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The Lowry, Manchester – until Saturday 4th May 2019

Reviewed by Julie Noller

5*****

Educating Rita, written by famed Liverpudlian playwrite Willy Russell has come of age, first hitting stage and screen nearly 40 years ago; it’s fantastic to see this comedy reworked and brought back to the touring arena by David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers.

You could be forgiven for wondering if this tale of downtrodden working class heroine, seeking to better herself with the education that the system failed her would be dated and jaded but its far from that. It’s as gritty and punchy as ever having only the 2 characters on stage focuses our minds to how they develop, how they change themselves and their relationship over the course of a year.

They are hard drinking tutor Frank and young married hairdresser Rita. The acting is some of the best I’ve witnessed on stage, Stephen Tompkinson not only a highly convincing drunk, but disillusioned by the system he wanted to be nurtured in. A lecturer seeking escape from the pains in life, unable to write his poetry, a failure who drinks and only then discovering his inner voice returns. Jessica Johnson is Rita or in reality Susan who is placed under the care of Open University tutor Frank, she is equally seeking to escape and feels a failure for not knowing stuff and looks towards Frank to fill her head. She longs to sit and discuss books without using the term crap and slowly she discovers her inner voice but at what cost.

Stephen Tompkinson is commanding on stage, depressed and angry. He brings this tutor who many of us would view with contempt to life, there is more than a touch of humanity and I found myself leaning forward listening intently, jumping when he found his voice as I would at school. I equally found myself pitying him as I watched the relationship between pupil and teacher turn to that of a father and daughter. How we teach our children, long for them to grow to find their own minds and when they do, we have to watch sometimes from the sidelines hoping they find their way on this journey and that in turn they will teach us. Frank is dark at times and his days of dread turn to joy for the time when Rita seeks his help, you see how the relationship develops how Rita’s infectious enthusiasm for life and learning with how she sees a weakness by overusing her emotions he sees a strength but to become a true scholar must vanish and that in turn is sadness for what Frank sees as inevitable.

Jessica Johnson brings the infectious joy of learning and bundle of energy to life. The opening scene of her attempting to gain entrance to Franks office and her non stop nervous chatter resonates within me, we’ve all been there, an interview, the doctors surgery, school classrooms. How many of us have wondered like Rita if we are simply good enough? Jessica is warm, bright and cheery in the role, you immediately like her, drawn to her. She plays with the accent like someone who tries to develop their way in the world, it’s Scouse sometimes strong sometimes soft.

There’s many themes throughout Educating Rita for such a simple story line the characters are complex and deep. Obviously being written by Willy Russell we have class issues, shortcomings of the education system, relationship and self development not to mention change and ultimately freedom. It also deals with control brilliantly; firstly Rita is married, her husband seeking to start a family but for Rita life holds so much more but where does she start. Frank is her mentor, a listening ear albeit unwillingly at first, but slowly just that one simple thing allows Rita to grow in confidence and when her husband throws her out of the marital home – it’s a blessing in disguise for now Rita can soar, the world is her oyster. Slowly things change not only her mind and views but her dress sense.

The attention to detail by Set Designer Patrick Connellan and Costume Supervisor Sam Newland is near to perfection. As we near the end of the play we rejoice that Rita has found the key to her knowledge but then despair again as the realisation sinks in she has swapped the control her husband had over her for the control of the fellow students who she seeks approval from. Frank may be a drunk but he sees this clearly enough but just lacks the clarity of voice to tell Rita, like a father he must attempt to show her but allow her to find her feet and thankfully she does not before she finally gives Frank a well needed haircut as he prepares to leave for Australia. Rita finally acknowledging she is Susan no longer hiding behind a fake persona equally acknowledging she is doing what she is good at.

The only wondering you may have as you leave the theatre is what becomes of pupil and tutor but that’s for you to decide and I hope like me it’s a happy ending.

New Victoria Theatre, Woking – until Saturday 4 May 2019

Reviewed by Catherine Francoise

5*****

In 2014 Matthew Bourne announced that his emotionally charged, audacious Swan Lake had become the longest running ballet in the West End and on Broadway. 5 years later in 2019 it is still packing in full houses in London, America, Japan, Australia, Israel and also on tour throughout the UK. Woking’s wonderful New Victoria Theatre was packed to the rafters and gleaned an instantaneous, rapturous standing ovation at the end. Swan Lake is the world’s most frequently performed ballet but who would have imagined New Adventure’s tremendous achievement when first performed in London 23 years ago? Judging by this first night full house standing ovation it looks set to run for decades more!

This season’s revival tour began last September and retains the essence of the original production. A central theme of doomed, forbidden love, a deeply unhappy lost Prince discovering himself which finds echoes in the real life of Tchaikovsky, composer of this magnificent score. On tour Bourne’s company have the luxury of dancing every performance to a superb recording of a full orchestra adding depth, emotion and power to every movement.

Bourne’s sensational reinvention of the Bolshoi’s 19th Century iconic beautiful swans (choreographed by Petipa) replaced traditional female corps de ballet with rather more grounded strong, edgy, irascible male swans. He says ‘…The strength, beauty and enormous wingspan of these creatures suggests to the musculature of a male dancer more readily than a ballerina in her white tutu…’ and indeed his swans’ choreography is powerful, sweeping, snatching, bouncing with long ‘necks’ prodding and intense, perfectly portraying them.

Will Bozier as the spell-binding Swan / psychopathic alter ego leather clad Stranger and Dominic North as a Prince whose journey of self-discovery is both painful and joyous, both danced and acted with such emotion, charisma and power that the standing ovation started immediately they re-appeared after the final chords had sounded at the end before the full company bows! Dramatic stuff indeed and incredibly emotional.

The 14 ‘corps de ballet’ male Swans themselves are all indispensable, characterful and remarkable. Strong, fluid, humorous yet menacing and ultimately cruel and lethal. The four clumsy baby cygnets take their moment also: witty, nervous and great fun!

Along the way, Bourne’s stylish, superb company bring character, comedy, precision, mime and wit as palace servants, royal officials, asylum nurses and society’s finest; also parodying romantic ballet with ornate costumes as butterflies, flowers, woodcutters and insects and deliberately over-exaggerated gestures ~ great fun! The disco dancers at 1960s/70s style seedy Swank’s nightclub also worth noting with a fabulous cameo fan dancer played brilliantly as a ‘Fag-Ash Lil’.

Nicole Kabera is elegance personified as ice cold Queen, Glenn Graham exudes authority as Private Secretary and Katrina Lyndon exacts every ounce of comedy as a delightful out-of-her-depth flighty, dim girlfriend/wannabe wag (Her costumes perhaps due a makeover).

The award-winning set and design by Lez Brotherston is huge and grandiose, enhanced by stunning costumes (so much attention to detail in gloves, accessories, glitz and makeup) and Paule Constable’s beautiful and evocative new lighting design brings even more atmosphere and drama to the lakeside swan scenes in particular.

Sir Matthew Bourne has created a poignant, passionate, powerful, contemporary Swan Lake for the 21st Century and an enduring legacy.

Playing at the New Victoria Theatre until Sat 4th May, with two more weeks in the UK at Newcastle Theatre Royal and the Sheffield Lyceum Theatre before going to Asia and America from July to January 2020. Absolutely your loss if you miss it!

Selladoor Productions and Arcola Theatre present

LUCY O’BYRNE AND MARK MORAGHAN TO JOIN UK TOUR OF 

16 MAY – 12 OCTOBER 2019

Lucy O’Byrne and Mark Moraghan are to join the cast of the quirky off-Broadway hit musical Little Miss Sunshine for its UK tour which begins at Churchill Theatre, Bromley on 16 May 2019.

Irish actress and singer Lucy O’Byrne will star as Sheryl, the matriarch of the eccentric Hoover family. Lucy shot to fame on The Voice (BBC) in 2015 and was the runner-up that year. Her theatre credits include Eva Peron in Evita (UK, Ireland & Germany Tour), Fantine in Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre – West End), Maria in The Sound of Music (UK and Ireland Tour), River Woman in Therese Raquin (Park Theatre) and Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof (Gaiety Theatre-Dublin). She has appeared on Friday Night is Music Night-Live from the London Palladium (BBC Radio 2), BBC Proms in the Park (BBC) and as Sam & Jessica in Ballybraddan (RTÉ/Monster Animation).  Lucy appears on The Sound of Music (EP), NOW That’s What I Call Classical and Therese Raquin (Original Cast Recording) Her album ‘Debut’ is available now.

Mark Moraghan will be Grandpa (the role that won Alan Arkin an Academy award).  Mark recently appeared as Tim Richards in Emmerdale and is perhaps best known for his roles as Adrian Mortimer in Coronation Street, Owen Davis in Holby City, Ray Wyatt in Dream Team, Greg Shadwick in Brookside and Eddie Quinn in London’s Burning. His theatre credits include Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Palace Theatre, London), The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (Bolton Octagon) By The Waters Of Liverpool (Empire Theatre Liverpool) Royal Court 80 (Royal Court Liverpool), You’ll Never Walk Alone (Royal Court Liverpool, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Jakarta), One Night in Istanbul (Liverpool Echo, Gaiety Theatre Dublin and GOH Belfast), Peter Pan (Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells), Franklyn J Hart in 9 to 5 (National Tour), Nightmare on Lime Street, You’ll Never Walk Alone, Our Day Out andFunny Money (all for Royal Court, Liverpool), My Fair Lady (Liverpool Philharmonic); Come Fly With Me(Millennium Centre Cardiff); Twopence to Cross the Mersey (Liverpool Empire); Strictly Murder (UK Tour); Eric’s (Liverpool Everyman); Bad Blood (Key Theatre); Bouncers, Little Match Girl, Barbarians, and Arabian Nights (Unity Theatre); Macbeth (Art Theatre Company); Fears and Miseries of the Third Reich (Liverpool Playhouse and Young Vic); The Beaux Stratagem (Liverpool Playhouse); The Jungle Book (Cleveland Theatre Company); and High Rise Dreamer (Liverpool Lunchtime Theatre Company) and most recently Jack and the Beanstalk, Floral Theatre New Brighton.  Mark is the narrator of the popular children’s TV show Thomas the Tank Engine. He follows fellow Liverpudlian’s Ringo Starr & Michael Angelis and is the voice of the programme in all English language territories including the US.

The rest of the Hoover family remain unchanged from the Arcola Theatre’s run with Gabriel Vick as Sheryl’s husband Richard, two-time Olivier nominee Paul Keating as Sheryl’s brother Frank and Sev Keoshgerian as Sheryl’s son Dwayne. The role of Olive will again be shared by Evie Gibson, Sophie Hartley Booth and Lily Mae Denman.

Ian Carlyle (Larry/Buddy), Imelda Warren-Green (Linda/Miss California) and Matthew McDonald (Joshua Rose/Kirby) also continue in their roles. Joining the cast are Jaimie Pruden and Jacob Jackson.

Completing the cast are the ‘Mean Girls’ who will be performed by Alicia Belgarde, Scarlet Roche andElena Christie.

Based on the Academy Award-winning film by Michael Arndt, Little Miss Sunshine is the off-beat musical comedy created by the Tony Award-winning team of James Lapine (who collaborated with Stephen Sondheim on Into the Woods and Sunday in the Park with George) and William Finn (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Falsettos). This new production is directed by Arcola’s Artistic Director Mehmet Ergen with design by David Woodhead, musical direction by Arlene McNaught, musical supervision by Mark Crossland, lighting design by Richard Williamson, sound design by Olly Steel, and choreography by Anthony Whiteman.

The Hoover family has more than a few troubles, but young Olive has her heart set on winning the Little Miss Sunshine beauty contest. When an invitation to compete comes out of the blue, the Hoovers must pile into their rickety, yellow VW camper van. Can it survive the 800-mile trip from New Mexico to California – and more importantly, can they? This inventive and uplifting musical celebrates the quirks of every family, the potholes in every road, and the power of overcoming our differences.

The show runs from 16 May until 12 October 2019.

www.littlemisssunshinemusical.com

@LMissSun

King’s Theatre, Edinburgh – until 4 May 2019

Reviewed by James Knight

4****

Frank Galvin, an alcoholic lawyer, is approached with a case against the Catholic Church. The case is of medical malpractice in a church-owned hospital: a young woman, given the wrong type of anaesthesia before childbirth, must now spend the rest of her life in a vegetative state, permanently hooked up to machinery.

It’s a classic David vs Goliath tale, first a book, then an Oscar-nominated film and now Middle Ground Theatre brings it to the stage on its second tour. It’s a compelling story – using and inverting what are now well-known tropes in the courtroom drama.

Not a second is wasted in Margaret May Hobbs’ script. Although we spend most our time with Frank Galvin (Ian Kelsey), we see the other camp preparing as well. Christopher Ettridge portrays defence lawyer J Edgar Concannon with a spirited zeal, carefully orchestrating how his defendants (Dr Rexford Towler and Dr Daniel Crowley, played by Paul Opacic and Michael Lunney, respectively) should present themselves during the trial.

The stage is split in the first act – one side as Galvin’s office, to allow plot development, and the other in Meehan’s Bar, where we get to know Galvin better personally. It’s here that Galvin meets Donna St Laurent (Josephine Rogers), a young woman looking for work as a waitress, and a welcome distraction for Galvin as he prepares his case. The second half is given over purely to the courtroom, a tense battle of wits and understanding of the law, with Galvin fighting not only against Concannon’s seemingly better odds, but also Richard Walsh’s battle-hardened judge, Eldredge Sweeney.

Performances are strong all round, and special mention must go to Michael Lunney and Richard Walsh, who are double cast as Eugene Meehan and Dr Daniel Crowley, and Bishop Brophy and Eldredge Sweeney respectively. Through their performances and clever use of wigs and make-up, it was nigh impossible without glancing at the programme to tell they were the same person each time. Denis Lill as Moe Katz, Galvin’s mentor, also steals every scene he’s in. And finally, Anne Kavanagh as Mrs McDaid, as the plaintiff’s mother, gives a heart-wrenching performance, especially when she rebukes Galvin for turning down the Church’s settlement of $300,000, calling into question Galvin’s personal motives for taking on what seems like an unwinnable case.

The Verdict is a compelling courtroom drama, which, combined with powerful performances, pulls the audience into its world, keeping us riveted to the final moment.

MAJOR NEW CAST CHANGES IN MAMMA MIA!

FROM MONDAY 10 JUNE 2019

AT LONDON’S NOVELLO THEATRE

The global smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! celebrated its 20^th anniversary in London’s West End at the Novello Theatre on Saturday 6 April.  Now, in the musical’s 21^st year, the producers are delighted to announce some major cast changes in the London production from Monday 10 June 2019.  Mazz Murray, who has previously played Tanya in the London production, will be returning to the musical, but this time as Donna, and Kirsty Hoiles will join her as Tanya.  Also new to the musical will be Cameron Burt as Sky, Melissa Nettleford as Ali, Sophie Matthew as Lisa, Taylor Bradshaw as Eddie and Danny Nattrass as Pepper.  They will be joining Ricky Butt as Rosie, Richard Trinder as Sam, Neil Moors as Harry, Stephen Beckett as Bill and Lucy May Barker as Sophie.  Caroline Deverill continues to play the role of Donna at certain performances.

Also new to the cast will be Natasha Agnew, Daniel Clift, Jonathan Cordin, Amelia-Rose Fielding, Shailan Gohil, Callum Heinrich, Frankie Jones, Grace Moorhouse, Jodie Nolan, Dan O’Brien, David O’Mahony, Rochelle Sherona, Megan Speirs, Garrett Tennant, Michael Tyler, Harrison Wilde and Simon Willmont, who will be joining Chloe Ames, Lauren Hampton and Jennifer Hepburn.

Since premiering in London in 1999, the irresistible feelgood musical has captured the hearts of millions around the globe.  The sunny, funny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads on a Greek island idyll, all unfolding to the magic of ABBA’s timeless pop masterpieces, has now been seen live on stage by 65 million people across the world, and turned into two record-breaking movies – MAMMA MIA! The Movie and MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again.

To date, MAMMA MIA! has been seen in 50 productions in 16 different languages grossing more than $4 billion at the box office.  In 2011, it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People’s Republic of China.  MAMMA MIA! is also currently playing a German-language tour in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, a Dutch-language production in Utrecht and a Mandarin-language production in China.  Upcoming productions include a UK and International Tour and productions in Korea, Berlin and Denmark.

MAMMA MIA! originally opened in London at the Prince Edward Theatre on 6 April 1999, before transferring to the Prince of Wales Theatre in 2004, and then to the Novello Theatre in 2012. 

The London production of MAMMA MIA! has been seen by over 9 million people, played over 8,000 performances and has broken box office records in all three of its London homes.  MAMMA MIA! is currently booking to Saturday 7 March 2020.

Produced by Judy Craymer, MAMMA MIA! The Movie became the highest grossing live action musical film of all time upon its release in 2008.  A second film, MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN, opened in July 2018 and is the most successful live musical movie sequel of all time.

With music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The production is designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce & Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material & arrangements by Martin Koch.

MAMMA MIA! is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East & Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Novello Theatre

Aldwych

London WC2B 4LD

Ticket Prices: From £15.00

Performances until 14 September 2019 – a £2.25 per ticket booking fee applies to tickets booked online, and a £2.75 per ticket booking fee applies to tickets booked by phone.  No booking fee on tickets purchased in person at the Novello Theatre Box Office.

Performances from 16 September 2019 onwards – a £2.50 per ticket booking fee applies to tickets booked online and by phone.  No booking fee on tickets purchased in person at the Novello Theatre Box Office.

All prices include £1.25 restoration levy.

Early Bird Pricing – anyone booking four months or more in advance of the performance they are attending (Monday to Thursday performances only) will save £20 on Band A and Premium tickets, but only through Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, either online, in person at the theatre, or by calling the Novello Theatre Box Office.

A limited number of seats released daily for that day’s performance(s) at 10:00AM, in person at the Box Office.

Performance Times:

Monday – Saturday 7.45pm

Matinees – Thursday & Saturday 3.00pm*

*extra Tuesday matinees 6 & 20 August 2019, 22 October 2019 & 18 February 2020

Christmas 2019/20 Performance Schedule

Monday 23 December                      3.00pm and 7.45pm           

Tuesday 24 December                     NO PERFORMANCE

Wednesday 25 December                NO PERFORMANCE

Thursday 26 December                    7.45pm

Friday 27 December                          3.00pm and 7.45pm

Saturday 28 December                     3.00pm and 7.45pm

Monday 30 December                      3.00pm and 7.45pm

Tuesday 31 December                     3.00pm and 7.45pm

Wednesday 1 January                      7.45pm

Thursday 2 January                          3.00pm and 7.45pm

Friday 3 January                               7.45pm

Saturday 4 January                           3.00pm and 7.45pm

Currently booking to 7 March 2020

The performance lasts 2 hours and 35 minutes (including a 15-minute interval)

Box Office: 0844 482 5151

http://www.mamma-mia.com/

http://www.facebook.com/mammamiamusical

Tweets by MammaMiaMusical

Darlington Hippodrome – until Saturday 4 May 2019

4****

67 years since it first began, Agatha Christie’s Mousetrap is still going strong and makes a return to Darlington Hippodrome as it continues its tour of the UK.

In order not to give anything away, there is little I can tell you about the show. It begins with a murder in London and ends in Monkswell Manor Guest House.

The curtain opens on a breath-taking set. Wood panelled walls and doors, a massive fireplace, beautifully detailed arches, snow falling outside a large ornate window. This is Monkswell Manor Guest House, newly set up by Mollie and Giles Ralston (Harriet Hare and Nick Biadon) and it is not long before their first set of guests arrive through the blizzard that surrounds the house. Christopher Wren (wonderfully acted by Lewis Chandler) is an eccentric young man who may have hidden depths, Major Metcalfe (John Griffiths) is a retired army man who might have a secret and Mrs Boyle (Gwyneth Strong) is an old battleaxe who has all the best lines but who may also be more than she seems. The group is completed with Miss Casewell (Saskia Vaigncourt-Strallen) and David Alcock as Mr Paravicini, a mysterious foreigner who dispenses regular cryptic comments. Once these characters are efficiently established in a short space of time, the cat is set among the pigeons as Sgt Trotter (Geoff Arnold) arrives with enquiries about a murder that happened earlier that day in London and the fact that at least one of the people in the house is implicated. It would not spoil anything to say that act one ends with the violent death of one of these characters and one of the greatest joys of the evening are the discussions that take place during the interval as to the identity of the murderer.

Originally titled Three Blind Mice, and written in 1952, The Mousetrap is as fresh today as when it was written. Full of Christie’s trademarks with red herrings aplenty and intelligent well rounded characters, you are drawn in from the beginning. And with your little grey cells all working overtime to wonder why someone said this, someone else said that and why that reaction?  The fine cast of actors have made the classic characters their own on this tour and the dedication to their craft shows in excellent acting.

As the curtain goes down at the end we are asked not to give away the ending – one of the reasons why this iconic play has managed such longevity.  And I’m sure the very packed auditorium at Darlington are more than happy to keep the secret of this first rate play

I would advise you go once to see a fantastic show but if I’m honest I would advise you go twice – the first time to let your mind work over time as you constantly try to work out whodunit and why, and the 2nd time to just to enjoy the pure excellence of the show.

In Darlington until 4 May and on tour around the UK

DOUBLE OLIVIER AWARD WINNER

DAVID BEDELLA

JOINS THE CAST OF

Award-winning Miriam-Teak Lee to star as Juliet

Cast also includes Cassidy Janson, Oliver Tompsett, Arun Blair-Mangat,Melanie La Barrie, Jordan Luke Gage and Tim Mahendran

Performances begin Saturday 2 November | Shaftesbury Theatre

www.andjulietthemusical.co.uk

Two-time Olivier Award winner David Bedella is to join the cast of & Juliet. The joyous new West End musical, that imagines Juliet’s famous ending as just her beginning, today makes its London launch and is thrilled to announced that Bedella, widely acclaimed for a stage career which includes Olivier Awards for his starring roles in Jerry Springer The Opera and In The Heights, will join a host of other leading West End stars.

Miriam-Teak Lee (Hamilton, On The Town) will star in the lead role of Juliet, and the show brings together a host of performers who have headlined some of the most celebrated shows of recent years: Cassidy Janson(Leading Ladies, Chess, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical); Oliver Tompsett (Kinky Boots, Wicked); Arun Blair-Mangat (Leave to Remain, Angels in America); Melanie La Barrie (Wicked, Matilda); Jordan Luke Gage (who starred in the lead role of Strat in Bat Out of Hell), and Tim Mahendran (Spring Awakening).

& Juliet soars with the music of Max Martin, the acclaimed song-writer of some of the biggest pop anthems of the last 30 years, and recorded by artists including Backstreet Boys, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Katy Perry and Ariana Grande, all brilliantly arranged by Tony® and Grammy Award-winning orchestrator Bill Sherman.

The production will play a limited season at Manchester Opera House, from Tuesday 10 September to Saturday 12 October, before beginning performances in London at The Shaftesbury Theatre on Saturday 2 November (Press Night: Wednesday 20 November at 7:00pm).

Romeo & Juliet final scene. Juliet picks up the dagger and….gets a life.

A timely and timeless tale of one independent young woman, & Juliet is a riotous comic blast of fun and glorious pop music that proves when it comes to love, there’s always life after Romeo…

Brought to life by an award-winning creative team in an explosive fusion of styles, & Juliet will be directed byLuke Sheppard (In the Heights) with a book by David West Read (Schitt’s Creek), electrifying choreography from Jennifer Weber, stunning set design from Soutra Gilmour and costume design by Paloma Young.

The ensemble includes Jocasta Almgill, Josh Baker, Alishia-Marie Blake, Ivan De Freitas, Rhian Duncan, Danielle Fiamanya, Kieran Lai, Nathan Lorainey-Dineen, Jaye Marshall, Grace Mouat, Antoine Murray-Straughan, Kerri Norville, Christopher Parkinson, Dillon Scott-Lewis, Kirstie Skivington and Alex Tranter.

Max Martin and Tim Headington present & Juliet, which is produced by Max Martin, Tim Headington, Theresa Steele, Jenny Petersson and Martin Dodd.

James Baker, Tom Chester and Bill Elms for Northern Ricochet present

LINE-UP REVEALED FOR

JERRY SPRINGER CHOIR

‘Exceptionally talented choir’ will support professional cast

A group of 14 singers from across Manchester have successfully got through the auditions to become the Jerry Choir in a new production of JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA.

This is a rareand exciting opportunity for the performers to be part of JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA,which comes to Manchester in August 2019 – almost 15 years since the show was last performed in the UK.

The choir will play an instrumental role in the show by supporting the cast of professional actors. Casting for the main roles will be announced shortly.

JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA will run at Hope Mill Theatre in Ancoats for four weeks from Thursday 8 August through to Saturday 31 August 2019. Tickets are on sale now.

The controversial musical is being brought to the stage by new production company Northern Ricochet, recentlyformed by James Baker (Parade, Yank), Tom Chester (Parade, Mamma Mia),andBill Elms (Epstein: The Man Who Made The Beatles, The Ruby Slippers and Twopence To Cross The Mersey).

Northern Ricochet are passionate about producing quality theatre in the North, for the North and using Northern creatives, actors and voices.

By holding an open call in the search for Jerry Choir members, their aim is to make theatre more accessible; giving local community and wider region an opportunity to be a part of professional productions. All the performers in the Jerry Choir live in the North West region.

Producers are delighted to reveal the Jerry Choir line-up will include Rebecca Crookson; Ellamae Cieslik; Natalie Ciufo; Hannah Edwards; Paul Hilton; Keziah Lockwood; Josh Hindle; Alana Dann; Joe Dillon; Tilly Smith; Greg James; Kirsty Allen; Chloe Hughes; and Sam Nilssen.

JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA caused a storm when it came to the UK stage in 2002, and in this new revival it promises the same raucous energy with a revamped and fresh production for 2019!

The first joint venture from Northern Ricochet will see James Baker as director; Tom Chester as musical director; and Bill Elms as co-producer of JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA.

Co-producer Bill Elms commented: “It was a real pleasure and privilege to audition for the Jerry Choir. There is so much undiscovered Northern talent and it’s our vision to nurture and support those performers who need that step on the ladder.

“We have an exceptionally talented choir who will support the professional cast – and we’re all really looking forward to the next phase in developing the choir in rehearsals when we know they are really going to shine.”

JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA was written by Richard Thomas, who also wrote the music and lyrics, with the book and additional lyrics by Stewart Lee and Richard Thomas. It is based on The Jerry Springer Show, which was first broadcast on television in 1991 and was on the air for 27 years. It tells the story of America’s favourite talk show host who suffers the worst day in his career when faced with some of the most challenging guests he’s ever met on set.

Full cast to be announced soon for JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA.

Website: hopemilltheatre.co.uk

Facebook: /Jerry Springer Manchester      

Twitter: @JSTOMANC #JERRYJERRY

LISTING INFORMATION

JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA

Dates: Thursday 8 August – Saturday 31 August 2019

Times: Tue – Sateves 7.30pm| Sat mat 2pm | Sunday 1pm & 5pm |Thu 29 Aug 2pm

Hope Mill Theatre

113 Pollard Street,

Manchester,

M4 7JA

HOW TO BOOK

Tickets: Preview tickets all £20.00 | General tickets £22.50 & £25.00 (concessions available) | Premium VIP On Stage seating £23.00, £25.50 & £28.00 (limited 8 seats per show)

Online: Visit https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/events/jerry-springer-the-opera/

AUDIBLE ANNOUNCE NEW LONDON PRODUCTION OF AL SMITH’S RADIO

Audible presents

RADIO

By Al Smith

Directed by Josh Roche

Arcola Theatre

19 June – 13 July 2019

Audible,the world’s leading producer and provider of spoken-word entertainment, today deepens its commitment to UK theatre announcing a new London production of Radio written by Al Smith. Josh Rochedirects Adam Gillen as Charlie Fairbanks in a one-man play about memory, love and spaceships. The production opens at Arcola Theatre on 24 June, with previews from 19 June and runs until 13 July. To coincide with the opening of the stage show, a studio recording of Radio will also release exclusively on Audible this summer, available for members to download worldwide.

Charlie Fairbanks was born in the dead centre of the United States at the dead centre of the twentieth century. Americans are going to the Moon and Charlie’s sure he’ll be the first one there. But as he shines his spotlight on the Moon, so too does it illuminate the darker side to his nation’s history.

Al Smith, said today, “I’m delighted that Audible is staging and releasing Radio in audio – I hope it will give more people an opportunity to hear it. It feels exciting to me that the play’s being restaged in the run up to the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. I wrote it as a sort of love letter to my dad who, as a young physicist, worked for NASA to help select potential landing sites for Apollo 11. It seems heart-breaking that in the near-half-century since that extraordinary achievement humans haven’t been back. And so the play, I suppose, is a reflection on that, and tries to look at what gets left behind when a planet turns its collective attention to the heavens for a single moment.”

Kate Navin, Artistic Producer, Theatre at Audible added, “Audible is at the forefront of the audio renaissance and we are excited to open up a new world of stories to audiences both on stage and in audio. Continuing our commitment to creative talent Audible Theatre will bring theatrical performances to new audiences, redefining storytelling through audio with best-in-class works from established and emerging writers, directors and performers.”

Al Smith’s theatre credits include Harrogate (HighTide/Royal Court Theatre – Nominated for Most Promising Playwright at the 2017 Evening Standard Theatre Awards), Diary of a Madman (Gate Theatre), The Bird(Underbelly/Arcola Theatre) and The Astronaut Wives Club (Soho Theatre). His television credits include Father Brown and The Coroner.

Adam Gillen plays Charlie Fairbanks. His theatre credits include Killer Joe (Trafalgar Studios), Amadeus, The Five Wives of Maurice Pinder (National Theatre), Wendy and Peter (RSC), Lotty’s War (UK tour), Lee Harvey Oswald(Finborough Theatre), School for Scandal (Barbican), The Door Never Closes (Almeida Theatre), A Taste of Honey (Royal Exchange Theatre), The Good Soul of Szechuan (Young Vic), The Lions Mouth and War and Peace (Royal Court Theatre). Television credits as series regular include Liam in Benidorm. Other television credits include Fresh Meat, Prisoners Wives and This is Jinsy; and for film, Vita and Virginia and Funny Cow.     

Josh Roche directs. His theatre credits include Plastic (Mercury Theatre), The Agony and the Style (Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama), My Name is Rachel Corrie (Young Vic – JMK Award Winner 2017), Women Centre Stage (Sphinx Theatre), A Third, Magnificence (Finborough Theatre), World Shakespeare Conference and Keep The Aspidistra Flying (RSC). His credits as Assistant Director include The Alchemist (RSC), Doctor Faustus (RSC/Barbican), Farinelli and The King (Duke of York’s Theatre), Death of A Salesman (RSC/Noël Coward Theatre) and Doctor Scroggy’s War (Shakespeare’s Globe); and as Associate Director, Pressure (Park Theatre/UK tour).

Other theatrical works co-produced on stage and in audio by Audible in the UK include:

• Avalanche: A Love Story, by Julia Leigh (Betty Trask Award-winner, Prix de l’Astrolabe-winner, Encore Award-winner, The Hunter, Sleeping Beauty). Avalanche: A Love Story follows a woman in her late 30s as she grapples with questions of maternity and womanhood whilst undergoing a series of difficult IVF treatments. Avalanche: A Love Story is produced by Barbican Theatre Productions and Fertility Fest, co-produced by Audible and the Sydney Theatre Company. Maxine Peake (BAFTA-nominee, The Village, Black Mirror, The Theory Of Everything, The Bisexual) stars in the stage production which runs at the Barbican Theatre from 27April –12 May 2019.
• True Weststarring Kit Harington (Emmy-nominee, Game Of Thrones) and Johnny Flynn (Genius, Beast). Two brothers spar, smoulder and burn in Sam Shepard’s darkly comic 1980 drama. The Cain and Abel conflict is a showdown of sibling rivalry but also bears witness to a legacy of booze-fuelled family brawls. The audio edition of True West is produced by Audible. The stage production was performed at the Vaudeville Theatre and produced by Smith & Brant Theatricals and Empire Street Productions.

Some of the Audible Theatre titles that members can purchase include Girls & Boys performed by Carey Mulligan, Harry Clarke performed by Billy Crudup, Iphigenia In Splottperformed by Sophie Melville (Winner of UK Theatre Awards Best New Play, 2017, Winner of James Tait Black Award for Best New Play, 2017, Nominated for Drama Desk Outstanding Solo Performance, 2018), The Diary Of A Hounslow Girl, written and performed by Ambreen Razia, Sakina’s Restaurant, written and performed by Aasif Mandvi, On The Exhalestarring Polly Frame, Winner of the Fringe First Award 2018 and Feeding The Dragon, written and performed by Sharon Washington.

For further information about current and upcoming Audible Theatre productions please visit:www.audible.co.uk/ep/theatre. Audible members can buy theatrical titles to download and keep forever for 1 credit, non-members can also purchase titles for a one off payment (exact prices vary title-by-title).

RADIO                                                                                                                              Listings

Arcola Theatre

24 Ashwin Theatre, Dalston, London E8 3DL

19 June – 13 July 2019

Press night: Monday 24 June, 7pm

Box Office: 020 7503 1646

www.arcolatheatre.com

Tickets: £15 – £22

CHRISTOPHER BIGGINS, CELIA IMRIE AND BILL PATERSON ANNOUNCED AS JUDGES FOR INAUGURAL

WEST END FLEA MARKET

Theatrical charity, Acting for Others today announce Christopher Biggins as head judge, alongside Celia Imrieand Bill Paterson for the inaugural West End Flea Market taking place on the morning of Saturday 18 May at St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden. They will take to the market to judge the competitions for the Best Dressed Stall and the Showstopper centrepieces created by top venues and West End shows that will be auctioned off. Participants include Hamilton, The Book of Mormon, Only Fools and Horses, The Royal Opera House, The Phantom of the Opera, The Mousetrap and Les Miserables with more to be announced.

The competing participants will host a variety of uniquely designed stalls with showstopping goodies including theatrical memorabilia, posters, bric-a-brac and special items for auction. Alongside his judging duties Christopher Biggins will host Biggin’s Bargains – where two showbiz teams will go head to head hunting for goodies to auction off with the winning team being the one that makes the most profit at auction in aid of Acting for Others.

There will be live entertainment and a raffle on the day with prizes including an iPad, £150 of Theatre Tokens, £100 Marks & Spencer voucher and a mystery prize worth £80. In addition, The Theatre Café will host a refreshments stall, Su Pollard will be telling fortunes and Acting for Others will have a signing and selfie area where guests will have the opportunity to mingle with the stars including Annette Badland, Hayley Mills, Wendi Peters, Harriet Thorpe, Layton Williams and Tom Read Wilson with more to be announced.

The public are invited to come and cheer on their favourite show and the winner will be announced at 10.45am. The event is free and open from 10.45am to 1pm.

West End Flea Market is organised and in aid of Acting for Others, a fundraising organisation for 15 UK theatrical and welfare charities.

For those unable to attend the event, Acting for Otherscan still be supported by donating at www.justgiving.com/ctcafo

www.actingforothers.co.uk       

Twitter: @ActingForOthers

#WestEndFleaMarket

West End Flea Market

Saturday 18 May 2019, 10.45am – 1pm

St Paul’s Church, Bedford Street, London, WC2E 9ED