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WHATSONSTAGE LAUNCHES BRAND-NEW AWARDS –

THE WHATSOFFSTAGE AWARDS

WhatsOnStage today announces the launch of the WhatsOffStage Awards, a brand new initiative recognising venues and their staff for the work they do off stage and celebrating their contribution to the industry and theatregoing experience.

Like the WhatsOnStage Awards, nominees and winners for the WhatsOffStage Awards will be voted for by the public. Voting will be open on 5 September and close on 5 October. The winners will be announced at a small, private ceremony on Friday 19 October.

WhatsOnStage’s Chief Operating Officer Sita McIntosh said today, “We are delighted to announce the first ever WhatsOffStage Awards this year. We want to celebrate areas of the industry that don’t always receive the recognition they deserve but which are instrumental in ensuring audiences and communities are able to engage with and enjoy live theatre. These awards are a huge round of applause for all those unsung heroes who make the theatregoing experience the best it can possibly be!”

The categories for the inaugural awards are:

• Best Front of House Team

This incorporates all the staff that help to make your general theatre experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Whether they are showing you to your seats, selling you a programme, serving you a drink or telling the person next to you to put their phone away, we want to know which theatre has the friendliest, most helpful and efficient ushers, stewards and bar staff.

• Best Box Office

A great box office not only sells you your tickets but should also offer excellent advice to help you choose your seats according to your needs and budget. The box office team also help sort all your ticketing woes when you accidently book the wrong date/performance and in some cases, the wrong show altogether!

• Best Stage Door

Stage Door staff are often the “front line” between the cast and the general public. They have to deal with the large crowds that can assemble when a popular actor is performing and have to do so with tact and sensitivity. After all, they are dealing with people who have spent their hard-earned money to watch their favourite star on stage.

• Best Food & Drink

Sadly “theatre wine” has earned a bad reputation over the years, deservedly so, some might say, when you consider the inflated prices for a glass of luke-warm Chardonnay! Which theatre sells a decent range of alcoholic and soft drinks at reasonable prices and can offer more than the ubiquitous bag of peanuts to go with it?

• Most Accessible Theatre

“Accessible” covers far more than “wheelchair friendly”. Does your theatre offer audio-described and captioned performances or performances for those with special needs such as autism or dementia?

• Most Child-Friendly Theatre

This incorporates theatres that not only work hard to create excellent shows for children of all ages but also those that consider the needs of those children when they come into the theatre. Is there somewhere to leave a buggy? Are there baby-changing facilities? Does the café offer healthy drinks and snacks for kids rather than a can of sugary pop and a packet of crisps?

• Best Community Theatre

Does your local theatre embrace the community that surrounds it? We think that local theatres in particular should be a hub for people to pop into for a cup of coffee; meet friends; participate in workshops etc and (most importantly) see themselves reflected in the work presented on stage. Does your theatre tick all those boxes and make you feel involved and included? If so, nominate it.

• Best Theatre Facilities

The dreaded queue for the ladies’ loos is now the stuff of legend so this category is recognising theatres that have got it right. We’re not just talking about toilets (although they are very important) but maybe a free cloakroom, somewhere to actually sit in the bar area once you’ve bought your drinks and free WiFi.

• Best Theatre Website

For many people, this is the starting point for their theatregoing experience so it’s important to recognise helpful and informative websites with features such as easy navigation, a straightforward booking process, informative and engaging content, mobile friendly etc.

• Favourite Theatre

If you think a particular theatre should be recognised for its fantastic programming, its architecture, its ethos or quite simply it’s a beautiful space that you love visiting then nominate it in this category. There needs to be no other reason than it’s your favourite theatre, but do tell us why!

@WhatsOnStage

#WhatsOffStageAwards

REVIEW: WICKED (Sunderland Empire) ★★★★

September 12, 2018 

For: West End Wilma 

https://www.westendwilma.com/review-wicked-sunderland-empire/

My return visit to Wicked was made all the more enjoyable by attending with a friend who had never seen the show before. Seeing it through different eyes renewed and refreshed my enjoyment of this show.

Based on the best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire Wicked’s success has a lot to do with originality and playfulness; it’s a prequel to the ‘Wizard of Oz’ and gives more depth to well known characters. From their early days as rival sorcery students to their forming of an unlikely friendship, before ultimately being ascribed the titles of Wicked and Good. The Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba, is a misunderstood young girl who was born with bright green skin – she’s also the show’s unexpected heroine. Whereas Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, starts out as a spoilt blonde brat and learns her compassion from Elphaba. Wicked turns everything upside down and makes us question whether any of the characters are truly ‘bad’.

As Glinda, Helen Woolf is saccharine sweet with a strong soprano voice and superb comic timing. Woolf’s performance of comical number ‘Popular’ provides a show highlight but its her rendition of ‘Thank Goodness’ which truly allows her to shine revealing the character’s inner vulnerability.

But it is Amy Ross as Elphaba, who grows up battling bigotry toward her lurid skin tone who steals the show. It is probably easy to learn the script and play the part but Ross has given layers and depth to her interpretation of the part. Her careful pronunciation of her words and outstanding singing voice allow a powerful emotional intensity. And the show stopping ‘Defying Gravity’ was breathtakingly powerful.

Boq, played by Iddon Jones, plays the part very well, despite vocals being a little frayed at times. Aaron Sidwell’s Fiyero and Emily Shaw’s Nessarose both seem a little hesitant in terms of their songs but their characters balance well with two strong female leads. Kim Ismay was gloriously over the top as the marvellously malevolent Madame Morrible. Steven Pinder combined Doctor Dillamond with his role of the Wizard and shined in both. The ensemble are incredibly tight; vocally powerful, perfectly synchronized and sustain a polished performance throughout.

There were some lovely nods to the original Wizard of Oz. Nessarose’s stripy black and white tights, the origins of the Tin Man, Lion and Scarecrow. And the keeping of the original books idea that the shoes belonging to Nessa were silver until enchanted then they became ruby red.

Although mainly green, the show is colourful and vibrant and tells a story of love, friendship and embracing differences. Turning the stereotypes that many know from The Wizard of Oz on their head, this tale of heartbreak, love and loss laughs at the superficial and probes us to look inside ourselves for true happiness.

Storyhouse, Chester – until Saturday 15th September 2018

Reviewed by Julie Noller

5***** 

Summer Holiday was originally a hit film which spawned many hit records in 1963, it’s appeal was that of cleanly cut household favourite Cliff Richard; Britain’s answer to Elvis with his boyish charm and as I remember watching the film with it’s sunshine feel good factor, he was just likeable, the film was a silly nod to childhood dreams of going places and escaping the drab, miserable monotonous lives of the working class. This was a whole year before Beatlemania took the world by storm.

This wholesome version takes some getting used to, I was silly, I expected Don to be a Cliff Richards clone. You have to sit back and forget that notion but immerse yourself in a fantasy zone where music is toe tappingly good and you long to get up and jive. Adapted for the stage by Mark Hadigan and Michael Gyngell I’m surprised and pleasantly so how some of the humour works for today’s theatre goers, remember folks it’s the early 60’s and historically speaking well times were far from brimming with political correctness. The dream sequences are a dash of silliness that is bizarre yet amusing; dancing goats, yes really. There is one actor who deserves a mention and that’s William Beckerleg, simply listed in the ensemble, he pops up in what can only be described as a comedic cameo role. Not overplayed it comes to the point where the mere site of him has you giggling.

As with many shows that I’ve had the pleasure to watch at Storyhouse, the audience had come expecting to party and that always makes a production like this so much more enjoyable, clapping and singing throughout not to mention the finale which has the feel of a Cliff Richards concert. Don’t worry if you don’t think you know the songs, you will once everyone is singing, you’ll thoroughly enjoy it too. Storyhouse may be a small theatre but it’s perfect for these productions where you can actually see the faces of each and every performer. From catching a sneaky wink that you believe is aimed at you to the lovely twinkle in Ray Quinn’s eyes that shows he was loving every moment up on that stage. There is a touch of naughty humour that hasn’t changed in decades and just shows how Britain may be diverse but our humour always remains. This is family humour that the children will laugh at along with adults, it packs in the feel good factor. Liquid sunshine in a London bus you could say, there may not be any sunshine on the stage but the warmth radiates from the stage in bucketfuls.

Don our hero, a London Transport mechanic who along with his friends Steve, Edwin and Cyril (Billy Roberts, Joe Goldie and Rory Maguire) embark on a massive project to transform an iconic London Bus and travel across the continent. Don’t forget this was a major feat, years before social media and even the channel tunnel. Don played by Ray Quinn, he was made for musicals, he owns the whole stage, his charisma and charm making you think Cliff who? I admit to sniggering upon hearing his accent on stage. Let me explain I may have perhaps foolishly been expecting him to have those same softly spoken Cliff tones, instead it’s all jolly hockey sticks and that took me by surprise. But it works you realise it’s a clever move after all think about every accent from BBC during the 1960’s, London we think of as posh or cockney. He is bringing Don to life as a character portrayed by Ray Quinn and not as Cliff Richard, bravo for that. Don the intelligent member of a gang of 4 each with their own personalities. Then the boys being upstanding Englishmen, they rescue 3 damsels in distress, whose personalities equally match those of Steve, Edwin and Cyril. Namely our struggling girl group who can’t quite perfect their act Mimsie, Alma and Angie (Gabby Antrobus, Alice Baker and Laura Marie Benson) This already has the sounds of a slapstick comedy doesn’t it? But wait there’s romance there’s dastardly villains, yes it’s the American. It’s so hard to put a genre to Summer Holiday so let’s not. Sophie Mathew plays poor sad American Barbara, who is touring Europe pushed by her overbearing brash Mother Stella (Taryn Sudding), dragging along Jerry (Wayne Smith) as her Manager. Barbara a mediocre cabaret style singer who feels she can not possibly sing about life without sampling it first.

And this is what Summer Holiday is all about, Life. Why in our youth are we so keen to grow up, just sit back and enjoy the ride. Have your fun whilst you are young and you will have a greater understanding of the battles that lie in front of you. Of course the love of great music helps Summer Holiday along the way, from the self titled track to Bachelor Boy – which had me skipping out for the interval. To living Doll and The young Ones forget the end of Summer and the on set of Autumn you’ll leave the theatre extremely happy with sore hands (all that clapping) and perhaps a little hoarse. Cheer at the happy endings, feel warm and rosy inside as the boys get their girls, new careers and everyone appears to have a happily ever after moment. Summer Holiday is escapism at it’s stiff upper lipped best.

The Lowry, Salford – until 15th September 2018.

Reviewed by Sarah Cockerill

5*****

On the back of the roaring success of The Play That Goes Wrong, Best New Comedy at the Laurence Olivier awards of 2015, Mischief Theatre Company have brought a new side-splitting show to the nation’s stages. After premiering in the West End’s Criterion Theatre in 2016 to critical acclaim, The Comedy About a Bank Robbery is touring the UK.

Set in 1958 Minneapolis, The Comedy About a Bank Robbery is a farcical flit through the tale of a botched bank job, cleverly written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields. From the opening scene, the lively script captivates the audience and a clever use of physical comedy combined with a relentless reel of one liners will have your jaw aching.

The characters are cleverly entwined in a plot to steal a half a million-dollar diamond which is set to spend a week in the charge of Robin Freeboys (Damian Lynch), failing manager of the much maligned Minneapolis City Bank. “Everyone’s a crook in this town”, we’re warned by Ruth Monaghan (Ashley Tucker) and no truer word is spoken in a script full of lies, deceit, fraud and foul play.

However central the diamond is to this plot, it is difficult to determine the jewel in this cast where every actor’s talent is showcased, each playing a number of roles wonderfully and delivering punchline after hilarious punchline. Just when you think the show cannot reach new heights, Freeboys (Damian Lynch) and Warren Slax (Jon Trenchard) scale the walls of the slick staging. Literally.

Mischief Theatre use a curious range of props to tell their story, from laundry baskets to office chairs to large moustaches, brought to life with ingenuity, clever lighting and the foot-tapping musical sound of 1950s America. With every giggle, guffaw and roar of laughter, the show demands that you tell your friends about it.

The Comedy About a Bank Robbery is running at The Lowry, Salford, until Saturday 15th September, before embarking on a nation-wide tour which runs until Spring 2019. Get some tickets and have a wonderful night!

The King’s Theatre Glasgow – until 15 September 2018

Reviewed by Linda McLaughlan

5*****

‘truly outstanding performances from the entire cast’

At the beginning of the evening I was apprehensive as to how they would create a musical from an iconic movie such as An Officer and A Gentleman. The theatre was packed with an anticipating audience waiting for the performance to begin. As we waited there was shots of 80’s America displayed in the background with some iconic characters ranging from presidents to pop stars and the America signage promoting the army and navy.

Like the film the show began with some new recruits arriving on the bus to begin their training and attempt to get through naval college and get the opportunity fly jets ………. But first they had to survive the arduous training and also Training Sergeant Foley (played by Ray Shell). We get to meet the main characters of the film and show in the shape of Zak Maye (played by Jonny Fines), Sid Worley (played by Ian McIntosh), Paula Porkrifki (played by Emma Williams) and Lynette Pomrey (played by Jessica Daley).

My fears of how they turn this movie into a musical quickly dissipated as the story unfolded with some classic songs and musical score such as Hearts on Fire, Blaze of Glory, Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Kids in America and Up Were We Belong to name just a few of the spectacular musical score. What I found very impressive was how these had been inserted at just the right moment and were very relevant to what was being played out on the stage.

Would I recommend this show? Most Definitely yes and I will happily go and see the outstanding performances again……. Not too be missed

TANGLED TALE OF THEATRICAL TWINS PROMISES TO TAKE STORYHOUSE BY STORM

‘Visionary’ director Emma Rice brings her new company’s opening show to Chester

Novelist Angela Carter’s Wise Children is being brought to the Storyhouse stage next spring in a new theatrical production by ‘visionary’ director Emma Rice.

The carnivalesque tale of the tangled fortunes of two theatrical families is packed with pairs of twins and mistaken identities, and was inspired by the Bard’s greatest comedies.

Now former Shakespeare’s Globe artistic director Rice (Romantics Anonymous, Tristan & Yseult, The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk and Brief Encounter) is bringing her unique, exuberantly impish vision to the late English writer’s great final novel.

It’s April 23, Shakespeare’s birthday.

In Brixton, Nora and Dora Chance – twin chorus girls born and bred south of the river – are celebrating their 70th birthday. Over the river in Chelsea, their father and greatest actor of his generation Melchior Hazard turns 100 on the same day. As does his twin brother Peregrine. If, in fact, he’s still alive. And if, in truth, Melchior is their real father after all…

A big, bawdy tangle of theatrical joy and heartbreak, Wise Children – adapted and directed by Rice – is a celebration of showbusiness, family, forgiveness and hope. Expect show girls and Shakespeare, sex and scandal, music, mischief and mistaken identity….and butterflies by the thousand.

Wise Children is also the name of Rice’s new theatre company. It aims to create landmark work with exceptional artists, challenge outmoded theatre touring models, train the next generation of creative practitioners, and discover the creative spaces of the future.

This Old Vic and Wise Children production, being staged at Storyhouse from March 19 – 23 2019, is co-produced by the Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Oxford Playhouse and York Theatre Royal.

Storyhouse artistic director Alex Clifton said today: “Emma Rice is a visionary theatre director. She’s one of the best there is working today, and the launch of her new company is internationally significant for the arts world. Her work brings delight and joy to audiences through riotous spectacle, heartfelt storytelling, music and breath-taking leaps of imagination.

“It’s very special for Storyhouse to bring this company to the region and begin a long relationship between Wise Children and our audiences. We’re really proud to welcome Emma and Wise Children to Chester.”

Website:         www.storyhouse.com

Facebook:       www.facebook.com/storyhouselive

Twitter:           @StoryhouseLive

 

LISTING INFORMATION

 

STORYHOUSE

Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR

 

WISE CHILDREN

Tues 19 – Sat 23 March 2019

Tues-Sat at 7pm. Wed and Sat Mat at 2.30pm

Tickets: £18.50 – £31.50 (each ticket is subject to a £1.50 booking fee)

HOW TO BOOK

Online:            Visit www.storyhouse.com

By Phone:       Call 01244 409 113

In person:       Visit the Ticket Kiosks at Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR

DAN LOONEY, ADAM PAULDEN,

JASON HAIGH-ELLERY, SELLADOOR WORLDWIDE AND GAVIN KALIN

ARE DELGHTED TO ANNOUNCE

KEVIN CLIFTON

&

ANTONY COSTA

TO JOIN THE CAST OF

THE AWARD-WINNING SMASH HIT MUSICAL

“ROCK OF AGES”

Dan Looney, Adam Paulden, Jason Haigh-Ellery, Selladoor Worldwide and Gavin Kalin are delighted to announce, Kevin Clifton and Antony Costa will join the cast of the award-winning smash-hit musical “ROCK OF AGES” in the role of ‘Stacee Jaxx’.

Kevin Clifton will play the role from 22 January until 6 April 2019 and from 11 June until 27 July 2019. Antony Costa will join the production for eight weeks from 8 April until 1 June 2019.  Full tour dates and cast details are below.

Kevin Clifton is an international Ballroom and Latin dancer and has won numerous titles across the world, including winning the Britain Latin Championships four times. He is best known as a Pro Dancer on BBC one’s, ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and is the only pro dancer to ever dance in four consecutive finals. Kevin made his musical theatre debut in ‘Dirty Dancing the Musical’ at the Aldwych Theatre in London’s West End. Kevin then went on to become a principle dancer in Burn The Floor Dance Company and performed in the show’s record breaking Broadway run, in London’s West End and across the world. Kevin has also toured nationwide with Karen Clifton in 2017 and 2018 in their theatre show, ‘Kevin and Karen Dance’.

Antony Costa is best known as a member of the hugely successful boyband ‘Blue’ who have had three number one albums. Antony’s previous theatre credits include the role of ‘Mickey Johnson’ in the West End production of ‘Blood Brothers’ and the UK tour of ‘Save The Last Dance For Me’. Most recently he played the role of ‘Roger Meadows’ in the UK tour of ‘A Judgement in Stone’.

They will both join the previously announced Kevin Kennedy who will play ‘Dennis’, Zoe Birkett ‘Justice’, Luke Walsh ‘Drew’, Lucas Rush ‘Lonny’, Jodie Steele ‘Sherrie’, Andrew Carthy ‘Franz’, Vas Constanti ‘Hertz’ andRhiannon Chesterman ‘Regina’. Sam Ferriday will play the role of ‘Stacee Jaxx’ until 9 December 2018.

Also joining the cast are Erin Bell, Alexander Day, Joshua Dever, Paris Green, Sinead Kenny, Ryan Lee-Seager, Adam Strong, Saran Webb and Bobby Windebank.

 

“ROCK OF AGES” is an LA love story lavished with over 25 classic rock anthems. Lose yourself in a city and a time where the dreams are as big as the hair, and yes, they can come true!

This hilarious musical comedy features the songs, including We Built This City, The Final Countdown, Here I Go Again, Can’t Fight this Feeling and I Want To Know What Love Is, played loud and proud by an awesome live band.

WARNING: CONTAINS SERIOUS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL DEBAUCHERY!

Now a global smash with extensive runs in London’s West End, on Broadway and in Las Vegas, the show has also been made in to a star-studded Hollywood movie.

“ROCK OF AGES” has a book by Chris D’Arienzo and Arrangements and Orchestrations by Ethan Popp. It is directed and choreographed by Nick Winston (‘The Royal Variety Performance’, ‘Annie’ and ‘The Wedding Singer’) designed by Morgan Large (‘The Woman in White’, ‘Top Hat’, and ‘The Christmasaurus’) and has lighting design by Ben Cracknell (‘Young Frankenstein’, ‘Sunset Boulevard’ and ‘Annie’). Sound design is by Ben Harrison(‘Hairspray’, ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ and ‘Million Dollar Quartet) and musical supervision is by Barney Ashworth(‘Sunny Afternoon’, ‘Grease’ and ‘Mrs Henderson Presents’).

 

ROCK OF AGES – UK Tour 2019

TUESDAY 22 JANUARY – SATURDAY 26 JANUARY 2019

Glasgow Kings Theatre www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre

*The role of Stacee Jaxx will be played by Kevin Clifton

TUESDAY 29 JANUARY – SATURDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2019

His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/venues/his-majestys-theatre

*The role of Stacee Jaxx will be played by Kevin Clifton

 

TUESDAY 5 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 9 FEBRUARY

Grimsby Auditorium, www.grimsbyauditorium.org.uk

*The role of Stacee Jaxx will be played by Kevin Clifton

TUESDAY 12 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2019

Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent www.atgtickets.com/venues/regent-theatre/

*The role of Stacee Jaxx will be played by Kevin Clifton

TUESDAY 19 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2019

The Hawth, Crawley www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/The-Hawth

*The role of Stacee Jaxx will be played by Kevin Clifton

TUESDAY 26 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 2 MARCH 2019

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

*The role of Stacee Jaxx will be played by Kevin Clifton

TUESDAY 5 MARCH – SATURDAY 9 MARCH 2019

Ipswich Regent Theatre www.apps.ipswich.gov.uk

*The role of Stacee Jaxx will be played by Kevin Clifton

MONDAY 11 MARCH – SATURDAY 16 MARCH 2019

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

*The role of Stacee Jaxx will be played by Kevin Clifton

TUESDAY 19 MARCH – SATURDAY 23 MARCH 2019

New Theatre, Oxford www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford/

*The role of Stacee Jaxx will be played by Kevin Clifton

TUESDAY 2 APRIL – SATURDAY 6 APRIL 2019

Theatre Royal, Nottingham www.trch.co.uk

*The role of Stacee Jaxx will be played by Kevin Clifton

TUESDAY 8 APRIL – SATURDAY 13 APRIL 2019

Eastbourne, Congress Theatre www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk/venue/congress-theatre

*The role of Stacee Jaxx will be played by Antony Costa

TUESDAY 16 APRIL – SATURDAY 20 APRIL 2019

Bristol Hippodrome www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome/

*The role of Stacee Jaxx will be played by Antony Costa

TUESDAY 23 APRIL – SATURDAY 27 APRIL 2019

Grand Opera House, York www.atgtickets.com/venues/grand-opera-house-york/

*The role of Stacee Jaxx will be played by Antony Costa

TUESDAY 30 APRIL – SATURDAY 4 MAY 2019

Edinburgh Playhouse www.atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse/

*The role of Stacee Jaxx will be played by Antony Costa

TUESDAY 7 MAY – SATURDAY 11 MAY 2019

Royal & Derngate, Northampton www.royalandderngate.co.uk/

*The role of Stacee Jaxx will be played by Antony Costa

TUESDAY 14 MAY – SATURDAY 18 MAY 2019

Swansea Grand Theatre www.swansea.gov.uk/swanseagrandtheatre

*The role of Stacee Jaxx will be played by Antony Costa

TUESDAY 21 MAY – SATURDAY 25 MAY 2019

New Victoria Theatre, Woking www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre/

*The role of Stacee Jaxx will be played by Antony Costa

 

TUESDAY 28 MAY – SATURDAY 1 JUNE 2019

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre www.grandtheatre.co.uk

*The role of Stacee Jaxx will be played by Antony Costa

 

TUESDAY 11 JUNE – SATURDAY 15 JUNE 2019

Leicester Haymarket Theatre www.haytheatre.com

*The role of Stacee Jaxx will be played by Kevin Clifton 

 

TUESDAY 18 JUNE – SATURDAY 21 JUNE 2019

Grand Opera House, Belfast www.goh.co.uk

*The role of Stacee Jaxx will be played by Kevin Clifton

 

TUESDAY 25 JUNE – SATURDAY 29 JUNE 2019

Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury www.marlowetheatre.com

*The role of Stacee Jaxx will be played by Kevin Clifton

TUESDAY 2 JULY – SATURDAY 6 JULY 2019

Winter Gardens, Blackpool www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

*The role of Stacee Jaxx will be played by Kevin Clifton

MONDAY 8 JULY – SATURDAY 13 JULY 2019

Wyvern Theatre, Swindon www.swindontheatres.co.uk

*The role of Stacee Jaxx will be played by Kevin Clifton

TUESDAY 16 – SATURDAY 20 JULY 2019

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton www.mayflower.org.uk

*The role of Stacee Jaxx will be played by Kevin Clifton

TUESDAY 23 JULY – SATURDAY 27 JULY 2019

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

*The role of Stacee Jaxx will be played by Kevin Clifton

A Funny Thing Happened on the way to
Gynaecologic Oncology Unit at Memorial
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center of New York
Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, London SW10 9ED
Tuesday 2nd – Saturday 27th October 2018

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Gynaecologic Oncology Unit at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center of New York City is a European premiere from acclaimed American playwright Halley Feiffer, starring actor, comedian and presenter Cariad Lloyd (Peep Show, Channel 4; Have I Got News For You, BBC; West End’s Austentatious, Lady Carad’s Characters (nominated for the Comedy Awards Best Newcomer 2011), Griefcast (Creator/Host – Winner of Best Podcast of the year 2018, Best Entertainment and Best Interview))

Karla, a foul-mouthed twenty-something comedian, and Don, a middle-aged man embroiled in a nasty divorce, are brought together unexpectedly when their cancer-stricken mothers become roommates in hospital. Together, this unlikely duo must negotiate some of life’s biggest challenges, while making some of the world’s most inappropriate jokes

Can these two very lost people learn to laugh through their pain and lean on each other, when all they really want to do is run away?

Cariad will be joined by Rob Crouch (Oliver Reed: Wild Thing (nominated for the What’s On Stage Award for Best Solo Performance 2014), St James Theatre, Gilded Balloon and UK Tour), Kristen Milward (Plunder, National Theatre; A Little Chaos) and Cara Chase (Mountain Language, The Royal Court)

Many are aware of the devastating statistic that 1 in 2 people will get cancer and this play speaks directly to those around the suffers and the challenges we encounter. This bold, funny and heartwrenching production explores different kinds of love and how often the crucible of pain can serve to strengthen bonds that had, in many ways, seemed irreconcilable

Halley Feiffer comments, The play is a romantic comedy in many senses, that just happens to be set in a cancer hospital. It was very loosely inspired by my experience being with my own mother at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre. I was inspired by being in the hospital with someone you love when they’re suffering, when there’s a lot of unanswered questions and when you feel pretty powerless to take their pain and fear away. Certainly to take your own pain and fear away is a
humbling experience and I found that I was drawn to a lot of self-soothing behaviours which ultimately provided a good deal of relief and ultimately some comedy

This is a much-anticipated return to the Finborough Theatre for Halley Feiffer whose Outer Critics’ Circle Award nominated I’m Gonna Pray For You So Hard sold out in 2017

A Funny Thing Happened… received its critically acclaimed New York Times Critic’s Pick world premiere Off-Broadway in 2016 at the MCC Theater at Lucille Lortel Theatre before its West Coast premiere at the Geffen Playhouse

Painfully irresistible! Makes a convincing case that hard laughter is an absolutely appropriate response to those moments when life seems like too bad a joke not to respond otherwise (The New York Times)

Matthew Bourne’s legendary ‘Swan Lake’ returns to The Lowry with music by Tchaikovsky

Swan Lake 
Tue 20 November – Sat 1 December

Matthew Bourne’s ‘Swan Lake’ returns to The Lowry Tue 20 November – Sat 1 December with a fresh look for the 21^st century.

Retaining the iconic elements of the original production loved by millions around the world, Matthew Bourne and award-winning designers Lez Brotherston (Set & Costumes) and Paule Constable (Lighting) will create an exciting re-imagining of the classic production.

New Adventures’ thrilling, audacious, witty and emotive, ‘Swan Lake’ is perhaps still best known for replacing the female corps-de-ballet with a menacing male ensemble, which shattered conventions, turned tradition upside down and took the dance world by storm.

Collecting over thirty international accolades including an Olivier Award in the UK and three Tonys on Broadway, Matthew Bourne’s powerful interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece is a passionate and contemporary Swan Lake for our times.

New Adventures is a national portfolio organisation supported using public funds by Arts Council England.

Listings Information 
Swan Lake 
Dates: Tue 20 November – Sat 1 December
Times: 7.30pm. Thu & Sat 2pm.
Tickets: £33.50 – £47.50. Concessions £3 off (selected performances)
Website

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR DON CARLOS –

THE CENTREPIECE OF EXETER NORTHCOTT THEATRE’S 50^THANNIVERSARY SEASON

 

An Exeter Northcott, Nuffield Southampton Theatres and Rose Theatre Kingston co-production in association with Ara

Don Carlos

Written by Friedrich Schiller

Translated by Robert David MacDonald

 

Directed by Gadi Roll; Set and Costume Design by Rosanna Vize

Lighting Design by Jonathan Samuels

Artistic and Executive Director of Exeter Northcott Theatre Daniel Buckroyd today announces the full cast for a major new revival of Schiller’s Don Carlos presented in a co-production with Nuffield Southampton Theatres (NST) and Rose Theatre Kingston. Gadi Roll directs Tom Burke (Rodrigo, Marquis of Posa), Alexandra Dowling (Eboli), Darrell D’Silva (Philip), Kelly Gough (Elizabeth), Jason Morell (Domingo), Vinta Morgan (Alba), Samuel Valentine (Don Carlos), Stephen Ventura (Lerma) Flip Webster (Duchess), with Alexander Allin, Dan Ball, Guy Dennys and Euan Shanahan completing the company’s ensemble.

Produced by former Northcott Executive and Artistic Director Paul Jepson with NST and Rose Theatre, it is the centrepiece of the Exeter Northcott’s 50^th anniversary celebrations and opens on 16 October, with previews from 11 October, and runs until 20 October 2018 ahead of performances in Southampton and Kingston. The production reunites Burke and Roll following their previous collaboration on Don Juan Comes Back From the War at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry.

Artistic and Executive Director Daniel Buckroyd said, “It is very exciting that the next outing in the Northcott’s role as a producer of high-quality theatre comes in the form of this fantastic co-production with Nuffield Southampton Theatres and Rose Theatre Kingston.

We are also delighted that it will be playing to audiences around the UK, flying the flag for the theatre and the city.’’

 

Don Carlos is a magnificent tale of passion and power set against the chilling backdrop of the bloody and ruthless Spanish Inquisition.

 

Don Carlos is torn apart when his tyrannical father King Philip II seals a peace deal by marrying French noble Elizabeth de Valois, the love of Carlos’ life. The heartbroken heir turns for help to his closest friend, Rodrigo, Marquis of Posa, a champion of the oppressed, who questions the monarch’s iron rule and becomes an unlikely power broker in the duplicitous court.

 

Written just two years before the French Revolution, Schiller’s Don Carlos is a man caught at the intersection of passion and politics: smitten by his stepmother and seduced by Posa’s dangerous vision of freedom. The chilling work is full of Shakespearean echoes and its themes of justice and equality; freedom of expression and conscience; religious bigotry and state persecution are as relevant today as ever.

Director Gadi Roll brings his trademark dynamic imagery and haunting soundscapes to Schiller’s masterpiece.

Gadi Roll said, “This is a play for our times.  It mercilessly and sensationally depicts an extreme world of state power and corruption, but at its heart are some of the greatest heroes ever written.”

Friedrich Schiller’s (1759 – 1805) principal works for the stage include The Robbers, Intrigue and Love, The Wallenstein Trilogy, Mary Stuart and William Tell.

Robert David MacDonald (1929-2004) was a playwright, translator and director. He was co-director of the Citizens’ Theatre Company, Glasgow and wrote fifteen plays for the company including Dracula, Camille, De Sade Show, Chinchilla, No Orchids For Miss Blandish, Summit Conference, A Waste Of Time, Don Juan, Webster, Anna Karenina, and Conundrum. As a translator he translated/adapted over seventy operas and plays from ten different languages, including such operas as, The Threepenny Opera (Glasgow/ENO North), Tamerlano, Flight From The Harem, The Barber Of Seville, Aida (WNOC), Marschner’s Vampire!, Cosi Fan Tutti (Hintlesham); and plays, Figaro, Orpheus, The Human Voice, Conversation At Night, Achterloo, Shadow Of Angels, The Balcony, The Blacks, The Screens, The Government Inspector, Tasso, Faust I & II, Brand, Hedda Gabler, Maskerade, The House Of Bernada Alba, School For Wives, Don Juan, Enrico Four, Phedra, Mary Stuart, The Seagull, Around The World In Eighty Days, Lulu and Clavigo.

Alexander Allin is a member of the Ensemble. His theatre credit includes The Records (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Dinosaur Dreams (Etcetera Theatre), ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore (Tristan Bates Theatre), Fanny and Stella: The Shocking True Story (Above the Stag Theatre) and The Libertine (Leicester Square Theatre).

Dan Ball is a member of the Ensemble. His theatre credits include Macbeth (Beer Caves), Frankenstein, Twelfth Night (Exeter Barnfield Theatre), Margurite (Tabard Theatre), Powerplay and Click (White Bear Theatre); and for film, The Wedding Video and Throw of a Dice.

Tom Burke plays Rodrigo, Marquis of Posa. His theatre work includes The Deep Blue Sea, The Doctor’s Dilemma(National Theatre), Reasons to be Happy (Hampstead Theatre), Reasons to be Pretty, Macbeth (Almeida Theatre), Design for Living (The Old Vic), for the Donmar Warehouse, Creditors (also New York, winner of the Ian Charleson Award) and The Cut, and Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare’s Globe). His television work includes Strike, The Musketeers, War and Peace, Utopia, The Hour and Great Expectations; and for film, The Libertine, The Enlightenment, The Collectors, Donkey Punch, Telstar, Chéri, An Enemy to Die For, Cleanskin, Only God Forgives, The Invisible Woman and The Hooligan Factory.

Guy Dennys is a member of the Ensemble. His theatre credits include Medea (Four of Swords Theatre) and Macbeth (Bussey Building).

Alexandra Dowling plays Eboli. Her theatre credits include A Lie of the Mind (Southwark Playhouse), While the Sun Shines (Theatre Royal Bath), I Have Been Here Before and The Last of the De Mullins (Jermyn Street Theatre). Her television credits include series regular Queen Anne in The Musketeers. Other television credits include Poirot and Game of Thrones; and for film Hammer of the Gods.

 

Darrell D’Silva plays Philip. His theatre credits include X, The Lying Kind (Royal Court Theatre), Dunsinane(RSC/National Theatre of Scotland/international tour), Making Stalin Laugh (JW3), Public Enemy, Six Characters Looking for an Author (Young Vic), Children’s Children (Almeida Theatre), Hedda Gabler (The Old Vic), Antony Cleopatra, King Lear, Little Eagles, Julius Caesar, The Drunks, The Winter’s Tale, Hecuba (RSC), The White Devil(Menier Chocolate Factory), The Rose Tattoo, Royal Hunt of the Sun, Tales From the Vienna Woods, Further than the Furthest Thing (National Theatre), Absolutely (Perhaps) (Wyndham’s Theatre), Antartica (Savoy Theatre), Closer (UK tour), and Romeo and Juliet and The Three Musketeers (Sheffield Theatres). His television credits include Strike Back, Woyzeck, Asylum, Criminal Justice and Out of the Blue; and for film, Montana, Northmen – A Viking Saga, Closer to the Moon, To Be First, Lawless and Dirty Pretty Things.

Kelly Gough plays Elizabeth. Her theatre credits include A Street Car Named Desire (Nuffield Southampton Theatres and UK tour), All in the Timing (Inis Theatre), Big Love (Abbey Theatre), Falling Out Of Love (Yew Tree Theatre), The Playboy Of The Western World (Druid Theatre) and Phaedra, Vinegar Tom, Terrorism, Three Sisters, Twelfth Night and Yeats Trilogy (Samuel Beckett Theatre). For television her credits include Call the Midwife, The Fall, Strike Back, Broadchurch, Vera, Law & Order, Class, Country Woman, Raw, Scup, Belonging to Laura, This is Night Live and The Clinic; and for film, Taking Stock, Cry Rosa, Out Of Innocence, Kill Command and Jump.

Jason Morell plays Domingo. His theatre credits include The Biograph Girl (Finborough Theatre), Present Laughter (Theatre Royal Bath), The Prince and the Pauper (Unicorn Theatre), The Merchant of Venice, The Taming of the Shrew (RSC), Oliver! (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Faustus (Royal & Derngate Northampton/Hampstead Theatre), Lysistrata (Arcola Theatre), The Duchess of Malfi, The Rehearsal (Salisbury Playhouse), Ritual in Blood (Nottingham Playhouse), The Critic (Royal Exchange Theatre), The Silver Lake(Wilton’s Music Hall), Romeo & Juliet (UK tour), The Reckless are Dying Out (Lyric Hammersmith), Rainsnakes(Young Vic) and Swanwhite (Gate Theatre). His television credits include Hear the Silence and Second Sight: Parasomnia; and for film, Affinity, Artifacts, The Gathering, The Lake, Wilde, Mrs Brown and Damage.

Vinta Morgan plays Alba. His theatre work includes Death and the Maiden (Fio Theatre Company), Faithful Ruslan – The Story of a Guard Dog (Belgrade Theatre and Citizens’ Theatre), Dreamland (Arcola Theatre), The Merchant of Venice (Almeida Theatre), Richard III (Trafalgar Studios) and Romeo and Juliet (RSC). For television, his work includes Butterfly, I Want My Wife Back, 50 Ways to Kill Your Lover and Silent Witness; and for film, Official Secrets, What Happened to Monday, If It Be Love and Nine Lives.

Euan Shanahan is a member of the Ensemble. His theatre credits include A Queer Anthology of Dating(Southwark Playhouse), The Front Room, Sex with a Stranger (The Wardrobe Theatre) and 13 (Tobacco Factory).

Samuel Valentine plays Don Carlos. His theatre credits include The Stepmother (Chichester Festival Theatre) and Romeo & Juliet (Garrick Theatre/Shakespeare’s Globe). His television credits include King Lear; and for film, Thicker Than Water.

Stephen Ventura plays Lerma. His theatre credits include Great Apes (Arcola Theatre), Running Wild (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), The Fifth Column (Southwark Playhouse), The One That Got Away (Theatre Royal Bath), The Orphan of Zhao (RSC). For television, his work includes Doc Martin, Downton Abbey, 32 Brinkburn Streetand M.I. High; and for film, Emma.

Flip Webster plays Duchess. Her theatre credits include The Hound of the Baskervilles, The 39 Steps… I Counted Them (Guildford Fringe), Women of an Uncertain Age, Flipside – One Woman Show (Edinburgh Festival Fringe) and Stepping Out (The Brewhouse Theatre and Arts Centre). Her television credits include Witless, The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies and Night and Day; and for film, The Heiress, Made in Romania, Irina Palm and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Gadi Roll has directed over sixty productions for the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Teatr Polski, Wroclaw, American Repertory Theatre Boston, Stari Teatr Krakow, Habima National Theatre, Cameri and Beit-Lessin Theatres Tel Aviv, Jerusalem Khan Theatre, Haifa Theatre and Beer-Sheva Theatre, Israel. Credits include Iphigenia at Aulis, The House of Bernarda Alba, Les Parents Terrible, Don Juan Comes Back From the War, Pains of Youth, Romeo and Juliet, The Duchess of Malfi, Measure for Measure, ‘Tis a Pity She’s a Whore, The Robbers, Don Carlos, Spring Awakening, Waiting For Godot, 1913, The Park, Quei Oust, A View from the Bridge, The Lady from the Sea, No End of Blame, Amadeus and Saved.

Exeter Northcott Theatre

11 – 20 October 2018

Press night: 16 October

www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

Box Office: 01392 726363

Nuffield Southampton Theatres

23 October – 3 November

www.nstheatres.co.uk

Box Office: 023 8067 1771

Rose Theatre Kingston

6 – 17 November

www.rosetheatrekingston.org

Box Office: 020 8174 0090