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The London Palladium – until 8 September 2019

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

5*****

After 50 years, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s biblical musical is still a dream. Laurence Connor’s production at the Palladium puts the children in the cast front and centre where they belong. Instead of a large school choir/rock eisteddfod mass, there are just eight children, beginning the show sitting around a campfire with Sheridan Smith before they conjure up their colourful story. The children do the usual chorus material, but also don fake giant beards to play some of Joseph’s brothers and the small but pivotal roles of Potiphar, the baker and the butler. Connor has reclaimed Joseph for the children – let’s face it, it’s always been a jolly children’s show, just with a fit young man in a loincloth to peak the adult interest. Sheridan Smith’s expanded role as the narrator keeps the seemingly chaotic feel of a school play on steroids going, with her shepherding the children and cast like a mischievous babysitter tempting disaster.

Smith is a joy to watch. She is hardly ever off stage and seems to be having the time of her life – as are the rest of the cast. With plenty of mugging and asides to the audience, she is a gleeful, impish presence, joining in with dances, bringing on props and donning ridiculous costumes to play Jacob, Potiphar’s wife and the jailer (always lifting a part of her disguise to make it quite clear that “it’s me!” – something that everybody who has got overenthusiastic roleplaying with children has had to do). Her constant presence and involvement enhance the idea that this is a sugar-induced campfire dream she and the children are sharing, making the eclectic musical styles and wondrously silly lyrics feel even more innocent and carefree.

Jason Donovan is a hoot as Pharaoh, making up for his vocals with a hilariously OTT turn under the bright lights of Vegas/Egypt. By casting a Joseph with no fanbase and no baggage – the Welsh wonder Jac Yarrow, still to graduate from ArtsEd School – there is a lovely onstage balance between Yarrow and Smith. They high five and catch each other’s eye during dance routines, and it’s hard to tell whether the pride in the Narrator’s face as she watches Joseph succeed is acting or not. Yarrow is simply superb. His Joseph is cocky but sweet, with a wide-eyed innocence and charm. His emotional rendition of Close Every Door is a showstopper, receiving a standing ovation on press night. What a voice.

Designer Morgan Large has created a childlike dreamscape, lit expertly by Ben Cracknell, and Joann M. Hunter’s choreography is a dream. Added dance numbers for the brothers’ big numbers (which both steal the show) are stylish and funny, with Richard Carson’s Reuben and Michael Pickering’s Simeon jaw-dropping vocals and clowning.

This joyful and jaunty production is a must-see – perfect family fun that is guaranteed to put a goofy grin on your face.

CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR UK TOUR OF

STEPHEN DALDRY’S

SEMINAL PRODUCTION OF

JB PRIESTLEY’S CLASSIC THRILLER

“AN INSPECTOR CALLS”

OPENING AT THE CHURCHILL THEATRE, BROMLEY

FRIDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2019

PW Productions are delighted to announce the full cast of the UK and Ireland Tour of Stephen Daldry’s seminal production of JB Priestley’sclassic thriller “AN INSPECTOR CALLS” which opens at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley on Friday 6 September 2019 before visiting Mayflower Theatre Southampton, Hull New Theatre, Theatre Severn Shrewsbury, King’s Theatre Edinburgh, Oxford Playhouse, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Malvern Theatres, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Buxton Opera House, New Wimbledon Theatre, The Lowry Salford, Milton Keynes Theatre, Bradford Alhambra, Liverpool Playhouse, Theatre Royal Nottingham, Brighton Theatre Royal, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Cardiff New Theatre, Cambridge Arts Theatre, Glasgow Theatre Royal, Yvonne Arnaud Guildford, Sheffield Lyceum, Sunderland Empire, Belgrade Theatre Coventry, The Orchard Theatre Dartford and Curve Leicester.

Liam Brennan will play ‘Inspector Goole’, Christine Kavanagh ‘Mrs Birling’, Jeff Harmer ‘Mr Birling’, Alisdair Buchan ‘Gerald Croft’, Chloe Orrock ‘Sheila Birling’, Ryan Saunders ‘Eric Birling’ and Diana Payne-Myers‘Edna’. The cast is completed by Michael Ross, Portia Booroff, Elissa Churchill and Jonathan Davenport.  

Liam Brennan’s theatre credits include “Richard III” and “Twelfth Night” at Shakespeare’s Globe, and “Diary of a Madman” at The Gate, for which he was awarded Best Actor at the Edinburgh Festival in 2016.

Christine Kavanagh’s National Theatre credits include “Man and Superman” and “Albert Speer” and the National Theatre UK Tour of “Hedda Gabler”. Her West End credits include “The Importance of Being Earnest” at the Harold Pinter Theatre. With the Royal Shakespeare Company Christine has performed “Macbeth” and “Much Ado About Nothing”. Her other credits include “A Doll’s House”, “Travesties”, “She Stoops to Conquer” and “The Rivals”.

Jeff Harmer’s credits include playing ‘Berrard’ in the national tour of “Bird Song”. His other theatre credits include “Fox on The Fairway”, “Out Of Order”, “Donkey’s Years”, “Romeo & Juliet” and “As You Like It”.

Alisdair Buchan’s West End credits include “Urinetown: The Musical” at the Apollo Theatre and St. James’ Theatre and “Richard III” and “The Pride” both at Trafalgar Studios. His further credits include “Seanse” at The Other Palace, playing ‘Sherlock Holmes’ in the UK Tour of “Sherlock Holmes at the Crimson Cobbles” and the UK Tours of “Night Must Fall”, “A Little History of the World”, “The Importance of Being Earnest”, “Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me” and “The Lost World”.

Chloe Orrock’s credits include playing ‘Sybil Vane’ in “The Picture of Dorian Gray” and ‘PC Abrahams’/’Nurse Davis’ in “Too Much Punch for Judy” both Upstairs at the Gatehouse. Chloe has performed her new spoken word short play “Of Sirens and Other Monsters” at the Pleasance Theatre in Islington and the Brockley Jack Theatre. 

Ryan Saunders’ West End credits include playing ‘Freddie Beanstock’ in “Hobson’s Choice” at the Vaudeville Theatre and “Sweet Bird of Youth” at the Old Vic. His further theatre credits include the UK Tours of “The Mousetrap”, “The History Boys”, “The Madness of George III”, “Mrs Warren’s Profession” and “Shards” and playing ‘Clifford Bradshaw’ in the English Theatre of Frankfurt production of “Cabaret”.

Diana Payne-Myers’ credits include “Strange Fish”, “Boxes” and “Le dernier chaperon rouge”.

Since 1992, Daldry’s production of “AN INSPECTOR CALLS” has won a total of 19 major awards including four Tony Awards and three Olivier Awards. It has played to more than 4 million theatregoers worldwide and is the most internationally-lauded production in the National Theatre’s history.

Written at the end of the Second World War and set before the First, “AN INSPECTOR CALLS” is a compelling and haunting thriller. The story begins when the mysterious Inspector Goole calls unexpectedly on the prosperous Birling family home, shattering their peaceful family dinner party with his investigations into the death of a young woman.

JB Priestley’s brilliantly constructed masterpiece powerfully dramatises the dangers of casual capitalism’s cruelty, complacency and hypocrisy.

“AN INSPECTOR CALLS” is directed by the world-renowned theatre and film director Stephen Daldry. Stephen’s many theatre credits include “The Audience”, “Skylight” and “Billy Elliot The Musical”. His film credits include “The Hours”, “The Reader” and “Billy Elliot”, all of which earned him Academy Award nominations for Best Director. Most recently he has directed several episodes of the Netflix smash hit series “The Crown”, for which he is also Producer.

“AN INSPECTOR CALLS” is designed by Ian MacNeil, with music by Academy Award winning composer Stephen Warbeck and Lighting by Rick Fisher.

“AN INSPECTOR CALLS”

UK AND IRELAND TOUR DATES 2019-2020

www.aninspectorcalls.com

Twitter: @aninspector

Facebook: @aninspectorcalls

FRIDAY 6 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER

Churchill Theatre, Bromley www.churchilltheatre.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER

Mayflower Theatre Southampton www.mayflower.org.uk

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 24 SEPEMBER – SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER

Hull New Theatre www.hulltheatres.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 1 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury www.theatresevern.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 8 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER

King’s Theatre, Edinburgh www.capitaltheatres.com/your-visit/kings-theatre

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 15 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER

Oxford Playhouse www.oxfordplayhouse.com

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 22 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER

Newcastle Theatre Royal www.theatreroyal.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 5 NOVEMBER – SAURDAY 9 NOVEMBER

Malvern Theatres www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 12 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 16 NOVEMBER

Birmingham Repertory Theatre www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 19 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 23 NOVEMBER

Buxton Opera House www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 26 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 30 NOVEMBER

New Wimbledon Theatre www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 14 JANUARY – SATURDAY 18 JANUARY 2020

The Lowry, Salford www.thelowry.com/

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 21 JANUARY – SATURDAY 25 JANUARY

Milton Keynes Theatre www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre

ON SALE NOW

WEDNESDAY 29 JANUARY – SATURDAY 1 FEBRUARY

Bradford Alhambra www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 4 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 8 FEBRUARY

Liverpool Playhouse www.everymanplayhouse.com

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY

Theatre Royal Nottingham www.trch.co.uk/

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 29 FEBRUARY

Theatre Royal, Brighton www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 3 MARCH – SATURDAY 7 MARCH

Theatre Royal Plymouth www.theatreroyal.com

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 10 MARCH – SATURDAY 14 MARCH

Cardiff New Theatre www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 17 MARCH – SATURDAY 21 MARCH

Cambridge Arts Theatre www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 24 MARCH – SATURDAY 28 MARCH

Theatre Royal, Glasgow www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-glasgow

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 31 MARCH – SATURDAY 4 APRIL

Guildford Yvonne Arnaud www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 14 APRIL – SATURDAY 18 APRIL

Sheffield Lyceum www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 21 APRIL – SATURDAY 25 APRIL

Sunderland Empire www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 28 APRIL – SATURDAY 2 MAY

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry www.belgrade.co.uk/

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 12 MAY – SATURDAY 16 MAY

The Orchard, Dartford www.orchardtheatre.co.uk  

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 19 MAY – SATURDAY 23 MAY

CURVE, Leicester www.curveonline.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

ROSE THEATRE KINGSTON, THE ORIGINAL THEATRE COMPANY AND KARL SYDOW ANNOUNCE FIRST MAJOR UK REVIVAL OF

STEPHEN JEFFREYS’ VALUED FRIENDS

Rose Theatre Kingston, The Original Theatre Company and Karl Sydow present

VALUED FRIENDS

Written by Stephen Jeffreys

Directed by Michael Fentiman

Rose Theatre Kingston, 24-26 High Street, Kingston, KT1 1HL

Rose Theatre Kingston, The Original Theatre Company and Karl Sydow today announce the first major UK revival of Stephen Jeffreys’ Valued Friends, directed by Michael Fentiman. The production opens at Rose Theatre Kingston as part of their autumn season on 26 September, with previews from 20 September, and runs until 12 October.

It’s 1980s London and change is happening. The city is ablaze with social, political and cultural upheaval and, in a basement flat in Earls Court, four friends in their mid-thirties are scrabbling to keep their heads above water.

Housemates for more than 10 years, Sherry is a hapless, quirky comedian; Paul, a keen music journalist; Marion, a straight-talking realist; and Howard, an earnest academic writing about the corruption of capitalism. The friends are thrown unexpectedly into a battle of nerves when a young, confident property developer offers them a substantial fee to vacate their home in West London.

Spurred on by the revolutions of their time, they quickly realise that they hold all the cards in this real-life game of Monopoly and over the course of three years, they manipulate a burgeoning property market one cup of tea at a time.

Stephen Jeffreys’ play was an instant classic when first performed at Hampstead Theatre in 1989. It won the Evening Standard and Critics’ Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright, with a cast that featured Peter Capaldi, Martin Clunes, Jane Horrocks, and Tim McInnerny. 

Valued Friends is a compelling comedy drama set to the soundtrack of 1980’s London and against the backdrop of Thatcher’s Britain. This production directed by Michael Fentiman will be the first revival of the play in 30 years. 

Stephen Jeffreys’ wife, actor and director Annabel Arden, said today,“I met Stephen in 1997 and have never seen a production of Valued Friends.  For people who did see the two celebrated productions, it is very often their favourite play and they all say how hilarious, sad and incredibly prophetic it is. When I read it, I laughed-out-loud and I am really astonished at how relevant it is to today’s turbulent economic and political climate. Stephen’s sons and I are so thrilled that there will now be a chance to see the play again. Stephen, the most generous of men, would be happy to know that the play which launched his career will be the first to be revived after his death, and so launch his legacy.”

Stephen Jeffreys (1950 – 2018)was an internationally-acclaimed playwright and winner of the Evening Standard and Critics’ Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright. His theatre credits include The Clink (Paines Plough), The Libertine (Royal Court Theatre), A Jovial Crew (Royal Shakespeare Company), A Going Concern(Hampstead Theatre), I Just Stopped by to See the Man (Royal Court Theatre) and Bugles at the Gates of Jalalabad (Tricycle Theatre). For film his credits include The Libertine and Diana.

Michael Fentiman directs. His previous theatre credits include Amelie: The Musical (UK tour), The Taming of the Shrew (Sherman Theatre/Tron Theatre), The Importance of Being Earnest (Vaudeville Theatre), The Last Days of Anne Boleyn (Historic Royal Palaces/Tower of London), Loot (Park Theatre/Watermill Theatre), The Taming of the Shrew, Titus Andronicus, Ahasverus (Royal Shakespeare Company), Babe, the Sheep-Pig (Polka Theatre/UK tour), The War Has Not Yet Started (Drum Theatre, Plymouth), Minotaur (Theatr  Clwyd /Polka Theatre), Raising Martha (Park Theatre), The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Kensington Palace Gardens, as Co-director with Rupert Goold), Crackers (Belgrade Coventry), Spoonface Steinberg (Theatr Clwyd/Glasgow Citizens/UK tour), East (UK tour), Ajax (Cyprus tour), The Comedy of Errors, Robin Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk(Cambridge Arts Theatre), Sweeney Todd (RAM/Theatre Royal Stratford East), and Made in Dagenham (Adelphi Theatre, as Associate Director to Rupert Goold).

Further casting and information to follow.

Valued Friends                                                                                                                                                  Listings

Rose Theatre Kingston

24 – 26 High Street, Kingston, KT1 1HL

Box Office: 020 8174 0090

https://www.rosetheatrekingston.org/whats-on/valued-friends

Rose Theatre Kingston

Friday 20 September – Saturday 12 October

Mon – Thurs, 7:30pm

Fri, 8pm

Sat & Thurs matinees, 2:30pm

Tickets from: £15

Concessions available via Box Office

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE UK PREMIÈRE OF

LISA D’AMOUR’S ANNA BELLA EEMA

Arcola Theatre, Atticist and Ellie Keel Productions present

The UK première of

ANNA BELLA EEMA

By Lisa D’Amour

Director: Jessica Lazar; Music Director and Additional Music: Tom Foskett-Barnes

Set and Costume Design: Anna Lewis; Lighting Design: David Doyle

Movement Director: Jennifer Fletcher

Arcola Theatre

11 September – 12 October 2019

Arcola Theatre, Atticist and Ellie Keel Productions today announce full cast for the UK première of Anna Bella Eema by Pulitzer Prize finalist Lisa D’Amour. Jessica Lazar directs Natasha Cottriall, Gabrielle Brooks and Beverley Rudd. The new production opens at Arcola Theatre on 16 September, with previews from 11 September, and runs until 12 October.

‘Something is coming. It’s either the interstate or the end of the world.’

Precocious Annabella lives in a deserted trailer park. Schooled by her eccentric mother Irene, she learns to co-exist with the vampires, werewolves and monsters that lurk in the world outside.

Desperate to ward off the new highway that threatens the demolition of their home, Annabella steps outside to build a girl out of mud. The girl comes to life. The girl is Anna Bella Eema.

Part ghost story, part fairytale, part coming-of-age fantasy, Anna Bella Eema is a dazzling burst of storytelling from the dark heart of American Gothic.

Lisa D’Amour’s wildly inventive, spoken-and-sung odyssey makes its UK premiere in a new and updated version, with original score by Chris Sidorfsky.

Lisa D’Amour is an award-winning US playwright and New Dramatists alumnus. Her theatre credits includeDetroit (National Theatre – which won the Obie Award for Best New American Play, was a finalist for both the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2011 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize), and Airline Highway (Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago/Samuel J. Friedman Theater – receiving a 2015 Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Play.)

Natasha Cottriall plays Three (Anna Bella Eema). Her theatre credits include The Lovely Bones, Dancing in the Streets (UK tour), Future Conditional (The Old Vic), Into the Woods (Royal Exchange Theatre), The Busker’s Opera, Whodunnit [Unrehearsed] (Park Theatre), Here Lie the Remains of Mercy (Theatre Delicatessen), Beautiful – The Carole King Musical (Aldwych Theatre), The Secret Garden (Theatre by the Lake), The Selfish Giant (Vaudeville Theatre) and Oklahoma! (Grange Park Opera). Her television credits include as recurring character Rosie Griffiths in Doctors, Grantchester and Vera.

Gabrielle Brooks plays Two (Annabella). Her theatre credits includeA Midsummer Night’s Dream (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Twelfth Night (Young Vic), Our Lady of Kibeho (Royal & Derngate Northampton), The Way of the World (Donmar Warehouse), The Wizard of Oz, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Sheffield Theatres), Queen Anne (RSC/Theatre Royal Haymarket), Lazarus (King’s Cross Theatre), The Stranger’s Case(Liverpool Everyman), The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales Theatre), I Can’t Sing (The London Palladium), Our House 10th Anniversary (Savoy Theatre), Avenue Q, Hairspray (UK tour) and Red Snapper (Belgrade Theatre).

Beverley Rudd plays One (Irene). Her theatre credits include Dead Dog in a Suitcase (Kneehigh UK/international tour), Brief Encounter, Tin Drum (Kneehigh UK tour), The Twits (Curve), Peter Pan, The Beggars Opera, Into The Woods (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Much Ado About Nothing (Royal Exchange Theatre), Soho Cinders (Soho Theatre), The Little Mermaid (Bristol Old Vic), Acorn Antiques, Girls Just Want To Have Fun(UK tour), The Magistrate (National Theatre), Days of Significance (RSC/Tricycle Theatre) and The Hole Story(Paines Plough). Her television credits include as series regular Lisa in Trollied, Massive – for which she won the 2009 RTS Award for Best Performance in a Comedy, Shameless, Him & Her, Inn Mates and Scallywagga.

Jessica Lazar directs. She is a co-founder of Atticist and is currently an Oxford Playhouse Evolve Artist in Residence. Her theatre credits include Life According to Saki (Edinburgh Festival Fringe/Fourth Street Theater, New York – winner of Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award 2016), Dangerous Giant Animals (Edinburgh Festival Fringe/Park Theatre – winner of the inaugural SIT-Up Award 2018), East (nominated for Off West End Best Director 2018), For Reasons that Remain Unclear and Outlying Islands (King’s Head Theatre).

ANNA BELLA EEMA                                                                                                                                      Listings

Arcola Theatre

24 Ashwin Theatre, Dalston, London E8 3DL

11 September – 12 October 2019

Box Office: 020 7503 1646

www.arcolatheatre.com

HACKNEY SHOWROOM ANNOUNCES THE WORLD PREMIÈRE OF

ZAWE ASHTON’S FOR ALL THE WOMEN WHO THOUGHT THEY WERE   MAD – AND NEW POP UP THEATRE @ STOKE NEWINGTON TOWN HALL

Hackney Showroom presents

The World Première of

for all the women who thought they were   Mad

By Zawe Ashton

Directed by Jo McInnes; Designed by Natalie Pryce and ULTZ; Lighting Design by Lee Curran

Hackney Showroom @ Stoke Newington Town Hall

14 October – 9 November 2019

Hackney Showroom today announces the world première of for all the women who thought they were Mad by Zawe Ashton which will open at Stoke Newington Town Hall – marking a new partnership with the London Borough of Hackney to bring theatre to Stoke Newington Town Hall. Directed by Jo McInnes it opens on 17 October, with previews from 14 October, and runs until 9 November.

“they like to see us fall

to slip on branches full of fruit we have not tasted”

Lately, it’s small things. Pop songs. The radio. Every day anguish, becomes madness. Call on your family. Call on the ancestors. Can they guide you home?

“we are pearl and earth and root 

we know ourselves to be natural and complete

carved from rock that floats

but we should still be careful what we wish for

some of us can sink in the upstream”

Zawe Ashton said today, “I am a woman of colour who has written a play about women of colour. It’s a play about many things, but at its centre is an investigation into the fallout of colonialism and it’s resounding impact on the women of the African diaspora, specifically women living in the United Kingdom. It looks at how these women are constantly maltreated and marginalised by the institutions in which they operate or ask for professional help. Their workplaces, their hospitals or GP’s office – and so on. It’s a play about cultural bias and systemic oppression. Black women are the empathetic centre of the piece, their emotions are our emotions. Their struggle is our struggle as an audience. 

Nina Lyndon and Sam Curtis Lindsay have, with director Jo McInnes, seen complex and vital questions that need to be raised. If it wasn’t for their refreshing approach to the event of theatre – I wouldn’t be writing this. I have finally found a home for my play and for myself as an artist and a team of collaborators that prioritise creating theatre for a wide and inclusive audience.”

Cllr Guy Nicholson, Hackney Council Cabinet Member for Planning, Culture and Inclusive Economy, also said, “Hackney Council is delighted to welcome this innovative Hackney Showroom production to Stoke Newington Town Hall. Hosting this new work, created by the talented Zawe Ashton in such an iconic Hackney venue is exciting enough, but the fact that Zawe also grew up in the borough makes it even more special. Hackney Showroom has made a great contribution to the cultural life of the borough, and connecting such a trail-blazing arts organisation with Stoke Newington Town Hall will breathe life back into some of its spaces. This a timely arrival as Hackney Council embarks on plans to shape the town hall’s future.”

Nina Lyndon and Sam Curtis Lindsay, co-Artistic Directors and co-Founders of Hackney Showroom added, “This is the play that brought us together to launch Hackney Showroom five years ago and so it has a special place in our hearts. We are so thrilled to be working with the Culture Team at LB Hackney to realise the artistic ambition of this play in such a striking building which will be transformed for this project. Zawe Ashton has written a profoundly moving and unforgettable piece of theatre and we are honoured to bring it before audiences this autumn.”

Zawe Ashton is an actor and writer. Her playwriting credits include Harm’s Way, Skunk and She from the Sea. As an actor, her theatre credits include Betrayal (Harold Pinter Theatre – and the forthcoming Broadway transfer to Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre), The Maids (Trafalgar Studios), Splendour (Donmar Warehouse), Gone too Far!, Rhinoceros, The Arsonists (Royal Court Theatre), and Othello and The Frontline (Shakespeare’s Globe). Her television credits include Wanderlust, Guerrilla, Fresh Meat and Not Safe for Work; and for film, Velvet Buzzsaw, Greta, Nocturnal Animals, Dreams of a Life and St Trinian’s: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold. Ashton’s debut novel, Character Breakdown, was published this year.

Jo McInnes directs. Her theatre credits include Valhalla (Theatre503), 36 Phone Calls (Hampstead Theatre), Another Place (Theatre Royal Plymouth), I Can Hear You, This Is Not An Exit (RSC/Royal Court Theatre), Vera, Vera, Vera, Red Bud (Royal Court Theatre), Marine Parade (Brighton Festival) and Christmas (Brighton Festival/Bush Theatre). She is an Associate Director of Hackney Showroom and was previously Artistic Director of New Writing South.

Supported by Arts Council England, Wellcome Trust and Cockayne Foundation.

FOR ALL THE WOMEN WHO THOUGHT THEY WERE   MAD                                                            LISTINGS

Hackney Showroom @ Stoke Newington Town Hall

Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0JR

14 October – 9 November 2019

Box Office: hackneyshowroom.com/for-all-the-women

Hackney Showroom is an award-winning cultural organisation which supports exceptional artists to make live performance. Hackney Showroom’s hallmark is their support of artists who sit outside the mainstream, developing their craft and carving out a space for marginalised voices who are innovating new forms of performance.

www.hackneyshowroom.com

Twitter: @hackneyshowroom

#hackneyshowroom

LAMBERT JACKSON PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCE

THE UK CONCERT PREMIÈRE OF DOCTOR ZHIVAGO

STARRING RAMIN KARIMLOO AND CELINDE SCHOENMAKER

Lambert Jackson Productions today announces Doctor Zhivago – The UK Concert Première. The concert will star Ramin Karimloo (Yurii Andreyevich Zhivago) and Celinde Schoenmaker (Lara Guishar), with further casting to be announced, and takes place at Cadogan Hall, on 1 September, 2pm and 6.30pm.

Based on the Nobel Prize-winning novel by Boris Pasternak, prepare to be taken on an epic journey of heart-breaking romance, following the search for love during the final days of Czarist Russia. Raised as an aristocrat, Yurii Andreyevich Zhivago is a political idealist, physician, and poet whose life is tossed by the tides of history as he is torn between a life with his close childhood friend and wife, and the passionate and mysterious Lara Guishar. Zhivago, however, is not alone in his yearnings for Lara, and must compete with both revolutionaries and aristocracy alike to win the heart of the woman he cannot live without.

Written by Academy Award nominee Michael Weller (Ragtime), the show features music by two-time Grammy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Lucy Simon, with lyrics by Tony Award nominee Michael Korie and Emmy Award nominee Amy Powers. This classic story opened on Broadway in 2015, and can now be experienced for the first time as a UK concert at Cadogan Hall on 1 September.

Lambert Jackson today said “The story of ‘Doctor Zhivago’ is such a timeless classic and it is even more stunning in musical form. It’s a beautiful piece of writing and to be able to present the UK concert première of this show is an absolute honour. We are also thrilled to be working with the extraordinary Ramin Karimloo and divine Celinde Schoenmaker to bring this beautiful music to life.”

Ramin Karimloo plays Yurii Andreyevich Zhivago. His theatre credits include Chess (The Kennedy Centre), Anastasia (Broadhurst Theatre, Broadway), Murder Ballad (Arts Theatre), Les Miserables (Imperial Theatre, Broadway – for which he was nominated for the 2014 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical; Princess of Wales Theatre, Queens Theatre, Palace Theatre), Phantom of the Opera 25^thAnniversary (Royal Albert Hall), Love Never Dies (Adelphi Theatre – for which he was nominated for the 2011 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical), Les Miserables 25^th Anniversary Concert (O2 Arena), Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre), and Miss Saigon (UK tour).

Celinde Schoenmaker plays Lara Guishar. Her theatre credits include The Light in the Piazza (Royal Festival Hall, and forthcoming LA Opera), Barnum (Menier Chocolate Factory), Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre), Les Miserables (Queens Theatre). For film, her credits include Rocketman.

Produced with permission of Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures Inc. and Turner Entertainment Co.

The musical Zhivago was originally produced by La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego, California.

This concert performance is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International Europe.

Dr Zhivago – UK Concert Première                                                                                                         Listings

Cadogan Hall

5 Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ

Box Office: 020 7730 4500 

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Sunday 1 September, 2pm & 6.30pm

LAMBERT JACKSON

Lambert Jackson is a production company dedicated to producing musical theatre shows and stunning one-night performances. Founded by Jamie Lambert (CEO) and Eliza Jackson (Creative Director), the company made its debut at Cadogan Hall in August 2018 with There’s Nothin’ Like a Dame – 100 Years of Women in Musical Theatre, and has since produced West End Women – A Celebration of Women in Musicals, Main Men of Musicals and a very successful first season ofSunday Favourites at The Other Palace. Due to popular demand, they have just announced their second season of Sunday Favourites. 

Twitter:              @LJProds

Instagram:         @lambertjacksonproductions

Facebook:          /lambertjacksonproductions

Bristol Hippodrome – until 20 July 2019

Reviewed by Lucy Hitchcock

5*****

Gary Barlow and Tim Firth’s adaptation of the bittersweet play Calendar Girls has sprung into Bristol, putting not only a smile on your face but a tear in your eye.

The classic story based on the lives of members of the Women’s Institute in Yorkshire depicts heartbreak, comedy, fun and bravery all whilst tackling a traumatic cancer battle.

Sarah Jane Buckley and Phil Corbett as Annie and John Clarke have a perfect relationship. We find out the John has cancer and he unfortunately passes away, leaving Annie to tackle life without her husband. These two, whilst having a beautiful on stage chemistry, show fantastic vocal ability as they perform Gary Barlow’s brand new songs. The uplifting nature of the songs really adds to the story, and even as we deal with the loss of John, we are always reminded of his cheery character through Barlow’s writing.

Unfortunately, we were halted due to unforeseen circumstances, but had we continued this would have been a brilliant show! For me, the stand out performance was Rebecca Storm as Chris, Annie’s best friend. She was phenomenal, with an air of the late, great Victoria Wood. Her flawless and unfaltering vocal abilities were second to none and she provided a light in the darkest of scenes. She was able to grasp each audience member and give them a hug with her warm and stellar voice-a truly perfect casting and I cannot wait to listen to it again.

Set designer Robert Jones has an immense talent that is not to be missed. The set was so simple yet so intricate, completely transporting you to the heart of Yorkshire-far different from the hustle and bustle of Bristol!

This is a show that, like a sunflower, has grown and become a beacon of light for many people around the country. Definitely, definitely not to be missed.

FINAL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR UK PREMIERE OF

THE GROUNDBREAKING & MULTI AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL

BY WILLIAM FINN & JAMES LAPINE

DIRECTED BY TARA OVERFIELD-WILKINSON

AT THE OTHER PALACE FROM 30 AUGUST – 23 NOVEMBER

LOVE CAN TELL A MILLION STORIES

Albert Atack, George Kennedy, Elliot Morris and James Williams will share the role of Jason,completing the cast of the hotly anticipated UK premiere of Falsettos, the Tony Award winning musical by William Finn (Music, Lyrics & Book) and James Lapine (Book).

They join the previously announced Natasha J Barnes (Cordelia), Daniel Boys (Marvin), Matt Cardle(Mendel), Gemma Knight-Jones (Charlotte), Laura Pitt-Pulford (Trina) and Oliver Savile (Whizzer). 

The musical opens at The Other Palace from 30 August – 23 November for a strictly limited season, with press night on Thursday 5 September. The production is directed and choreographed by Tara Overfield-Wilkinson, with designs by PJ McEvoy, lighting by Nic Farman, sound by Chris Whybrow, musical direction by Richard John, musical supervision by Mark Crossland and is produced by Selladoor Worldwide.

The double Tony Award-Winning Falsettos is a hilarious and poignant look at a modern family revolving around the life of a gay man Marvin, his wife, his lover, his soon to be bar mitzvahed son, their psychiatrist, and their lesbian neighbours.

Originally created under the spectre of the AIDS crisis, this groundbreaking musical about family dynamics manages to remain buoyant and satirically perceptive even as it moves towards its heartbreaking conclusion.

LISTINGS

FALSETTOS – THE MUSICAL

By William Finn (Book/Lyrics) & James Lapine (Book)

Directed by Tara Overfield-Wilkinson

The Other Palace

Dates: 30 August – 23 November 2019

Performance Times: Monday – Saturday 7:30pm and Thursday & Saturday 2:30pm

Address: The Other Palace, 12 Palace Street, London, SW1E 5JA

Ticket Prices:From £19.50

Box Office: 0207 087 7900

Falsettos Website: www.falsettoslondon.com

The Other Palace Website: www.theotherpalace.co.uk/falsettos

Twitter/Facebook/Instagram: UKFalsettos

Sheffield Lyceum – until 13 July 2019

Reviewed by: Lottie Davis-Browne

2**

Based on the 2006 film of the same name, which became somewhat of a cult movie with its own fan base, the story is based around the Hoover family’s stop-start journey from Albuquerque, New Mexico to California. This itself is a last minute decision following the news that daughter Olive has a second chance at being a final in the Miss Sunshine competition after a finalist was disqualified for using diet pills.  

The Hoover’s are a dysfunctional family to say the least, and luck is never usually on their side.  Their credit cards are maxed out, bills are unpaid and they’re at the risk of loosing their home.  Richard Hoover, the father of the family, has been unemployed for some months but is convinced his Ten Step Programme will get him to where he wants to be in life, son Dwayne has taken a vow of silence and Grandpa Hoover is not exactly what you’d call a role model!  Despite all this the family decide to head out on a family road trip with the hopes that at least one Hoover family member will have their dreams come true. 

Whilst there’s been some fantastic film-to-stage adaptations that have attracted huge followers (Rock of Ages & Rocky Horror Show to name a couple), sadly this is one show that should have stayed as a film. 

The biggest two issues with this adaptation are the musical numbers (William Finn) and the fact that the dark humour which really makes the film something special sadly failed to transfer onto the stage.  Whilst the musical numbers are instantly forgettable, dull and all sound flat and monotone, which don’t do the cast any favours (which is a real shame since for a few seconds on one song we get to hear the true beauty of Lucy O’Byrnes’ vocals), the rest of the musical numbers are a one-way ticket to Snoozeville.  The stage set – comprising of a raised platform, painted steel and a large road map (which didn’t resemble a road map in the slightest – paper based or sat nav) worked well to an extent, the VW van appearing as a base from the bottom of the map at the start of their road trip, using matching yellow diner style chairs to form the vehicle.  I loved the way they’d choreographed different parts of the stop-start journey using the cast, but this was let down by other special effects such as the smoke effect when the clutch cable breaks – where it was clearly visible when someone’s hands poked out from the bottom of the “map” to stick a smoke machine out.  

I wish I’d seen the original London cast and can’t understand why they’d changed two lead roles (Grandpa and Sheryl Hoover) when the London cast featured two well-known names in these roles.  Whilst I do not feel this was casting issue as such, more a case of talented cast members doing the best they could in an otherwise stale show.

The role of Olive Hoover is shared by three girls as is usually the case when using child actors.   Tonight we had Evie Gibson, who oozed confidence even in more uncomfortable scenes.  Vocally she was strong although at times it did sound like she was singing through her nose or getting slightly out of breath, but then given the demands of the role and the amount of moves Olive gets to bust, it’s fair to say that despite this Evie was the one thing that stopped us walking out at the interval.  

At least the Miss Sunshine contest adds a bit of warmth to this otherwise otherwise cold adaptations.   Disappointed is an understatement.  

JAMIE WILSON AND WHOOPI GOLDBERG

ANNOUNCE A BRAND NEW PRODUCTION OF

THE SMASH HIT MUSICAL

STARRING

BRENDA EDWARDS AS DELORIS VAN CARTIER
OPENING AT CURVE, LEICESTER

ON 21 APRIL 2020

AHEAD OF FURTHER UK VENUES

AND A LONDON SEASON

Producers Jamie Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg are delighted to announce a brand new production of the smash hit musical SISTER ACT opening at Curve, Leicester on 21 April 2020, where it will play until 2 May 2020, ahead of further UK venues and a London season. Initial venue details below with more exciting details and full creative team to be announced soon.

A hit musical on both sides of the Atlantic, this brand new production of SISTER ACT will star Brenda Edwards in the specially rewritten role of Deloris Van Cartier.

Jamie Wilson said today “I am thrilled to be collaborating again with Alan Menken, Glenn Slater, Douglas Carter Beane and Whoopi Goldberg to create a new version of Sister Act, in particular reworking the part of Deloris for an older actor and I’m so pleased that the hugely talented Brenda Edwards will launch this production for us. I’m also delighted to be continuing our relationship with Curve in Leicester by developing this new production with them, and I’m equally pleased that this production will be visiting other regional theatres ahead of a London run next Summer. We will be announcing our full creative team, further casting and some more surprises this autumn!”

Whoopi Goldberg said today “Deloris is a big fun character with lots of personality! Brenda auditioned for this show when it first happened in the UK and didn’t get the part because she was too old, so we’ve rectified that! Previous versions have had Deloris as a 23-year-old – but there are different stakes when you’re older. You can be much more irreverent when you’re older than you can be when you’re in your twenties and thirties. Time makes you funnier! I really am so thrilled Sister Act is coming back to the UK in 2020 with this new version”.

Brenda Edwards first came to the public’s attention when she became a semi-finalist in the 2005 series of ITV1’s The X Factor. Since then, she has become one of the most sought-after leading ladies in musical theatre. Her many West End and touring credits include Killer Queen in We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre and original UK Tour), Mama Morton in Chicago (West End and 10^th Anniversary Gala), Nettie Fowler in Carousel (London Coliseum), Pearl Pastor in Carmen Jones (Royal Festival Hall), Esta in Moby Dick (Union Theatre) and most recently Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspary (UK Tour). Brenda is also a regular panellist on ITV’s Loose Women.

Based on the iconic movie, this sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, sisterhood and music tells the hilarious story of the disco diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she won’t be found – a convent!  Disguised as a nun and under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. 

SISTER ACT features original music by Tony® and 8-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken (Disney’s Aladdin, Enchanted), lyrics by Glenn Slater, book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner with additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane. SISTER ACT is produced by Jamie Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg. Tom Leonardis, Head of Whoopi’s production company, will also be on the producing team.

SISTER ACT UK TOUR 2020

sisteractthemusical.co.uk

TUESDAY 21 APRIL – SATURDAY 2 MAY

CURVE, LEICESTER

curveonline.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 11 MAY – SATURDAY 23 MAY

LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

leedsgrandtheatre.com

ON SALE NOW

MONDAY 25 MAY – SATURDAY 30 MAY

NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL

theatreroyal.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 9 JUNE – SATURDAY 20 JUNE

SHEFFIELD LYCEUM

sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

MONDAY 22 JUNE – SATURDAY 4 JULY

MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE

Atgtickets.com/manchester

ON SALE 16 JULY 2019

FURTHER UK DATES AND LONDON SEASON TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON