Prospect Productions today announces the UK première of Coral Browne: This F***ing Lady!, written and directed by Maureen Sherlock. Amanda Muggleton stars in this one-women play based on the real life of the stage and screen star Coral Browne. It opens at King’s Head Theatre on 19May and runs until 3 June.
In 1934 aged 20 Coral Browne arrived in London from Australia with £50 in her pocket, stars in her eyes and driving ambition in her heart. 85 years later Coral is back in London to let you know how that starry-eyed 20 year-old turned out!
Her flamboyance, her biting wit, her glamorous lifestyle are distant memories now. But for nearly 50 years smart London dinner parties were not complete without reporting the latest hilarious Coral Browne ‘bon and four-letter mots!’ They don’t make them like Coral any more. She was a one-off and that’s something worth celebrating.
Maureen Sherlock said today, “I was intrigued by Coral Browne after reading so many biographies of celebrities, like Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, who mentioned her as an influence and mentor or related bawdy anecdotes involving her. She was Australian, but I’d never heard of her. Fortunately, all her papers and memorabilia were donated to the Performing Arts Collection in Melbourne by her second husband Vincent Price. And what a treasure trove they turned out to be! Letters from a who’s who of theatre luminaries, her lovers, her mother, Vincent Price, photographs, videos. Here was a woman whose determination, talent and lust for life had seen her climb out of working class Footscray in Melbourne and up to the West End stage and Hollywood. The more I researched, the more I loved this outrageous, funny, liberated woman who was way ahead of her time. And now it’s such a thrill to bring Coral Browne back to London where it all began for this wild Colonial girl!”
Maureen Sherlock is a writer and director. Her previous theatre credits include Alzheimer’s the Musical: A night to remember! (Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh Fringe), Ada & Elsie: Wacko-the-Diddle-oh! (Australian tour). Her credits as a co-writer are Lovers & Haters: The Turbulent Times of Don Dunstan (Adelaide Festival of Arts).
Amanda Muggleton plays Coral Browne. Her previous theatre credits include Hairspray – The Arena Spectacular (Brisbane Entertainment Centre/ Newcastle Entertainment Centre), Annie (Lyric Theatre), Blood Brothers (Metcalfe Playhouse), The Threepenny Opera (Sydney Theatre Company), Hello Dolly! (State Theatre, Melbourne), Masterclass, Steaming (Canberra Theatre), Lip Service (Ensemble Theatre), Shirley Valentine(Dunstan Playhouse), Calendar Girls (Theatre Royal, Sydney), Entertaining Mr Sloane (Adelaide Festival Centre) and The Book Club (King’s Head Theatre). Television credits include series regular Chrissie Latham in Prisoner Cell Block H.
What better way to celebrate your 3rd birthday on the west end than with cake! Mischief Theatre have gone from strength to strength since 2010 producing hit shows such as The Play That Goes Wrong, Peter Pan Goes Wrong to name a few! The success of these shows is down to a perfect concoction of excellent writing, sharp comedy and extremely talented casts and The Comedy About a Bank Robbery is no exception.
The Criterion Theatre right in the heart of the West End is home for this hilarious show and if you are looking for something to see that gives you none stop laughs then this is the show for you!
Set in late 50’s Minneapolis, we begin with two criminals busting out of jail and the main goal is the rob the bank and take the half a million dollar diamond locked in the vault, a pretty standard cops and robbers story from the outset but this is far from a standard story! What transpires over the next couple of hours is nothing short of unbelievable not just with the story but it really does need to be seen to be believed. Everything about the production is flawless in my opinion. The set is clever and inventive and the whole stage is used to full effect. It creates a frantic energy which this kind of show needs, full of slap stick, crazy stunts and high speed chases a plenty which all adds to the sheer hilarity of each scene.
The cast are exceptional and probably one of the hardest working in any show in London. Each performer is well trained and completely comfortable throwing themselves around for your spectation. Lots of clever multi role characterisation and genius musicality which adds some moments of calm amongst the chaos. The talent shines from each member of the cast and they create some pure magic onstage.
I could go on for pages about this show but instead go and see it and I promise you that you will come away feeling exhausted from laughing and seeing something that is simply marvellous.
Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House – until 6 April 2019
Reviewed by Debra Shaw
5*****
All aboard the SS Italian Castle for the return of award winning writer Tom Stoppard’s Rough Crossing, adapted from a play by Ferenc Molnar. Directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, this is a must for fans of Stoppard’s typical word play.
The star cast is led wonderfully by John Partridge (Eastenders, Celebrity Masterchef winner and La Cage Aux Folles). His fellow actors are Charlie Stemp (Hello Dolly!, Half a Sixpence) Issy van Randwyck (Fascinating Aïda) Matthew Cottle (Game On, The Windors) Rob Ostlere (Holby City) and Simon Dutton (The Saint).
Set aboard a magnificent cruise liner headed for New York in the 1930s, Rough Crossing is the story of two playwrights, Sandor Turai (John Partridge) and Alex Gal (Matthew Cottle) rehearsing their play which still needs an ending. Whilst struggling to write the perfect ending, Turai also finds himself trying to stop their composer Adam Adam (Rob Ostlere) taking his leave. Adam is engaged to the leading lady Natasha (Issy van Randwyck) whom has briefly rekindled her affair with the leading man Ivor Fish (Simon Dutton) and Adam is heartbroken. All this is expertly overseen by Dvornichek (Charlie Stemp) as the steward/waiter, renamed Murphy by Gal, who enjoys multiple glasses of cognac, much to Turai’s frustration.
As the play opens against the stunning art deco set, some may find the out of sync conversation (due to the delayed reaction syndrome currently suffered by Adam) between Turai, Adam and Gal a little hard to follow. However, the physical comedy, witty one liners, Issy van Randwyck’s beautiful voice and superb acting more than compensate.
ANNOUNCES 2020 EXTENSION ON THIRD BIRTHDAY IN THE WEST END
Created by Mischief Theatre
Written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields
The Comedy About a Bank Robbery today announces an extension of its Olivier Award-nominated show to run until Sunday 3 May 2020, as it celebrates its third birthday in the West End. Tickets for the new booking period are now on sale. Tonight marks the 1,423rd performance at The Criterion, the 7,115th theft of the diamond and the 10,584th appearance of the seagulls!
The cast includes Samson Ajewole (Cooper), Jenna Augen (Ruth Monaghan), Jack Baldwin (Officer Randal Shuck), Leonard Cook (Robin Freeboys), Chris Leask (Everyone Else), Emily Stott (Caprice Freeboys), Gareth Tempest (Mitch Ruscitti), Jack Whittle (Sam Monaghan) and Jean-Luke Worrell (Warren Slax). From Tuesday 23 April the role of Warren Slax will be taken over by Matthew Cavendish and Jean-Luke Worrell will be taking over the role of Cooper. The understudies are, Rhiann Francis, Gracie Lai, Dale Mathurin, Kieran Mortell andFinlay Paul.
‘The Comedy About A Bank Robbery is one of the flat-out funniest pieces of theatre I’ve ever seen.’ Dominic Maxwell – The Times ★★★★★
Mischief Theatre’s smash-and-grab hit The Comedy About A Bank Robbery is a fast, fabulous comedy caper and the funniest show in the West End!
Summer 1958. Minneapolis City Bank has been entrusted with a priceless diamond. An escaped convict is dead set on pocketing the gem with the help of his screwball sidekick, trickster girlfriend… and the maintenance man. With mistaken identities, love triangles and hidden agendas, even the most reputable can’t be trusted. In a town where everyone’s a crook, who will end up bagging the jewel?
Book now for this dynamite comedy. It would be criminal to miss it!
As well as celebratingThe Comedy About a Bank Robbery’sthird birthday, Mischief Theatre are celebrating a roller coaster start to the year. Having announced a brand-new season opening at the Vaudeville Theatre in September 2019, with new shows including Groan Ups and Magic Goes Wrong. In addition The Comedy About a Bank Robbery UK tour is currently running until 8 June and the Olivier Award-winning The Play That Goes Wrong, is enjoying its fifth year at The Duchess Theatre, with booking until October 2019.
Mischief Theatre
Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields met at The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). All core members of Mischief Theatre, they worked in comedy together for several years before starting out as a writing team. The company’s first production was The Play That Goes Wrong (winner – Best New Comedy – Olivier Awards and WhatsOnStage Awards). The show began on the London and Edinburgh fringe before touring the UK. It then opened in the West End in September 2014 where it is still running. It is also playing on Broadway and heading out on a US tour in 2018. Peter Pan Goes Wrong was the trio’s second production, opening in November 2014 for a UK tour before a hugely successful West End season in Christmas 2015. Mischief Theatre adapted the script of Peter Pan Goes Wrong for the BBC, which was filmed with the original West End cast and broadcast on New Year’s Eve 2016. They were invited back to wreak more havoc at the BBC in 2017 with AChristmas Carol Goes Wrong on BBC1. They have recently announced a new comedy series The Goes Wrong Show, which has been commissioned by the BBC Controller of Comedy and is set to air on BBC1. Mischief Theatre will also be presenting a new season at the Vaudeville Theatre, including Groan Upsand Magic Goes Wrong, running from September 2019. The Comedy About A Bank Robbery marks the company’s third writing project and earned them another Olivier Nomination.
Kenny WaxLtd
Kenny Wax Ltd produced the multi-award-winning The Play That Goes Wrong, currently in the West End and on a US tour. Kenny Wax’s second collaboration with Mischief Theatre, Peter Pan Goes Wrong, played the West End twice and is now touring Australia and New Zealand. Kenny Wax presented the world première of Top Hat, winning three Olivier Awards including ‘Best New Musical’, with 1995’s Once on This Island winning the same award. The new British musical SIX completed a sold out run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and again at the Arts Theatre in the West End, where it has returned for an open-ended run after a short UK tour. The Company is also renowned for producing some of the best family theatre including We’re Going On A Bear Hunt; Tall Stories’ The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child and Room on the Broom;plus the stage adaptation of Jacqueline Wilson’s Hetty Feather. Last Christmas saw the opening of a new stage adaptation of Jill Murphy’s The Worst Witch, co-produced by Royal & Derngate Northampton.Kenny Wax is the current President of the Society of London Theatre.
Directed by Mark Bell with Nancy Zamit for Mischief Theatre; Designer: David Farley Costume Designer: Roberto Surace; Lighting Designer: David Howe Sound Design: Jon Fiber for JollyGoodTunes; Musical Director and Arranger: Joey Hickman; Associate Director: Kirsty Patrick Ward; Resident Director Katie Ann McDonough;Associate Lighting Designer: Matt Leventhall
Following its world premiere at The Lowry, Salford in May, a sold-out run at as part of Traverse Festival 2018 at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and a London transfer to Andrew Lloyd Webber’sThe Other Palace where it is set to play from the 4th April – 3rd August, it is today announced that Nigel Slater’s Toastwill then tour the UK. Launching at Huddersfield’s Lawrence Batley Theatre on 19 August, where the play’s writer Henry Filloux-Bennett has recently been appointed Chief Executive, the run will conclude its run at the Crewe Lyceum on 7 December. For a full list of dates, please see the tour list below.
From making the perfect sherry trifle, waging war over cakes through to the playground politics of sweets and the rigid rules of restaurant dining, this is a moving and evocative tale of love, loss and…toast.
Henry Filloux-Bennett continued: “Having written ‘Toast’ whilst working at The Lowry, that the production is coming back to the North of England after its run at The Other Palace is exciting enough. Now that I have moved to the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield, I’m completely delighted that we get to open the tour of ‘Toast’here in Yorkshire, starting as it will our 25th Anniversary season.”
Writer Henry Filloux-Bennett was the recent recipient of the award for Best Screen to Stage adaptation at the CAMEO Awards (Creativity Across Media: Entertainment and Originality) at White City House. The London Book and Screen Week Awards celebrate outstanding adaptations in the fields of Book to Audio, Film, TV and Stage. This year’s Stage category also included competition from Sally Cookson’s adaptation of A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (Walker Books) and Rona Munro’s adaptation of My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout (Viking).
Originally produced by The Lowry for Week 53 festival,Toast is written by Henry Filloux-Bennett and directed by Jonnie Riordan. Casting and further dates to be confirmed.
The author of a collection of bestselling books and presenter of nine BBC television series, Nigel Slater has been the food columnist for The Observer for 25 years. His memoir ‘Toast – the Story of a Boy’s Hunger’ won six major awards, has been translated into five languages and became a BBC film starring Helena Bonham Carter and Freddie Highmore. Nigel is currently working on a new book and television series. -ENDS-
Everyone knows the story of Annie, don’t they? Well not quite, somewhere along the line Annie had passed me by and I went to Hull New Theatre with only a vague idea of what I was going to see and I have to admit with the feeling that this maybe wasn’t going to be my cup of tea. So what did I make of it? I was blown away by the sheer talent on stage, the music, the costume, the choreography, it was absolutely wonderful and had a sheer joy that left me with a huge grin on my face.
Annie is set in New York in the early 1930s and is the story of an eleven year old girl who was left at an orphanage as a baby by her parents, unfortunately for Annie, Miss Hannigan is in charge of the orphanage and makes the girls lives a miserable one. Despite this Annie retains a cheerfulness and optimism about her life, sure that her parents will come back for her. Annie goes to the billionaire Mr (Daddy) Warbucks for Christmas and her life changes for ever, cue happy ending, though not without a few hitches along the way!
The stage set is simple but very effective, with the lighting being used to excellent effect to provide the drabness of the orphanage and contrast it with the brightness of Daddy Warbucks, and with a nod to the Art Deco period for the mansion. The costumes were incredible, from the drabness of the orphans and the homeless, to the 1930’s radio and film stars to the luxury of the party dresses for Annie’s party.
Last night Annie was played by Taziva-Faye Katsande and what a talented young lady she is, with the most stunning voice. Her performance of Tomorrow was superb. She was completely believable, whether she was in the orphanage or at Daddy Warbucks, a talent to watch out for in the future.
Anita Dobson plays Miss Hannigan to perfection, the audience hated her from the minute she walked on the stage! She is a drunken, child hating woman with an eye to the main chance and plays up to the audience beautifully. Her facial expressions are brilliant, she really shows what her character is thinking.
Alex Bourne is everything Daddy Warbucks should be, he oozes power but quickly shows his gentler more compassionate side as he gets to know Annie. He has a lovely voice and I particularly liked the duet with Annie Something was Missing.
Richard Meek as Rooster and Jenny Garner as Lily added the nastiness needed with their plan to defraud Daddy Warbucks. Jenny Garner was particularly believable as the gal with her eye on the main chance!
Last night the orphans were played by “Team Chrysler”, Orla McDonagh, Kacey Agwuegbo, Siena Austen, Drew Phoebe Hylton, Lyla Toplass and Fifi Bloomsbury-Khier, and what a team they were. A cracking performance from all of them, sheer exuberance and enjoyment flew from the stage. Their performance of Hard Knock Life and the reprise of You’re Never Fully Dressed without a Smile were outstanding.
The entire cast was fabulous and the choreography was stunning, the tap dancing, the performances in the mansion, the homeless, the radio programme, I was enthralled and loved it all! The live music just added to the whole experience.
So to sum up, this is a fabulous night out at the theatre, full of joie de vivre, with stunning music and choreography performed by an outstanding cast. I’ll certainly be going to see Annie again – now I know what I have been missing!
On sale to Birmingham Hippodrome Friends and Patrons scheme members 11am, Fri 5 Apr.
Groups on sale 11am, Mon 8 Apr.
General on sale 11am, Fri 12 Apr.
Cameron Mackintosh announced today that his acclaimed production of the Boublil and Schönberg musical, Les Misérables will return to Birmingham Hippodrome from Tue 30 Jun – Sat 18 Jul 2020. Birmingham Hippodrome Friends and Patrons scheme members will enjoy priority booking from 11am, Fri 5 Apr 2019.
The musical opens its near sell-out run at the theatre today where it will play until Sat 11 May, check the box office daily for returns and single seats.
Since Cameron Mackintosh first conceived this new production of Les Misérables in 2009 to celebrate the show’s 25th anniversary it has taken the world by storm. Originally touring the UK throughout 2009/10, and concluding with 22 performances at the Barbican, this production was hailed by audiences and critics alike. The current tour opened in Leicester in November last year and has already played sell out runs in Dublin, Edinburgh and Manchester.
Inspired by the hugely successful movie version starring Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Eddie Redmayne, this brilliant new staging features scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. The production has been a global success story having being seen across the globe in North America, Brazil, Mexico, Korea, Japan, Canada, Australia, Spain, France, Manila, Singapore, Dubai and Broadway.
Boublil and Schönberg’s magnificent score of Les Misérables includes the songs, I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, Stars, Bring Him Home, Do You Hear the People Sing?,One Day More, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, Master Of The House and many more. Seen by over 120 million people worldwide in 52 countries and in 22 languages, Les Misérables is undisputedly one of the world’s most popular musicals.
Fiona Allan, Birmingham Hippodrome Artistic Director and Chief Executive said; “A show of the phenomenal appeal of Les Misérables comes along only a few times in your life: its enduring popularity and beloved status with audiences is incomparable. So much so, we are planning to bring it back to Birmingham again in 2020. So for those who missed out on tickets this year – or those who want to see it again – this is another opportunity to catch the world’s favourite musical. My advice – Book early!”
Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Les Misérables is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and is based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, additional material by James Fenton and original adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird. The original Les Misérables orchestrations are by John Cameron with new orchestrations by Christopher Jahnke, Stephen Metcalfe and Stephen Brooker. The production is directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell, designed by Matt Kinley inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo with costumes by Andreane Neofitou and Christine Rowland, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter, musical staging by Michael Ashcroft and Geoffrey Garratt, projections by Fifty-Nine Productions and music supervision by Stephen Brooker and Graham Hurman.
Les Misérables will return to Birmingham Hippodrome from Tue 30 Jun – Sat 18 Jul 2020. Birmingham Hippodrome Friends and Patrons scheme members will enjoy priority booking from 11am, Fri 5 Apr 2019. Groups on sale 11am, Mon 8 Apr 2019 and general on sale from 11am, Fri 12 Apr 2019.
To book tickets visit birminghamhippodrome.com or call 0844 338 5000 (4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge).
The JMK Trust, in partnership with BirminghamRepertory Theatre, today announce that Will Ashford receives the inaugural JMK Bob Carlton Bursary, which through the generous support of Bob’s family, will fund a role as an Assistant Director at Birmingham Rep. This bursary has been established in Bob’s name as an opportunity for a new director with a connection to the Midlands, where Bob hailed from.
As the recipient of the £2,350 bursary, Will takes on the role of assistant director for Artistic Director of Birmingham Rep Roxana Silbert’s upcoming production of A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, adapted by Ursula Rani Sarma. This opportunity will provide an invaluable learning and training opportunity, gaining new skills and insights into the production process.
Emily Carlton, Bob’s daughter, said today, “This grant means so much to us. Dad believed passionately that the arts should be accessible to everyone, and was saddened by a growing culture of unpaid work across all creative industries, that can make these careers unthinkable for those without personal connections or a financial safety net. He would have been delighted to see a programme that gives talented young people, outside of London, their first chance. A lot of people have given very generously in his memory, and it is the perfect tribute to his life and ideals.”
Will Ashford added, “As a young director, I am extremely grateful to have received such a necessary bursary at this crucial point in my career. It has provided me with a real sense of financial security, to enable me to work on the production to the best of my ability, without the distracting stress of needing to supplement my income to make this role financially viable. I’m enormously grateful to the JMK Trust, whose sense of care and responsibility to the younger generation is second to none. They get what it is to make theatre, and their faith in me is providing an invaluable opportunity to enter into a career in professional theatre.
“It’s also an extraordinary opportunity to work with Roxanna and the team at Birmingham Rep on this compelling story – the journey these women undertake is a distillation of many different female journeys and voices that have been unfairly silenced.”
Stephen Fewell, Chair of the JMK Trust, said today, “The JMK Trust began life as a memorial for our friend. It has survived and grown not just by association with the phenomenal theatre directors it’s supported, but by the financial support of farsighted friends- at first of James, but then of the idea itself; that access to leadership roles in the creative arts should be open to all, irrespective of economic or social background.
“This legacy funding, creating paid opportunities as it commemorates Bob- a director of singular enterprise and inclusive verve, is something we are honoured to efficiently oversee. As all of the JMK’s work can only go ahead if we attract the necessary funds that same year, we hope the Bob Carlton Award inspires not only aspiring directors, but the creative-thinking generosity it embodies.”
Roxana Silbert said, “Birmingham Rep is delighted to be hosting this new bursary, and to continue the work we share with The JMK Trust in developing talented new artists. We are particularly pleased to have Will join us on this production, not only because he shows real potential, but also for the insight he can bring to the story.”
The JMK Trust was founded in memory of James Menzies-Kitchin, a young director of great promise who died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 28, to give opportunities to theatre directors of similar ability and vision. Each year it gives one prestigious award to enable an outstanding applicant aged 35 or under to create their own production of their choice of classic text. Its intensive development and selection process has itself given powerful impetus to the best theatre practitioners of the future. Previous winners have become major players in British theatre, including Thea Sharrock, Orla O’Loughlin, Bijan Sheibani, Joe Hill-Gibbins, Natalie Abrahami, Roy Alexander Weise and Polly Findlay.
The expanding National Directors Programme provides year-round training, mentoring, bursaries and support for directors of all ages. The current partners in the programme are Bristol Old Vic, Tobacco Factory Theatres, HOME in Manchester, Royal and Derngate Northampton, Salisbury Playhouse, Traverse Edinburgh, Birmingham Rep, Northern Stage, Nuffield Theatres Southampton, Reading Rep, Sherman Cymru and Leeds Playhouse. The programme at each partner venue is run by the JMK Trust’s five Director Practitioners – who are established, locally-based directors. They curate the Programme for their region, working with their nearest partner venues to tailor the work to the needs of local directors. An essential network seeking talent from across the UK, the Programme feeds into the JMK Award, enabling a truly national reach.
Bob Carlton was a writer and director who shared Dennis Potter’s faith in the power of popular song within drama, most famously expressed in his show Return to the Forbidden Planet, which won the Olivier award for best new musical in 1989. Billed as “Shakespeare’s forgotten rock’n’roll masterpiece”, it grafted nearly 30 great hits on to plot and dialogue based on The Tempest.
As a young director he cut his teeth at Coventry, Lancaster and the York Theatre Royal, before taking over the London Bubble theatre, which toured the outer boroughs in a tent, offering productions aimed at younger audiences and non-theatregoers.
There he wrote Return to the Forbidden Planet, pioneering the actor/musician show. There were London runs in 1992 for From a Jack to a King (based on Macbeth) and in 1993 for Lust, a Heather Brothers musical based on Wycherley’s The Country Wife.
Bob’s commitment to popular theatre resumed at the Queen’s theatre, Hornchurch, east London, which he ran from 1997 to 2014, winning improved backing from the Arts Council, the local authority and audiences, retaining Shakespeare, Brecht and pop music as his guides. A lifelong socialist, he believed that the theatre should be accessible in all ways.
Supporters
The JMK Trust is supported by Philip Hooker, the Martin Bowley Charitable Trust, the Carne Trust, The Leverhulme Trust, the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, Arts Council England, Directors Charitable Foundation and other individual donors.
Tom Morris OBE (Founding Chair), Dame Judi Dench, Baroness Howe and Sir Ian McKellen.
Trustees
Michael Buffong, Stephen Fewell (Chair), Robert Gill (Secretary), Clare Menzies-Kitchin MBE, Rachael Palmer, Lucy Popescu, Ben Power and Mark Rosenblatt (Vice Chair).
WEST END LEGEND RUTHIE HENSHALL & MARISHA WALLACE WILL HOST THE NEXT
CAST ALBUM KARAOKE NIGHT ON 10 APRIL
Music and lyrics by seven-time Grammy Award-nominee Sara Bareilles Book by Jessie Nelson Based upon the motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly Directed by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus
The hosts of the next Waitress LondonCast Album KaraokeNight have been announced today. Marisha Wallace, who plays Becky in the show, will host the post-show event alongside West End legend and Olivier-winning actress Ruthie Henshall (Evita, Chicago) on Wednesday 10 April. Audience members can sign up before the show for the chance to sing one minute of any song from Waitress – live on stage at the Adelphi and accompanied by the show’s musical directorKatharine Woolley.
Waitress celebrated its official opening night on 7 March and the Tony-nominated musical bySara Bareilles is now booking to 19 October.
London’s brand-new smash hit musical comedy Waitressstars the sensational Katharine McPhee (Scorpion, Smash) as Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams her way out of a loveless marriage. When a hot new doctor arrives in town, life gets complicated. With the support of her workmates Becky and Dawn, Jenna overcomes the challenges she faces and finds that laughter, love and friendship can provide the perfect recipe for happiness.
Brought to life by a ground breaking, female-led creative team, the hit show features an original score by 7-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles (Love Song, Brave), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam) and direction by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus(Pippin, Finding Neverland) and choreography by Lorin Latarro. The production is currently touring the US and has also announced it will have its Australian premiere in 2020 at the Sydney Lyric Theatre.
Alongside Katharine McPhee as Jenna, Waitress stars Jack McBrayer as Ogie, Marisha Wallace as Becky, Laura Baldwin as Dawn, Peter Hannah as Earl, David Hunter as Dr. Pomatter and Shaun Prendergast as Old Joe.
The full company includes Kelly Agbowu, Laura Baldwin, Piers Bate, Nicole Raquel Dennis, Michael Hamway, Peter Hannah, David Hunter, Stephen Leask, Jack McBrayer, Chris McGuigan, Katharine McPhee, Olivia Moore, Nathaniel Morrison, Sarah O’Connor, Leanne Pinder, Shaun Prendergast, Charlotte Riby, Marisha Wallaceand Mark Willshire.
On its Broadway opening, Waitress was nominated for four Outer Critics’ Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical; two Drama League Award Nominations, including Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical; six Drama Desk Nominations, including Outstanding Musical; and four Tony Award Nominations, including Best Musical.
In the first glimpse of Park Theatre’s new season, the theatre can reveal initial star casting for their World Premiere murder mystery Whodunnit [Unrehearsed],in association with Avalon.Every night, a different guest performer will step onstage to join the rehearsed ensemble of a scripted murder mystery play, having attended no rehearsals, read no script, nor received any direction. Armed only with a hidden earpiece to receive instructions, they will endeavour to solve the crime in real time.
An isolated manor, a storm brewing and a stranger at the door. The clichés flow as freely as the suspicious liquor in the library, but this murder mystery spoof has one hell of a twist.
Whodunnit [Unrehearsed] not only features the voices of Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Judi Dench, but also a different celebrity in each performance stepping in as the Inspector, without any rehearsal and without ever having seen the script. Gargantuan guests at Park Theatre including: Clive Anderson, Gillian Anderson, John Bishop, Gyles Brandreth, Marcus Brigstocke, Jim Broadbent, Simon Callow, Ronan Keating, Damian Lewis, Maureen Lipman, Joanna Lumley, Juliet Stevenson, Meera Syal, Catherine Tate, Tim Vine and Ruby Wax will all have their lines fed to them live on stage via an earpiece as they attempt to crack the case, avoid the furniture and stagger their way to justice. More guest performers for Park Theatre are yet to be announced.
Gillian Anderson said:“I’m performing at Park Theatre to help raise funds for the charity. With no public subsidy, they need to fundraise over £250,000 a year just to keep the doors open. The monies raised from this production’s higher ticket prices will support their core ambition to present accessible theatre over the coming years and to further their work with the local community. A number of £10 day tickets will also be available. I do hope people will come and enjoy, and reap the benefit of supporting this fantastic cause.”
Tim Vine said: “I’m really looking forward to this unique theatrical experience. To be honest, I’m often on stage with no idea what I’m supposed to be doing and a strange voice in my head, so this ought to be a piece of cake.”
The play will be narrated by the voices of Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Judi Dench. After a two week run at Park Theatre, Whodunnit [Unrehearsed] will transfer to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Edinburgh guests are yet to be announced.
Artistic Director, Jez Bond, said:“We’re very fortunate that the leading actors in our country understand the power and importance of smaller scale theatres and the challenges they face. Performing across the run are a mixture of those who’ve supported us since the building was a hard-hat site and those who’ve come to know us more recently. I am grateful to everyone who has donated their time to help raise vital funds by performing this show – and am thrilled they’re so up for it!”
