The Lowry, Salford – until 22nd September 2018.

Reviewed by Sarah Cockerill

3***

Penelope Skinner’s (Linda, The Village Bike) Meek, recently on show at the Edinburgh Fringe, presents a bleak, dystopian existence in which its citizens, a woman called Irene (Shvorne Marks) in this case, struggle under the rule of a totalitarian state, enforcing Westboro-Baptist-Church-style dogma with an iron fist. Incarcerated for the “crime” of singing about a lost love, Irene struggles to understand why she should face death for such a petty crime and questions who might have reported her.

With its Orwellian influence, Meek draws inspiration from injustices, intolerant states and religious groups around the globe. Irene’s predicament is nailed home by the set; an angular, tortuous, concrete cell crowned by a glowing crucifix. Irene, whose faith is questionable, is faced with becoming the ultimate martyr upon gathering viral support for her plight which she feeds on for the strength to survive. Her freedom may turn her into an outcast; whereas a guilty verdict may inspire the world into action against a fundamentalist Christian state.

Shvorne Marks as Irene produces a strong performance and her friend Anna (Scarlett Brookes), with her lack of stability and pious bordering on sycophantic nature, is believably played. The final character, Gudrun (Amanda Wright), is a level-headed, secular lawyer. The final scenes are affecting and, near the close, the main character’s plight provoked feelings of despair with a cacophony of sound and eerie lighting helping to deliver a disconcerting climax. However, it sometimes felt a little too difficult to relate to or empathise with Irene, even if the rest of the world did.

Meek is a harrowing tale of a subjugated woman who is determined not to be broken and it is running at the Lowry theatre in Manchester from Wednesday 19th until Saturday 22nd September. In a break from the dictatorial, dogmatic style of Irene’s captors, I would encourage you to check it out. Exercise your own free will. Make up your own mind.

Hull New Theatre until 22nd September 2018

Reviewed by Catherine McWilliams

5*****

The story of Cilla’s early life is perfect for a musical, and perfect sums up the performance I saw last night. Not just in my opinion but that of the packed Hull New Theatre who gave the cast a well-deserved standing ovation.

Bill Kenwright’s production of Cilla tells her story from the end of 1962 when she is a teenager working in a typing pool dreaming of success as a singer to 1967 when she has her first television series on the BBC. Jeff Pope’s writing is very tight and skillful with the action moving swiftly along with dollops of humour and pathos. The set and lighting designers have done an incredible job taking us from The Cavern to The London Palladium via Cilla’s parents flat above the Barbers, I so wanted to be there at The Cavern with them all!

Kara Lily Hayworth is a more than convincing Cilla and has a voice that soared beautifully in all the big numbers. She captured all the ups and downs of Cilla’s attempt to be a pop star so well. As in real life Bobby Willis (Alexander Patmore) was the perfect foil for her moving from pushy to supportive, and I can’t have been the only one with a lump in my throat when their relationship went wrong.

Neil MacDonald added lovely touches of humour as Cilla’s father John White and his attitude towards the boys she brought home was superb.

One of the most touching parts of the performance was Brian Epstein (Andrew Lancel) performing “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away”, absolutely heartbreaking. Andrew Lancel’s portrayal of the decline of Brian Epstein was outstanding.

The musicianship was stunning, from the “Beatles”, “Big Three”, “Gerry and the Pacemakers” and “The Mamas and The Papas”. It is always wonderful to see and listen to such skilled musicians.

Like Cilla herself this is a performance that is full of fun and life with a large dash of glamour but somehow still remains down to earth!

York Theatre Royal – until 22 September 2018

Reviewed by Marcus Richardson

5*****

An Inspector Calls, a thriller that has stood it place as one of the most famous play of the thriller genre; came to York Theatre Royal with the National Theatre, one of the most prestigious theatre companies in the whole world. There is a reason why this show is a must-see, with the spectacular staging and acting that is precise and perfect. The play, set in 1912 looks at the class system and the change needed for society to function for the working class.

Inspector Goole played by Liam Brennan, is a dark mysterious figure who brings the bad news of a woman passing to the Birling family on the night of an engagement. Brennan does a good job of creating this character who we don’t know anything about, yet we are enthralled on every word that leaves his mouth. Lianne Harvey stood out for me giving the character of Sheila Birling a satisfying development and depth that we as a society can learn from, very much reflecting Priestly’s themes of the play. The whole cast gave a performance that kept the action alive and made sure that the audience were engaged, they also made sure to bring out the comedy in the play and play with tensions in the play. The acting was very very true to life and with the supernatural themes there was a balance that suited the play.

The stage is something you would expect from such a well named company, no expense was spared, with a house that moved and rain that came down on stage, none of this was necessary, the acting made sure that this show was outstanding, but it made the production better with themes being represented outside of the script. The extravagant stage mirrors the upper class lifestyle of the Birling’s. Costume played an important role especially with Sheila and Sybil Birling, the entrance of the matriarch played  by Christine Kavanagh was nothing short of grand, with a dark red dress with pearls, her costume demanded attention alongside her character.

The show did not shy from perfection, the acting lived up to the National Theatre reputation along side the impressive stage. As the play is on the GCSE syllabus there were a lot of young students in the crowd, as I’m sure is the case at most shows, the crowd of students do seem to react to the play a lot more than you would expect. Although I have seen the play before, this production blew my previous experience out of the park. I was entertained throughout and I left with the reminder of injustice.

Edinburgh Playhouse – until 22 September 2018

Reviewed by Linda McLaughlan

5*****

‘Hilarious from start to finish, innuendoes you would expect just like the show….. a must see’

I am sure everyone has seen the TV show Benidorm and laughed at the characters of both the staff and clientele who visit the resort of Benidorm. The key characters are introduced very early on in the stage production with Joyce Temple-Savage (played by Sheree Hewson) receiving a warm welcome from the audience as she saunters out of the office to greet a couple who have been sent to the hotel after an overbooking. As she changes and adapts her character from the down to earth common character to a very well spoken posh manageress who tries to impress her guests and welcome them to the not so 4 star hotel…. Well, 3 star hotel. The story follows the guests who are not impressed with the staff of facilities on offer during their 2 day stay whilst meeting the range of characters who work within the complex.

We all know Jacqueline (played by Janine Divitski) and her preferences in the bedroom department and her keen interests in swingers. She mistakenly misunderstands Ben (played by Bradley Clarkson) when he comments that his wife Sophie (Played by Tricia Adele-Turner) liked females before marrying him. The response and laughter from the audience is a joy to hear as the laughter and giggles can be heard throughout the show.

Without giving the storyline a way you can be rest assured that all your favourite characters can be seen with fantastic performances from Mateo (Jake Canuso) as he charms the women and the audience with his charm and sexual advances to whoever he feels will fall for him to Liam (played by Adam Gillen) as he defends his sexuality whilst worry about his dad who is in prison in the UK. Then we have the unforgettable character Kenneth (played by Tony Maudsley) the resorts top hair stylist who is as flamboyant and camp as he could possibly be to the down to earth Sam (played by Shelley Longworth) who works as a rep and also one of the evening performers.

This show is a must see and will leave you with sore sides from laughing throughout the entire performances. It was definitely worth the standing ovation it was given from the audience. Well done Derren Litten

Stellar cast and creative team announced for world
premiere for Clear White Light at Live Theatre
Live Theatre, Broad Chare, Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3DQ
Thursday 18th October – Saturday 10th November 2018

Charlie Hardwick (Emmerdale) and Joe Caffrey (The Last Ship, Northern Stage/UK Tour); The Girls, West End) will star in Clear White Light by Olivier Award nominated writer Paul Sirett. The world premiere of this modern Gothic story, set at St. Nicholas’ Hospital in Gosforth, will take place at Live Theatre this Autumn

Inspired by Alan Hull’s time working as a psychiatric nurse at St. Nick’s, and set against the backdrop of cuts to the 70-year-old NHS, the play features many of the hit songs Hull wrote for Lindisfarne at that time, including Winter Song, Lady Eleanor and Clear White Light. These will be performed by an amazing live on-stage band whose performers include Ray Laidlaw and Billy Mitchell of Lindisfarne

Clear White Light is a modern interpretation of Edgar Allan Poe’s short story The Fall of the House of Usher. Originally commissioned by Max Roberts, Live Theatre’s Emeritus Artistic Director, it is the first play at Live Theatre to be directed by its new Artistic Director, Joe Douglas, with Max and Joe working closely together to bring the play to life

The cast comprises Charlie Hardwick, who makes her return to Live Theatre’s stage after starring in Emmerdale, Live Theatre regular Joe Caffrey who was most recently seen in Live Theatre productions Iris and Cooking with Elvis, and Bryony Corrigan who recently starred in Live Theatre’s popular romantic comedy, My Romantic History, alongside newcomers to Live Theatre, actor Dale Jewitt, and actors and musicians Phil Adèle and Alice Blundell

Actor Charlie Hardwick says, I am over the moon to be performing at Live Theatre after 16 long years away. Clear White Light is a belter of a play and I get to sing the brilliant songs of Lindisfarne’s Alan Hull. How could I resist? I first saw Live Theatre in my home town of Wallsend in 1980 and they inspired me to become an actor. In 1988 I landed my first job with Live Theatre and went on to perform in over twenty glorious productions. Some of my happiest times have been working in that intimate little jewel of a theatre on the Quayside. I can’t wait to be there again.”

Max Roberts, Emeritus Artistic Director comments, This play has been in development for a number of years, as I have worked with Ray to find the right story to bring the life and music of Lindisfarne’s Alan Hull to the stage. Working with Olivier Award nominated writer Paul Sirett enabled us to combine the elements into a play that has drama, suspense and of course the fabulous music of
Lindisfarne, which we hope will be appreciated by those that already love their music and by a whole new generation

Joe Douglas, Artistic Director says It is an honour to be able to work with Max in such an in-depth, creative way on Paul Sirett’s new play – a poignant, contemporary story set at St. Nick’s hospital in the year which marks the 70th birthday of our NHS. For me, it exemplifies what a Live Theatre play should be: funny, moving, entertaining and a bit political. It’s pretty eerie too, in time for Halloween, and we are echoing that gothic feel in the set design. We have a cracking team of actors and creatives to realise this fantastic play, as my first full length production here at Live Theatre

Ray Laidlaw says, We’ve been working with the wonderfully creative team at Live Theatre for a long time, searching for the perfect vehicle for Alan’s great songs which doesn’t rely on cliché. Clear White Light is just that – it’s fresh and inventive, and I’m sure it’ll introduce Alan’s music to a whole new audience

Billy Mitchell added Alan was profoundly touched by his time at St. Nick’s, caring for people with mental health issues. The music he wrote around then – often while on duty – has stood the test of time. Unfortunately the NHS hasn’t fared so well, something Clear White Light addresses head-on.”

Writer Paul Sirett will give a free post show talk after the 2pm show on Saturday 20th October and Musical Directors Ray Laidlaw and Billy Mitchell will take part in a post-show talk after the 7.30pm performance on Wednesday 24th October. Both talks are free for ticket holders for that performance and will be recorded and available to listen again at www.live.org.uk/talks

Darlington Hippodrome – until 22 September 2018

5*****

Tom Kempinski’s play Duet For One is a stunningly written two handed play about Stephanie Abrahams (Belinda Lang), a talented violinist struck down in her prime with Multiple Sclerosis and her consultations with German Psychologist Dr Feldmann (Jonathan Coy).

The audience in Darlington were treated to an epic masterclass in acting in only two hours.  Lang plays Stephanie, frustrated at the disease taking away her life. She explains playing the violin is her life and her heartbreak at not being able to ever play again is palpable and a profound sense of loss.  Her moods turn instantly, from sardonic wit to tumultuous anger, from bright false hope to raw pain. Performing in an electric wheelchair, each scene strips something from her and her appearance, posture and demeanor alter as she deteriorates in front of us.  

Coy’s Feldmann is a sounding board for her wit, her sarcasm, her irritability and hostility.  He listens but he also attacks. His anger at her is brief but it makes its point. The stillness feels deliberate, and the performance is all the more powerful for its restraint and intelligence. Coy has little to say, but he creates a highly sympathetic, wise and comic character out of almost nothing.  But while Stephanie is frustrated at her life, he is frustrated with Stephanie

Les Brotherston’s set is a stunning room, filled with book, CD’s and tapes.  The sound system plays sublime bursts of violin music to echo the change in the scene.  The window’s look out on to tree’s and Dr Feldmann sits at his wooden desk. The words echo around the room as they discuss Stephanie’s lack of children, her relationships with her husband, her parents and the man she alleges to be having an affair with

Whilst many believed this was based on Jacqueline Du Pre’s fight with MS and her loss to the Cello playing world, it is in fact based on Kempinski’s life – an essay of raw emotion and wit that draws the observer in.  There is little sentimentally in the subject matter but a compelling powerful drama that I would urge everyone to see

RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE AND IRELAND’S GOT TALENT JUDGE MICHELLE VISAGE

TO JOIN THE CAST OF EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE TO PLAY MISS HEDGE FROM THURSDAY 18 OCTOBER 2018

 

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, the award-winning feel good musical sensation, is pleased to announce that internationally renowned personality, Michelle Visage, will be making her West End musical debut playing the role of Miss Hedge from Thursday 18 October 2018 to Saturday 26 January 2019.

 

Nica Burns, Producer of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie said: “We are all absolutely delighted to welcome Michelle Visage to the cast of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie as our new Miss Hedge

Michelle blew us away with her fantastic singing voice, her excellent characterisation of the part and her charismatic stage presence.”

Michelle Visage said: “I am BEYOND thrilled to be making my West End debut in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie! The reason I chose this show in particular is because of the very important message it tells. It is a great show with great music and talent but more importantly it’s about love, truth and the tenacity of the human spirit! Also there is a HUGE bonus: I get to live in London, one of my favourite cities in the world! I can’t wait to help audiences to fall in love with the show the way I did when I saw Everybody’s Talking About Jamie for the first time and understand why everyone REALLY IS talking about Jamie!”

Michelle is an internationally renowned, platinum selling recording artist, actress, author, television personality, podcast co-host, radio show host, who has made a name for herself in the entertainment industry, across multiple mediums for the past three decades. Michelle is best known in the UK for being a judge on Ireland’s Got Talent and America’s hit TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race, which recently won Outstanding Reality-Competition Program at this year’s Primetime Emmy Awards. Michelle hosts a podcast with RuPaul named RuPaul: What’s the Tee with Michelle Visage which won the award for Best Host at this year’s 22^nd annual Webby Awards. Michelle was a finalist on Celebrity Big Brother in 2015.

Michelle will join current cast members: John McCrea (Jamie), Rebecca McKinnis (Margaret), Shobna Gulati (Ray), Lucie Shorthouse (Pritti Pasha), Lee Ross (Hugo/Loco Chanel), Alex Anstey (Laika Virgin), Luke Baker (Dean Paxton), Luke Bayer, Courtney Bowman (Fatimah), Marvyn Charles, Ken Christiansen (Jamie’s Dad), Jordan Cunningham (Sayid), Daniel Davids (Levi), James Gillan (Tray Sophisticay), Ryan Hughes (Mickey), Daniel Jacob (Sandra Bollock), Cherelle Jay, Jordan Laviniere (Cy), Harriet Payne (Bex), Chloe Pole, Shiv Rabheru, Lauran Rae (Becca) and Kirstie Skivington (Vicki).

Inspired by a true story, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is the hit musical for today.

Jamie New is sixteen and lives on a council estate in Sheffield.
Jamie doesn’t quite fit in.
Jamie is terrified about the future.
Jamie is going to be a sensation.

Supported by his brilliant loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight.

With songs by lead singer-songwriter of The Feeling, Dan Gillespie Sells, and book and lyrics by writer Tom MacRae, this funny, fabulous, feel-good, musical sensation has been wowing audiences and critics alike.

Sixteen: the edge of possibility. Time to make your dreams come true.

Watch the Everybody’s Talking About Jamie trailer here.

Music by Dan Gillespie Sells

Book and Lyrics by Tom MacRae

From an idea by Jonathan Butterell

Directed by Jonathan Butterell

Design by Anna Fleischle

Choreography by Kate Prince

Lighting design by Lucy Carter

Sound design by Paul Groothuis

Musical direction by Theo Jamieson

Casting by Will Burton

 

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie opened at the Sheffield Crucible in 2017 and is now playing at the Apollo Theatre in the West End, currently booking until 6 April 2019. As well as receiving 5-star reviews, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie was nominated for 5 Olivier Awards, received the UK Theatre and What’s On StageAwards for Best New Musical and won the Attitude Culture Award 2017. Dan Gillespie Sells won Best Composer at The Stage Debut Awards, John McCrea won the What’s On Stage award for Best Actor in a Musical, the UK Theatre Award for Best Performance in A Musical and was named joint Most Promising Newcomer at the Critics Circle Awards and Lucie Shorthouse won the What’s On Stage Award for Best Supporting Actresses in a Musical.

 

Twitter                                                 @JamieMusical

#JamieLondon

Facebook and Instagram               Jamie Musical

The producers cannot guarantee the appearance of any particular artist, which is always subject to illness, injury and statutory leave entitlement.

 

 BOX OFFICE INFORMATION

 

EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE

Apollo Theatre

31 Shaftesbury Avenue

London W1D 7ES

Booking number:  0330 333 4809

Website:  www.nimaxtheatres.com  / www.EverybodysTalkingAboutJamie.co.uk

NO BOOKING FEES FOR BOOKINGS THROUGH THE THEATRE AND OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Performances Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm, Matinees – Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm

Ticket prices – £10 to £65.

Currently booking until 6 April 2019.

Salisbury Playhouse – until 22 September 2018
Reviewed by Jo Gordon
4****

The renowned Alan Bennett’s play within a play is centred around a fictitious meeting in 1972 between Poet Laureate, Wyston Hugh Auden (Fitz), and Composer Benjamin Britten (Henry); portrayed on stage as a play called Caliban’s Day. Actors Fitz (Matthew Kelly), Henry (David Yelland), Tim (Benjamin Chandler), Donald (John Wark) and George (Alexandra Guelff) are at rehearsals under the guidance of stage manager Kay (Veronica Roberts) and a rather stressed playwright Neil (Robert Mountford) .

There is a lot going on in this production. When the actors are out of character we see them battling with each other on how they think each persona should be played and rutting horns with the writer Neil, who wishes it to stay as pure to his play as possible much to the actors despair, whilst Kay has to massage their egos and get the job done.

In character Fitz plays an ageing Auden, unwashed and unkempt, taking to urinating in his sink and with a liking of rent boys, which is where Tim comes into his own as the young man Auden has arranged to visit in payment for a sex act. Donald’s Humphrey Carpenter is a BBC Journalist who is gathering information for both Auden’s and Britten’s biography and after a small incident where Auden mistakes him for the rent boy begins his questioning for the books. Henry’s Britten is a well dressed, poker backed gentleman currently composing for his opera, Death In Venice. Worried how the story line will be perceived by the public and how that will reflect on himself and his similar interests in young boys he seeks advice from Auden despite not having seen him for decades. All the time we flit in and out of the rehearsal and the actors being themselves or the plays characters. From Fitz’s struggles with remembering lines, being blessed with “a face like his scrotum” and needing to leave for his Tesco voice over to Donald trying to find his meaning in the play and wanting to add another dimension involving a tuba and a frock!
Playing two characters in such a way takes skill, which the cast have vast amounts of to keep the audience hooked. We see peoples vulnerabilities, deep emotions and darker sides yet share humour and laughter also. Not one for the prudish but a must see.

Bridlington Spa Theatre – until 22 September 2018

Reviewed by Marcus Richardson

3***

Madagascar is a film I think everyone enjoys, talking animals – who could ask for more? Now the film has made it to the stage as a musical, and to Bridlington.

The musical features high energy music and lots of laughs both for the children and the adults. I feel I don’t really need to go into the plot that much as everyone knows what happening, but if you’ve been living under a rock, a bunch of New York zoo animals escape and end up in Madagascar.

The cast did a great job of keeping up the high energy and putting modern references in with the use of dabbing and flossing, the show and cast does a good job at aiming towards a target audience. Matt Terry, who won X Factor in 2016, took on the role of Alex the Lion, his performance was quite entertaining bringing the vocals that won him the show, however Timmika Ramsay, who play Gloria the Hippo, stole the show with her vocals giving her a powerful and soulful vibe. Antoine Murray-Straughan played Marty the Zebra and Jamie Lee-Morgan played Melman the Giraffe, both did a good job at working alongside the cast and giving the characters comedy and life. One of the things Madagascar is most famous for is the song “Move It” and the Lemur King, Julien, played by Jo Parsons, brought laughs from his entrance onstage and giving the show a somewhat pantomime feel. The four penguins were came to life from a team of puppeteers who also in turn became lemurs for the second act, they did a great job of bringing the puppets to life and making scenes rather funny.

The stage has simple but effective props to show scene changing and the cast also were used in moving set around in a way that made sense to the play and worked really well. The costumes are rather bizarre at first with the four main animals being in padded body suits with fake bum and muscles, however the costume that made a lot of people laugh was that of King Julien who was on his knees to give the character short stature. The costumes were good however and suited the animation from the film.

The show had an overall happy theme with the story of friendship and adventure, the cast did a good job bring this to stage. The music was good, however none of the song were iconic and didn’t stick into my mind. This show is definitely one you would want to bring kids and can be enjoyed by the whole family.

COMEDY CENTRAL LIVE TAKES OVER HOGLANDS PARK, SOUTHAMPTON, FROM 5^TH-7^TH OCTOBER 2018 WITH OVER 70 COMEDIANS SET TO GET THE CROWD IN STITCHES  

This autumn, Comedy Central will present a brand new, massive stand-up and experiential festival featuring over 70 of the UK’s most popular and well-loved comedians. Comedy Central Live will stage headline sets from Jimmy Carr, Russell Howard and Katherine Ryan, as well as a whole host of hilarious acts and experiential events over the course of the 3-day extravaganza. 

In addition to headline stand-up sets from Carr, Howard and Ryan, the festival line-up features some of the most critically-acclaimed names in comedy today, including Rob Delaney, Joel Dommett, Nish Kumar, Rob Beckett, Lauren Pattison, Ed Gamble, Reginald D Hunter, Desiree Burch, Andrew,  Maxwell, Suzi Ruffell, Doc Brown, Matt Richardson and Lost Voice Guy (plus many more) all set to perform across two live stages at the 3-day event. 

Comedy Central is also bringing some of its biggest hit shows to life, giving visitors a truly unique chance to watch live versions of their hit TV shows Your Face or Mine, Roast Battle and Drunk History.

If that wasn’t enough, there will be a Comedy Central themed experiential area, including iconic comedy attractions from South Park. Those ticket holders who are brave enough can also step into the world of Takeshi’s Castle and take on the ultimate inflatable obstacle course – one of the biggest in the world!

Visitors will also be able to watch some of their favourite comedians belt out classic musical hits in live stage show AMusical, and drag super-group ‘Denim’ will host an alternative all day party at the festival.

The event will also feature Comedy Central themed food concessions and a whole host of other activities for ticket holders to enjoy.

For more information and to buy tickets, go to: https://comedycentral.ticketline.co.uk/