New British Musical THE DREAMERS Announces Performances at ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS

NEW BRITISH MUSICAL

THE DREAMERS

ANNOUNCES FOUR PREMIERE PERFORMANCES AT

ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS

ON

FRIDAY 7 AND SATURDAY 8 DECEMBER 2018

AT

2.00PM AND 7.30PM

 

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

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

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

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

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

 

LISTINGS AND INFORMATION

Website: www.thedreamersuk.com

Twitter: @TheDreamersUK

Instagram: @thedreamersUK

Facebook: facebook.com/TheDreamersUK

 

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

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

Gecko announces Arlene Phillips and Dominic West as its first patrons

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Darlington Hippodrome – The Mousetrap

THE MOUSETRAP COMING TO DARLINGTON

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CINDERELLA THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PANTO AT CITY VARIETIES MUSIC HALL

CINDERELLA THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PANTO AT CITY VARIETIES MUSIC HALL

Cinderella, you shall go to the City Varieties; the popular pantomime gets the Rock ’n’ Roll treatment from Saturday 1 December 2018 to Sunday 13 January 2019.

Leeds audiences are invited to don their glass slippers, board their pumpkin carriages and head to the famous music hall for the now-legendary festive treat. A hit with children and adults alike, Cinderella mixes traditional elements of audience participation and corny gags with a panoply of classic chart-topping pop and soul hits – but keep your wits about you or you might just get rocked by the legendary ‘boulder battle’ – and all before the stroke of midnight.

“Our Rock ’n’ Roll Pantos have been extremely popular since they were first introduced in 2011,” says Ian Sime, General Manager. “They have grown year on year and have now become a Christmas tradition for families in Leeds and beyond.”

 

A very different format to the traditional Christmas pantomime, Rock ’n’ Roll Pantos are billed as a hilarious, high-speed show that feature a talented troupe of actor-musicians who perform all the classic hit songs and music live on stage.

‘One of the secrets of its success lies with its cast of actor-musicians who waste no time in developing a great rapport with the audience in the intimate atmosphere of this historic old theatre. Full of audience participation you can cheer the goodies, hiss the baddie and shout until you are hoarse and that’s what pantomime is all about.’

Liz Coggins, YORKSHIRE EVENING POST (Aladdin, 2017)

 

Cinderella the Rock ‘N’ Roll Pantomime is at City Varieties Music Hall from Saturday 1 December 2018 to Sunday 13 January 2019

Book online at cityvarieties.co.uk or call Box Office on 0113 243 08 08.

Edinburgh hit musical about high-street retailer Timpson comes to the King’s Head in 2019

February 18th – March 8th 2019, King’s Head Theatre

Following a smashing success at the Edinburgh Fringe 2018, Gigglemug Theatre are proud the bring their ‘sharp, catchy’ new musical to the King’s Head Theatre in 2019. Sponsored by Timpson Ltd. themselves, Gigglemug Theatre’s debut musical explaining the origins of the high street cobbler’s “Timpson” is guaranteed hilarity for any ‘quality service person’.
The Stage Edinburgh Award 2018  / The Guardian’s “Best Shows to see at the Edinburgh Fringe 2018″
Two warring houses. One ancient grudge. A whole lot of shoes. Can the warring houses of Montashoe and Keypulet be united by a pair of star-crossed lovers? Journey to Victorian London where Monty Montashoe and Keeleigh Keypulet, two young inventors bursting with ambition, strive to break free from the confines of their parents and follow their dreams all the way to the 50th annual ‘Invention Convention’!
“Gigglemug’s first musical is an absolute hoot from start to finish” Fringe Review
The show began its life to try and answer everyone’s burning question- how did shoe repairs and key cutting come together under one roof  to form the high street shop ‘Timpson’. Cochrane and Baker decided that rather than let that question go unanswered, they would write a musical about it. Flash forward over a year, this ‘zany, musical comedy’ has delighted audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and we are extremely excited to be bringing the show to the London Fringe.
***** “brilliantly funny and unique musical filled with blistering wit and toe-tapping numbers” Theatre Weekly 
Gigglemug (noun, slang) a habitually smiling face. Gigglemug Theatre are an emerging company staging original and daring musical theatre across the UK, which will leave audiences grinning for the rest of the day.

THE MORMONS ARE COMING TO MANCHESTER!

THE MORMONS ARE COMING TO MANCHESTER!

 

PUBLIC BOOKING OPENS ON WEDNESDAY 14TH NOVEMBER 2018

 

“The best musical of this century.”

Ben Brantley, The New York Times

 

The Book of Mormon, Broadway’s smash-hit musical written by Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Robert Lopez, is coming to Manchester.

The Tony®, Olivier® and Grammy® award-winning show will begin performances at the Palace Theatre Manchester on Thursday 6 June 2019.

Public booking will open at 10am on Wednesday 14th November 2018 atwww.thebookofmormonmusical.com and at the Palace Theatre Box Office.

Trey Parker and Matt Stone are the creators of the Emmy and Peabody award-winning television show,  South Park, now in its twenty second season, and the feature films South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut and Team America: World Police.

Robert Lopez co-created the Broadway musical Avenue Q and co-wrote the songs for Disney’sFrozen and Coco. He is one of only fifteen artists to win all four major entertainment awards – Emmy®, Grammy®, Oscar® and Tony® Awards.

The Book of Mormon follows a pair of Mormon boys sent on a mission to a place that’s a long way from their home in Salt Lake City.

 

Since making its world premiere in March 2011 at New York’s Eugene O’Neill Theatre, where it won nine Tony® Awards, including Best Musical, The Book of Mormon has been performed on three continents and won over thirty international awards. The musical has smashed long-standing box office records in New York, London, Melbourne, Sydney and cities across the U.S.

The London production opened in February 2013, winning four Olivier Awards® including Best New Musical, and breaking the record for the highest single day of sales in West End history. It has sold out every one of its 2380 performances to date at the Prince of Wales Theatre.

Book, Music and Lyrics are by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. Directed by Casey Nicholaw and Trey Parker, The Book of Mormon has choreography by Casey Nicholaw, set design by Scott Pask, costume design by Ann Roth, lighting design by Brian MacDevitt, sound design by Brian Ronan, orchestrations by Larry Hochman and Stephen Oremus and music supervision and vocal arrangements by Stephen Oremus.

The Book of Mormon is produced by Anne Garefino, Scott Rudin, Important Musicals and Sonia Friedman Productions.

Palace Theatre, Manchester

Box Office: 0844 871 3019*

www.atgtickets.com/venues/palace-theatre-manchester

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

www.thebookofmormonmusical.com | @bookofmormonuk

Jeeves and Wooster Review

York Theatre Royal – 17 November 2018

Reviewed by Marcus Richardson

5*****

Jeeves and Wooster is in my opinion one of the best comedies to exist, my third time seeing it on stage this time done by the company Theatre By The Lake. I obviously went in with high expectations, and I was not let down. The play follows Bertie Wooster a eccentric man with his Butler Jeeves, we watch them put on a play about an eventful weekend Wooster had.

Thomas Richardson played Wooster and delivered the character in incredibly well managing to bring comedy pretty much every second he is on stage. Theo Fraser Steele played Jeeves the Butler and brains of the duo, when as the character of Jeeves he is very held back and calm, but when playing other character nothing is held back, this contrast is hilarious as we see some farcical characters and quick to think costume changes on stage. The third and final actor in the show is James Duke who played the Butler Seppings, who took on other roles as stepping in the show, a butlers character just like Jeeves spares no expense when playing a character on stage, from a police man to a ever growing Spode. The cast of three did a tremendous job of working with each other and creating a show that doesn’t stop giving the audience the laughs.

The set is a character in itself, which starts off bare and slowly gets more and more advanced thanks to Jeeves handy work building a top notch set, both incredibly smart and ever changing. And the way that Wooster reacts to the set is hilarious as he has no idea what is happening. The way that this is presented on stage is something I’ve never seen outside of the show and I’m happy I can laugh about it for the third time now, it never gets old.

I have loved this show and thanks to Theatre By The Lake I love it even more, you always have a fear that a company may ruin one of you favourite shows, but when the curtain goes down you find that they’ve done a splendid job and continue to laugh after the show. If my review doesn’t make you go and watch it, I don’t know what will, you’ll be a fool not to watch Jeeves and Wooster on stage.

Cuckoo Review

Soho Theatre, London – until 8 December

Reviewed by Antonia Hebbert

5*****

From the moment that Caitriona Ennis bursts onto the stage as the motormouth character of Iona, you sense that this is going to be a theatrical whirlwind that sweeps you helplessly along. Actually it isn’t a stage but a narrow performance space between the audience on two sides (traverse set-up). It is very effectively used and never feels awkward – just relentlessly claustrophobic, like the dead-end Dublin housing estate of Crumlin in which Lisa Carroll’s play is set. Iona is talkative, needy and uncool, and her best friend is Pingu – speechless and non-binary, and played with sweet expressiveness by Elise Heaven. They are both total misfits in Crumlin and decide to escape to London. When the news of their plan gets out, two predatory boys in their social circle compete to trick Iona into bed. Colin Campbell and Peter Newington are utterly convincing as Trix and Pockets, whose blinkered ambition is just for status and power in their violent and drug-ridden community. Also in the picture is Iona’s one-time best friend Toller (Sade Malone, also excellent), who at first appears a sort of monster – a queen bee, bully, and fully capable of holding her own. But as the play progresses, she becomes more complicated – she knows how to survive in Crumlin, but also can also see its limitations.

Events unfold with excruciating realism. If you have been a teenager, you will have seen this combination of desperation, manipulation and bullying, weaponised for today’s young with mobiles and social media. It’s painful to watch but also laugh-out-loud funny, with a fabulously grim scene of a seduction going wrong. Director Debbie Hannan extracts every ounce of energy from the cast as she takes us into this vivid world of young people fighting to make sense of their lives when the odds are stacked against them.

DREAMGIRLS celebrates Christmas events in London

DREAMGIRLS   
Savoy Theatre, London 
Dreamgirlswestend.com

 

  • Dreamgirls celebrates its final Christmas in London at the Savoy Theatre by going out on an all-time high.
  • Actresses Marisha Wallace, Brennyn Lark and Asmeret Ghebremichael, who play The Dreams, serenaded visitors to the View from the Shard yesterday (Thursday 15th  November) with the highest ever altitude performance in Western Europe of songs from Dreamgirls.
  • The Dreams then hot-footed it across London to take part in the iconic Regent Street ‘The Spirit of Christmas’ lights switch-on.
  • Earlier in the week (on Tuesday 13th November) the trio of singers sprung a surprise performance of Dreamgirls and Christmas songs on skaters for the launch of SKATE at Somerset House with Fortnum & Mason.
  • The celebrations for the start of the festive season continue into next week with a special performance from members of the Dreamgirls cast at the Ideal Home Show Christmas on Friday 23rd November.

The company of Dreamgirls is entering the holiday season in style with a series of events to celebrate the show’s final Christmas at the Savoy Theatre.

On Tuesday 13th  November actresses Marisha Wallace, Brennyn Lark and Asmeret Ghebremichael, who play The Dreams, started the week with a surprise performance of Dreamgirls hits and Christmas songs to launch the opening of Skate at Somerset House, London’s most beautiful ice rink.

On Thursday 15th November the trio of Dreamgirls singers gave the highest altitude performance in Western Europe of songs from the show, launching Christmas at the View from The Shard, where a signature Dreamgirls cocktail for each of tThe Dreams will be available to visitors throughout the festive season.  The Dreams then took part in the prestigious annual unveiling of the iconic Regent Street ‘The Spirit of Christmas’ lights, where they performed songs from the show ahead of joining Doctor Who’s Jodie Whitaker and singer Calum Scott for the Switching On ceremony.

Next week the Dreamgirls cast will continue to mark the start of the award-winning musical’s final festive season in London with a special performance at the Ideal Home Show Christmas on Friday 23rd  November.

Dreamgirls will continue at the Savoy Theatre throughout the festive season before giving its final performance on 12th January 2019.

Dreamgirls is Directed and Choreographed by Olivier and Tony Award®-winning Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Disney’s Aladdin and Something Rotten!), with Set Design by Tim Hatley, Costume Design by Gregg Barnes, Lighting Design by Hugh Vanstone, Sound Design by Richard Brooker and Hair Design by Josh Marquette. The Musical Supervisor is Nick Finlow, the Orchestrator is Harold Wheeler, with Additional Material by Willie Reale.

Meet The Dreams – Effie, Lorrell and Deena – three talented young singers in the turbulent 1960s, a revolutionary time in American music history. Join the three friends as they embark upon a musical rollercoaster ride through a world of fame, fortune and the ruthless realities of show business, testing their friendships to the very limit.

With Book and Lyrics by Tom Eyen and Music by Henry Krieger, the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls, Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett opened in 1981 and subsequently won six Tony Awards®. The original cast recording won two Grammy awards for Best Musical Album and Best Vocal Performance for Jennifer Holliday’s ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.’ In 2006 it was adapted into an Oscar winning motion picture starring Beyoncé Knowles, Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx.

Moya Angela, Asmeret Ghebremichael, Brennyn Lark and Marisha Wallace are appearing with the support of UK Equity, incorporating the Variety Artistes’ Federation, pursuant to an exchange program between American Equity and UK Equity.

 

Swarovski is delighted to be the Set and Costume Design partner for Dreamgirls, bringing to life the incredible visions of Tim Hatley and Gregg Barnes. Over one million Swarovski crystals have been incorporated into the production, adorning 275 costumes and 3 crystal curtains.

Full information on performance schedules can be found on the official website.

The Original London Cast Recording of hit West End musical Dreamgirls is available via Sony Masterworks Broadway.

 

LISTINGS:

 

Savoy Theatre, Strand, London WC2R 0ET

https://www.thesavoytheatre.com/

Performances

 

Monday to Saturday evening performances at 7.30pm

Wednesday and Saturday matinee performances at 2.30pm

 

Christmas and New Year Schedule

 

Week commencing 24th December

Monday 24th December (Christmas Eve) – No performance

Tuesday 25th December (Christmas Day) – No performance

Wednesday 26th December – 7.30pm

Thursday 27th December – 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Friday 28th December – 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Saturday 29th December – 2.30pm and 7.30pm

 

Week commencing 31st December

Monday 31stDecember (New Year’s Eve) – 2.30pm

Tuesday 1st January (New Year’s Day) – 7.30pm

Wednesday 2nd January – 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Thursday 3rd January – 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Friday 4th January – 7.30pm

Saturday 5th January – 2.30pm and 7.30pm

 

Week commencing 7th January

Monday 7th January – 7.30pm

Tuesday 8th January – 7.30pm

Wednesday 9th January – 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Thursday 10th January – 7.30pm

Friday 11th January – 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Saturday 12th January – 2.30pm and 7.30pm

 

Box Office

 

Website:         Dreamgirlswestend.com
Telephone:     0844 871 7687
Prices:             From £15
At every performance there will be 125 accessibly priced seats for £25 or under available in advance, including 15 £20 Front Row Lottery tickets available on the day exclusively through the TodayTix app.

In addition, under 25 year olds can purchase £25 tickets every Tuesday performance.

 

Social Media

Website – Dreamgirlswestend.com
Twitter handle – @DreamgirlsLDN
Facebook page – DreamgirlsLDN
Instagram account – DreamgirlsLDN
Hashtag – #DreamgirlsLDN

Enchanted Forest Will Feature At Manchester Festive Movie Experience

ELVES SPREAD FESTIVE FAIRY DUST

AND PUT FINISHING TOUCHES TO

MANCHESTER MAGICAL MOVIE EXPERIENCE

 

The festive elves are taking a break from making toys in the North Pole to put the finishing touches to the Magical Christmas Movie Experience in Manchester, which opens next weekend.

 

In addition to a movie programme featuring modern classics including smash hit festive favourites Elf, Home Alone and Love Actually, visitors over the four weekends can look forward to a fully immersive family experience.

Highlights include a live choir at every film screening, enchanted forest, Christmas themed refreshments – and appearances by the man of the moment, Father Christmas and his festive elves.

Magical Christmas Movie Experience, in association with Macdonald Manchester Hotel, will be staged in the surroundings of the beautifully transformed Mayfield Depot near Manchester Piccadilly, during weekends between 23 November and 16 December.

 

The Christmas movie festival starts on Friday 23 November with the box office smash hit film, The Greatest Showman. The film will be brought to life before film fans with stilt walkers, fire artistes and a fabulous choir, creating a fully immersive experience. And there will also be sing-along screenings.

The full film programme features Love Actually, The Holiday, Elf, Gremlins, The Polar Express, Home Alone, Home Alone 2, Die Hard, and Santa Claus The Movie.

Upon arrival, movie fans will be greeted by a live choir singing carols and festive songs, before taking a trip into Mrs Claus’ traditionally decorated lounge. They will then make their way through theNarnia-inspired wardrobe of fur coats and transported into a magical enchanted Christmas forest,where the carols will also be heard.

 

The forest centrepiece is a 14ft Christmas tree, surrounded by snow drifts, snow dusted pine trees,Victorian lamp posts, and igloo – providing no end of festive backdrops for that ultimate Winter selfie!

After exiting the enchanted forest, guests will be welcomed to a large food hall with wooden benches where festive refreshments, including food and drink, will be available to purchase. These include popcorn, candy floss, dim sum, burgers, doughnuts, street food, hot chocolate and hot chocolate cocktails, Christmas cocktails, and mulled wine.

Seating in the movie screening area will include giant bean bags. Visitors are encouraged to dress warm. Blankets will be provided, which will be donated to the city’s homeless community after the final screening.

Steven Matthews, organisers of the Magical Christmas Movie Experience, added: “Our festive elves are working hard to ensure that every pine tree, Christmas decoration, and snow drift looks just perfect to welcome visitors next week.

 

“The finishing touches are being added to the enchanted forest, and we’re confident that Manchester has never seen a festive attraction like this before. We’re extremely excited and looking forward to opening our doors to the public on Friday 23 November for a magical festive experience like no other in the city.”

 

Tickets for all the films start from £14.99.

 

For more details visit www.magicalchristmasmovieexperience.com

Follow on Facebook /AMagicalChristmasMovieExperience

LISTING INFORMATION

The Greatest Showman

Date: Fri 23-Sun 25 November, Fri 14 December

Time: times vary

The Greatest Showman Sing-a-long

Date: Fri 23-Sat 24 November

Time: Fri 6pm, Sat 1.30pm

Love Actually

Date: Thu 29 November-Sun 2 December

Time: times vary

The Holiday

Date: Thu 6 December, Sat 15 December

Time: Thu 7pm, Sat 9pm

Elf

Date: Fri 7-Sat 8 December, Sat 15 December

Time: times vary

Gremlins

Date: Fri 7 December

Time: 9pm

The Polar Express

Date: Sat 8 December, Sat 15 December

Time: 1.30pm

Home Alone

Date: Sat 8 December, Fri 14 December

Time: Sat 5.30pm, Fri 6pm

Home Alone 2

Date: Sun 9 December

Time: 1pm

Die Hard

Date: Thu 13 December

Time: 7pm

Santa Claus The Movie

Date: Sun 16 December

Time: 1pm