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Manchester Palace Theatre – until 18 August 2018

Reviewed by Lottie Davis-Browne Date

4****

Following in the footsteps of Dreamworks “Shrek” which was reworked into a well-loved stage musical, the latest screen-to-stage adaptation comes from Dreamworks 2005 movie Madagascar, from the team at Selladoor.

Telling the tale of a group of unlikely friends at New York’s Central Park Zoo; hypochondriac Melvin (Jamie Lee-Morgan) the Giraffe, Marty the Zebra (Antoine Murray-Straughan), the hip and funky hippo Gloria (Timmika Ramsey), and the pride of Central Park Zoo, Alex the Lion (X-Factor’ 2016 Winner Matt Terry), whom upon celebrating Marty’s tenth birthday, he (Marty) begins to wonder what life is like outside the zoo and dreams of living “in the wild”. Marty’s thoughts are distracted by the zoos penguins (Skipper, Rico, Kowalski and Private) who are secretly planning their very own great escape. Marty then decides to follow them and escape and is shortly pursued by the rest of his friends.

Soon the animals are causing havoc in Grand Central Station, but Alex – not realising humans do not understand animals – is mistaken for an aggressive dangerous animal and is shot with a tranquilliser gun and his friends rounded up into shipping crates on a boat to be transferred to a zoo. But it isn’t long until disaster strikes and the friends end up washed up on a beach – in what they presume is another zoo, that is until they meet a conspiracy of lemurs, who inform them that they are indeed in the wild – the “wipe yourself with a leaf” type of wild. I won’t spoil the rest of the story as I am sure most people have seen the animated movie of Madagascar, but what I will say is that the story remains true to the original movie with similar running times (a total of 1 hour and 50 minutes – perfect for younger children which of course this production is particularly aimed at).

The main stage set comprises of stacked wooden shipping crates which Central Parks Zoo to the tropical island of Madagascar, with the island of Madagascar being the main story setting comprising of palm trees and the distant sound of the ocean.

What really makes this production stand out and memorable are the fantastic costumes and puppets – from the lovable penguins which are so cleverly done you soon fail to notice the talented puppeteers, but particularly Melman the Giraffe (Jamie Lee-Morgan – an experienced puppeteer, having been the head puppeteer for Joey, the horse in War Horse, as well as the Giant in James and The Giant Peach) and the somewhat comical costumes (giving Matt Terry an impressive six-pack as Alex the Lion) and the voluptuous Gloria the hippo. There’s plenty of child friendly humour throughout and although at first I was surprised at how quick Act One was over, I recalled the movie running time and found that the two are similar but found this refreshing as compared to some other musicals I have seen that has young children as the target audience, it was great to have one that did not have such a long running time as I know how younger children can struggle to stay awake for evening performances that run well past their bed times.

The songs – other than the popular “I Like To Move It” from the original movie were less memorable, with the only other stand out song being “Best Friends” – a duet between Alex and Marty. The audience – myself included – particularly loved dancing along to “I Like To Move It” – with King Julien (Jo Parsons) providing the majority of the laugh-out-loud moments, even adding some “flossing” into his dance routines as he showed Manchester how to “Move It!”

Matt Terry is loveable as Central Park Zoos’ most popular animal resident, proving that not only can he sing, but he can act and dance – all whilst wearing a tight fitting lion costume and huge lion feet! I particularly loved Lee-Morgan as the over thinking, over worrying Giraffe – probably because I saw a lot of myself in his character, but it was Parsons as King Julien who really won the hearts of the audience, bringing in so many side-splitting moments as the eccentric King of the Lemurs.

The show is fast-paced, high energy and laughs-a-plenty making it the perfect treat for the long Summer Holidays.

Pint of Wine Theatre Company present:

 

In the debut production from new theatre company Pint of Wine, Lauren Edwards and Katie Beudert will star as Siamese twins Violet and Daisy Hilton in classic musical Side Show, playing at the CLF Art Cafe at the Bussey Building for selected dates in early October 2018.

Based on the true story of Siamese twins Violet and Daisy Hilton who became stars during the Depression, Side Show is a moving portrait of two women joined at the hip whose extraordinary bondage brings them fame but denies them love. With book and lyrics by Bill Russell (Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens) and music by Henry Krieger (Dreamgirls), Side Show follows their progression from England to America, around the vaudeville circuit and to Hollywood on the eve of their appearance in the 1932 movie Freaks.

Casting has been confirmed for the production, including Lauren Edwards (Parade, Frogmore Papermill) and Katie Beudert (Gatsby and Romeo & Juliet, The Union Theatre) as Violet and Daisy Hilton, Matthew James Nicholas (Terry), Barry O’Reilly (Buddy), Akmed Khemalai (Jake), Joe Brown, Daniel Gosselin, Kathryn Hyde, Nathalie Joel-Smith, Sandra Murray, Hannah Parker Smith, Olga-Marie Platt, Alona Walsh, Stephen Russell and Tristan Ward.

Pint of Wine is an innovative theatre company that provides opportunities for artists, technicians and practitioners to push the limits on how theatre should be done. We seek to challenge the conventions on how theatre should be presented and look to be disruptive in what is understood of and expected from the London fringe theatre scene. We look to be creative in our choice of source material and to question how and where works are to be presented, always examining how to best engage with a modern audience. We will seek to innovate and not to repeat, and, by this, bring fresh approaches, new stories and surprising productions to audiences.

Side Show is Pint of Wine Theatre Company’s debut musical. The production, under the direction of Dom O’Hanlon, will feature new costume designs by Lemington Ridley (2016 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards Nominations for Best Costume Design, Ragtime), set design by Roberta Volpe with musical direction by Ben Papworth and choreography by Becky East.

MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY TO STAGE MAJOR REVIVAL OF

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF THIS CHRISTMAS

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

Music by Jerry Bock          Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick          Book by Joseph Stein

Directed by Trevor Nunn

The Menier Chocolate Factory today announces a major revival of one of the world’s most-beloved musicals of all time, Fiddler on the Roof in a new staging by Trevor Nunn. The production opens on 5 December, with previews from 23 November, and runs until 9 March. Booking opens for supporters of the Menier on 28 August, with public booking on 5 September.

This joyous and heart-breaking story of the travails of Tevye the milkman, his wife and five daughters features such classic songs as “Sunrise, Sunset,” “If I Were a Rich Man” and “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” and remains a heart-warming celebration To Life – L’chaim!

The first London production of Fiddler on the Roof opened in February 1967 at Her Majesty’s Theatre; and the most recent London production opened in May 2007 at the Savoy Theatre with Henry Goodman as Tevye.

Fiddler of Roof sees Trevor Nunn renew his collaboration with the Menier – he previously directed Lettice and Lovage, Love in Idleness (also West End), A Little Night Music (also West End and Broadway) and Aspects of Love for the company.

From 1968 to 1986, Trevor Nunn was the youngest ever Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, directing over thirty productions, including most of the Shakespeare canon, as well as Nicholas Nickleby and Les Misérables.  From 1997 to 2003, he was Artistic Director of the National Theatre, where his productions included Troilus and Cressida, Oklahoma!, The Merchant of Venice, Summerfolk, My Fair Lady, A Streetcar Named Desire, Anything Goes and Love’s Labour’s Lost.  He has directed the world premières of Tom Stoppard’s plays Arcadia, The Coast of Utopia and Rock n Roll; and of Cats, Sunset Boulevard, Starlight Express and Aspects of Love by Andrew Lloyd Webber.  Other theatre includes Timon of Athens, Skellig (Young Vic); The Lady From The Sea (Almeida Theatre); Hamlet, Richard II, Inherit the Wind (The Old Vic), A Little Night Music (Menier Chocolate Factory, West End and Broadway), Cyrano de Bergerac, Kiss Me Kate (Chichester Festival Theatre); Heartbreak House, Flare Path, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, The Tempest (Theatre Royal, Haymarket); Scenes from a Marriage (Coventry & St James), All That Fall (Jermyn Street & New York); A Chorus of Disapproval and Relative Values (West End).  Work for television includes Antony and Cleopatra, The Comedy of Errors, Macbeth, Three Sisters, Othello, The Merchant of Venice and King Lear, and on film, Hedda, Lady Janeand Twelfth Night. 

 

Listings Information

Fiddler on the Roof

Booking opens for supporters of the Menier on 28 August, with public booking on 5 September

Venue:                                Menier Chocolate Factory

Address:                             53 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1RU

Press performance:         5 December at 8pm

Dates:                                 23 November 2018 – 9 March 2019

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’:

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

SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED FOR

THE STAGE DEBUT AWARDS 2018

IN ASSOCIATION WITH ACCESS ENTERTAINMENT

INCLUDING AIDAN TURNER & BRYAN CRANSTONALONGSIDE A SELECTION OF THE UK’S MOST OUTSTANDING BREAKTHROUGH TALENT IN THEATRE

AND VOTING OPENS FOR THE JOE ALLEN

BEST WEST END DEBUT AWARD 2018

Alistair Smith, Editor, The Stage said: “After the huge success of The Stage Debut Awards’ first outing in 2017, we’re delighted to reveal another superb shortlist of emerging stars that ranges from first-time playwrights in pub theatres to regional directors and those making their debuts on the biggest West End stages. This list underlines the quite astonishing array of diverse talent breaking through in theatres of all scales and types across the UK.”

As the shortlist for this year’s The Stage Debut Awards 2018, in association with Access Entertainment, is announced below, voting opens for the Joe Allen Best West End Debut Award 2018, the only award voted for by the general public. This award celebrates a first performance in London’s West End.

Votes can be cast online HERE and voting closes at midnight on 16 September 2018. All award winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on Sunday 23 September 2018, which will be streamed live on The Stage’s Facebook page.

Mark Shenton, Associate Editor, The Stage, said: “The shortlist for the West End debut award offers an eclectic but electrifying set of contributions, including three Tony Award winning stars (Bryan Cranston, Kelli O’Hara and Adrienne Warren, each of whom made their London debuts in the last year), an actor making his adult West End debut (John McCrea previously appeared in the West End as a child actor) and another who is already a national TV star (Poldark‘s Aidan Turner). But the West End is still a destination and a kind of validation for their talents, in which they join other theatrical newcomers to this global showcase like the co-writers of The Jungle and one of its principal actors. The nominating panel acknowledge them all; now it is up to the public to decide the winner.”

Lyn Gardner, Associate Editor, The Stage, added: “I love The Stage Debut Awards. It feels both genuinely celebratory and useful to recognise people’s talent at the start of their careers. There are plenty of awards which heap praise on the already successful, but The Stage Debut Awards are unique in giving a helping hand to those joining the profession. It has been a privilege to be part of the team helping to select the winners.”

Leonard Blavatnik of headline sponsor Access Entertainment, said: “Access Entertainment is thrilled to sponsor The Stage Debut Awards this year, recognising and supporting the rising stars of the theatrical world.”

The Stage Debut Awards’ 2018 full shortlist:

Best Actress In A Play – Sponsored by Audible

·       Kitty Archer for One for Sorrow at the Royal Court, London

·       Gemma Dobson for Rita, Sue and Bob Too at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton

·       Lorna Fitzgerald for The Shadow Factory at NST City, Southampton

·       Grainne O’Mahony for The Elephant Man at Bristol Old Vic

Best Actor In A Play – Sponsored by Audible

·       Seb Carrington for Summer and Smoke at the Almeida Theatre, London

·       Akshay Sharan for The Reluctant Fundamentalist at the Yard Theatre, London

·       Chris Walley for The Lieutenant of Inishmore at the Noel Coward Theatre, London

·       Alex Wilson for The Elephant Man at Bristol Old Vic Theatre

Best Actor In A Musical – Sponsored by Encore Radio

·       Will Carey for It’s Only Life at the Union Theatre, London

·       Louis Gaunt for Oklahoma! at Grange Park Opera, West Horsley

·       Toby Miles for Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre, London

·       Simon Oskarsson for Return to the Forbidden Planet at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, London

Best Actress In A Musical – Sponsored by R&H Theatricals Europe

·       Teleri Hughes for Spring Awakening at the Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester

·       Eleanor Kane for Fun Home at the Young Vic, London

·       Rebecca Mendoza for Hairspray, on tour

·       Amara Okereke for Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre, London

Best Director – Sponsored by Smith & Williamson

·       Iwan Lewis for One Minute at the Barn Theatre, Cirencester

·       Alexandra Moxon for Wreck at Nottingham Playhouse

·       Oscar Pearce for Great Apes at the Arcola Theatre, London

·       Katy Rudd for The Almighty Sometimes at the Royal Exchange, Manchester

Best Designer – Sponsored by Robe Lighting

·       Basia Binkowska for Devil with the Blue Dress at the Bunker Theatre, London

·       Khadija Raza for Hijabi Monologues, Spun, and Mixtape, at the Bush Theatre, London, the Arcola Theatre, London and the Royal Exchange, Manchester

·       Fin Redshaw for Pieces of String and Love Me Now at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester and the Tristan Bates Theatre, London

·       Jasmine Swan for Hyem, The Passing of Third Floor Back, Hanna and The Sleeper at Theatre503, London, the Finborough Theatre, London, the Arcola Theatre, London, and Rialto Theatre, Brighton

Best Composer or Lyricist – Sponsored by Trafalgar Entertainment Group

·       Gus Gowland for Pieces of String at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester

·       Kate Marlais for Abandon at the Lyric Hammersmith, London

·       Matt Winkworth for The Assassination of Katie Hopkins at Theatr Clwyd, Mold

Best Writer – Sponsored by InterTalent Rights Group

·       Georgia Christou for Yous Two at Hampstead Theatre, London

·       Kendall Feaver for The Almighty Sometimes at the Royal Exchange, Manchester

·       Natasha Gordon for Nine Night at the National Theatre, London

·       Andrew Thompson for In Event of Moone Disaster at Theatre503, London

·       Joe White for Mayfly at the Orange Tree Theatre, London

The Joe Allen Best West End Debut

·       Mohammad Amiri for The Jungle at the Playhouse Theatre

·       Ashley Banjo for Dick Whittington at the London Palladium

·       Bryan Cranston for Network at the National Theatre

·       Michelle Greenidge for Nine Night at the National Theatre

·       John McCrea for Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre

·       Kelli O’Hara for The King and I at the London Palladium

·       Joe Robertson and Joe Murphy for The Jungle at the Playhouse Theatre

·       Lucie Shorthouse for Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre

·       Aidan Turner for The Lieutenant of Inishmore at the Noel Coward Theatre

·       Adrienne Warren for Tina: The Tina Turner Musical at the Aldwych Theatre

The Stage Debut Awards celebrate the very best breakthrough talent in theatre, from actors and directors to designers, writers, composers and lyricists, all of whom have made their professional debuts in the past year. These awards are the first of their kind to recognise outstanding emerging talent.

The inaugural The Stage Debut Awards took place on September 17, 2017. Guests at the awards ceremony included the most influential figures in the performing arts world from Grammy and Olivier Award-winning actress Amber Riley to the director of the National Theatre, Rufus Norris.

As well as live streaming the ceremony to thousands of eager viewers on Facebook, #DebutAwards was trending on Twitter for over 14 hours on the day of the ceremony. Check out the video of the evening below and to read more about the evening visit
The Stage website.

For full details on eligibility and the judging process see The Stage Debut Awards website.

Curve and Birmingham Hippodrome announce co-production of Tony Award-winning Broadway sensation

 

THE COLOR PURPLE

Directed by Tinuke Craig

28 Jun – 13 Jul 2019 at Curve, Leicester

16 – 20 Jul 2019 at Birmingham Hippodrome

 

Leicester’s Curve and Birmingham Hippodrome theatres join forces to co-produce Broadway musical The Color Purple, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker.

 

The production, the first to be created outside of London in the UK, will be directed by Tinuke Craig, winner of the 2014 Genesis Future Directors Award. Tinuke’s recent credits include random/generations, a double bill of plays by debbie tucker green at Chichester Festival Theatre and I Call my Brothers by Jonas Hassen Khemiri at the Gate Theatre.

 

The announcement comes as both theatres celebrate significant milestones, with Curve turning 10 this year while the Hippodrome will mark its 120^th birthday in 2019.

 

Speaking about the co-production, Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic DirectorNikolai Foster said:

 

“The Color Purple celebrates remarkable women, telling incredible stories. From its Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker, her courageous creation in heroine Celie to Oprah Winfrey – who had the vision to make the story into a smash-hit Broadway musical. And we are thrilled to introduce our equally astonishing director Tinuke Craig and welcome her to Curve.

 

“As we embark on our second decade as a theatre here in Leicester and our friends at Birmingham Hippodrome celebrate their 120th year, our co-production of this beautiful, moving musical feels like a fitting way for us to mark these celebratory years.

 

“All of us at Curve are looking forward to working with Tinuke, Fiona Allan and the Hippodrome team very much.”

 

Fiona Allan, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the Birmingham Hippodrome said:

 

“This is the very first time that Birmingham Hippodrome has actively co-produced a main stage musical, and we could not have better partners than Chris Stafford and Nikolai Foster at Curve theatre, and director Tinuke Craig.

“The Color Purple is an epic and timeless story that will appeal to audiences young and old, as evidenced by the recent Tony Award winning Broadway production. It is long overdue for a UK tour, and I’m proud that the Hippodrome play our part in bringing it to life here in Birmingham.”

 

This unforgettable story told over the course of 40 years follows courageous heroine Celie, as she journeys through joy, despair, anguish and hope in her own personal awakening to discover her unique voice in the world.

 

With a profoundly evocative score drawing inspiration from jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues, this moving family chronicle set in racially divided southern America, celebrates life, love and the strength to stand up for who you are and what you believe in.

 

Tickets for The Color Purple will go on sale to Curve and Birmingham Hippodrome audiences on the week commencing 20 Aug. Further details can be found online on www.curveonline.co.uk orwww.birminghamhippodrome.com.

 

New Patron (Alfred Molina) and Principal (Tim Gill) take over at the Court Theatre Training Company

Following the departure of principal June Abbott in the summer of 2018, the Court Theatre Training Company is proud to announce the appointment of Hollywood grandee Alfred Molina as the new patron and Tim Gill as the new principal of the prestigious training organisation and theatre.

Alfred Molina says: “Acting and theatre have been the cornerstone of my professional and personal life. I was lucky enough to have a sympathetic mother, and a supportive and encouraging teacher, and some good fortune along the way as I made my life as an actor. But I have never forgotten or lost sight of the importance of study, training and the need for a creative space. The space might be a school, or a theatre group, or just the company of like-minded souls who share your passion and love for the craft. The Court Theatre Company provides so much of what an actor will need.”

New principal Tim Gill takes over from June Abbott, founder and original Artistic Director of the Finborough Theatre and the Court Theatre Training Company. June has had an extensive career in theatre, film and television, and adapted Ingmar Bergman’s film The Virgin Springs, which became the opening production of the Courtyard Theatre, King’s Cross, in 1989. In 2007, when the theatre moved to Hoxton, June became joint Artistic Director with Tim Gill, who now takes over from her as Artistic Director and Principal of the attached Court Theatre Training Company.

Taking over the role from June Abbott, Tim Gill will continue to uphold the core training ideals of practical learning in a working theatre environment and will build on and continue to tailor the 30 year ethos. Tim hopes to bring more contemporary texts to the agenda for student productions and assessments. There will also be a focus on the individual and their place within the industry, preparing graduates for employment using skills such as social media management and self promotion. Tim has also begun preparation for a post graduate degree in acting and performance alongside a number of shorter course options to compliment the degree programme.

With June Abbott’s departure, the June Abbott Scholarship Fund will become available for applicants to apply to for course fees. It will be awarded to applicants that show a great understanding and instinct for performance and learning, but also display that they have used every means available to them to pursue the craft of acting. The scholarship is worth £11,000 per year and the bursary award of £1000 per year will be offered to existing students in difficulty with their course fees. Further details will be made available in the Autumn.

NEW CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR
THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY’S
MATILDA THE MUSICAL

• Hayden Tee will toe the line as Miss Trunchbull for the first time on 11 September 2018
• Isobel Hubble and Francesca McKeown will join Sara Munday and Olivia Wells in the title role
• Rob Compton and Holly Dale Spencer will join the company as Mr and Mrs Wormwood opposite Gina Beck who will play Miss Honey for a second year 

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical has announced new casting with Hayden Tee playing Miss Trunchbull alongside Rob Compton and Holly Dale Spencer as Mr and Mrs Wormwood. Gina Beck will continue to play Miss Honey, having joined the company in September 2017. Isobel Hubble and Francesca McKeown will join Sarah Munday and Olivia Wells in sharing the title role of Matilda. The multi award-winning production is currently playing its seventh year in the West End and is booking until 20 October 2019.

To mark the arrival of the new adult and child cast members, the RSC has created a brand new video which sees the four Matildas run away and join Giffords Circus for the day where they were taught special skills including acrobatics, clowning and juggling.

The full adult cast includes Alex Louize Bird, Gina Beck, Rob Compton, Holly Dale Spencer, Jaye Elster, Glen Facey, Alex Hammond, Peter Houston, Jessica Joslin, Bethany Kate, Sammy Kelly, Ben Kerr, Bryan Mottram, Malinda Parris, James Revell, Gemma Scholes, Simon Shorten, Hayden Tee, Callum Train and Robert Tregoning.

The other young performers announced today join the London company in the three teams who play the roles of Bruce, Lavender, Amanda and the rest of the pupils at Crunchem Hall and are as follows:Lois Abercrombie, Tom Brown, Emilia Bosi, Toby Brandon, Quincy Miller-Cole, Lottie Cook, Imogen Darwen, Jimmy Fordham Reed, Clara Freeman Alves, Stella Haden, Jobe Hart, Noah Leggott, Archie Lewis, Henry Littell, Austen Phelan, Marley Quinlan-Gardner, Daisy Statham, Cherry Vaughn-White and Rochelle Wyatt.

Jacob Bland, Mia Byers, Sadie Victoria Lim, Asher Ezequiel, Darmani Eboji and Sam Winser will continue in the roles of Bruce, Lavender, Amanda and the pupils at Crunchem Hall.

Gina Beck (Miss Honey) is renowned for leading roles in musical theatre. Previous roles have included Glinda in Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre & US Tour), Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre), Magnolia Hawks in Daniel Evan’s production of Show Boat (New London Theatre) and Cosette in Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre).  A graduate of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, her other theatre credits include Far From the Madding Crowd (The Watermill Theatre) and The Belle’s Stratagem (Southwark Playhouse) both directed by Jessica Swale, I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change (Arts Theatre Upstairs), Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris (Charing Cross Theatre),  The Sound of Music (Kuala Lumpur), Peter Pan (Birmingham Rep), The Kissing Dance (Jermyn Street Theatre) and Imagine This (Plymouth Theatre Royal). Her television credits include the BBC’s Doctors and Sherlock Holmes and The Case of the Silk Stocking. Opera credits include Madame Butterfly and L’elisir d’amore (Opera Holland Park). She was a soloist in the 21st and 25th anniversary celebrations of Les Misérables as well as in the recent blockbuster film version. She made her BBC Proms debut in 2016 as a soloist in the BBC’s Bernstein prom.

Rob Compton (Mr Wormwood) known for his work across stage, television and film. His theatre credits include Wonder.land (Manchester Palace, Manchester International Festival, and National Theatre), Bat Boy (Southwark Playhouse), Mother Courage and her Children (The Lowry, Manchester), A Chorus of Disapproval (Harold Pinter Theatre), All the Fun of the Fair (UK Tour),Merlin and the Woods of Time and As You Like It (Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre), Great Expectations (English Touring Theatre & Watford Palace) and A Christmas Carol (West Yorkshire Playhouse). Film and television credits include American Assassin, Rellik, Babs, Ripper Street, Silent Witness, EastEnders, and Endeavour.

Holly Dale Spencer (Mrs Wormwood) is best known for previous stage roles such as Grace Farrell in Annie (Piccadilly Theatre and UK Tour), Nicky in Sweet Charity (Royal Exchange, Manchester), Judy Haynes in White Christmas (Leeds Playhouse) and Sabrina in American Psycho (Almeida Theatre). Other theatre credits include Holly Golightly and Words and Music (Sadler’s Wells), Kiss Me Kate (Chichester Festival Theatre and The Old Vic), Oliver! (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane), The Grapes of Wrath (Chichester Festival Theatre and UK Tour), Crazy For You (Novello Theatre), Betty Blue Eyes (Novello Theatre) and Children Will Listen (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane). Previous roles in film include the 2012 film adaption of Les Miserables.

Hayden Tee (Miss Trunchbull) is an award-winning musical theatre actor from New Zealand. Previous roles have included Javert in Les Miserables (Broadway, West End and International Tour), Joe Cable in South Pacific (Adelaide Festival Centre and Australian National Tour), Prof Bhaer in Little Women (Australian National Music Theatre), and Thomas Andrews in Titanic (Theatre Royal, Sydney). Having trained at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts, Australia, his other theatre credits include Three Winters Green (Stables Theatre, New South Wales), Kiwi Fruits 2 (The Court Theatre, Christchurch), Only Heaven Knows (The Hayes Theatre), Songs for a New World (Australian National Music Theatre), I Love you, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Australian National Music Theatre), My Fair Lady (Opera Australia), Cats (International Tour), Jekyll and Hyde (South Korea, Taiwan), Into the Woods (Alliance Theatre, Atlanta), and Camelot (Pittsburgh Public Theatre). He is the recipient of the Gluggs Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actor, and the Gluggs Theatre Award for Best Cabaret Performance of the Year. Hayden’s debut solo cabaret show Me to a Tee was performed to great acclaim in Sydney, Auckland and New York. Other cabaret shows includeQuarterlife Crisis (Sydney), Hayden Tee (Sydney, Melbourne and New York) and Muftee which was a nightly cabaret and chat show which opened at the Stables Theatre, Sydney, in 2003 and ran for a record breaking seven months. His show The Gin is Cold…But the Piano Is Hot, which focused on the music of Kander and Ebb, also toured Australia.

Matilda The Musical is written by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, and direction by Matthew Warchus.

Matilda The Musical has now been seen by 8 million people worldwide, having toured to over 65 cities and played more than 6000 performances in the West End, on Broadway and on tour across North America, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Matilda The Musical will have its first non-English language production at the LG Arts Centre in Seoul, South Korea from September 2018.

Winner of over 85 international awards, including 16 for Best Musical, Matilda The Musical is also now touring the UK and Ireland. The tour began performances in March at Leicester Curve and is currently playing at Birmingham Hippodrome until 8 September. Running until 17 August 2019, the tour will play Manchester Palace Theatre, Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre, Theatre Royal Plymouth, the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford, Edinburgh Playhouse, The Bristol Hippodrome, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton and Norwich Theatre Royal.

Inspired by the incomparable Roald Dahl’s beloved book, Matilda The Musical was commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company and premiered at the RSC’s Stratford-upon-Avon home in November 2010, before transferring to London’s West End in October 2011, where it opened to rave reviews. The New York production of Matilda The Musical opened in April 2013 at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre and was celebrated on 10 “Top Ten” lists for 2013, including TIME Magazine’s #1 Show of the Year.

Matilda The Musical swept the board at the 2012 Olivier Awards, with a record-breaking seven awards, and won four Tony Awards and a Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theater for the four girls sharing the title role on Broadway.

The North America production toured 52 cities. The Australian and New Zealand production won a Sydney Theatre Award for Best Musical in 2015, and played sold-out seasons in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Auckland. The show broke further records in July 2016 by winning all 13 Helpmann Awards for which it was nominated.

Matilda The Musical is produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company with André Ptaszynski and Denise Wood as Executive Producers. The production was developed with the support of Jeanie O’Hare and the RSC Literary Department.

The production is designed by Rob Howell, with choreography by Peter Darling, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound by Simon Baker and the special effects and illusions are by Paul Kieve.

 

LISTINGS INFORMATION
MATILDA THE MUSICAL
Cambridge Theatre
Earlham Street
London WC2H 9HU

New performance times will take effect from 12 September
Tuesday – Friday 7pm
Wednesday 2pm
Saturday 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Sundays 3pm

Current performance times until 12 September
Tuesdays 7pm
Wednesday – Saturday 7:30pm
Wednesday & Saturday 2:30pm
Sundays 3pm

Box Office: Cambridge Theatre 020 7087 7745 / RSC Ticket Hotline 01789 403493
No booking fee.

Booking until 20 October 2019

www.matildathemusical.com
Twitter: @MatildaMusical
Facebook: @MatildaTheMusical
Instagram: @MatildaTheMusical

ENGLISH TOURING THEATRE ANNOUNCES

FULL CAST FOR OTHELLO

 

English Touring Theatre, Oxford Playhouse and Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory present   

Othello

By William Shakespeare

 

UK tour 18 September – 24 November 2018

Director: Richard Twyman; Designer: Georgia Lowe; Associate Designer: Alex Berry

Composer & Sound Designer: Giles Thomas; Lighting Designer: Matt Graham

Movement Director: Lanre Malaolu; Fight Director: John Sandeman

Creative Advisor: Abdul-Rehman Malik; Casting Director: Annelie Powell CDG

 

English Touring Theatre today announces the full cast for the upcoming revival of Richard Twyman’s critically acclaimed production of Othello, a co-production with Oxford Playhouse and Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory. Richard Twyman directs Kitty Archer (Desdemona), Philip Correia (Cassio), Naby Dakhli (Montano), James Ellis (Duke), James Godden (Soldier/Senator), Paul McEwan (Iago) Victor Oshin (Othello) and Kelly Price (Emilia) joining returning cast members Chris Bianchi(Brabantio), Hayat Kamille (Bianca), Brian Lonsdale (Roderigo) and John Sandeman (Lodovico).

Othello opens at Oxford Playhouse on 20 September and tours to Harrogate Theatre, Cast in Doncaster, Lawrence Batley Theatre, Everyman Theatre Cheltenham, Oldham Coliseum Theatre, The New Wolsey Theatre, Warwick Arts Centre, Northern Stage and Lighthouse Poole.

 

Othello is one of Shakespeare’s most startlingly contemporary plays – a masterful depiction of a life torn apart by prejudice.

 

Venice; a western colonial power employs the newly-married Othello, a Muslim general, to lead their army against the impending Turkish invasion. The strain of fitting into a society riven by discrimination and fear soon take their toll. Manipulated by Iago, Othello’s life quickly unravels as he turns on everything he holds dear.

 

Originally co-produced with Tobacco Factory Theatres.

 

ETT will continue its commitment to make touring theatre accessible to young people with their 25^th anniversary ticket scheme 25 for £2.50 which will offer £2.50 tickets to Othello for young people aged 25 and under.

In addition ETT will run The Othello Project, where journalist and activist Abdul-Rehman Malik, will curate a multi-art festival in response to the production at each venue giving a platform to some of the most exciting Muslim artists and writers working in the UK today. Further details to be announced.

 

Kitty Archer plays Desdemona. Her theatre credits include One for Sorrow (Royal Court Theatre).

Chris Bianchi returns to the cast to play Brabantio. His theatre credits Waiting for Godot (Tobacco Factory/UK tour), All’s Well That Ends Well (Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory/UK tour), Tartuffe, Hamlet, The School for Scandal, Arcadia, As You Like It, Richard III, King Lear, The Cherry Orchard, Antony and Cleopatra, Julius Caesar (Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory), The Inn at Lydda (Shakespeare’s Globe), Romeo and Juliet (Rose Theatre Kingston), Thérèse Raquin, Lullabies of Broadmoor Quartet, The French Detective and The Blue Dog (Theatre Royal Bath), The Boy Who Cried Wolf!, The Rivals, 4 Toys in A Tent, The Boy and The Baby, No Loud Bangs, Penetrator (Bristol Old Vic),  Prometheus Bound (Young Vic), Filumena (Piccadilly Theatre), King Lear, The Provok’d Wifeand The Seagull (The Old Vic). His television credits include The Cafe and Historyonics.

Philip Correia plays Cassio. His theatre credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Holy Warriors, Antony and Cleopatra (Shakespeare’s Globe/international tour), Keepers of Infinite Space (Park Theatre), The Pitmen Painters (National Theatre), Judgement Day (The Print Room), The Syndicate(Chichester Festival Theatre), Bus Stop (New Vic/Stephen Joseph Theatre), The Cherry Orchard(Birmingham Rep), Country Music (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Romeo and Juliet (Jermyn Street Theatre), Hobson’s Choice (Chichester Festival Theatre/UK tour), The History Boys (National Theatre/ Wyndham’s Theatre/UK tour) and The Merry Wives of Windsor (RSC). His television credits include Atlantis, Inspector George Gently, Vera and Canoe Man; and for film, The Hunters and Bliss!.

Naby Dakhli plays Montano. His theatre credits include Falsestuff (Teatre Nacional de Catalunya), Electra (La Cave a Théatr) and She Never Talks About Love (Les Énchantillons). His film credits include Gemini and Traces of Sandalwood.

James Ellis plays Duke. His theatre credits include This is This (Arts Theatre), Titus Andronicus, Timon of Athens (Cambridge Shakespeare Festival), Romeo and Juliet (Broadway Studio Theatre), Aphra(The Space), The Comedy of Errors (Rose Theatre Kingston). His television credits include Elizabeth I; and for film, Friends of Money.

 

James Godden plays Soldier/Senator. This marks his professional stage debut.

Hayat Kamille returns to play Bianca. Her theatre credits include If Chloe Can (National Theatre) and Waiting for Summer (Etcetera Theatre). Her film credits include Murder on the Orient Express.

Brian Lonsdale returns to play Roderigo. His theatre credits include My Romantic History, The Boy On The Swing (Live Theatre), Pound Look (Gala Theatre), Noises Off (Nottingham Playhouse/Nuffield Southampton Theatres), Martyr (Unicorn Theatre), War Horse (National Theatre), Diary of a Football Nobody (Nottingham Playhouse), The Pitmen Painters (Duchess Theatre/UK tour/ The Manhattan Theatre Club, Broadway), Pandora (Arcola Theatre), Bedroom Farce (West Yorkshire Playhouse), St George and The Dragon and Jason and The Argonauts (Warwick Arts Centre). His film credits include The Other Possibility and Goal!.

Paul McEwan plays Iago. His theatre credits include The Invisible Man (Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch), The Seven Acts of Mercy, The Two Noble Kinsmen, Richard III, La Lupa (RSC), Inkheart (HOME, Manchester), A Doll’s House (Sherman Theatre), but i cd only whisper (Arcola Theatre), and Man in the Middle, Decade and The Night Before Christmas (Theatre503). His television credits include Peaky Blinders, Strictly Confidential  and as series regular Shane Doyle in Emmerdale.

Victor Oshin plays Othello. This marks his professional stage debut.

Kelly Price plays Emilia. Her theatre credits include The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ – The Musical (Menier Chocolate Factory), A Little Night Music (Menier Chocolate Factory/Garrick Theatre – Olivier Award nomination for Best Supporting Performance in a Musical), The Woman in White (Palace Theatre), Mamma Mia! (Prince Edward Theatre), It’s a Wonderful Life (Avalon), Guys and Dolls (Piccadilly Theatre), Desperately Seeking Susan (Novello Theatre), Chicago (Cambridge Theatre), The Misanthrope (Comedy Theatre), Zack, That Day We Sang, Little Shop of Horrors (Royal Exchange Manchester), Stepping Out (Salisbury Playhouse), Boeing Boeing, Company (Sheffield Crucible), Perchance to Dream (Finborough Theatre), One Man Two Guvnors (National Theatre tour) and All the Angels: Handel and the First Messiah (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre). Her television work includes Endeavour, Waterloo Road, Accused – Helen’s Story, Massive and Kombat Opera; and for film, The Sense of An Ending and A Bunch of Amateurs.

 

John Sandeman returns to play Lodovico. His theatre credits include All’s Well That Ends Well, Hamlet, Richard III (Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory), Romeo and Juliet (The Lord Chamberlain’s Men), Berlin Kabaret (Brighton Festival Fringe/Soho Theatre), The Massacre at Paris (Shakespeare’s Globe), Beggar’s Bush (Latitude Festival), King Lear (Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory), and Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens (Shaw Theatre). His film credits include Seven Lucky Gods.

Richard Twyman is Artistic Director of English Touring Theatre. Prior to this he was Associate Director (International) at the Royal Court Theatre between 2013-2016, where his directing work included Torn, Harrogate (also HighTide and UK tour), You For Me For You, Fireworks, The Djinns of Eidgah and PIIGS. His other theatre credits include Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Tokyo) Henry IV Part II (RSC), Ditch (Old Vic Tunnels and HighTide), Dr Marigold & Mr Chops (Theatre Royal Bath and UK tour), Sixty-Six Books (Bush Theatre) and Give Me Your Hand (Irish Rep, New York – nomination for the Drama Desk Award 2012 for Outstanding Unique Theatrical Experience). Between 2003 and 2008 he worked at the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he was Associate Director to Michael Boyd on the multi-award winning Histories Cycle and for which he directed Henry IV Pt II.

The Othello Project

To accompany the UK tour of Othello, ETT, alongside journalist and activist Abdul-Rehman Malik, will curate a multi-art festival in response to the production at each venue. The festivals will give a platform to some of the most exciting Muslim artists and writers working in the UK today, shining a light on the contemporary relevance of the play, breaking down barriers to Shakespeare and championing cross-cultural dialogue amongst communities. The project will feature work from spoken word artist, Tanya Muneera Williams and is presented in association with Amal – a project of the Said Foundation. Further details about the festivals will be announced soon.

Tour Dates

Oxford Playhouse

18 September – 22 September

Press night: 20 September

Box Office: 01865 305305 / www.oxfordplayhouse.com

Harrogate Theatre

25 – 29 September

Box Office: 01423 502 116 / www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk

Cast in Doncaster

2 – 6 October

Box Office: 01302 303 959 / www.castindoncaster.com

 

Lawrence Batley Theatre

9 – 13 October

Box Office: 01484 430528 / www.thelbt.org

Everyman Theatre Cheltenham

16 – 20 October

Box Office: 01242 572573 / www.everymantheatre.org.uk

 

Oldham Coliseum Theatre

23 – 27 October

Box Office: 0161 624 2829 / www.coliseum.org.uk

Wolsey Theatre Ipswich

30 October – 3 November

Box Office: 01473 295900 / www.wolseytheatre.co.uk

 

Warwick Arts Centre

6 – 10 November

Box Office: 024 7652 4524 / www.warwickartscentre.co.uk

 

Northern Stage

13 – 17 November

Box Office: 0191 230 5151 / www.northernstage.co.uk

 

Lighthouse Poole

20 – 24 November

Box Office: 01202 280000 / www.lighthousepoole.co.uk

HUGH DENNIS, LESLEY GARRETT AND JOHN MARQUEZ TO STAR IN A COMEDY OF BIBLICAL PROPOTIONS

FROM THE 39 STEPS WRITER, PATRICK BARLOW

THE MESSIAH

UK TOUR OPENS AT THE BIRMINGHAM REPERTORY THEATRE ON OCTOBER 15^TH, 2018

HUGH DENNIS MAKES HIS FIRST STAGE APPEARANCE IN TWENTY YEARS

RENOWNED SOPRANO LESLEY GARRETT MAKES HER COMEDY PLAY DEBUT

 

Three towering talents play a cast of thousands in this new comedy by the writer of the Olivier Award-winning West End hit The 39 Steps as Patrick Barlow’s The Messiah tours the UK this Autumn. Starring Hugh Dennis, Lesley Garrett and John Marquez, the funniest and most magical nativity you’ll ever see opens at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre on October 15^th, 2018 before touring to New Theatre, Cardiff; Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield; Cheltenham Everyman Theatre and Richmond Theatre.

A traveling theatre troupe of two actors and an opera singer are set to arrive on camel back in venues across the UK to masterfully enact the greatest story ever told. Join the absurdly talented Maurice Rose (Hugh Dennis), the alarmingly unpredictable Ronald Bream RAC (John Marquez), and the distinguished diva Mrs Doreen Small (Lesley Garrett), in a hilarious Christmas comedy that conjures up the sublime, the ridiculous and the truly angelic.

Joseph, Mary, the Archangel Gabriel, Herod, God and an ox are all authentically portrayed in this vibrant comedy weaving visual invention with a hint of the divine, The Messiah is a love letter to theatre, theology and the great man himself.

Hugh Dennis is one of Britain’s best loved comics and an award winning and multi-award nominated actor and writer. He’s star of the BBC2 hit panel show, Mock The Week and BBC1’s hilarious sitcomOutnumbered. He is also a firm radio favourite, both writing and presenting Radio 4’s award winning comedy The Now Show and Radio 2’s It’s Been A Bad Week.

 

 

Lesley Garrett CBE is Britain’s best-known soprano, regularly appearing in opera, musical theatre, concert, television and on CD’s. For more than 30 years she has enjoyed one of the most successful careers of any modern-day, classically trained soprano. From Rossini’s famed opera The Barber of Seville at the Coliseum, to West End musical hits, The Sound of Music and Carousel, Garrett has become a real national treasure.

John Marquez is best known for his role as PC Joe Penhale in the hit ITV Comedy series, Doc Martin.TV roles include Porridge, In the Club, Death in Paradise, Hotel Babylon and Suburban Shootout.Recent theatre roles include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (The Savoy Theatre) and Once in a Lifetime (The Young Vic).

The Messiah comes from The 39 Steps writer, Patrick Barlow – who also directs this production. His other stage works include his new version of A Christmas Carol starring Jim Broadbent as Scrooge (Off-Broadway / Noel Coward Theatre). Patrick is also celebrated for his two-man theatre company The National Theatre of Brent, (Wagner’s Ring, The Charles and Diana Story and The Wonder of Sex). Screen and theatre acting credits include A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Loot, Wind in the Willows (NT), Absolutely Fabulous, Jam and Jerusalem, Shakespeare in Love, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones, Nanny McPhee and most recently A Very English Scandal.

The Messiah promises to be the funniest and most magical Nativity you will ever see.

 

THE MESSIAH AUTUMN 2018 TOUR DATES

15 – 27 Oct                                                            0121 236 4455

Birmingham Rep Theatre                                    www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

29 Oct – 3 Nov                                                     029 2087 8889                            

New Theatre, Cardiff                                           www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk  

5 – 10 Nov                                                             0114 249 6000

Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield                                 www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

12 – 17 Nov                                                           01242 572573

Cheltenham Everyman Theatre                        www.everymantheatre.org.uk

26 Nov – 1 Dec                                                     0844 871 7651

Richmond, Richmond Theatre                          www.atgtickets.com/richmond