FASCINATING AÏDA’S ADÈLE ANDERSON TO JOIN

MARK WILLIAMS  IN THE NEW STAGE PRODUCTION OF LESLIE BRICUSSE’S

DOCTOR DOLITTLE

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED

UK & IRELAND TOUR OPENS ON 9 NOVEMBER 2018

Fascinating Aïda’s Adèle Anderson is confirmed to join Mark Williams, who plays Doctor Dolittle, in the UK & Ireland Tour of Doctor Dolittle. Adèle will play Lady Bellowes/Poison Arrow at the first six venues of the tour – Bromley, Salford, Oxford, Wolverhampton, Newcastle and Hull. 

 

As previously announced, Brian Capron, Vicky Entwistle, Mollie Melia-Redgrave and Patrick Sullivan will play Albert Blossom/Straight Arrow, Polynesia, Emma Fairfax and Matthew Mugg respectively.  Mark Williams and Brian Capron will play the first ten venues on the tour – Bromley, Salford, Oxford, Wolverhampton, Newcastle, Hull, Aberdeen, Northampton, Nottingham and Sheffield.  Vicky Entwistle, Mollie Melia-Redgrave and Patrick Sullivan will play the entire tour. 

 

Also in the cast will be Femi Akinfolarin, Erica Jayne Alden, Lydia Bannister, Joel Bayliss, Evonnee Bentley-Holder, Jane Crawshaw, Emily Essery, Jacob Fisher, George Hankers, Catherine Hannay, Evan James, Leon Kay, Emma Lloyd, Owen McHugh, Ross Meagrow, Tom Norman, Emily Ann Potter, Ellie Seaton and Richard Vorster.  The role of Tommy Stubbins will be shared by Harry Cross, Elliot Morris, Quillan O’Meara McDonald, Louis Parker, Elliott Rose and Thomas Ryan.

 

This new production of Doctor Dolittle, with book, music and lyrics by double Academy Award-winner Leslie Bricusse, will be part of the 50^thanniversary celebrations of the original film starring Rex Harrison and will feature the same songs, including the Academy Award-winning Talk To The Animals.  Featuring stunning visual puppetry, this new production, with the book reworked by Leslie Bricusse, will be directed by Christopher Renshaw.

 

Adèle Anderson is best known as a member of the acclaimed cabaret group Fascinating Aïda and co-writes much of their material with founder member Dillie Keane. They have been nominated for the Perrier Award, the Olivier Award (three times) and the New York Drama Desk Award. Adèle’s theatre credits include Follies and Achilles In Heels at the Landor Theatre, Into The Woods at the Derby Playhouse and The Forum, Wythenshawe, the national tour of Ken Hill’s Phantom Of The Opera, and the European Chamber Opera tour of Die Fledermaus. Her film credits include Lady Jane, directed by Trevor Nunn, and Company Business, in which she serenaded Gene Hackman and Mikhail Baryshnikov.  She will be seen in the highly-anticipated new Matthew Weiner series, The Romanoffs, which will air on Amazon Prime in October.

 

Mark Williams’s screen credits include The Fast Show, Father Brown, 101 Dalmatians, The Borrowers, Shakespeare in Love and seven of the Harry Potter films.  His many theatre credits include Fanshen at the National Theatre, Doctor of Honour for Cheek by Jowl, Moscow Gold, Singer, A Dream of People and As You Like It for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Art in the West End, Toast at the Royal Court and Tartuffeat the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

 

Brian Capron is probably best known for his role as Richard Hillman in Coronation Street, for which he won a clutch of awards, including a record-breaking five at The Soap Awards.  Other well-known television roles include Mr Hopwood in Grange Hill and Ozias Harding in Where The Heart Is.  His theatre credits include James in Harper Regan at the National Theatre, Nathan Detroit in The Donmar/West End/UK Tour of Guys and Dolls, Geoffrey in Stepping Out (MEN Award nomination for Best Actor in a touring show) and Narrator in The Rocky Horror Show in the West End/UK Tour.  He can currently be seen in the Channel 5 series Celebrity 5 Go Caravanning.  He is most proud that he was a finalist in Celebrity Masterchef!

 

Vicky Entwistle is probably best known for her role as Janice Battersby in Coronation Street.  Other television credits include Father Brown and Sandra in Ackely Bridge.  Her theatre credits include East is East for Northern Stage, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice at West Yorkshire Playhouse, Madame Thenardier in the West End production of Les Misérables and the UK tour of The Vagina Monologues.

 

Mollie Melia-Redgrave appeared in Drew McOnie’s production of On the Town at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and the UK & Ireland Tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for Music & Lyrics.  Patrick Sullivan most recently played Blake in Bat Out Of Hell the Musical at the Dominion Theatre, a role he created in the original Manchester Opera House/London Coliseum production. 

 

Eccentric Doctor Dolittle embarks on an extraordinary adventure to find the Giant Pink Sea Snail that holds the secret of life and makes the world a happier place. Helped by his human companions and an exotic menagerie of animal friends, including the Pushmi-Pullyu and trusty sidekick Polynesia the parrot, the larger-than-life Doctor Dolittle teaches us not only to talk to the animals but to listen to them as well! 

 

Leslie Bricusse has written the book, music and/or lyrics for more than 40 musical films and plays.  Stage musicals include Stop the World – I Want to Get Off, Pickwick, Harvey, Goodbye, Mr Chips, Scrooge and Victor/Victoria, while films (songs and/or screenplays) include Scrooge,Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Goodbye, Mr Chips, Superman, Victor/Victoria, Home Alone 1 & 2, Hook, Goldfinger, You Only Live Twice, The Last Emperor and various Pink Panthers.  His songs include What Kind of Fool Am I?, My Old Man’s A Dustman, Goldfinger, You Only Live Twice, On A Wonderful Day Like Today, The Candy Man and Oompa-Loompa-Doompa-Dee-Doo.  As well as winning two Oscars, he has won a Grammy and eight Ivor Novello Awards.

 

The new stage production of Doctor Dolittle will be directed by Christopher Renshaw (Le Grand Mort, Zorro, Taboo, We Will Rock You, The King and I), with choreography by Josh Rhodes (Carousel and Sweeney Todd at the London Coliseum, Company starring Neil Patrick Harris for PBS, and Cinderella and Bright Star on Broadway), design by Tom Piper (Associate Designer at the RSC from 2004  to 2014, and designed the installation for the Tower of London poppies installation and subsequent tours – original concept and Poppies by Paul Cummins), puppet design by Nick Barnes, puppet direction by Jimmy Grimes, lighting by Chris Davey, sound by Ben Harrison, and musical supervision by Mike Dixon (most recent theatre includes Mrs Henderson Presents, Oh What A Lovely War, Bodyguard, Taboo, Hair, Zorro, Never Forget and We Will Rock You). 

Doctor Dolittle is based on the Doctor Dolittle stories by Hugh Lofting and the Twentieth Century Fox film. 

 

Doctor Dolittle is performed by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) Ltd.

 

The UK & Ireland Tour of Doctor Dolittle is produced by Music & Lyrics Limited, the producers behind the highly successful recent tours of The Addams Family, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Oklahoma!, Fiddler on the Roof, High Society and The King and I, in association with Churchill Theatre Bromley.

 

Website: www.doctordolittlemusical.com

Facebook: Doctor Dolittle The Musical

Twitter: @DolittleMusical

 

 

TOUR SCHEDULE

9 – 24 November 2018                   Churchill Theatre Bromley*⁺                                        020 3285 6000                                                                                                       www.churchilltheatre.co.uk                                        

11 December – 5 January 2019      The Lowry Salford*⁺                                                   0843 208 6000                                                                                                        www.thelowry.com                                                    

15 – 26 January                              Oxford New Theatre*⁺                                                0844 871 3020                                                                                                        www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford

29 January – 9 February                Wolverhampton Grand Theatre*⁺                                01902 42 92 12

                                                        www.grandtheatre.co.uk                                            

12 – 23 February                            Newcastle Theatre Royal*⁺                                          0844 811 2121

                                                       www.theatreroyal.co.uk                                             

26 February – 9 March                   Hull New Theatre*⁺                                                     01482 300 306                                                                                                      www.hulltheatres.co.uk                                              

12 – 23 March                                His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen*                               01224 641122

                                                      www.aberdeenperformingarts.com                             

26 March – 6 April                         Royal & Derngate Northampton*                                 01604 624811                                                                                                          www.royalandderngate.co.uk                                     

9 – 20 April                                    Nottingham Theatre Royal*                                         0115 989 5555   

                                                      www.trch.co.uk                                                    

                                                                                                                            

23 April – 4 May                            Sheffield Lyceum Theatre*                                         0114 249 6000

                                                      www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk                                      

 

14 – 25 May                                  Festival Theatre Edinburgh                                         0131 529 6000

                                                      www.edtheatres.com                                                 

 

28 May – 8 June                           Alhambra Theatre Bradford                                       01274 432000

                                                      www.bradford-theatres.co.uk                                     

 

11 – 22 June                                 Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin                              0844 847 2455

                                                     www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie                                    On sale to be announced

 

25 June – 6 July                           Millennium Forum, Derry                                            02871 264455

                                                     www.millenniumforum.co.uk                                      

 

9 – 20 July                                    The Marlowe, Canterbury                                            01227 8787787

                                                     www.themarlowetheatre.com                                     

                                                   

23 July – 3 August                        Glasgow King’s Theatre                                             0844 871 7648

                                                     www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre

 

6 – 17 August                               Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff                                02920 636464

                                                      www.wmc.org.uk                                                       On sale to be announced

 

20 – 31 August                              Mayflower Theatre, Southampton                               02380 711811

                            www.mayflower.org.uk                                

 

3 – 14 September                          Blackpool Winter Gardens                                         0844 856 1111  

                            www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk             

                  

17 – 28 September                        New Wimbledon Theatre, London                               0844 871 7646

                                                       www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre

 

8 – 19 October                              Milton Keynes Theatre                                                0844 871 7652

                                                      www.atgtickets.com/milton-keynes-theatre

 

22 October – 2 November             Birmingham Hippodrome                                            0844 338 5000

                                                       www.birminghamhippodrome.com                              On sale to be announced

 

⁺Adèle Anderson dates

*Mark Williams & Brian Capron dates

TOM CONTI ALONGSIDE JENNY SEAGROVE

TO SUPPORT THEATRE ROYAL WINDSOR 

BY STARRING IN

NOËL COWARD’S 

BRIEF ENCOUNTER ON AIR

A SPECIAL LIVE STAGED RADIO PLAY ADAPTATION

OF THE ICONIC MOVIE SCREENPLAY

 

DIRECTED BY ROY MARSDEN

RUNNING AT THE THEATRE ROYAL WINDSOR 

FROM 2 – 6 OCTOBER 2018

 

With a last minute drop out from its programming, most theatres would go dark. Not so at Theatre Royal, Windsor. From tomorrow evening, Tuesday 2 October, the Theatre Royal sees Tom Conti and Jenny Seagrove star in Brief Encounter On Air, the live staged radio play version of the movie classic, alongside Sue Holderness, Roy Marsden, Daniel Casey and Verity Rushworth.

Brief Encounter On Air is the first in a two-week season of live radio play productions that also includes Mystery On Air, a collection of adapted classic thrillers. The live radio play productions replace the previously advertised production, which is to be staged at a later date. Now, Windsor audiences can experience this unique retelling of Britain’s greatest cinematic love story.

Trapped in a loving but unsatisfying marriage, Laura Jesson is unable to stop herself from falling for a stranger she encounters at the train station. The man, Alec Harvey, is also married and the pair are troubled to find their innocent friendship developing into something more serious. As passion takes over, Laura must make an impossible decision and a heart-wrenching goodbye.

A story of temptation, passion and forbidden love, Brief Encounter On Air is presented in the style of 1940s radio and steeped in romantic glamour, with Tom Conti and Jenny Seagrove leading this all-star cast who perform this radio adaptation of the award winning 1945 film, live on stage.

 Tom Conti is one of the most respected and celebrated actors of his generation. Unforgettable as the leading man in hit films such as Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence and Shirley Valentine he has also appeared as a myriad of different characters on both the big and small screens as well as on stage. Recent movies include: The Dark Knight Rises and Street Dance. Awards include an Olivier Award and a Tony Award for his stage performance in Whose Life is it Anyway? and a Best Actor Academy Award nomination for his role in Reuben Reuben.  He and Dame Judi Dench were jointly voted the Most Popular Actors in the West End in the last 25 years.

 

LISTINGS

 

BRIEF ENCOUNTER ON AIR 

Theatre Royal Windsor

Directed by Roy Marsden

Sound Design by Dan Sampson

Tuesday 2 October – Saturday 6 October

Performances:

Tuesday – Saturday Evening at 8pm

Thursday Matinee at 2.30pm

Saturday Matinee at 4.45pm

Ticket Prices: From £15

Box Office: 01753 853 888

Website: theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

Phoenix Theatre – until 6 October

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

There isn’t much that’s new in this latest production of perennial favourite Chicago, with the original direction and choreography from the 1997 production being recreated and no major changes to the design. But then, if it ain’t broke, why fix it? This production’s latest cast change, with Alexandra Burke and Duncan James taking on the roles of Roxie Hart and Billy Flynn, is guaranteed to bring in a whole new audience.

Duncan James oozes mercenary charisma as Billy, manipulating the proceedings in a bravura performance – and boy can he sing! Laura Tyrer is a gutsy and snarling Velma and Mazz Murray is a brilliant Mama Morton. Alexandra Burke manages to portray Roxie’s cold hard ambition but sometimes overeggs the pudding with Roxie’s stylised mannerisms, so Roxie’s usual goofy screwball ditziness doesn’t quite come through.

The antics of fame-hungry female murderers and their slippery lawyer as they compete to grab headlines to feed the voracious and ghoulish fascination of the public still has a sharp satirical edge, and this is Kander and Ebb at their very best, with a score that is simply sublime, packed with familiar iconic numbers. The orchestra take centre stage, where they truly belong, receiving some of the loudest cheers of the night for their energetic Entr’acte performance.

The talented company handle the Ann Reinking choreography with sizzling energy, a sea of gyrating hips, kicks and flicks that is mesmerising and moody. The staging is deceptively simple, with Velma and the girls wowing the audience using only wooden chairs in Cell Block Tango. Other standout numbers include We Both Reached for the Gun (showcasing James’ and Burke’s comedy chops brilliantly), Mr Cellophane (Paul Rider winning the audience’s hearts as pathetically loyal Amos) and Hot Honey Rag, using Fosse’s original choreography.

It’s fantastic to have Chicago back in the West End, and this slick and sexy production is still a guaranteed crowd pleaser full of fierce razzle dazzle.

Theatre Royal Drury Lane – booking until January 2019

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

5*****

There’s something irresistible about 42nd Street, the audience leave with a spring in their step after experiencing such an uplifting and unashamedly old-fashioned musical.

The story of the talented dancer plucked from the chorus line to take the starring role in a Broadway musical is the Cinderella story of the American Depression, and this revival is injected with new energy by Bonnie Langford joining the cast as Dorothy Brock, the star of “Pretty Lady”.

The story is pretty cheesy, but that doesn’t matter when the musical numbers are so stunning. Under music director Jae Alexander, the orchestra belt out familiar tunes as the cast dance the audience’s cares away. Randy Skinner’s choreography is straight out of Hollywood musicals, with glorious costumes and staging that makes jaws drop. Keep Young And Beautiful, We’re In The Money and 42nd Street will just blow your mind.

Claire Halse is a powerhouse of tap, with unbelievable solos in 42nd Street, and nails Peggy Sawyer’s naivety and ambition. Ashley Day as cocky tenor Billy Lawler is the perfect dance partner, while Tom Lister as Julian Marsh marshals proceedings with convincing egotism and drive. But Bonnie Langford steals every scene, bubbling with energy and presence. Her first scene feels like a fabulous remake of her Bugsy Malone performance as a youngster, with great comic timing and lack of vanity. Whether she’s belting out Boulevard of Broken Dreams or swooning in I Only Have Eyes For You, Langford’s vast experience and huge talent lights up the stage.

42nd Street is simply phenomenal, with two stellar leading ladies lifting this wonderful production to unbelievable new heights.

We have a fairypowered competition

If you would like to win a pair of tickets to see Calendar Girls on Thursday 9 October in Edinburgh, then just like and follow fairypowered on facebook and twitter, like and share or retweet the competition post and answer a little question

Which other film and musical did Anna Jane Casey and Julie Walters play the same role?

Kings Theatre, Glasgow – until Saturday 6 October 2018

Reviewed by Linda McLaughlan

5*****

‘A favourite children’s Dreamworks Production ‘

The theatre was packed with excited children anxiously waiting for the show to begin. The show began with the introduction of a young Shrek being made homeless by his parents at the tender age of 7. But that’s okay because this is the age that Ogre’s become independent and set out into the wide world themselves.

So we get to meet Shrek (played by Steffan Harri) again as he grows up in his Swamp as we have all seen in the motion film.

Also introduced in the beginning was Princess Fiona (Played by Amelia Lily) locked away in her high tower which is guarded by a fire breathing Dragon (Voiced over by understudy Jennifer Tierney)

The story line follows the motion film quite closely however the introduction of the all the fairy creatures to the swamp introduced us to the talents of Pinocchio (played by Joseph Dockree) a character I have a soft spot for from my own childhood.  As the production continues we get to meet Donkey (played by Marcus Ayton) who comes across as a sassy character with attitude and he soon has the audience in stitches of laughter with his antics.

The next big character is Lord Farquaad (played by Samuel Holmes). Now he is the only criticism I have of the whole evening that despite a very convincing performance I felt that some of the scenes were a little too risqué for the young audience present. A feeling I think a couple of parents may have agreed with from the people’s faces around me at different parts of the production.

The production as a whole was well presented and very enjoyable for all the ages present as we would expect from a Dreamworks Movie. I would go see this again and would recommend it to everyone to see

Hope Street Theatre, Liverpool – until Saturday 29th September 2018

Reviewed by Julie Noller

5***** 

The Nether, a play written by Jennifer Haley and set in the not so distant future of 2050 it’s about a virtual reality cousin of the internet. To conceive this be a gritty crime thriller, where a young detective uncovers the disturbing truth behind its so called brand of entertainment will have you as confused as I was. In fact to say I left the theatre well and truly with my mind blown is an understatement. How can one play amaze and dazzle you yet repulse you at the same time?

This version of The Nether is the work of Falling Doors Theatre, a young yet talented group producing revamped classics and newer works, locally within Liverpool City Centre. Using local talented actors who may not yet be household names but are the stars of tomorrow. Directed by Sarah Van Parys who brings her experience of bigger stages to great use in this small intimate setting.

The characters and story unfolding before you, some will be clever enough to foresee what is happening, it is not necessary. You can just sit back and try to take in every little step, every poetic line. From the outset you feel you are pitted against good verses bad, characters you know you shouldn’t like, somehow draw you in and the further the play progresses you find depth and likeability.

The Nether is intelligent and you find humour in totally unexpected places. Some would say inappropriate. There’s charm and respect where you should if you listen to today’s society detest. It dissects a society format we all know and follow and leaves you asking many many questions of what you have witnessed and what you have in your short or long life been told to believe and behave. To retell the story in the means of reviewing would in my opinion ruin the whole illusion and spell cast by this wonderful play. It’s been simply and wonderfully produced by a small theatre company which shows you don’t need big bucks or lavish productions to entertain and they certainly managed that; just a simple set and simple costumes, your imagination can fill up the blanks. With a small cast of just five actors, there’s 90 minutes of lines and action to remember, well done all. I couldn’t choose a favourite, I loved and equally hated all the characters in one big messy loop.

Detective Morris (Catherine Devine) with her issues and drive to rid the world of reality shades. Questioning and interrogating Sims aka Papa (Lee Burnitt) He knows his urges are wicked and wrong (something you don’t expect to hear) We never actually see him carry out any wrong doing only what we hear from Inspector Morris. Papa the facilitator of The Hideaway his virtual domain where guests are entertained by a young girl of 12 named Iris (Kimberley Athawes). Papa is the manager, the solicitor allowing others to carry out their perverse acts and somehow live without their demons. Mixed in to this somewhat confusing unreality universe we have Doyle (Andrew AB) an elderly science professor, who is attempting to leave his body behind and call the Hideaway his home on a permanent basis. You wonder what he has been up to, this pathetic snivelling little man. Then there’s Woodnut (Grant Ryan Lenton) obviously an undercover police agent. Too squeaky clean in his appearance to do any wrong. But this is the strength of The Nether; to turn everything on it’s head and plonk it down as if you’ve been hit by an earthquake. You ask questions especially how can the police live under the protection the law offers, when it is one of their officers who has carried out deeply disturbing acts all in the name of information gathering. That is in itself shameful.

Ultimately we are left looking upon a scene of deeply disturbing distrust. In Sims own words how can they release him into the here and now and remove his online access, destroying The Hideaway. Knowing what he may do with his urges, for who knows where they may lead. The ending is a replay of an earlier scene that sees Papa and his (we assume) 12 year old daughter Iris, share a tender moment. As a parent you think nothing of a parent cuddling a child allowing them to rest their head upon your shoulder or lap. Yet here we have the reality a elderly man in Doyle resting his head upon Sims for comfort. The scene becomes twisted and distorted, so which reality is wrong?

The Nether does come with a warning regarding it’s content. It contains strong language and explores so called sensitive issues, abuse, sexual abuse, child abuse, self harm, suicide, violence and even murder and paedophilia. That’s a long list of warnings and it’s gut wrenching yet compelling and despite all those warnings this type of hard gritty drama makes theatre going such a wonderful experience.

NOW GOING INTO ITS SENSATIONAL SECOND YEAR

THE AWARD-WINNING LONDON COMPANY OF

H A M I L T O N 

WELCOMES 10 NEW CAST MEMBERS AT THE VICTORIA PALACE THEATRE

BOOKING TO MARCH 2019

 

Producers Jeffrey Seller and Cameron Mackintosh announce full casting for the London company of HAMILTON which is going into its second year at the Victoria Palace Theatre. The production is booking to 30 March 2019.

Jamael Westman continues as Alexander Hamilton, Tarinn Callender as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison, Rachelle Ann Go as Eliza Hamilton, Jason Pennycooke as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson and Cleve September as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton.

From 3 December, original London cast members Sifiso Mazibuko will play the role of Aaron Burr and Courtney-Mae Briggs will play Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds.  Also continuing are Jade Albertsen, Curtis Angus, Stephenson Ardern-Sodje, Johnny Bishop, Jack Butterworth, Kelly Downing, Leslie Garcia Bowman, Gregory Haney, Leah Hill, Barney Hudson, Waylon Jacobs, Aaron Lee Lambert, Phoebe Liberty, Sharon Rose, Alexzandra Sarmiento and Lindsey Tierney.

Joining the company are Allyson Ava-Brown as Angelica Schuyler, Dom Hartley-Harris as George Washington and Jon Robyns as King George. At certain performances the role of Alexander Hamilton will be played by Karl Queensborough. They are joined by Robson Broad, Lisa Darnell, Joe Griffiths-Brown, Sinead Long, Emile Ruddock and Ellena Vincent.

Between 17 December 2018 and 12 January 2019 the role of Alexander Hamilton will be played by Ash Hunter.

The Olivier, Tony and Grammy award-winning production of HAMILTON originally opened at the Public Theater in New York in 2015. Later that year, the Broadway production opened and, in December 2017, the London production opened at the newly re-built and restored Victoria Palace Theatre.

HAMILTON has book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, is directed by Thomas Kail, with choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire and is based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton.  HAMILTON features scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg and hair and wig design by Charles G. Lapointe.

HAMILTON is the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and helped shape the very foundations of the America we know today. The score blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway – the story of America then, as told by America now.

 

Allyson Ava-Brown played Fantine in Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre.  Her other theatre credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Aladdin at the Lyric Hammersmith, Etienne Sisters, Beauty and the Beast, Crowning Glory and Jack and the Beanstalk all for Theatre Royal Stratford East,The Villain’s Opera and Honk! The Ugly Duckling both for the National Theatre, Simply Heavenly at the Trafalgar Studios and Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Dom Hartley-Harris’ previous theatre credits include Moonfleet at the Salisbury Playhouse, Tiger Bay at the Wales Millennium Centre, Bat Out Of Hell at Manchester Opera House and the London Coliseum, Beautiful – The Carol King Musical at the Aldwych Theatre, Accidental Brummie for Birmingham Rep and Macbeth and Billy Young: A Life on Death Row for The Old Joint Stock.

Jon Robyns created the roles of Princeton and Rod in the London production of Avenue Q and played Marius and Enjolras in Les Misérables on stage at the Queen’s Theatre as well as taking part in the 25^th Anniversary Concert at the O2 and the 25^th anniversary Cast Recording.  He was last on stage in the UK tour of The Wedding Singer and his previous theatre credits include Legally Blonde at the Curve Theatre, Road Show for the Menier Chocolate Factory, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at West Yorkshire Playhouse, Spamalot at the Harold Pinter and Playhouse Theatres and Memphis at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

 

Karl Queensborough has recently appeared on stage in Sylvia at The Old Vic and can next be seen in White Teeth at the Kiln Theatre.  His previous theatre credits include The Little Matchgirl for Shakespeare’s Globe/Bristol Old Vic, Aladdin, Cinderella, Dick Whittington and Jack and the Beanstalkfor the Lyric Hammersmith,  A Wolf in Snakeskin Shoes for the Tricycle Theatre, The Machine Stops for the Theatre Royal York/Pilot Theatre, Only the Brave  for Soho Theatre/Wales Millennium Centre/Bird Song, Morning for the Lyric Hammersmith/Traverse Theatre, Student 365 for the National Theatre of Scotland and Ignition Out of Reach for Frantic Assembly.

Full ticketing information can be found on the official website at hamiltonmusical.com which includes details of the HAMILTON West End £10 daily Lottery. Patrons are advised to check the official HAMILTON channels for news of late release seats which may become available at short notice.   The producers of HAMILTON are working to combat the unauthorised profiteering of third-party resellers and ticket touts.  Delfont Mackintosh Theatres has pioneered for the West End a paperless ticket system for this production – HAMILTON Paperless Ticketing, powered by Ticketmaster.

HAMILTON is produced in London by Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman, The Public Theater and Cameron Mackintosh.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Dates                               booking to 30 March 2019

Theatre                            Victoria Palace Theatre, Victoria Street, London SW1E 5EA

Performances                    Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm, Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm

                                      For Christmas schedule check website

Website                            hamiltonmusical.com

Social Media                      facebook.com/HamiltonWestEnd

twitter.com/HamiltonWestEnd

instagram.com/HamiltonWestEnd

                                      #HamiltonLDN

Pasek and Paul’s A Christmas Story, The Musical receives its European Premier at Waterloo East Theatre this Christmas.

From the songwriting team behind the smash-hit Tony Award-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen and the Academy Award-winning films La La Land and The Greatest Showman, – A Christmas Story, The Musical brings the classic perennial 1983 holiday movie to hilarious life on stage!

A Christmas Story, The Musical with book by Joseph Robinette and music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, is based on the movie classic that runs round-the-clock on US television every Christmas. Set in the 1940s in the fictional town of Hohman, Indiana, we follow young and bespectacled Ralphie Parker as he schemes his way toward the Christmas gift of his dreams, an official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. Rebuffed at every turn, Ralphie plots numerous schemes to achieve his desperate desire for the coveted BB gun.

With a delightful versatile score ranging from gentle ballads to show-stopping numbers A Christmas Story, The Musical will bring an exciting new dimension to those who have seen the movie and will certainly stand on its own for those who haven’t. – A Christmas musical for all the family.

A Christmas Story, The Musical successful 2013 Broadway run garnered three Tony Award nominations including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical (Joseph Robinette) and Best Original Score (Benj Pasek and Justin Paul), along with six Drama Desk nominations, and two Outer Critics Circlenominations.

Benj Pasek & Justin Paul are Oscar, Grammy, Tony, and Golden GlobeAward-winning songwriters best known for their work on Dear Evan Hansen, La La Land, and The Greatest Showman. Their songs “City of Stars” and “Audition (The Fools Who Dream)” from La La Land (with collaborator Justin Hurwitz) were both nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and “City of Stars” garnered both the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture. Pasek & Paul most recently won the 2018 Golden Globe for Best Original Song for “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman, which was also nominated for the 2018 Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Waterloo East Theatre is thrilled to finally be able to make this announcement after being granted the rights earlier in the year and the many months of discussions that followed with the original creatives of how best to adapt the show for a small stage, and is looking forward to bringing this wonderful musical to the UK for the first time.

Cast TBA

Listings Information:

28^h November to 23^rd December 2018 

Tues to Sat at 7.30pm. Sun at 4pm 
(No Monday performances) 
Running time approx 110 mins with an Interval
Tickets: £23 / £20 (Cons) / £13 (Under 16)
£55 (Family Ticket) (Minimum group of 4 must include 1 under 16)
Previews: Nov 28^th & 29^th All Tickets £16 Adults / £11 Under 16
Allocated seating. Strictly No Latecomers Admitted. 
Waterloo East Theatre Brad Street London SE1 8TN
Book Online www.waterlooeast.co.uk  Box Office 0207 928 0060

MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY

TO OPEN AT LONDON’S THE O2

THURSDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2019

PREVIEWING FROM 29 AUGUST 2019

TICKETS ON SALE FROM 09:00 ON TUESDAY 2 OCTOBER 2018

Tickets for MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY will go on sale at 9.00am on Tuesday 2 October.  This new immersive theatrical and dining experience will open in a specially-adapted venue within London’s The O2 on Thursday 19 September 2019, following previews from 29 August 2019.

MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY has music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (some songs with Stig Anderson), and a story by Calle Norlén, Roine Söderlundh and Björn Ulvaeus, adapted for the UK by writer, comedian and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig.

MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY is set in a taverna on the island of Skopelos, where most exteriors of the first MAMMA MIA! film were shot. Nikos and his wife Kate run this exotic and wonderful restaurant together with their family and friends. Told through dialogue and ABBA songs, a warm, romantic and funny story evolves and unfolds during the evening and takes place around the guests as they sit at their tables enjoying a delicious Greek meal. The evening ends with the main floor transforming into a 1970s disco, where audience members are welcome to stay and  sing and dance to ABBA.

Led by Steve Tompkins of architects Haworth Tompkins, work has begun on transforming one of the venues within The O2, where guests will feel as if they’re right in the heart of a Greek island paradise, sitting around tables in the taverna’s courtyard complete with a fountain, olive trees and bougainvillea. 

Björn Ulvaeus, the Executive Producer of MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY, is delighted Sandi Toksvig has agreed to adapt the story for London:  “She has to be the funniest and brightest individual I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with!”

In return, Sandi said of her involvement, “This has been a dream job – writing this adaptation mainly because I want to go to it myself and I got to hang out with the legend that is Björn.”

As the official caterers for MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY, rhubarb has worked closely with the producers to devise an authentic and inventive menu.  The company was founded over 20 years ago and has grown from a solely event business into one of the leading international premium hospitality groups, with an expansive portfolio of iconic locations and restaurants, notably the world-famous Royal Albert Hall, Sky Garden, VIVI at Centre Point and Hudson Yards in New York.  Rhubarb events continue to cater and manage over 1000 events every year and rhubarb is the preferred food partner for over 70 premium venues in London.

Producer Ingrid Sutej said of the partnership with rhubarb, “Food is such a  crucial part of MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY.  I cannot imagine a better partner than rhubarb to offer our guests an unforgettable evening.”

The London version of MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY, which originally opened in Stockholm in January 2016 and is now in its third sold-out year, will be directed by Roine Söderlundh, with set designed by Bengt Fröderberg, costumes designed by Annsofi Nyberg, lighting designed by Patrick Woodroffe and sound designed by Gareth Owen.

MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY is produced by Björn Ulvaeus and Ingrid Sutej for MM! The Party Ltd.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY

The O2
Peninsula Square
London SE10 0DX

Performances: Mondays & Wednesdays to Sundays at 7.30pm, Saturdays & Sundays at 1pm

Tickets:  From £135 (plus booking fees), to include admission and meal (drinks extra)

Box Office: www.mammamiatheparty.co.uk / 0844 844 9545

Currently Booking to 18 November 2019

Recommended Age:  5+

Website:  www.mammamiatheparty.co.uk
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram:  @mammamiapartyuk