019

Time: 8pm

STORYHOUSE

Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR

HOW TO BOOK

Online:            Visit www.storyhouse.com

By Phone:       Call 01244 409 113

In person:       Visit the Ticket Kiosks at Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR

Some shows benefit from the Storyhouse dynamic pricing policy, which guarantees the best seats at the lowest price.

All bookings are subject to a £1.50 booking fee per ticket.

BOXING LOVE STORY GYPSY QUEEN

GEARS UP FOR NEW 4-WEEK UK TOUR

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A play about the unconventional love story between two professional boxers is about to embark on its third UK tour, visiting 11 venues across four weeks.

Gypsy Queen opens its UK Tour 2019 at The Riverfront, Newport, on Thursday 31 January.

The show will then tour for four weeks visiting Nottingham Playhouse; Square Chapel in Halifax; Sheffield Crucible; York Theatre Royal; Hull Truck; Crewe Lyceum; Lawrence Batley in Huddersfield; Theatr Clywd; Leicester Curve; and New Wosley in Ipswich.

Set in the competitive world of boxing, Gypsy Queen is a tale of boxing and finding love in the most unusual circumstances, and explores LGBTQI visibility in sport, faith, sexuality, and the notion of masculinity.

Gypsy Queen tells the story of ‘Gorgeous’ George O’Connell, a bare-knuckle fighter from a traveller family, a hero to his people and a self-proclaimed Gypsy King. George enters the world of professional boxing which puts him on a collision course with his roots, his fears and his very identity.

In the opposite corner, Dane ‘The Pain’ Samson, the young pretender and son of a boxing legend. He is fighting his own battles that lead to a tragedy that neither could predict.

This critically acclaimed love story about two men who find each other in the most unlikely of worlds. But can two men raised to fight ever learn to love?

The play features just two actors, who play nine characters between them, portraying comedy, drama and physicality in equal measure.

Gypsy Queen is written by Rob Ward, who also plays the role of George O’Connell. The role of Dane Samson will be shared during the tour by actors John Askew and Ryan Clayton, who will each perform on specific dates (see listings).

John Askew reprises the role after performing as Dane at the Edinburgh Fringe 2018 and the Gypsy Queen UK Tour 2018; while Ryan Clayton returns after being originally cast as the character in 2017.

The play is directed by Adam Zane and produced by Max Emmerson for Emmerson & Ward Productions, in association with Hope Theatre Company.

Just days before the tour opens in Newport, there is a special immersive performance of Gypsy Queen in Manchester on Sunday 27 January 2019. The site specific performance will be staged atMoss Side Fire Station Boxing Club, where the cast will perform within the ropes of an actual boxing ring. A 3pm family friendly performance will be followed by the full production at 7pm.

Producer Max Emmerson commented: “We’ve had a fantastic response to the site specific performance of Gypsy Queen at Moss Side Fire Station Boxing Club, and now we’re excited to announce details of the new UK Tour 2019.

“The play has strong messages of friendship, conflict, challenging prejudice – but most of all love. We’re looking forward to taking Gypsy Queen to new venues and audiences, and continues to help break down barriers.”

Gypsy Queen was nominated for two Manchester Theatre Awards 2018 in the categories of best new play and best fringe production.

The play was a knock-out success at Edinburgh in 2017 and 2018, garnering a host of four and five-star reviews, and was selected as one of LGBT Youth Scotland’s Top Ten Festival Picks at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe. It was also longlisted for the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award, with writer Rob Ward named as one of the British Council’s Emerging Artists for 2017. The List also placed Gypsy Queen 39^th on its list of best festival shows based on the opinions of a range of reviewers – out of 3,500 overall.

What the critics say…

“A slick, rewarding piece of work” – The List

“A multi-faceted love story…slick yet poignant” – The Stage

“Incredibly moving…brilliantly funny” – Attitude

“Laugh-out-loud lines…a touching romance” – The Independent

“Heart-breaking, raw and emotional; this really is not one to miss” – Broadway Baby

Gypsy Queen is suitable for audiences aged 16 upwards. The play contains strong language, nudity, and scenes of a sexual nature.

Website:         www.gypsyqueentour.com/

Facebook:       GypsyQueen Tour

Twitter:           @GypsyQueenTour

LISTING INFORMATION

GYPSY QUEEN – SITE SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE

Sunday 27 January 2019

Family friendly show 3pm / full show 7pm

Performers Rob Ward and John Askew

Moss Side Fire Station Boxing Club, Denhill Road, Moss Side, Manchester, M15 5NR

Tickets are priced between £5 and £15

Book online at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gypsy-queen-by-rob-ward-tickets-53455864931

GYPSY QUEEN – UK TOUR 2019

THE RIVERFRONT, NEWPORT

Thursday 31 January 2019 at 7.45pm

Performers Rob Ward and John Askew

NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE

Saturday 2 February 2019 at 8pm

Performers Rob Ward and John Askew

Box Office 0115 941 9419

SQUARE CHAPEL, HALIFAX

Thursday 7 February 2019 at 8pm

Performers Rob Ward and John Askew

Box Office 01422 349422

SHEFFIELD CRUCIBLE

Saturday 9 February 2019 at 7.45pm

Performers Rob Ward and John Askew

Box Office 0114 249 6000

YORK THEATRE ROYAL

Wednesday 13 February 2019 at 7.45pm

Performers Rob Ward and John Askew

Box Office 01904 623568

HULL TRUCK

Friday 15 February 2019 at 8pm

Saturday 16 February 2019 at 8pm

Performers Rob Ward and John Askew

Box Office 01482 323638

CREWE LYCEUM

Monday 18 February 2019 at 7.30pm

Performers Rob Ward and Ryan Clayton

Box Office 01270 368242

LAWRENCE BATLEY THEATRE, HUDDERSFIELD

Tuesday 19 February 2019 at 7.45pm

Performers Rob Ward and Ryan Clayton

Box Office 01484 430 528

THEATR CLYWD

Thursday 21 February 2019 at 7.45pm

Friday 22 February 2019 at 7.45pm

Saturday 23 February 2019 at 7.45pm

Performers Rob Ward and Ryan Clayton

Box Office 01352 701521

LEICESTER CURVE

Monday 25 February 2019 at 7.45pm

Performers Rob Ward and Ryan Clayton

Box Office 0116 242 3595

NEW WOSLEY, ISPWICH

Tuesday 26 February 2019 at 7.45pm

Performers Rob Ward and Ryan Clayton

Box Office 01473 295900

PLEASE NOTE:

Gypsy Queen is suitable for audiences aged 16 upwards.

The play contains strong language, nudity, and scenes of a sexual nature.

New Old Friends present: Crimes on the Nile A new Artemis Arinae thriller from New Old Friends inspired by Christie, Coward and classic Ealing comedies UK Tour, 7th January to 4 May 2019

“a mesmerising mix of murder, mayhem and laugh-out-loud comedy that leaves you exhausted just watching the action unfold” ★★★★ The Stage on Crimes Against Christmas

Following 2018’s sell-out smash hit Crimes Under the Sun, multi-award-winning theatre company, New Old Friends, return with another hilariously inventive comedy thriller.

It’s 1935 and celebrated Belgian detective extraordinaire, Artemis Arinae, is enjoying a cruise along the Nile – when tragedy strikes again. All passengers and staff are suspects, and the body count is growing – will Arinae’s little grey cells identify the murderer in time?!

A cast of just four bring to life lascivious lawyers, crocked captains, fastidious physicians, ardently amorous authors, feuding femme fatales, plodding paramours, colossal kids, friendly first mates and attractive Americans, who all get swept along the driving narrative and inventive set-pieces.

Heather Westwell, co-artistic director says: “Touring with Crimes Under the Sun was such a joyous experience with such an incredible response from the public that we are over the moon to be taking out another Artemis Arinae comedy thriller. This time we see our hero trapped on a river boat with a cast of shady characters, it features the same brand of multi-role mayhem and invention with even more ambition this time around. It should be a lot of fun.”

New Old Friends are an award-winning theatre company dedicated to creating original comedy theatre, founded in 2008 and run by husband and wife team Feargus Woods Dunlop and Heather Westwell. Previous shows include Crimes Against Christmas, Crimes on the Christmas Express, and Crimes under the Sun. In 2014 and 2015, New Old Friends took their adaptation of Anthony Horowitz’s The Falcon’s Malteser on two national tours and to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, enjoying sell-out shows at the Pleasance and great critical acclaim. After a chance conversation via Twitter, the company met Lichfield Garrick’s former artistic director Tim Ford and the opportunity for the Crimesshows began. Crimes on the Nile follows hot on the heels of Crimes of the Christmas Pudding which ran all winter at the Lichfield Garrick.

@newoldfriends | #CrimesNile | www.newoldfriends.co.uk

Running Time: 105mins plus interval | Suitable for ages 12+

Listings information

7 – 27 Jan 2019                         The Ustinov, Theatre Royal Bath
Saw Close, Bath, BA1 1ET
Tues-Sat 7.45pm, matinees 2.30pm | £16.50
www.theatreroyal.org.uk | 01225 448844          

29 Jan – 2 Feb                          The Barn, Cirencester
Beeches Rd, Cirencester GL7 1BN
Tues-Sat 7.30pm, matinees 2.30pm | £16 – £25
https://barntheatre.org.uk | 01285 648255

5 – 6 Feb                                  The Dukes, Lancaster 
Moor Lane, Lancaster LA1 1QE 
2pm & 7.30pm | £14.50-£16.50
www.dukes-lancaster.org | 01524 598 500

7 Feb                                        Middlesbrough Theatre 
The Avenue, Middlesbrough, TS5 6SA
7.30pm | £16.50
www.middlesbroughtheatre.co.uk | 01642 81 51 81

8 Feb                                        Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham 
Beaumont Street, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 3LS
7.30pm | £16.50
www.queenshall.co.uk | 01434 652 477

13 – 16 Feb                              The Theatre, Chipping Norton 
2 Spring Street, Chipping Norton, Oxon. OX7 5NL
7.45pm & 2pm| £15/£13
www.chippingnortontheatre.com | 01608 642 350

20- 23 Feb                                Eden Court, Inverness 
Bishops road, Inverness, IV3 5SA
8pm & 2.30pm| £16
www.eden-court.co.uk | 01463 234 234

26 – 27 Feb                              Gala theatre, Durham 
Millennium Place, Durham, DH1 1WA
7.30pm | £15/13
www.galadurham.co.uk | 03000 266 600

1 – 2 Mar                                  Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, Taunton 
School Road, Taunton, TA2 8PD
7.30pm & 2.30pm | £15
www.tacchi-morris.com | 01823 414 141

4 Mar                                        Wyvern Theatre, Swindon
Theatre Square, Swindon SN1 1QN
7.30pm | £18.50
swindontheatres.co.uk | 01793 524 481

5 Mar                                        The Hawth 
Hawth Ave, Crawley RH10 6YZ
7.30pm | £19.50/£17
www.hawth.co.uk | 01293 553636

6 Mar                                        Theatre Royal, Margate
Addington St, Margate CT9 1PW
7.30pm | £16/£14/£12
theatreroyalmargate.com | 01843 292795

7 Mar                                        The Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone
Earl Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1PL
7.30pm | £20/18
www.HazlittTheatre.com | 01622 758 611

8 Mar                                        The Core at Corby Cube 
George St, Corby NN17 1QG
7.30pm | £15
www.thecorecorby.com | 01536 470 470

9 Mar                                        Nottingham Lakeside Arts, Djanogly Theatre
DH Lawrence Pavilion, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD
7.30pm | £12.50-£16.50
www.lakesidearts.org.uk | 0115 846 7777

13 – 16 Mar                              Old Laundry Theatre, Bowness-on-Windermere 
Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere LA23 3BX
7.30pm & 2.30pm | £15/£14
www.oldlaundrytheatre.co.uk | 01539 440 872

19 – 20 Mar                              Queen’s Theatre, Barnstable 
100 Boutport St, Barnstaple EX31 1SY
7.30pm | £22
www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/Queens-Theatre | 01271 316063

21 – 23 Mar                              Lichfield Garrick 
Castle Dyke, Lichfield, WS13 6HR
2.30pm & 7.30pm | £19-£24
www.lichfieldgarrick.com | 01543 412 121

26 Mar                                      Torch Theatre, Pembrokeshire 
St Peter’s Road, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, SA73 2BU
7.30pm | £18/£16
www.torchtheatre.co.uk | 01646 695267

28 – 30 Mar                              Theatr Clwyd 
Raikes Lane, Mold CH7 1YA
2.45pm & 7.45pm | from £10
www.theatrclwyd.com | 01352 701521

18 – 20 Apr                               Palace Theatre, Southend
430 London Road, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 9LA
2.30pm & 8pm | £17.50-£27.50
www.palacetheatresouthend.co.uk | 01702 351135

2 – 4 May                                  Haymarket Theatre, Basingstoke
Wote St, Basingstoke RG21 7NW
2pm & 7.30pm | anvilarts.org.uk | 01256 844244

New Old Friends are Stage One bursary supported producers

BE OUR GUEST AS BEAUTY AND THE BEAST HEADS FOR THE STOCKPORT PLAZA

Regal Entertainments is bringing its smash hit production of Beauty and the Beast to The Stockport Plaza for Easter 2019.

The magical panto version of the classic fairytale comes toStockportfrom 18 – 22 April 2019 and will star Channel 5 Milkshake’s Kiera-Nicole Brennan as Belle.

Get ready to go on an adventure and follow Belle as she falls in love with the most unexpected of princes, with Andrew Geater as the Beast.

Also trying to win Belle’s heart is Philip McGuinness as the brutish Gaston. The brilliant Lewis Devinewill be causing mayhem and mischief as French Frank, whileadding some extra sparkle will be Sarah Walker as Fairy Rose. And the hilarious Si Foster completes the cast as Potty Polly.

Keira-Nicole Brennan has recently graduated from the prestigious BRIT School and is best known as the host of popular children’s breakfast show Milkshake. She is currently the youngest presenter in Channel 5 history after landing the role at just 19 and proving herself a hit with little viewers.

Andrew Geater takes the role of Beast. His impressive vocal talents have seen him perform across the globe including as a member of world renowned group The 12 Tenors.

The hilarious Lewis Devine is playing French Frank. After leaving audiences rolling in the theatre aisles laughing with his recent performance as Buttons in Cinderella, and as Muddles in Snow White, both at St Helens, Lewis is guaranteed to bring the same hilarity to Stockport this Easter.

Returning to the role of Gaston is Philip McGuinness. Stockport audiences will remember him as Tin Man in 2016’s production of The Wizard of Oz, while his other panto appearances for Regal Entertainments include Captain Hook in Peter Pan.

Meanwhile dancer and choreographer Sarah Walker will bring all the moves as well as lots of sparkle to the stage as Fairy Rose.

Completing the cast is Si Foster playing Potty Polly guaranteeing hilarious gags that are sure to keep audiences laughing.

An enchanting tale filled with hilarious comedy, wonderful songs and a story which proves that even the grumpiest of Beasts can change his ways. Make sure to book before the final rose petal falls!

Beauty and the Beast Producer, Chantelle Nolan said: “We’re very excited to be bringing this production of Beauty and the Beast to Stockport. We had a brilliant time at the theatre when we staged The Wizard of Oz – audiences were fantastic, and the theatre staff were very welcoming.

“Beauty and the Beast went down a storm at St Helens Theatre Royal during October half-term so we can guarantee a magical panto time at Stockport for Easter 2019.”

The Stockport Plaza Manager, Ted Doan added: “The Plaza has a history of providing the finest and most sensational affordable family entertainment for all ages to enjoy with our magnificent Easter Pantomimes and welcoming Regal Entertainments back this year with Beauty and the Beast will ensure that this annual tradition receives the right royal treatment that only Regal can provide!”

Beauty and the Beast runs from Thursday 18 – Monday 22 April 2019.  Tickets are now on sale. Book early to avoid disappointment.

The cast is subject to change.

Like us on Facebook: /RegalEntertainmentsLtd

Follow us on Twitter: @RegalEntsLtd

For further information visit: www.stockportplaza.co.uk

LISTING DETAILS

Regal Entertainments Ltd presents The Wizard of Oz

Dates: Thursday 18 – Monday 22 April 2019

Times: Thurs 1pm, Fri-Sun 12pm and 4pm, Mon 1pm

Tickets: From £12 (Prices are subject to per ticket fees)

VENUE INFORMATION:

STOCKPORT

Plaza Theatre

Mersey Square

Stockport

SK1 1SP

BOX OFFICE:

0161 477 7779

WEBSITE:

www.stockportplaza.co.uk

ALL ABOUT EVE 
by Joseph L Mankiewicz
Adapted and directed for the stage by Ivo van Hove

• Final casting announced for strictly limited run of All About Eve at the Noël Coward Theatre
• Merric Boyd, Fejiro Emasiobi, Jessie Mei Li, Chanelle Modi, Stuart Nunn, Phillipa Peak and Michael Warburton complete the cast
• All About Eve will run for 14 weeks with reduced priced previews beginning on 2nd February 2019. Best availability from late March 2019
• Over 20,000 tickets have been available at £25 or under during the run

Sonia Friedman Productions and Fox Stage Productions have today announced the full casting for the world premiere of Ivo van Hove’s highly anticipated stage production of the 1950 Twentieth Century Fox film All About Eve as rehearsals commence.

Jessie Mei Li will play the role of Claudia Casswell with Merric Boyd, Fejiro Emasiobi, Chanelle Modi, Stuart Nunn, Phillipa Peak and Michael Warburton joining the Ensemble. Performances run from 2nd February at the West End’s Noël Coward Theatre.

Previously announced, Emmy Award-winning Gillian Anderson will return to the stage alongsideLily James to lead the cast. BAFTA Award-winner Monica Dolan will play the role of Karen alongside Ian Drysdale as Max Fabian, Tsion Habte as Phoebe, Julian Ovenden as Bill, Sheila Reid as Birdie, Rhashan Stone as Lloyd and Stanley Townsend as Addison DeWitt. Charles Hagerty, Grace Stone and Philip Voyzey will also appear as Ensemble cast.

Ivo van Hove’s direction will be accompanied by set and lighting design from Jan Versweyveld,costume design by An D’Huys and music from double Mercury Prize-winner PJ Harvey, alongsideTom Gibbons’ sound design. Casting is by Julia Horan CDG.

“Fasten your seat belts. It’s going to be a bumpy night.”

Margo Channing. Legend. True star of the theatre. The spotlight is hers, always has been. But now there’s Eve. Her biggest fan. Young, beautiful Eve. The golden girl, the girl next door. But you know all about Eve…don’t you…?

 Ivo van Hove directs Gillian Anderson and Lily James in his new adaptation of All About Eve, a razor-sharp, unsettling exposé of the eternal obsession at the heart of show-business. Lifting the curtain on a world of jealousy and ambition, this new production, from one of the world’s most innovative theatre directors, asks why our fascination with celebrity, youth and identity never seems to get old.

LISTINGS

Sonia Friedman Productions and Fox Stage Productions present

ALL ABOUT EVE
by Joseph L Mankiewicz
Adapted and directed for the stage by Ivo van Hove
Set and Lighting Jan Versweyveld
Costume An D’Huys
Music PJ Harvey
Sound Tom Gibbons
Casting  Julia Horan CDG

Noël Coward Theatre

A Delfont Mackintosh Theatre
85-88 St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4AU

First performance: 2nd February 2019
Final performance: 11th May 2019

Captioned performance:  12th March 2019
Audio Described performance: 19th March 2019

Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm
Thursday & Saturday matinee performances at 2.30pm

Box office details
http://AllAboutEvePlay.com
0844 482 5151*
Access Bookings: 03444825137

Champagne and VIP: 08444825166*

Calls cost 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge

Prices from £15

Twitter/Facebook/Instagram @AllAboutEvePlay | AllAboutEvePlay.com 

VAULT Festival announce their biggest, boldest
and bravest programme yet

VAULT Festival, one of the largest curated arts festivals in the world, has announced more than 400 shows for their 2019 programme. Now in its seventh year, VAULT Festival returns to London from 23rd January to 17th March with the best in new writing for theatre and comedy, immersive experiences, cabaret, live performance and late night parties. Their exciting and diverse programme features shows from more than 2,000 artists, with 53% of work being female-led and 25% of work coming from LGBTQIA+ artists. Starting in 2012 with only 25 shows and 7,000 attendees, VAULT Festival has become the fastest growing arts festival in the UK, hosting over 350 shows in 2018 and welcoming more than 70,000 audience members.

In 2019, performances will take place across Waterloo with multiple spaces located underground in the festival’s central hub, The Vaults. Other festival venues include London’s secret community performance space The Network Theatre, upstairs at The Horse & Stables pub, Granby Place, and the Travelling Through Bookshop on Lower Marsh where you can catch fresh material from television favourites and hot new comics. Unit 9 on Leake Street will be a space dedicated to ground-breaking immersive performances while other pop-up venues include shipping containers, caravans and escape rooms.

For 2019, VAULT Festival is delighted to support two important causes: Help Refugees and Child.org. All ticket transactions for VAULT Festival will provide audiences with the opportunity to donate to Help Refugees, providing humanitarian aid to displaced people around the world. Child.org will host an exclusive stage at The Horse & Stables pub and receive a percentage of ticket sales to support their Team Mum campaign, helping to fund pregnancy services in rural Kenya that offer health information and medical support for new mothers.

VAULT Festival will continue its partnership with WeAreWaterloo, supporting the local community with a range of initiatives aimed at residents and under 25s. The Festival is expanding its engagement scheme with SURGE, a brand new pilot programme of cross-arts projects, working with schools in the area to provide workshops and outreach performances.

Proudly supported by leading theatre publishers and performing rights agents Nick Hern Books, the VAULT Festival New Writers Programme will offer an eight-week practical writing course for prospective writers of any age, enabling them to develop a piece of writing for the stage, culminating in a public showcase in the final week of the Festival. VAULT Festival will also offer up to 10,000 2-4-1 tickets through their Official App Partner Stagedoor.

In collaboration with Meantime Brewing, VAULT Festival will be adding to their array of bars with a specially designed and purpose-built new craft beer bar. Local culinary masters PopCo will be serving up an EU inspired menu. The festival is investing in 12,000 reusable cups to significantly reduce single-use waste, alongside a switchover to paperless tickets, a ban on plastic straws, and a guarantee that all food and beverage packaging is biodegradable or recyclable.

The VAULT Festival team commented, VAULT Festival started as an idea to bring artists and audiences together in an unusual space, in exciting spaces, to see if we could make a new model for the creative industry. A few years later, our audience has stuck with us and grown beyond our wildest hopes. We want VAULT Festival to be the people’s festival, designed around the audience, the artists, and our staff, without unfairly disadvantaging any of them. They are the very core of what makes VAULT work, and what makes us special.

Including shows with rubber ducks, 90s RnB, and a border collie, there’s something for everyone at VAULT Festival 2019.

Theatre

Headlining VAULT Festival, the immersive folk opera Counting Sheep returns to the UK for the first time since its award-winning run at The Edinburgh Fringe in 2016. This brand new adaptation, reimagined by the directors of the Belarus Free Theatre, is a deeply personal retelling of the Ukrainian Revolution, exploring the real-life narrative of the creators who fell in love on the barricades of Maidan Square. With folk singing, found footage and revolutionary staging, this electrifying exploration of human resilience invites audience members to be part of the revolution.

Also running for a full eight weeks, the makers of Counting Sheep present the London premiere of Balaklava Blues – an ethno-bass live set, coupled with archive footage, iconic Soviet cartoons, and the polyphonic blues of the Ukrainian plains.

New Diorama Theatre joins forces with VAULT Festival to showcase some of the UK’s most exciting ensemble work. Staging some of their recent Edinburgh hits, the NDT/VAULT Festival Takeover includes A Super Happy Story (About Feeling Super Sad), a hilarious yet gut-wrenching story about depression from Olivier award-winning playwright Jon Brittain, Kill the Beast’s Director’s Cut, an achingly funny comedy staged on the set of a 1970s horror movie; and, winner of a Stage Edinburgh Award, sell-out show Queens of Sheba – a funny, poetic and unflinching look at misogynoir. The season culminates with The Faction reviving their electrifying production of The Talented Mr.
Ripley, breathing new life into Patricia Highsmith’s extraordinary psychological thriller about an infamous and deadly conman.

Representing the highest calibre of work from the Fringe, VAULT Festival will host the winner of the
Summerhall Award, The Myth of the Singular Moment, and Pleasance Award winner, Ladykiller. Born in part out of co-creator Jim Harbourne’s experience with Huntington’s Disease, The Myth of
the Singular Moment is scored by a contemporary folk soundtrack and tells of the choices we make
and those we don’t as multiple realities coincide and diverge. Ladykiller is a blood-soaked jet-black
comedy offering the feminist case for female psychopaths: it’s not what it looks like, really, it’s not –
it was self-defence and, anyway, the woman was asking for it.

And there’s more for true crime fans as the macabre finds a spine-chilling home in The Vaults’underground tunnels. Based on the 2010 case, Kompromat follows the final hours of the GCHQ agent murdered and folded into a sports bag. Both assassin and victim find and lose their chance to escape in this tense thriller. Pufferfish is based on the real and astonishing story of Jeffrey Dahmer who took the lives of 17 young men in the 1980s. It digs through the homophobia of the initial reporting of the case and attempts to uncover the links between fear and desire, beauty and horror.

Other theatrical highlights include Tilda Swinton Answers an Ad on Craigslist with Instagram and Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Tom Lenk as Tilda Swinton, who comes to the rescue of a depressed gay man. Physical theatre ensemble The PappyShow present a cycle of plays in an exciting venue takeover including: Boys, a celebration of manhood with the things about boys you never get to see; Girls which explores the complex yet joyous stories of women of all ages; and Care, a touching
tribute to the NHS. Orlando from Lucy Roslyn and Josh Roche is the story of Virginia Woolf’s character through the sixties, the AIDs crisis and the shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando; it interrogates society’s insistence on boxing up identities. Irish company MALAPROP’s Jericho considers the world we live in and explores wrestling, journalism and confusing entertainment and politics. Katie & Pip is about the relationship between Katie, a Type 1 Diabetic teenager, and Pip, her border collie, trained to save her life on a daily basis. Making an invisible disability visible, it celebrates living life to the full, with help from an actual dog in performance.

Following the recent trend of reclaiming Herstory, VAULT Festival sees several new shows telling the stories of women marginalised by history. 10 is the history of Britain since Boudicca told by ten influential women while Rascal Theatre’s Galvanise sees three young women rediscover forgotten female leaders from across the world. New musical The Limit puts the self-taught mathematician Sophie Germain centre-stage exploring how she disguised herself as a man to submit work. Lola is the rich feminist unpicking of Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita which gives the eponymous character a voice to express her justifiable rage and discuss self-harm, stalking and extremely large breasts.

Family Fun

Bobbing their way back to London, Faceplant Theatre return with One Duck Down, an eco-friendly family comedy inspired by the 7,000 rubber ducks that spilled into the ocean in 1992. Winner of Best Family Show at VAULT Festival 2018, this musical production about oceans and plastic pollution would make David Attenborough proud. Also promoting environmental responsibility with a twinkle in their eye, Blue Planet III is a nature documentary from two interns determined to fight rising sea levels and pollution to film the third series of Blue Planet within a flooded BBC.

Encouraging inclusivity and creativity, Spun Glass Theatre’s Princess Charming is a topical exploration of gender identity for children aged seven to eleven. This hilarious play enables them to deeper understand their own identities and, in doing so, break free of gender stereotypes. Singing, dancing and teaching Cantonese vocabulary, Boh Boh Finds Home is the interactive adventure and debut show from Little Bean Theatre which allows families to travel through the galaxy together. How to Date a Magical Creature features a multi-award winning BAFTA and Olivier-winning cast who create a brand-new improvised chat show every night as the most famous fantastical beasties reveal their most intimate secrets and gossip.

Comedy

Returning for its second year, the VAULT Comedy Festival comes to venues across Waterloo with even more shows, more talent and more brazen humour. With further opportunities to see the start of something special, catch works-in-progress from household favourites like James Acaster, Phil Wang and Desiree Burch and debut hours from the most exciting up and coming acts such as Helen Bauer, Chloe Petts and Kayla Macquarie.

Elf Lyons will channel her inner Elton John to perform Love Songs to Guinea Pigs. With songs about, for and to guinea pigs, Lyons explores love and affection in her most personal show to date. Catherine Bohart presents new work, following her successful debut Immaculate, while Max and Ivan try things with two mics and a projector and Tom Parry celebrates life, love and losing your tie.

There is also the chance to catch critically acclaimed shows, transferring down from the Edinburgh Fringe. William Andrews embraces the Willy he always was, telling remarkable stories with a beguiling blend of daft creativity and ingenuity in Willy. Rob Oldham’s Worm’s Lament keeps the jokes firing even as he considers politics, youth and death. The endlessly inventive Josh Glanc brings Karma Karma Karma Karma Karma Chamedian south of the river. The frenetic sketch show Just These, Please uses comic absurdity to take on Bags for Life and Albus Dumbledore while The Free Association are joined by very special guests to create spontaneous and hilarious sketches based on audience suggestions.

Lates

Kicking the weekends off with blowout parties and irresistible iniquity, the Festival’s series of Lates promises nights of adventure. On Saturday 2nd February, Pecs Drag King Collective will be giving VAULT Festival the chance to be King for a Night. Visit the Mansformation Station to get ready for hot cabaret performances, sweaty dancing, 90s RnB and all your favourite drag kings. Other highlights include a Valentine’s Special Eat Your Heart Out! from Shotgun Carousel, the critically acclaimed team behind Divine Proportions. From raunch to romance, it will be one huge celebration of all flavours of feminist love with a multi-room extravaganza of bands, DJs, cabaret and, even, a sham wedding chapel. Rounding off the explosive programme, immersive specialists SPECIFIQ and Rogue Productions return to VAULT Festival with RUCKUS, a raucous St Patrick’s Day shindig with a vintage gangster vibe. Join us underground because no one parties like the Irish Mob.

And this is only a taste of the incredible programme, head to vaultfestival.com for full listings and more information about all the shows heading to Waterloo for the Festival. VAULT Festival promises to set alight your long winter nights in 2019.

Tara Arts and Polka Theatre to Tour

THREE SAT UNDER THE BANYAN TREE

by Shamser Sinha

Tara Arts and Polka Theatre have today announced that their co-production of Three Sat Under The Banyan Tree is set to head on a UK tour from 20^th January – 2^nd March 2019. The production originally played at The Polka Theatre in September 2018.

Three Sat Under The Banyan Tree is the first ever stage adaptation of The Panchatantra (India’s Aesop’s Fables) in the UK. Directed by Tara Arts’ Artistic Director Jatinder Verma, this children’s piece for ages 7 – 12 incorporates masks, movement and music.

Near the foothills of the Himalayas, three refugees open a magical book under a Banyan tree. Stories of a headstrong crow, a brave mongoose, and a tortured tiger come vibrantly to life, with masks, movement and music, to offer lessons for the young refugees seeking to re-make their lives.

This three-hander includes Rose-Marie Christian in the role of Jayaben, Halema Hussain in the role of Yasmin and Raj Swamy in the role of Mahendra.

Rose-Marie Christian’s theatre credits include Tales from the Arabian Nights (London Bubble), Dick Whittington, Aladdin, Home Theatre (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Does My Bomb Look Big In This (Bush Theatre), Little Revolution (Almeida), Two Boys (English National Opera), Acting Up (Rich Mix), The Crucible (Talawa), Absolute Return (Orange Tree Theatre), Suffocation and Bussing It (Oval House). Her film credits include Still Life (Still Life Productions), Escape and Rinsers.

Halema Hussain trained at ALRA. She is a bilingual actress and proud member of Dangerous Space, created by Barbara Houseman and Nastazja Somers. Theatre credits include Trixie in She Had Beautiful Handwriting For a Junkie (Theatre N16) and Aisha in Does My Bomb Look Big In This? (UK Tour). She also played Zainab/Hasina in Sudha Bhuchar’s Child of the Divide (UK/TORONTO Tour), and Marry Warren in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible(ALRA).

Raj Swamy is making his professional debut with Tara Arts since graduating from East 15 Acting School, where he studied BA World Performance. Raj has been involved in television productions such as Bad Education (BBC) and Birds of a Feather (BBC) and recently played the role of Kharak in feature film Red Joan (Trademark Films) alongside Judi Dench.

Artistic Director Jatinder Verma says: “Bringing stories such as Shamser Sinha’s brilliant new take on India’s classic fables, reminds us that diversity is for all, young and old; offering powerful ways for making connections with other cultures and worlds.”

Peter Glanville Polka Artistic Director says:“Polka Theatre are delighted to have collaborated with Tara Arts on this production, bringing to life some of the classic Panchatantra tales for a new generation of children. The show was very well received during its run at Polka, and we are thrilled that it will now be shared with a wider audience of children and families on tour.”

THREE SAT UNDER THE BANYAN TREE – 2019 UK TOUR DATES

Sunday 20 January                                                                           Box Office: 020 8232 101

Watermans, Brentford                                                                  Website: www.watermans.org.uk

Friday 25 – Saturday 26 January                                                 Box Office: 01708 443 333

Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch                                                     Website: www.queens-theatre.co.uk    

Saturday 2 February                                                                       Box Office: 01202 280 000

The Lighthouse, Poole                                                                   Website:www.lighthousepoole.co.uk  

Monday 4 – Wednesday 6 February                                         Box Office: 0116 242 3560

Curve, Leicester                                                                                Website:www.curveonline.co.uk

Saturday 9 February                                                                       Box Office: 01473 295 500

New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich                                                     Website:www.wolseytheatre.co.uk   

Sunday 10^th February                                                                     Box Office:  020 8692 4446

The Albany, Deptford                                                                     Website:www.thealbany.org.uk   

Saturday 16 February                                                                     Box Office: 01753 875533

Curve, Slough                                                                                    Website:www.thecurveslough.com

Sunday 17 February                                                                        Box Office: 01474 337 459

The Woodville, Gravesend                                                           Website: www.woodville.thebigideaonline.co.uk

Wednesday 20 – Saturday 23 February                                   Box Office: 020 8333 4457

Tara Theatre                                                                                      Website: www.tara-arts.com  

Tuesday 26 – Wednesday 27 February                                    Luton Library Theatre

Box Office: 01582 878 100                                                            Website: www.lutonculture.com/luton-library-theatre

How do I describe this year? In numbers we had 40 reviewers who between them reviewed over 550 productions. We had to turn down numerous invitations because we were unable to cover. Twitter and Facebook have continued to grow month by month and this site was visited by 430,500 people – just under half a million visits.

We launched the Aurora Award for Rising Stars and the first ever winners were Bobby Hirston for his role in The Play That Goes Wrong on tour and Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss for the wonderful Six the Musical – a show I can not wait to see again in January.

Our reviewers have enjoyed many varied productions, Dawn (Yorkshire Region) said “Looking back in 2018 I have reviewed and seen an abundance of shows in Yorkshire and the majority I’ve loved and enjoyed. Two shows that stood out for me must be Titanic The Musical and The Last Ship. Both musicals have a nautical and maritime theme but couldn’t be anymore different.  What they have in common is the celebration of humanity shown in poignant and extraordinary circumstances. 

Titanic The Musical – Everyone knows the tragedy of the RMS Titanic and the loss of many souls. The musical doesn’t focus on the factual narrative but on the characters on board. Like you and me they have dreamed, hoped and aspired for more and better even if they didn’t know at the the ship’s fate.  Maury Yestin‘s moving musical composition and lyrics fits perfectly with the characters’ livelihoods off and on board. This is backed with David Woodhead‘s stunning staging which feels like one physically belongs to a massive ship.

The Last Ship – Sting‘s musical came to Yorkshire during its national tour and I had the opportunity to see and review it in Leeds and York.  It looks back on the ship building community in a Tyne and Wear town in the 1970s during the industry’s decline. It primarily focuses on the town’s community whose primary industrial activity was shipbuilding and through the eyes of Gideon Fletcher (Richard  Fleeshman).  The community fights to save not just the industry and jobs but their livelihoods. They are very determined to see the last ship built and sail away. With Sting’s soul stirring and moving and music The Last Ship was definitely a memorable show in 2018.”

For Catherine, Alex and Claire (London/South) Bat Out of Hell topped the list. Alex said “anything that awakens your inner rock chick deserves 5 stars”, although Claire was rather more succinct when she described it as “a theatrical orgasm that will leave you gasping for air and begging for more”

I look forward to 2019 for more fabulous productions, visiting more beautiful venues, to hopefully making more friends and meeting new reviewers.