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FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

THE MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY’S MAJOR REVIVAL OF

HUGH WHITEMORE’S PACK OF LIES

 

PACK OF LIES

By Hugh Whitemore

 

Direction: Hannah Chissick; Set and Costume Design: Paul Farnsworth

Lighting Design: Paul Anderson; Sound Designer: Jonathan Everett

 

With Spamilton: An American Parody currently running at the theatre, the Menier Chocolate Factorytoday announces full casting for their major revival of Hugh Whitemore’s Pack of Lies. Hannah Chissick directs Jasper Britton as (Stewart), Sia Dauda (Sally), Alasdair Harvey (Peter Kroger), Chris Larkin (Bob Jackson), Macy Nyman (Julie Jackson), Tracy-Ann Oberman (Helen Kroger), Natalie Walter (Thelma) and Finty Williams (Barbara Jackson). The production opens on 1 October, with previews from 20 September, and runs until 17 November.

 

The Jacksons are a nice middle aged English couple. Their best friends are the Krogers, their Canadian neighbours. All is blissful in their world until a detective from Scotland Yard asks to use their house as an observation station to foil a Soviet spy ring operating in the area. They are really put to the test when the detective asks them to help set a trap. Should they betray their friends… Or their country?

 

Hugh Whitemore adapted Pack of Lies from his Act of Betrayal which was part of the Play for Todaytelevision series. Inspired by a real-life events, the story is based on Bill and Ruth Search and their teenage daughter Gay Search (who later became a television presenter and journalist), who find themselves at the centre of the investigations into the Portland Soviet spy ring. This new production is the first London revival since it premièred at the Lyric Theatre in 1983 with real life husband and wife Judi Dench and Michael Williams – Dench received an Olivier Award for her performance.

 

Jasper Britton returns to the Menier Chocolate Factory to play Stewart – he previously appeared in Little Shop of Horrors. His theatre work includes Jerusalem (The Watermill Theatre), Scrooge, What the Butler Saw (Curve, Leicester), The Blinding Light (Jermyn Street Theatre), The Libertine (Theatre Royal Bath and Theatre Royal Haymarket), Richard II, Henry IV, The Jew of Malta, Marat/Sade (RSC), Race, Private Lives (Hampstead Theatre), The Last Cigarette (Chichester Festival Theatre and West End), Oedipus (National Theatre), Plague Over England (Finborough Theatre) and Rhinoceros (Royal Court Theatre). His television work includes Garrow’s Law, The Royal, Semi Detached, My Dad’s the Prime Minister and Murder in Mind; and for film, Rise of the Foot Soldiers 2, Blood, Anonymous, Morris: A Life with Bells On, Black Beard, Nostradamus and The New World.

 

Sia Dauda plays Sally. Her theatre work includes Flashdance (UK tour), We Will Rock You, The Gift(RCCL) and Sleeping Beauty (Northampton).

 

Alasdair Harvey returns to the Menier to play Peter Kroger – he previously appeared in Forbidden Broadway and Sunday in the Park with George (also Wyndham’s Theatre). His other theatre work includes Mamma Mia! (Novello Theatre), We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre), Come Dancing(Theatre Royal Stratford East), Side by Side by Sondheim (The Venue Leicester Square) and Guys and Dolls (Royal Lyceum Edinburgh). For television, his work includes Taggart, The Bill (as semi-regular Bruce Malcolm), River City (as series regular Ewan Patterson) and Birds of a Feather.

 

Chris Larkin plays Bob Jackson. His theatre credits include Again (Trafalgar Studios), Stevie (Chichester Festival Theatre, Hampstead Theatre), Noises Off (The Old Vic), Yes, Prime Minister (Apollo Theatre), The Whisky Taster (Bush Theatre), The Lady from Dubuque (Haymarket Theatre), His Dark Materials(National Theatre), When We Are Married (Chichester Festival Theatre, Savoy Theatre) and A Taste of Honey (Theatre Clwyd). Television credits include Next of Kin, Father Brown, Black Sails, The Coroner, Churchill’s Secret, Coalition, Yes Prime Minister, Shackleton and Roger Roger; and for film, Valkyrie, Heroes and Villians, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, Tea with Mussolini, Jane Eyre and Angels and Insects.

 

Macy Nyman plays Julie Jackson. Her theatre work includes The Stepmother (Minerva Theatre), Posh(Pleasance Theatre), Peter Pan (Northcott Theatre Exeter) and The BFG (Octagon Theatre Bolton). For television, her works incudes The Coroner and Poirot: Hallowe’en Party; and for film, Run Fatboy Run and Foster.

 

Tracy-Ann Oberman plays Helen Kroger. For theatre, her work includes Present Laughter, Fiddler on the Roof (Chichester Festival Theatre), Stepping Out (Vaudeville Theatre and UK tour), McQueen(Theatre Royal Haymarket and St James Theatre), God Child, Old Money, On the Rocks (Hampstead Theatre), Earthquakes in London (National Theatre and UK tour) and Boeing Boeing (Comedy Theatre). For television her work includes Friday Night Dinner (series regular Aunty Val), New Tricks(as semi-regular Fiona Kennedy), Crims, Siblings, Father Brown, Give Out Girls, Toast of London, Best of Men, Monroe, Waterloo Road, Mistresses and EastEnders (series regular Chrissie Watts); and for film, Where’s Anne Frank, The Casanova Variations, Hector and the Search for Happiness, Filth, Wall, Girl Number 9 and The Infidel.

 

Natalie Walter returns to the Menier to play Thelma – she previously appeared in Smash. For theatre her work includes Jerusalem (The Watermill Theatre), A Little Hotel on the Side (Theatre Royal Bath), Lingua Franca (Finborough Theatre), 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover (Bush Theatre), Hay Fever(Chichester Festival Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Love’s Labour’s Lost (RSC), Whipping It Up(UK tour), Habeas Corpus (Donmar Warehouse) and Piano/Forte (Royal Court Theatre). Her television work includes Family Tree, Above Suspicion, Jonathan Creek, Doctor Who and Babes in the Wood; and for film, The Wedding Video, Cockneys vs Zombies, You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, Lady Godiva, The Honey Trap and Remember Me.

 

Finty Williams plays Barbara Jackson. Her theatre work includes The Divide (The Old Vic), Blithe Spirit (The Mill at Sonning), Dinner with Friends (Park Theatre), The Vote (Donmar Warehouse – also More4), The Armour (Defibrillator Theatre), The Lightning Child, Macbeth, Bedlam (Shakespeare’s Globe), Luise Miller (Donmar Warehouse) and Twelfth Night (National Theatre). Her television work includes Doc Martin, The Cranford Chronicles, Born and Bred and Tales From the Crypt; and for film, Six Minutes to Midnight, We Can Be Heroes, Delicious, The Good Night, Ladies in Lavender, Gosford Park, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Secret Rapture and Mrs Brown.

 

Hugh Whitemore (1936 – 2018) began his writing career in British television (contributing to The Wednesday Play, Armchair Theatre and Play for Today) and twice received Writers’ Guild Awards. Film credits include The Return of the Soldier (an adaptation of the novel by Rebecca West), Mel Brooks’ production of 84 Charing Cross Road, Utz, (an adaptation of Bruce Chatwin’s novel) and Franco Zeffirelli’s Jane Eyre. His other stage plays include Stevie, Breaking the Code, The Best of Friends, It’s Ralph, A Letter of Resignation, Disposing of the Body, God Only Knows and a new version of Pirandello’s As You Desire Me. These plays have been translated into many languages and produced throughout the world. His work has twice been named Best Single TV drama by the UK Broadcasting Press Guild, he has received the Scripter Award in Hollywood (for 84 Charing Cross Road), the Script Prize at the 1998 Monte Carlo Festival (for his adaptation of A Dance to the Music of Time) and a special Communications Award from the American Mathematical Society (for Breaking the Code). He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and an Honorary Fellow of King’s College, London.

 

Hannah Chissick directs. Her most recent work includes Mother Courage and Her Children and the UK professional première of the musical Side Show (Southwark Playhouse), Down the Dock Road(Liverpool Royal Court), both for the NYMT – Brass (Hackney Empire) and Sunday in the Park With George (The Other Palace), Rags and Amour (Royal Academy of Music), Marry Me a Little (St James Studio) and Teechers (John Godber Theatre Company). She was Assistant Director to Matthew Warchus on the play Art in London and New York and was Associate Director on his acclaimed production of Boeing Boeing, directing casts in London, on Broadway and in Melbourne. In 2003, she became the youngest women to become an Artistic Director in the UK, when Harrogate Theatre appointed her at the age of 25. Other credits include the critically-acclaimed revival of Side by Side by Sondheim (The Venue, London), Abigail’s Party (Northcott Theatre Exeter), Teechers (Haymarket Theatre, Basingstoke), a tour of Grumpy Old Women Live, the world première of Horrid Henry – Live(tour and West End), and the world premiere of Pushing Up Poppies (Theatre503).

 

Listings Information                                                                                                                Pack of Lies

Venue:                              Menier Chocolate Factory

Address:                           53 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1RU

Press performance:        1 October at 8pm

Dates:                               20 September – 1 October

Times:                             For the performance schedule, please see the website

Box Office:                       020 7378 1713 (£2.50 transaction fee per booking)

Website:                           www.menierchocolatefactory.com (£1.50 transaction fee per booking)

 

Tickets:                              Prices vary, as below from discounted preview tickets to premier seats. With the emphasis on ‘the sooner you book, the better the price’:

Prices from £32.50

 

A meal deal ticket includes a 2-course meal from the pre-theatre menu in the Menier Restaurant as well as the theatre ticket.

 

www.menierchocolatefactory.com

Twitter: @MenChocFactory

Alex Edelman wins prestigious
Herald Angel Award

Today Alex Edelman was awarded a Herald Angel Award for his new show. After receiving a Barry Award nomination at the Adelaide, Just for Us comes to the Pleasance after Alex’s two year break from the Edinburgh Fringe.

Just for Us ricochets from Edelman’s ADHD, a surprising encounter with Prince William at the BAFTAs, his newly-minted Olympian brother, what being “brave” means in this political climate, and a gorilla that can do sign language. But at its centre is the astonishing and unfortunately timely encounter when, after a strong anti-Semitic strain of online abuse was directed at Edelman in January 2018, he decided to covertly attend a meeting of those same anti-Semites. The result was an explosive confrontation.

In her five star review of Alex Edelman’s show Just For Us for The Herald, Gayle Anderson notes, It’s a confident, carefully-crafted and brilliantly delivered set. If this was music it would definitely be jazz. Rhythmic and hip, you’re never sure where it’s taking you but you know you’ll like it.

Director of Pleasance, Anthony Alderson comments, This morning saw another amazing Pleasance show honoured with a Herald Angel Award. Edinburgh Comedy Award winner, Alex Edelman is in Edinburgh garnering much attention and acclaim with his third solo show. This fantastic young comedian is at the top of his game and we couldn’t be happier that The Herald have recognised him in this exciting way.

Since their inception in 1996, The Herald Angel Awards have been an integral part of the Edinburgh Festival scene, celebrating and rewarding the diverse range of talent from the various festivals including the Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Jazz & Blues Festival and the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Alex Edelman’s debut, Millennial, won the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Newcomer – the first show by an American to do in more than fifteen years. The follow-up, Everything Handed to You, sold out its entire Edinburgh run and was the second best reviewed of any comedy show at the Festival. It was also filmed in its entirety for a special called Live from the BBC, which is currently available on Netflix.

Alex Edelman: Just for Us performs at Cabaret Bar, Pleasance Courtyard until Sunday 26 August at 20:00.

Regents Park Open Air Theatre – until 9 September

Reviewed by Lottie Davis-Browne

5*****

Growing up in the early 1980s my first introduction to dinosaurs was friendly cartoon character – the aptly named “Denver – The Last Dinosaur”. It wasn’t until the 1993 movie “Jurassic Park” that I was able to see a more realistic dinosaur to truly appreciate these prehistoric beasts in their full glory, however growing up with two sisters my interest in dinosaurs was somewhat extinct before it even started.

Flash forward to the present day to a sunny Friday afternoon when I had the pleasure of attending Dinosaur World Live – an interactive touring production, in London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, with a dinosaur obsessed three year old boy.

With advances in puppetry in live theatre (thanks to a certain War Horse!) I was expecting great things – and I certainly wasn’t disappointed!

This final venue of the tour is set against the stage set for the current production of “Little Shop of Horrors”, Dinosaur World Live opens with Miranda (Elizabeth Mary Williams) introducing herself to the audience, engaging with the young audience from the second she enters the stage, telling us how her parents met in prehistoric times – “the early 1990’s” whilst working at the National History Museum together and that her first experience of meeting a dinosaur was as a young child whilst out picking blackberries. She explains how she ended up washed up on an island without her parents – using a large wooden toy boat which is passed into the audience how Miranda explains how she came to live on an island with dinosaurs.

There’s instantly a relaxed atmosphere from the moment the story starts, with children being picked out to help at various points in the fifty-some minute production. The audience are shown a dinosaur egg which is getting ready to hatch and encouraged to shout Miranda if they spot any signs of movement from it.

Soon Miranda is introducing us to several dinosaurs – so cleverly pupeteered that even the older audience members are quickly mesmerised by what appears to be actual real live dinosaurs! The attention to detail is outstanding – you can actually see the scales in their skin and the several different colours which are captured in the sunlight beautifully.

There’s baby Tamora – a young female Tyrannosaurus who loves to play with a ball and squeaky dogs toys! Her favourite foods are chicken – and other dinosaurs! She lives on the island with her mum, Titus. “Tyrannosaurus” comes from the Greek word meaning “Tyrant Lizard” whilst “Rex” is the Latin word for King.

We also met (amongst several other dinosaurs) Gertrude – a Giraffatitan (meaning “giant giraffe”) who ways up to 43 tons (five times as heavy as a T-Rex) and the colourful Juliet – a Segnosaurus (meaning “slow lizard).

Throughout the story, Miranda gives the audience lots of simple facts about each dinosaurs, from what they like to eat, how their bodies are structured and where they originate from. There’s plenty of audience interaction aimed at the hundreds of dino-enthusiatic children. The show is both visually stunning and educational. A rip-ROARing success of a production!

The fifty-some minute production (no interval) seemed to be over so quickly (in the best possible sense) but with the chance to meet the dinosaurs up close and personal afterwards made this an utterly ROAR-some day for the whole family.

Whilst every other theatre production has a strict no-photography policy, the audience were encouraged at the beginning to take as many photos as they liked – and to share them on social media (@dinoworldlive on Twitter and Instagram), to which of course I took hundreds and eagerly added my own (Instagram) the following day when I had slept off the excitement of having met these prehistoric creatures in the flesh.

For tickets and information for the rest of the tour, please see dinosaurworldlive.com and follow on social media (@dinoworldlive).

 

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR WORLD STAGE PREMIÈRE OF HIGH RIDIN’

 

Em-Lou Productions and King’s Head Theatre present the world première of

High Ridin’

By James Hogan

 

Directed by Peter Darney

 

King’s Head Theatre
4 September – 22 September 2018

Em-Lou Productions today announces full casting of world première of James Hogan’s High Ridin’ at the King’s Head Theatre. Peter Darney directs Linda Beckett (Ivy), Tom Michael Blyth (Stan) and Chicho Tche (Ronnie). The production opens at the King’s Head Theatre on Thursday 6 September with previews from Tuesday 4 September and runs until Saturday 22 September.

“What did you do with the drugs?”

“Dumped’em in a field.”

“Are you serious? The cows are jumpin’ over the Moon, Mars and fuckin’ Jupiter!”

Teenager Ronnie hitchhikes North to search for a job and a new start. Ex-bouncer Stan, just out of prison, gives him a lift. But not where Ronnie thought he was going.

Instead, Stan speeds off the motorway to a deserted house on the moors. But neither Ronnie nor Stan get what they were looking for…

An unlikely love story of two men who don’t live likely lives.

James Hogan’s plays include Peacefully in his Sleep (Gate Theatre), The Guest Room (Not the RSC Festival/Old Red Lion), Venetian Gold (Official Edinburgh Festival/Kings Head Theatre) and Ivy & Joan (The Print Room/Jermyn Street Theatre).

Linda Beckett plays Ivy. Her theatre credits include Blithe Spirit (The Brewhouse Theatre & Arts Centre), The Playboy of the Western World, She Stoops to Conquer (UK tour), Breezeblock Park (Derby Theatre), It’s a Madhouse, A Taste of Honey, Cloud Nine, Our Day Out (Everyman Theatre Liverpool) and The Secret Diary ofAdrian Mole, (Phoenix Arts Theatre/Wyndham’s Theatre). Her television credits include Play for Today, First of the Summer Wine; and for film, High Hopes and Secrets and Lies.

Tom Michael Blyth plays Stan. His theatre credits include Significant Other Inc (The Pensive Federation), The Mighty Oak Conqueror (One Festival), Hard Times (Oldham Coliseum Theatre) which he was nominated a Manchester Theatre Award, The Father (West End/UK tour) and The Duchess of Malfi (New Diorama Theatre).

Chicho Tche plays Ronnie. Love’s Labour’s Lost (RSC/Brighton Fringe) and Ninis Hair Salon (New Wimbledon Theatre); and for television he plays series regular Nick in School Hacks.

Peter Darney directs and writes. His credits include multi award winning 5 Guys Chillin’ which he wrote and directed (King’s Head Theatre/Soho Playhouse, New York, which won Edinburgh Festivals Best LGBT Play 2016 and the Doric Wilson Intercultural Dialogue Award at the Dublin International Gay Theatre Festival – published by Oberon Books), The Drag (Arcola Theatre), The Revengers Tragedy, Edward II, Arden of Faversham (The Rose Playhouse), Pinocchio (Sutton Theatres), Signal Failure (Soho Playhouse, New York/Edinburgh Festival Fringe), Frank Sent Me (King’s Head Theatre/Edinburgh Festival Fringe/Theatre503), Githa (St James Theatre/York Theatre Royal), Tom’s Midnight Garden (Orchard Deane Garden Theatre), 6 Degree’s (Soho Theatre), Frank Sent Me (Soho Theatre, Best Play 2012 Writer’s Avenue) and Beautiful Thing (Battersea Arts Centre).

High Ridin

Listings

King’s Head Theatre

115 Upper Street, N1 1QN
Box office: 0207 226 8561

www.kingsheadtheatre.com/

 

Performances:

Tuesday 4 September – Saturday 22 September 2018

 

Tickets: £16 – £26

Previews: £11

BAT OUT OF HELL – THE MUSICAL

ANNOUNCES JORDAN LUKE GAGE

AS THE NEW STRAT

Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical is excited to announce Jordan Luke Gage will be taking on the lead role of Strat from 3 September.

Gage made his West End debut as Hoffman in the show, whilst also performing as an alternate Strat to Andrew Polec.

Gage commented on taking on the role: 

“I’m overwhelmed to be taking over the iconic role of Strat in Bat Out Of Hell. Being part of this incredible show and company has been a life-changing experience for me and I have learned so much from working with the extraordinary talent that is Andrew Polec. I want to thank everyone at Bat out of Hell for giving me this opportunity and to thank Andrew for his support and friendship. He has been an outstanding Strat, a deserved winner of the Joe Allen Best West End Debut Award and an inspiration. I wish him love and every success on his journey. I’m so excited to get started! I feel honoured and humbled to be given the chance to sing Jim Steinman and Meatloaf’s stunning score and to work with the wonderful people who make up the Bat family; the company, the production and creative teams, the crew and, of course, the fans. Rock and Roll dreams DO come true!”

Simon Gordon who performs as Esquivel in the show will continue to be the alternate Strat.

Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical wowed critics and public alike when it played limited seasons at Manchester Opera House, London Coliseum and Toronto’s Ed Mirvish Theatre in 2017, and has been seen by over 650,000 people to date. It began previews at its latest home the legendary Dominion Theatre on Monday 2 April, with a gala performance on 19 April 2018. It is now booking through to 5 January 2019.

Andrew Polec’s final show starring as Strat in Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical at The Dominion, London will be on Saturday 1 September.  Tickets are available here:

https://batoutofhellmusical.com/london/tickets-london/ 

More exciting news about Andrew will be announced very shortly.

Bat Out Of Hell became one of the best-selling albums in history, selling over 50 million copies worldwide.  16 years later, Steinman scored again with Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell, which contained the massive hit I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That).

For the stage musical, the legendary and award-winning Jim Steinman has incorporated iconic songs from the Bat Out Of Hell albums, including You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth, Bat Out Of Hell, I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That) and Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad, as well as two previously unreleased songs, What Part of My Body Hurts the Most and Not Allowed to Love.

Jim Steinman’s Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical is a romantic adventure about rebellious youth and passionate love, set against the backdrop of a post-cataclysmic city adrift from the mainland.  Strat, the forever young leader of The Lost, has fallen for Raven, daughter of Falco, the tyrannical, ruler of Obsidian.  It scooped the ‘Evening Standard Radio 2 Audience Award’ for Best Musical in 2017.

Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical has book, music and lyrics by Jim Steinman, direction by Jay Scheib, choreography by Emma Portner, with musical supervision and additional arrangements by Michael Reed, set design by Jon Bausor, costume design by Jon Bausor and Meentje Nielsen, video design by Finn Ross, lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe, sound design by Gareth Owen, orchestration by Steve Sidwell, casting by David Grindrod CDG, fight direction by Stuart Boother and musical direction by Robert Emery.

Jim Steinman’s Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical is produced by David Sonenberg, Michael Cohl, Randy Lennox & Tony Smith.

 

Website:  www.BatOutOfHellMusical.com

Twitter & Facebook:  @BatTheMusical

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Jim Steinman’s Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical

 

Dominion Theatre

268-269 Tottenham Court Road

London W1T 7AQ

Performances:  Mon-Sat at 7.30pm, Wed & Sat matinee at 2.30pm (N.B.  Performances will be at 2.00pm & 8.00pm on Saturday 8 September)

 

Tickets:  from £15.00

Box Office:  0845 200 7982

Current Booking Period:  to 5 January 2019

Running Time:  2 hours 40 minutes (including interval)

Christmas 2018/19 Performance Schedule

Mon 17 December – 7.30pm

Tue 18 December – 7.30pm

Wed 19 December – 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Thurs 20 December – 7.30pm

Fri 21 December – 7.30pm

Sat 22 December – 2.30pm & 7.30pm

 

Mon 24 December – No Show

Tue 25 December – No Show

Wed 26 December – 7.30pm

Thurs 27 December – 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Fri 28 December – 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Sat 29 December – 2.30pm & 7.30pm

 

Mon 31 December – 7.00pm

Tues 1 January – 7.30pm

Wed 2 January – 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Thurs 3 January – 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Fri 4 January – 7.30pm

Sat 5 January – 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Churchill Theatre, Bromley – until 18th August 2018

Reviewed by Elizabeth Smith

3***

Flashdance – The Musical tells the story of Alex, a welder by day and club dancer at night, with ambitions of attending the prestigious Shipley Dance Academy. The back drop to the story is her love affair with the bosses son, the potential redundancies of her co workers and the ambitions of her friend Gloria to become a MTV dancer.

Alex is played by Joanne Clifton of Strictly come Dancing fame. She surprised me with the fact she could sing with power and feeling, while acting a role of the feisty, determined character, nice to see there is more to the dancer than you may first see. Of course her dancing was amazing and performed with so much energy and poise.

Alex’s love interest is her boss Nick Hurley, of the Hurley family who own the factory Alex works in. He is sent in to cut the work force and falls for Alex who rebuffs his advances at first but he wins her over. Although he does give a large donation to the Dance academy to ensure her entry but that part of the story didn’t quite get resolved in the story. Nick was played by Ben Adams, of boy band A1. He had a lovely singing voice, very boy band, which works in this modern musical.

Alex’s friend Gloria, Hollie-Ann Lowe, wants to be a MTV dancer and decides to dance in a rival night club but the punters want a little more than she is, at first, willing to give. Her character shows how a dream can turn into a nightmare when drink and drugs help you through. Hollie-Ann Lowe gave a convincing performance as Gloria. Dammiliegh Foster plays Tess, her voice was a power house when she sang “I Love Rock N Roll” and a dancer who draws your attention. Sashaa Latoya who plays Louise, nurse to Hannah, Alex’s mentor. Her surly attitude gave great humour.

Rhodri Watkins, played Andy, and stood out for me with his performance of a young father of 3 trying to do the best he could when facing redundancy and what a mover in the dance scenes.

If you love dance this show hits all the spots, unfortunately I felt the script was slightly padded out with fluff when it could have expanded on some of the other characters.

Over all, the dancing was fab and inspired me to skip to the car.

CASTING IS ANNOUNCED FOR IAN HISLOP AND NICK NEWMAN’S NEW COMEDY

TRIAL BY LAUGHTER

THE PRODUCTION WILL OPEN AT THE WATERMILL THEATRE, NEWBURY FROM THURSDAY 20^TH SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 27^TH OCTOBER 2018, BEFORE HEADING ON A UK TOUR

Following the sell-out success of The Wipers Times in the West End and across the country, Ian Hislop and Nick Newman have once again taken inspiration from real life events for their new play Trial by Laughter, based on their critically acclaimed original BBC Radio 4 drama of the same name. The production is a Trademark Touringand Watermill Theatre co-production, playing at The Watermill for six weeks from Thursday 20^th September – Saturday 27^th October 2018. Following this, it will be heading on a UK tour visiting Guildford, Ipswich, Cheltenham and Brighton, with further venues to be announced.

In 1817 bookseller, publisher and satirist William Hone stood trial for parodying religion, the despotic government and the libidinous monarchy. The only crime he had committed was to be funny. In 2018, the satirists Ian Hislop and Nick Newman rediscover this forgotten hero of free speech and ask if just over two hundred years later our press has any greater freedom.

The cast includes Helena Antoniou (Lady Hertford), Philippe Edwards (Sidmouth), Jeremy Lloyd (Prince Regent), Peter Losasso (Cruickshank), Nicholas Murchie (Justice Abbott/Duke of York), Joseph Prowen (Hone), Eva Scott (Lady Conyngham/Sarah), Dan Tetsell (Lord Ellenborough).

Satirist, writer and journalist Ian Hislop has been the editor of Private Eye since 1986. He has frequently appeared on Question Time (BBC One), and since 1990 has been team captain on BBC’s Have I Got News For You. At Private Eye he works alongside life-long friend Nick Newman, an award-winning cartoonist and writer, who alongside his role at Private Eye, has been pocket cartoonist for The Sunday Times since 1989. As a scriptwriting duo, Ian and Nick’s work includes five years on Spitting Image (ITV), Harry Enfield and Chums (BBC Two), and My Dad’s The Prime Minister (BBC One), as well as the film A Bunch of Amateurs and The Wipers Times, which won the Broadcast Press Guild Award for single drama, and was nominated for a BAFTA. Trial by Laughter is Ian and Nick’s third play to be co-produced with The Watermill Theatre, with an adaptation of A Bunch of Amateurs and The Wipers Times playing there in the last few years.

Ian Hislop and Nick Newman said:

“In an age of ‘fake news’ and increased censorship, free speech and press freedom are still under threat as they were 200 years ago when William Hone took on the might of Royalty and a bullying Tory government. Hone dared to ask ‘Is laughter treason?’ – raising issues which are as relevant now as they were then. It’s a tale of lawyers, lechers and libel – with added sedition and blasphemy. It is immensely exciting to bring this world to life on stage, with this funny, inspiring and true story of a satirical David versus Goliath.”

 

Trial by Laughter is a Trademark Touring and Watermill Theatre production and is directed by Caroline Leslie. It is designed by Dora Schweitzer with lighting design by Matt Leventhall and sound by Steve Mayo.

 

The Wipers Times, also produced by Trademark Touring and The Watermill Theatre, tours again from 28 August, transferring for a second time to the Arts Theatre in the West End in October where it plays a limited season until 1 December 2018.

 

TRIAL BY LAUGHTER – FULL TOUR DATES AND LISTINGS INFORMATION

 

Thursday 20^th September – Saturday 27^th October                                     Watermill Theatre, Newbury

Monday 29^th October – Saturday 3^rd November                                        

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford

Monday 5^th November – Saturday 10^th November                                    

The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich

Monday 12^th November – Saturday 17^th November                                   Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

Monday 19^th November – Saturday 24^th November                                  

Theatre Royal, Brighton

AWARD-WINNING CREATIVE TEAM ANNOUNCE 

BRAND NEW SONG, UPDATED SCRIPT & FINAL CASTING 

FOR THE DEFINITIVE VERSION OF 

THE SASSIEST SHOW IN TOWN!

STARRING CARRIE HOPE FLETCHER

OPENING IN THE WEST END

FROM 3 SEPTEMBER – 24 NOVEMBER 2018

 

 

Heathers the Musical is bigger and better than ever before! The award-winning creative team behind the smash-hit musical are thrilled to announce a brand new song has been written into the show ahead of it’s West End debut at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, along with multiple re-workings to the script.

 

Following extensive work across the run of it’s European premiere at The Other Palace, the creators of Heathers – The Musical, Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy, alongside director Andy Fickman, have written an original new song for leading lady Carrie Hope Fletcher. The new song, ‘I Say No’ and updated script were added into the final week of performances at The Other Palace, offering audiences a sneak peek ahead of the show’s transfer to the West End in September.

 

Paul Taylor Mills said: “Two years ago Andrew Lloyd Webber and I set on a mission to create a space in the UK where musicals could be tried and tested with audience feedback at the heart of that development. I am so pleased to say that a year and a half later we have been able to see Heathers go from The Other Palace studio, to the main house, to the West End. This isn’t a new idea with many major American musicals affording themselves an out-of-town try out in order to refine the material before the version the team want to present is ‘cooked’!

 

Over the last few weeks the creative team and I have been working hard to make changes to the production, including a new number for Veronica at the end of the show, and some script changes to Act II. We’re delighted with the work that has been done and that the show was able to finish its the run at The Other Palace as the definitive version of Heathers. 

 

We feel fortunate to have had this incredibly useful space to develop the show and would like to thank our audiences for affording us this opportunity. It’s crucial that we develop a practice in the UK for this to happen in order to ensure the genre of musicals in this country continues to prosper.”

 

The 2018 Class of Westerberg High will be graduating to the Theatre Royal Haymarket for a strictly limited 12-week run, from 3 September 2018, with Carrie Hope Fletcher reprising her celebrated role as Veronica Sawyer.

 

Also returning to the cast as the school’s reigning ‘It Girls’ – The Heathers are Jodie Steele (Chandler), T’Shan Williams (Duke) and Sophie Isaacs (McNamara), alongside Jamie Muscato as rebellious transfer student Jason Dean (JD), Chris Chung (Kurt Kelly), Dominic Anderson (Ram Sweeney), Jenny O’Leary (Martha Dunnstock), Rebecca Lock (Ms. Flemming), Jon Boydon (Kurt’s Dad), Alex James Hatton (Officer Milner), Charlotte Jaconelli (Stoner Chick), Lauren Drew (New Wave Girl), Olivia Moore (Young Rerepublicanette), and Sergio Pasquariello  (Officer McCord).

 

They will be welcoming Hugh Maynard (Ram’s Dad), John Lumsen (Hipster Dork) and Merryl Ansah (Drama Cub Drama Queen) to the cast for the West End premiere.

 

Greetings and salutations. Welcome to Westerberg High, where popularity is so very a matter of life and death, and Veronica Sawyer is just another of the nobodies dreaming of a better day.

 

But when she’s unexpectedly taken under the wings of the three beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams finally start to come true.

 

Until JD turns up, the mysterious teen rebel who teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it’s murder being a somebody…

 

Based on one of the greatest teen films of all time, the 1988 cult classic starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. The award-winning writing team, Laurence O’Keefe (Legally Blonde, Bat Boy) and Kevin Murphy’s (Reefer Madness,Desperate Housewives) hit musical adaptation has enjoyed successful runs in Los Angeles and New York, and finally arrived in the UK for its European premiere on 9 June 2018, following a rapturous response to its 2017 workshop at The Other Palace.

 

Heathers – The Musical is directed by acclaimed screen and stage director Andy Fickman, with choreography by Gary Lloyd, design by David Shields, lighting by Ben Cracknell, sound by Dan Samson and casting by Will Burton. The production is produced by Bill Kenwright and Paul Taylor Mills.

 

Heathers – The Musical, which recently finished it’s European premiere at The Other Palace, is the highest grossing show at Andrew Lloyd Webber’s theatre, having sold over 20,000 tickets across the run and having sold out prior to its opening gala performance. It is the first show in the theatre’s history to move from a studio workshop to a main house production and it now becomes The Other Palace’s first West End transfer, having reached a brand new audience; 70% of which are under the age of 30. The production will continue to develop and celebrate its younger and more diverse audience by offering over 15,000 seats at £25 across the West End run.

 

LISTINGS

HEATHERS – THE MUSICAL

THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET

3 SEPTEMBER – 24 NOVEMBER 2018

 

*Please note the updated schedule of press performances*

*Reviews embargoed until 00.01 on Thursday 13 September*

 

Performances:

Monday – Saturday – 7.45pm

Thursday & Saturday – 3.00pm

 

Ticket Prices: From £25.00 – 150+ £25 tickets at every performance. 

 

Groups: 10+ £55 seats reduced to £39.50, Monday to Thursday evenings and midweek matinees. The group rate is subject to availability and not valid for week commencing 22nd October.

 

Day Seats: A limited number of seats are available at £25 from 10am in person at the box office on the day of the show. Maximum 2 tickets per person.

 

Address: Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4HT

 

Box Office: 020 7930 8800

 

Website: www.heathersthemusical.com

    www.trh.co.uk

 

Facebook/Twitter/Instagram:

@HeathersMusical

@TRH_London

#HeathersLondon

#HowVery

FURTHER CASTING TO HOP ABOARD THE JOLLY ROGER IN RICHMOND THEATRE’S SWASHBUCKLING PANTOMIME, PETER PAN!

Richmond Theatre announces Jon Clegg (Britain’s Got Talent), Rachel Stanley (Les Misérables) and Harry Francis (The Book of Mormon) to join previously the announced Robert Lindsay in his pantomime debut for the theatres’ second pantomime staged by Qdos Entertainment, PETER PAN from Saturday 8 December – Sunday 6 January 2019.

 

Jon Clegg will be joining cast as Captain Hook’s befuddled side-kick, Smee. Best-known for his appearances in the final of the eight series of Britain’s Got Talent Jon will bring his brilliant celebrity comedy impressions to Neverland!

Rachel Stanley joins the cast as the Magical Mermaid. Rachel is currently appearing in the UK Tour of An Officer and A Gentlemen. Her other recent stage credits have seen her on stage in Scrooge The Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Legally Blonde. No stranger to family entertainment Rachel last-year toured the UK with Birmingham Stage Company in Gangsta Granny. Rachel featured in the 2012 film adaptation of Les Misérables.

Harry Francis joins the cast as the boy who never grew up, Peter Pan. Harry has recently been seen as Tom Thumb in Barnum, Mendel in Fiddler on the Roof, Elder Thomas in The Book of Mormon, and Mark in A Chorus Line as well as touring in the Matthew Bourne production of Edward Scissorhands.

 

Multi award-winning actor of stage and screen, Robert Lindsay will make his pantomime debut starring as the dastardly Captain Hook. The BAFTA, Tony and two-time Olivier Award-winning actor has enjoyed a hugely successful career starring in the popular BBC sitcom My Family and Citizen Smith as well as numerous Shakespearean adaptations including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado About Nothing and starred opposite Laurence Olivier in King Lear. His further television roles include Galavant, GBH, Hornblower, Jericho, Friends and Crocodiles and Gideon’s Daughters, both by Stephen Poliakoff.

With tickets soaring out of the Box Office, audiences shouldn’t leave it any longer to embark on the Jolly Roger and set sail for Neverland for this year’s sensational, swashbuckling show!

M O T O W N   T H E   M U S I C A L

FINAL WEST END PERFORMANCES APRIL 2019

In advance of major refurbishments taking place at the Shaftesbury Theatre, Motown The Musical will conclude its run on 20 April 2019 having celebrated over 1330 performances since its London premiere over three years earlier in February 2016.  With music and lyrics from the Motown catalogue, book by Motown founder Berry Gordy and directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, Motown the Musical tells the story behind the legendary classic hits.  In October this year a previously announced UK tour will begin and in January 2019 Motown the record label will mark its sixtieth anniversary.

The production features a fifteen-piece orchestra playing 50 Motown tracks including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I’ll Be There, Dancing In The Street, Stop!  In The Name of Love, My Girl and I Heard It through the Grapevine.  With just $800 borrowed from his family, Motown founder Berry Gordy, goes from featherweight boxer to heavyweight music mogul, discovering and launching the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and many more.  Motown the Musical uncovers the true story of the legendary record label that changed music history and created the soundtrack of a generation.  

Motown the Musical received its world premiere in April 2013 in New York with Berry Gordy and legendary Motown artists Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Mary Wilson, Gladys Knight andStevie Wonder attending opening night.  The show began its West End run in February 2016 withGordy, Robinson and Wilson once again supporting the production.

Motown the Musical has music supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Ethan Popp, co-orchestrations and additional arrangements by Bryan Cook and dance arrangements by Zane Mark.  Choreography is by Patricia Wilcox and Warren Adams, scenic design by David Korins, costumes by Emilio Sosa, lighting by Natasha Katz, sound by Peter Hylenski and video by Daniel Brodie.  UK Associate Director is Tara Wilkinson, Conductor & UK Associate Music Supervisor is Gareth Weedon, UK Associate Set Designer is Andrew Edwards and UK Associate Lighting Designer is Alistair Grant and UK Sound Associate is Chris Full.

Motown the Musical is produced in the West End by Kevin McCollum, Doug Morris, Berry Gordy and Adam Spiegel.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Theatre:                           Shaftesbury Theatre, 210 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8DP

Dates:                              booking to 20 April 2019

Performances:                    Monday – Saturday 7.30pm, Thursday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm

Prices:                              Tickets from £20 plus £15 Lottery tickets available online

No booking fees via www.motownthemusical.co.uk, over the phone on 020 7379

5399 or in person at the Shaftesbury Theatre Box Office.

Box Office:                         020 7379 5399

Website:                           www.motownthemusical.co.uk

Twitter:                            @MotownUK

Facebook:                         MotownMusicalUK