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Stepney City Farm until 19 May; Spitalfields City Farm 24 May–2 June, Mudchute City Farm 29–30 June

Reviewed by Antonia Hebbert

3***

Can’t decide whether to go out for a meal, see a show or socialise? Why not do all three at once? Scripts for Supper is touring some of London’s inner-city farms this summer, serving up a cheerful adaptation of The Wind in the Willows interspersed with four courses of fine food (plus cocktail and canape). It’s a very leisurely and sociable way to eat and watch, sitting outdoors at long tables, with courses served between scenes in the play. The performers double up as waiters (you have to feel sorry for actors who hoped to give up the waiting day job when they landed this part).

The plot is faithful to the 1908 children’s book by Kenneth Grahame, but it’s completely lighthearted and silly with none of the original’s dark undertow of suppressed yearnings. In this version Mole and Toad are women, and together with Ratty, Badger and a narrator they tell the story through acting, mime, vocal sound effects, singing and a few musical instruments. They perform between and around the tables, so the general effect is of jesters at a jolly feast. With no scenery and hardly any props, the actors have to work hard to get the audience to suspend disbelief, and sometimes the fun felt a bit strained. Mostly it worked, even when the rain was pouring over the performers through a gap in the tarpaulin roof. I would like to tell you who they were, but there was no programme and I can’t find them on the website – sorry.

The fine-food-with-theatre idea is the dreamchild of artistic director Annie McKenzie, who graduated from East 15 drama school in 2013 and got to the semi-finals of BBC’s MasterChef in 2016. Food writer Juanita Hennessey is head chef and menu-designer. Ah yes, the food – it was all tasty, satisfying and prettily served, with lots of fresh herbs and interesting flavours. The soup looked absolutely beautiful strewn with fresh flowers, and the (mmm, lovely) guava possett arrived in a dainty teacup. At risk of sounding like a whingey food-writer, I would say the humus toast was cut a little too thick. Some sunshine would have been nice, and it was a shame that Stepney’s farm animals were tucked away in bed. Otherwise, it was food, fun and friendliness, and who wouldn’t want that?

Greenwich Theatre – until 25 May

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Oscar Wilde gets the Lazarus treatment in this sumptuously stylish and intense production of Salomé. Wilde’s controversial take on the story of the death of John the Baptist (Jokanaan) gives Salome more agency than the Bible, with her own lust and desire being as destructive as her stepfather/uncle Herod’s.

Director and designer Ricky Dukes manages to make his minimalist set as opulent as possible through liberal coats of gold paint and scores of gold balloons in the side seating areas that bob constantly in a sparkling shimmer as if those seats were filled with bejewelled nobles and courtiers basking in the golden aura of their tetrarch. Hector Murray’s lighting design and Will Thompson’s sound design are phenomenal, elevating the tense and erotically brooding atmosphere. An interval is introduced to the one act play, with the first part building up to Salomé agreeing to dance for Herod, and the short second act the dance and the aftermath. Although the play is all about the male gaze and objectification, this is Oscar Wilde, and his language is poetic and repetitive. The script is full of similes, mostly about the moon, but has enough witty self-knowledge to have Herodias declare in frustration that “The moon is just the moon!” and Herod warn about seeking symbolism in everything, before continuing to do exactly that.

This production is set in 2019, which doesn’t really affect much apart from modern dress and a few sweary insertions from Herod and Salomé in times of anger or frustration. Salomé is a prince in this production, with Bailey Pilbeam portraying him as an entitled and manipulative man-child who knows exactly how to get what he wants, flirting with anybody to get his own way and completely floored by Jokanaan’s rejection. The dance of the seven veils becomes a slow, languorous striptease as Pilbeam removes his white suit, to Herod’s very obvious enjoyment. Jamal Renaldo is earthy and powerful as the prophet Jokanaan. Jamie O’Neill’s Herod is a wonderfully flawed man in an intense but funny performance cycling between arrogance, fear of losing his power and gazing lustfully at his nephew without missing a beat. His chemistry with the magnetic Annemarie Anang is deliciously toxic, as they try to hide their burning resentment behind false smiles as they entertain their Roman guests, who could ensure their power is crushed by Caesar at any moment. The rest of the cast don’t have much to do after the initial set up of the plot, but their reactions to what unfolds before them are perfectly judged.

Waterloo East Theatre – until 2 June 2019

Reviewed by Alex Sykes

4****

Set on an Australian T.V set, Summer Street tells the story of four actors who were once big stars and well known who have faded into obscurity but are given a second chance.

The opening scene is set in the 1990s, and 3 of the 4 actors have their characters killed off in strange ways, including a plague that only kills men, a plane hitting a high building and an earthquake that leaves only one survivor. Fast forward to 2003 and out of the four actors only one, Steph (Julie Clare) is still acting. Bruce (Simon Snashall) is a divorced alcoholic, Paul (Myke Cotton) is a hippy and Angie (Sarah-Louise Young) is working in a local supermarket.

The four are invited back to the show for a reunion episode by the unseen executive producer. The four cast members all reminisce about what they have been up to since the show ended whilst also rehearsing for the soap. Although Steph quits, she returns after Paul tells her that he still loves her, referring to the relationship they had in the 1990s.

However things take an unexpected twist when it turns out that Steph owns the show and instead of relaunching Summer Street she has decided to make it into a reality T.V programme. The remaining cast
eventually come around to the idea and Summer Street is relaunched in the new format.

The cast work well together and the songs fit with the story, both in the soap opera and out of it. The set works well as wooden crates are moved to represent beds, cars, dressing rooms and an abandoned mine. The costumes are also simple, with accessories or wigs used to show the different characters.

Andrew Norris, the producer, writer and director, makes the plot line easy to follow with lots of jokes keeping the audience laughing. A special mention to Pogo, the toy dog, who plays Pogo the Summer Street dog, who is just as important as the rest of the cast.

Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh-16th-18th of May 2019.

Reviewed by Hannah Plumb

4*****

Shine is a story of acceptance and of finding the light inside of us all. Kema Sikszwe, or Kema Kay as he’s known as while making music, is the writer and performer of Shine uses the piece to tell the audience his unique and inspiring story. Moving from Zambia to Newcastle’s West End at the age of three, being the only black kid in his new community and how his family navigated their new life are just some of the issues explored throughout the piece. 

However, although the piece discusses Kema Sikszwe’s extremely personal story the play overall is very relatable. It is also a coming of age story and an inspiring tale for anyone who has ever struggled fitting in or anyone who has ever felt lost. All you must do, according to Sikszwe is find your light and chase your dreams. 

The music in Shine is a really great part of the performance. The way that Sikszwe and director, Graeme Thompson have managed to blend the theatre performance and the musical performance together gives the piece a really exciting energy. Not to mention some of the songs are just very good. 

Overall, Shine is a thoroughly enjoyable show which is well created and performed. There are one or two new show kinks that I imagine will be easily ironed out. After that, I believe this show has real potential to be an important piece of theatre which could inspire many young people to deal with the darkest of times by turning on your own light. 

New Season Launch, 16th May 2019

Leeds Playhouse

Feature by Dawn Smallwood

Be My Baby marks the conclusion of the successful Pop-Up 2018/19 season which hosted a variety of productions featuring an ensemble of 10 actors. During that time Leeds Playhouse has been undergoing a capital redevelopment and is set to re-open its doors in October 2019.

A full season across the refurbished Quarry and Courtyard Theatres and its new studio space, the Bramall Rock Void was announced. Everyone has been asked to save the date, 11th to 13th October, for Playhouse’s Open Weekend which coincides with Leeds Light Night, and everyone is invited to explore the brand-new building and spaces.

To begin proceedings, Charley Miles’ There are No Beginnings (11th October to 2nd November) will be staged at the Bramall Rock Void. An insight was given about the Playhouse’s production reiterating what it’s like to be a woman during the five years when they were urged to stay at home due to the surge in attacks and murders which eventually linked to the Yorkshire Ripper.

Leeds Playhouse has an exciting Creative Engagement Programme which continues to expand with its new initiatives and more opportunities particularly for young people. The Leeds Playhouse Youth Theatre will be presenting Influence (31st October to 2nd November), commissioned jointly with six other regional theatres, and will be presented in the new Leeds City College’s School of Creative Art Theatre, and marking an exciting new partnership with the college.

The programme also extends to supporting adults with learning disabilities and will host Beautiful Octopus Club (14th October) and Lemn Sissay, known for his adaptation of Benjamin Zephaniah’s Refugee Boy which lead to theatre to become the World’s first ever Theatre of Sanctuary, will be paying a visit for one night (7th October) to share his new book.

Furnace is reputedly known for supporting and developing new productions and also up and coming artists. The following productions that have benefited from the celebration of new work are as follows; Lung Theatre’s Trojan Horse (3rd to 5th October), which will be Courtyard’s first production when the doors re-open and its popular festival in November will feature Furnace Scratch, Tess Seddon’s Amateur Politician (work in progress) and Jim Cartwright’s Northern Soul (script reading).

Leeds Playhouse always welcome visiting productions including Northern Ballet’s Dracula, (29th October to 2nd November), Rifco Theatre and Watford Palace Theatre’s Mushy: Lyrically Speaking (8th to 12th October), Co-production of My Beautiful Laundrette (15th to 26th October), Graeae’ and Theatre Royal Plymouth’s One Under (5th to 9th November), English Touring Theatre and Sheffield Theatres’ Reasons to Stay Alive (12th to 16th November), and Breach Theatre’s It’s True, It’s True, It’s True (21st to 23rd November),

Cartwright Productions’ Jellyfish (28th to 30th November), and the popular Barber Shop Chronicles (20th to 23rd November) after a successful tour will make a return visit.

Leeds Playhouse ensures there is something for everyone particularly at Christmas with the Playhouse’s production of The Wizard of Oz (20th November to 25th January), directed by James Brining, Leeds Playhouse’s Artistic Director. Particularly for children and babies, The Night Before Christmas (30th November to 28th December) and Snow Mouse (10th to 21st December) respectively and also other productions during the autumn schools’ half term holiday; Jackie and the Beanstalk, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Tabby McTat.

The Leeds Playhouse inclusively invites everyone to its theatre and experience as always another exciting and diverse season of productions which will appeal to many and no doubt address what matters here and everywhere.

Leeds Playhouse – until 1 June 2019

Reviewed by Dawn Smallwood

4****

Amanda Whittington’s Be My Baby is the final production of this exciting 2018/19 Pop-Up Season. This joint all-women Leeds Playhouse and Mind The Gap production, is directed by Jacqui Honess-Martin and is about four expectant young women who are at St Saviours, a church run maternity home, for unmarried women who have fallen pregnant. The matron (Susan Twist) inflexibly intends them to give their babies up for adoption, mainly against their will, to the Welfare Service.

Set in the early 1960s where, compared to today, women didn’t really have any say in the final decision making concerning their child and the guidelines were strongly influenced by the church and a patriarchal political system/culture. Not to mention the very little or no access to family planning support and support concerning the women’s mental health and emotional wellbeing. The play explores the social, political and religious contexts of the story and also the women’s unheard feelings for their plight concerning their babies. Set to popular music at the time the four women are given an Open Mic as a platform to express themselves through song.

The lead character is Mary (Simona Bitmate) who arrives at St Saviour with her mother (Jo Mousley) and after learning about the typical arrangement she is determined to keep her baby. Three other characters; Queenie (Crystal Condie), Dolores (Tessa Parr) and Norma (Anna Gray) are introduced and intermittently tell their stories and circumstances which eventually brings them to the maternity home. Strong themes, though suttle, such as pregnancy, violation including rape and sexual assault, inequalities, discrimination, self consciousness including body image are raised. They are strongly encouraged to forget and get over giving up their baby for adoption and not taking in account the emotional and psychological consequences the women have to face. Decisions that are made in their interest are patronised but their stories shared are contradictory.

Set to Amanda Stoodley’s staging and clever captioning, Be My Baby is performed excellently from the members of the Playhouse’s Ensemble and also Anna Gray, from Mind The Gap. Their portrayals are moving and certainly reflect the realities of the circumstances at that time. The play is disturbingly summarised with regards to women’s rights however with some human touches and camaraderie from the women.

The play certainly reminds how far women’s rights have come today from nearly 50 years ago with regards to equality and legislation. However there is a lot a work yet to be done for women with regards to the criminal justice system, equality and diversity, employment laws around pregnancy and maternity leave and also those who have mental health and learning disabilities. It isn’t just limited to women in exclusive groups but in many other groups and cultures particularly female asylum seekers and refugees where accessing health care (including antenatal and postnatal care) is getting increasingly impossible.

Be My Baby is poignantly moving and there are a lot of issues resonate to themes where many can compare and relate to what matters to them. It is definitely recommendable.

TRAVEL BACK IN TIME TO HG WELLS’ VICTORIAN ENGLAND FOR THE MARTIAN INVASION OF 1898…

•     New for 2019: Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds: The Immersive Experience will take audiences to another world through immersive theatre, virtual reality, holograms and other state-of-the-art technology

•     Opens 31 May with tickets from £49.50 – www.dotdot.london/TWOTW

•     Featuring never-before-seen Victorian set design, virtual reality environments and multi-sensory immersive theatre surprises

•     The experience lasts 110 minutes including a 20 minute intermission in the immersive Red Weed Bar

•     Opening on Leadenhall Street in the City, nearest tube Aldgate

New for 2019: Book early to be the first to live through HG Well’s Martian invasion of 1898 in Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience opening on Friday 31 May. 

Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of The Worlds, the all-time best-selling double album that terrified generations, has been transformed into a never-before-seen interactive 110-minute adventure. The multisensory experience will combine Jeff’s Musical Version, immersive theatre, virtual reality, augmented reality, holograms and other cutting-edge technology giving audiences the chance to survive the Martian invasion of 1898. Live and virtual actors will lead groups of up to 12 to walk, crawl and travel into the heart of the story from the moment they step inside. The show is split into two-acts and includes an interval in the immersive Red Weed bar where you can enjoy a drink and listen to extended versions of Jeff Wayne’s The Red Weed.   

The journey will encompass key aspects of Jeff Wayne’s The War of The Worlds, the scenes include:

The Theatre

Meet George and Carrie in hologram form and travel back into George’s memories through the use of a magic lantern, a zoetrope and 360 degree projection mapping.

The Observatory 

Walking in Head Astronomer Professor Ogilvy’s shoes, audiences are taken on a dazzling tour of the Royal Observatory to experience the magic of constellations and planets whilst spotting a peculiar object heading straight to Earth.

Horsell Common 

Smell the freshly cutgrass, and feel the misty chill that hangs in the air as you walk across Horsell Common. Approaching a silver cylinder, you are suddenly met with slithering, animatronic tentacles as the powerful baseline of Jeff Wayne’s iconic soundtrack kicks in. As you try to escape a deathly pyrotechnic Martian Heat Ray, you experience everything from the scent of burning flesh to writhing dead bodies.

George Herbert’s House

Considered the ‘Horror Room’ of the experience, this room is not for the faint hearted. Audience members will break into George Herbert’s house and enjoy tea and biscuits before being plunged into complete darkness and immersed in terror as the Martians slowly close in. The scene climaxes in a terrifying flash of strobe lighting and ambisonic surround audio, it’s the first interaction with the Martians, and by no means the last.

Journey to London 

Get ready to battle through war-zone England as you encounter fully animated 300ft Martian Fighting Machines. All players travel through large-scale social VR environments as you try to reach London. The volumetric-captured actors mean that everyone in the group will have a different experience.

Forever Autumn/Thunder Child

The first act ends with a climactic naval battle as audiences are placed in boats with motion simulators – as you try to flee the attacking Martians you’ll be able to feel the water, wind and chill in the air, as you escape down the River Thames in a steamer chasing HMS Thunderchild.

Dead London

In the final scene of the show, audiences are taken on one unforgettable journey. By jumping into hot-air balloons the audience will feel themselves soaring over England in Virtual Reality. The wind and smoke billows in your face where the biggest surprise is saved until last the final moments of the show, all scored by the iconic final song on Jeff Wayne’s album.  

Tickets start from £49.50 and are available to book now at www.dotdot.london/TWOTW. The experience lasts 110 minutes including a 20 minute intermission in the immersive Red Weed Bar. 

Pulse Records Limited in association with Bill Elms present

‘A BIG SWEEPING STORY WITH REAL EMOTION!’

THE STAGE

FIRST WAVE OF CAST ANNOUNCED FOR UK TOUR OF

HELEN FORRESTER’S BY THE WATERS OF LIVERPOOL

Mark Moraghan and Eric Potts return to reprise their roles

The producers of Helen Forrester’s By The Waters Of Liverpool are thrilled to announced the first wave of cast for the play’s major UK tour in Spring 2020.

By The Waters Of Liverpool is the stunning production from the team that brought you Helen Forrester’s timeless story, Twopence To Cross The Mersey.

After a hugely successful premiere run at the Liverpool Empire Theatre last Autumn, the play will now make its way round the country telling the next part of Helen’s fascinating tale.

Tour dates have already been announced for Wirral, Stockport, Warrington, St Helens, Lancaster, Crewe, Southport, Rhyl, Swansea, Darlington and Malvern. The second leg of the tour will be announced shortly.

Writer and friend of Helen Forrester, Rob Fennah has written both the stage play versions ofTwopence To Cross The Mersey and By The Waters Of Liverpool.

The new touring production is again produced by Pulse Records Limited in association with Bill Elmsand is directed by Gareth Tudor Price.

The creative team are delighted to reveal the first cast members for the 2020 tour.

Mark Moraghan will play John Forrester (Helen’s father). Mark previously played ‘Father’ in the 2007 and 2009 adaptations of Twopence To Cross The Mersey.  He returned to play the role in By The Waters Of Liverpool in 2018. Mark is best known for his roles in Holby City, Coronation Street and Brookside.

Coronation Street and Doctor Who’s, Eric Potts will play ‘Mr Ellis’, Helen’s fiery-tempered boss. Eric has also appeared in Peak Practice, Heartbeat, The Royal, Last of the Summer Wine and Steel River Blues.

Other confirmed cast members are Lynn Francis as the ‘Deaconess’; Danny O’Brien as ‘Harry O’Dwyer’; Chloe McDonald as ‘Fiona’ (Helen’s sister); and Roy Carruthers as ‘The Detective’.

The search is now taking place to find the lead role of ‘Helen’ – together with ‘Mother’ and ‘Alan’ (Helen’s brother).

By The Waters Of Liverpool is the next chapter of Helen Forrester’s life story. The production follows the smash-hit success of Twopence To Cross The Mersey and is being brought to audiences by the team behind both the musical and stage play versions of the award-winning true story.

Millions of people know Helen Forrester’s best-selling volumes of autobiography – Twopence To Cross The Mersey, Liverpool Miss and By The Waters Of Liverpool.

By The Waters Of Liverpool is a period drama set in the 1930s. The story opens in 1935. Helen Forrester is 16 years old  and fighting a bitter battle with her parents for the right to educate herself and go out to work.

During the Great Depression, Helen’s father lost his fortune when the stock market and the family were suddenly thrown into poverty. Leaving behind the nannies, servants and comfortable middle-class life in the South West of England, the Forrester’s chose Liverpool as the place to start over. They were in for a terrible shock. Taken out of school to care for her younger brothers and sisters while her parents struggled to re-build their shattered lives, Helen is treated as an unpaid slave and desperate to escape.

By 1939, now aged 20 and with Britain on the brink of war, she has never been kissed by a man. But things start looking up for Helen when she meets a tall strong seaman and falls in love.

And in celebration of what would have been Helen Forrester’s 100th Birthday, the 11-week tour willopen at Wirral’s New Brighton Floral Pavilion from 3 to 8 March 2020 –just a few miles from where she was born.

The tour will then move on to the Stockport Plaza from 10 to 12 March; Warrington Parr Hall on 14 and 15 March; St Helens Theatre Royal from 17 to 21 March; Lancaster Grand on 23 and 24 March; Crewe Lyceum on 25 and 26 March; before heading to Southport Theatre on 27 and 28 March.

It continues with dates at Rhyl Pavilion Theatre from 31 March to 4 April; Swansea Grand Theatre on 6 and 7 April; Darlington Hippodrome from 9 to 11 April; followed by Malvern Theatres on 14 and 15 April.

Playwright Rob Fennah commented: “We had an amazing response when we premiered By The Waters Of Liverpool last autumn at the Empire Theatre in Liverpool. Helen Forrester’s books resonate with millions of people across the UK and many more around the world.

“This adaptation of By The Waters Of Liverpool features a sizeable chunk from Liverpool Miss, Helen’s second volume of autobiography, together with flashbacks to Twopence To Cross The Mersey, so newcomers to Helen’s story will get a complete picture of her life.

“As with its prequel, Twopence To Cross The Mersey, this next instalment of Helen’s autobiography is once again staged using a ‘narrative style’ of theatre whereby our cast of nine take on multiple roles. This way of telling a story is new to many audiences and those who witness it are amazed at how such an epic tale can be told in just a couple of hours.”

By The Waters Of Liverpool by Helen Forrester has sold more than a million books. Now this is your chance to see it come to life in this exciting new stage play adaptation.

Adapted by Rob Fennah   ·   Directed by Gareth Tudor Price

Produced by Pulse Records Limited in association with Bill Elms

Fully endorsed by the Helen Forrester Estate

Website:         www.bythewatersofliverpool.com

Facebook:       www.facebook.com/ByTheWatersThePlay

LISTING INFORMATION

Helen Forrester’s

BY THE WATERS OF LIVERPOOL

FLORAL PAVILION

Tuesday 3 March – Sunday 8 March 2020

Marine Promenade, New Brighton, Wirral, CH45 2JS

Tickets from £22 plus booking fee

Website:          www.floralpavilion.com

Box Office:      0151 666 0000

STOCKPORT PLAZA

Tuesday 10 March – Thursday 12 March 2020

Mersey Square, Stockport, SK1 1SP

Tickets from £22 plus booking fee

Website:          www.stockportplaza.co.uk

Box Office:      0161 477 7779

WARRINGTON PARR HALL

Saturday 14 March – Sunday 15 March 2020

Palmyra Square, Warrington, WA1 1BL

Tickets from £22 plus booking fee

Website:          https://parrhall.culturewarrington.org/whats-on

Box Office:      01925 442345

ST HELENS THEATRE ROYAL

Tuesday 17 March – Saturday 21 March 2020

Corporation Street, St Helens, WA10 1LQ

Tickets from £22 plus booking fee

Website:          www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com

Box Office:      01744 756000

LANCASTER GRAND THEATRE

Monday 23 March – Tuesday 24 March 2020

St Leonardgate, Lancaster, LA1 1QW

Tickets from £22 plus booking fee

Website:          www.lancastergrand.co.uk

Box Office:      01524 64695

CREWE LYCEUM

Wednesday 25 March – Thursday 26 March 2020

Heath Street, Crewe, CW1 2DA

Tickets from £22 plus booking fee

Website:          www.crewelyceum.co.uk

Box Office:      01270 368242

SOUTHPORT THEATRE

Friday 27 March – Saturday 28 March 2020

The Promenade, Southport, PR9 0DZ

Tickets from £22 plus booking fee

Website:          www.waterfrontsouthport.co.uk/events/whats-on

Box Office:      01704 500036

PAVILION THEATRE RHYL

Tuesday 31 March – Saturday 4 April 2020

East Parade, Rhyl, LL18 3AQ

Tickets from £22 plus booking fee

Website:          www.rhylpavilion.co.uk

Box Office:      01745 330000

GRAND THEATRE SWANSEA

Monday 6 April – Tuesday 7 April 2020

Singleton Street, Swansea, SA1 3QJ

Tickets from £22 plus booking fee

Website:          www.swansea.gov.uk/swanseagrandtheatre

Box Office:      01792 475715

DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

Thursday 9 April – Saturday 11 April 2020

Parkgate, Darlington, DL1 1RR

Tickets from £22 plus booking fee

Website:          www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

Box Office:      01325 405405

MALVERN THEATRES

Tuesday 14 April – Wednesday 15 April 2020

Grange Road, Malvern, WR14 3HB

Tickets from £22 plus booking fee

Website:          www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

Box Office:      01684 892277

OI FROG & FRIENDS! LEAPS INTO THE WEST END THIS WINTER

Join FROG, DOG and CAT live on stage inOi Frog & Friends! at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue for a strictly limited season from 29 November 2019 to 5 January 2020. Packed with music, songs, laughs and more rhymes than you can shake a chime at!

Are you sitting comfortably? 

‘Cats sit onmats, haressit on chairs, mules sit on stools, 

gophers sit on sofas and frogs sit on logs’

Kenny Wax Family Entertainment presents the premiere of Oi Frog & Friends! the highly anticipated stage show which brings together Kes Gray and Jim Field’s bestselling and award-winning picture books Oi Frog!, Oi Dog! and Oi Cat! published by the Hachette Children’s Group, into one action-packed musical production. 

Oi Frog & Friends! opens at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue from 29 November 2019 until 5 January 2020. Prior to its West End premiere, Oi Frog & Friends! previews at Frensham Heights, Farnham (12 October) and plays Norwich Playhouse (15-20 October) before heading to Ipswich, New Wolsey Theatre (24-25 October), Hertford Theatre (26-27 October) and The Rose Theatre, Kingston (29 October-3 November) for half term fun.

It’s a new day at Sittingbottom school and FROG is looking for a place to sit, but CAT has other ideas and DOG is doing as he’s told. Little do any of them know that chaos is coming… who knew there were so many rhyming rules and what will happen when FROG is in charge?  Oi Frog & Friends! is an action-packed play with songs, puppets, laughs and, of course, rhymes! It is an ideal introduction to theatre and the perfect entertainment for families with children aged 3+.

Hailed as one of the bestselling picture book series of the decade, with more than 900,000 copies sold to date and growing, Oi Frog & Friends! is created for the stage by Emma Earle, Zoe Squire, Luke Bateman and Richy Hughes. Cast to be confirmed. 

Author Kes Gray says, “Just when we thought we knew where we were heading, Oi takes a leap in an entirely new direction! Working with Kenny and his outstanding creative team is a dream come true. Jim and I have already booked our front row seats and can’t wait to see where this new adventure will take us.” 

Illustrator Jim Field says, “I am pinching myself about Oi Frog! now coming to the stage later this year. It’s wonderful! Kenny Wax Family Entertainment have produced some incredible award-winning shows based on prolific children’s books so I can’t wait to see how they bring our characters to life for the Oi fans!” 

For the full performance schedule and to book visit www.nimaxtheatres.com. 

LISTINGS

London – West End

Show: Oi Frog & Friends!

Adapted from the bestselling books by Kes Gray and Jim Field

Dates: 29 November 2019 – 5 January 2020

Venue: Lyric Theatre, 29 Shaftesbury Avenue, Soho, London W1D 7ES

Press Performances:Thursday 5 December 11am & Friday 6 December 11am 

Flexible press dates available

Times: Daytime performances at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 2pm

Tickets: From £15.50

Schools & Groups: 10+ £10 plus 11thticket free

Family Ticket (Admits 4): £66 

West End Early Booking Offer: QUOTE EARLYFROG for £14.50 premium and band A tickets purchased by 14 June 2019. Applies to selected performances only. 

For the full performance schedule and prices visit www.nimaxtheatres.com 

Box office: 0330 333 4812

Category: Theatre / Family Shows / Children

Suitability: Families with children 3+, Early Years, Reception and Key Stage 1

Running time: Approximately 55 minutes (no interval)

Mandatory Legal lines to be used with artwork: Based on the books by Kes Gray and Jim Field. Published by Hachette Children’s Group

Theatre Royal Bath Productions presents
MY COUSIN RACHEL
Based on the novel by Daphne du Maurier
Adapted by Joseph O’Connor
 

• HELEN GEORGE TO STAR IN THE STAGE ADAPTATION OF MY COUSIN RACHEL, OPENING AT THEATRE ROYAL BATH IN NOVEMBER 2019
   
• MY COUSIN RACHEL, ADAPTED BY JOSEPH O’CONNOR AND DIRECTED BY ANTHONY BANKS, WILL RUN IN BATH FROM 13 TO 23 NOVEMBER FOLLOWED BY LIMITED TOURING DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED
   
• PRIORITY BOOKING OPENS ON 1 JUNE WITH GENERAL ON-SALE FROM 10 JUNE
   

Theatre Royal Bath Productions today announces a new production of Daphne du Maurier’s psychological thriller My Cousin Rachel, starring Helen George (BBC One’s Call The Midwife) in the titular role. Adapted by Joseph O’Connor and directed by Anthony Banks, the production will run in Theatre Royal Bath’s Main House from 13 to 23 November with opening night for press on 20 November. 

My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier, author of Rebecca and Don’t Look Now, enthralled readers when it was first published in 1951 and went on to become an international bestseller. This acclaimed stage adaptation by Joseph O’Connor premiered at Dublin’s Gate Theatre in 2012 and now returns to the stage in a brand new production. The novel was also adapted for film in 2017.

Helen George said: “My Cousin Rachel was one of my favourite books when I was growing up, so I’m absolutely thrilled to be playing the wonderfully exotic and complex Rachel. I can’t wait to get my wig on!”

Ambrose Ashley, a wealthy landowner, is wintering in Italy when he meets a distant relation, Rachel. Everything changes as his young ward, Philip, receives news that Ambrose has married Rachel and then goes on to find that Ambrose has died suddenly, and his widow has gone. Philip, convinced that Rachel was responsible for Ambrose’s death, travels to meet her in Cornwall, only to become seduced by her charms. Philip is torn between believing that Rachel is a murderess and a gold-digger, or on the other hand that she is a maligned victim of rumour and suspicion.

Helen George is best known for starring in the lead role of Trixie Franklin in the BAFTA-winning BBC One series Call the Midwife. Further credits include Paul W S Anderson’s The Three Musketeersand 7 Lives. On radio, Helen appeared alongside Toby Jones in BBC Radio 4’s dramatisation of Penelope Fitzgerald’s Human Voices and in Colin Bytheway’s drama Departure. Helen has received critical acclaim for her varied stage credits, including Trevor Nunn’s revival of Terrance Rattigan’sLove in Idleness and in the title role of Patrick Marber’s After Miss Julie, also directed by Anthony Banks. Helen also appeared on BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2015 where she reached the semi-finals. 

Anthony Bank’s was Associate Director at the National Theatre from 2004 – 2014. His manydirecting credits include The Girl on the Train (National Tour), Hogarth’s Progress (Rose Kingston), Strangers On A Train (ATG/Smith&Brant), Twilight Song (Park Theatre), Gaslight  (ATG/Smith&Brant), After Miss Julie (Theatre Royal Bath & National Tour),  Raz  (Trafalgar Studios, Assembly Edinburgh & National Tour),  More Light,  The Eternal Not and Prince Of Denmark(National Theatre), Pignight (Menier Chocolate Factory), The Experiment (Soho Theatre & Berliner Ensemble);  Herding Cats  (Theatre Royal Bath & Hampstead Theatre), Bassett  (Bristol Old Vic),  DNA(National Tour).

Joseph O’Connor is a novelist, screenwriter, playwright and broadcaster. His novels include the international number one best-seller Star of the Sea, Ghost Light and Shadowplay. He has received the Prix Zepter for European Novel of the Year, France’s Prix Millepages, Italy’s Premio Acerbi, an American Library Association Award and the Irish Pen Award for Outstanding Achievement in Literature. His work has been translated into 40 languages across the world.

LISTINGS

Theatre Royal Bath, Sawclose, Bath, BA1 1ET
Box Office: 01225 448844
Website: www.theatreroyal.org.uk
Facebook: TheatreRoyalBath
Twitter: @TheatreRBath

My Cousin Rachel
Based on the novel by Daphne du Maurier
Adapted by Joseph O’Connor
Directed by Anthony Banks

Wednesday 13 November – Saturday 23 November 2019
Press night: Wednesday 20 November, 7pm
Performance Schedule: Mon – Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Thu & Sat 2.30pm (no matinee Thursday 14 November)
Tickets: £24 – £38.50