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Churchill Theatre Summer Youth Production – until 11 August 2018

Reviewed by Elizabeth J Smith

4****

The 1920’s New York. Two rival gangs of hoodlums are at war. Dandy Dan, the smooth, sophisticated head of one gang has a new weapon, the splurge gun, that has revolutionised “taking care of business”. Fat Sam, head of the other gang, only has pies to take down his opponents, and is losing his team rapidly. He needs help and calls in Bugsy Malone, a smooth city slicker to assist. Bugsy is distracted by his pursuit of would be singer Blousy Brown and when Fat Sam offers him £400 dollars to take care of business he sees away to win Blousy’s heart by taking her to Hollywood. Blousy is unsure how sincere Bugsy is as she always finds him with Tallulah, the sassy night club singer, hanging off him. As Fat Sam has no gang members left Bugsy must find help to take down Dandy Dan and finds the solution by rallying the “down and outs” to take on the fight.

The curtain rises on a simple, effective set, as the piano begins to play its iconic staccato notes, the stage fills with a very full cast of enthusiastic actors and dancers.

Fat Sams singers, Abigail Assock, Kayleigh Weaver and Nadia Pettit-Johnson, sing harmoniously carrying some difficult melodic lines.

The narrators, Alex Valder and Adam Reggio, give an account of the state of play with the two gangs with clear diction and accents.

Fat Sam, Eleanor Butler, gives a commanding performance of the gang leader who can see her empire being taken from under her nose. Conveying her irritations with her somewhat inept gang. Especially Knuckles, played by Jess McKenzie-Phillips, and her irritating knuckle crunching. All four gang members are believable clowns.

Bugsy Malone, Joshua Williams-Ward, carries this suave character with confidence.

Dandy Dan, Anders Coode, gives the air of success and money.

Tallulah, Lucy Piper, nonchalant about her position as the head liner at Fat Sams and a little bitchy to the new comer Blousy.

Blousy Brown, Rebecca Seed, conveyors the despair she feels at chasing her dream of stardom and sings with passion and feeling.

There are many memorable scenes in this production but the ones that stood out for me were the auditions for Lena Marelli replacement. The opera singer, magician, ventriloquist, trio twins, street dancers and Shakespearean actor were hilarious and Lena herself, Evie McKale, the precocious brat. The bumbling keystone cops and their slapstick comedy and the ingenious car chase.

Congratulations to the production team, Glenn Tillin, director, Daniel Beach, MD, and Larrissa Webb, choreographer, for putting on a professional, imaginative performance. Capturing the essence of the original film and seamlessly incorporating a very large cast.

As a youth production you don’t need to have a child in the show to enjoy this production.

Thoroughly enjoyable night out.

AUDIENCES INVITED TO SING ALONG AT

CERTAIN PERFORMANCES OF

JIM STEINMAN’S AWARD-WINNING     

BAT OUT OF HELL – THE MUSICAL

PLUS TWO SPECIAL COSTUMED SINGALONG SHOWS

ON HALLOWEEN AND NEW YEAR’S EVE

The producers of Jim Steinman’s Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical are delighted to announce five special performances when the audience will be able to sing along with the cast to the classic hits.  These performances will take place on Tuesday 28 August, Tuesday 25 September, Wednesday 31 October, Tuesday 27 November and Monday 31 December.  On Halloween (31 October) and New Year’s Eve (31 December), the audiences will also have the option to come dressed as their favourite character from the show or from one of Meat Loaf’s iconic videos.  The best dressed audience member on each night will go home that evening with a Bat Out Hell – The Musical poster signed by Meat Loaf himself.

The show is providing a surtitle screen that will allow everyone who wants to, to sing along with the show.  

Nick Evans, the Associate Director of the London and German productions, said, “Bat Out of Hell – The Musical has brought the legendary music of Jim Steinman to the heart of the West End.  It’s become clear just how much these songs mean to people.  Our Singalong Nights will be a celebration of that; a chance for our energetic, passionate audiences to be a step closer to our talented cast.  These unique performances promise to become very sought after ….a night at the theatre, a party and a rock concert all in one!”

The winner of the Evening Standard Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical 2017 began previews at the Dominion Theatre on Monday 2 April, with a gala performance on 19 April 2018.  It is now booking through to 5 January 2019.

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.  A new production opens in Toronto for a three-week engagement this autumn as the first stop in a multi-city North American tour.

In April 2018, Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical announced a wide-ranging global partnership to support the Invictus Games Foundation, the governing body of the Invictus Games, a global sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, both serving and veterans.

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.  

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

DAMSEL PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCE LONDON TOUR DATES AND WORKSHOP PROGRAMME FOR ABI ZAKARIAN’S FABRIC

 

Damsel Productions presents

Fabric

By Abi Zakarian

 

Director: Hannah Hauer-King; Designer: Anna Reid; Lighting Designer: Jess Bernberg

Sound Designer: Anna Clock

Soho Theatre

11 September – 22 September 2018

 

London tour

24 September – 6 October 2018

Damsel Productions today announces the London tour dates for Abi Zakarian’s Fabric, a new production in support of Solace Women’s Aid. Following a run at Soho Theatre, the production tours to non-traditional theatre spaces – Hammersmith Town Hall, Kingsgate Community Centre, Goodinge Community Centre and Draper Hall, located in four boroughs identified by Solace Women’s Aid as target areas. Directed by Hannah Hauer-King and starring Nancy Sullivan as Leah, Fabric opens at Soho Theatre on 13 September, with previews from 11 September, and closes on 22 September before touring from 24 September to 6 October.

“I’m revolting. According to his mum. According to everyone.”

Leah is smart, kind, recently promoted, and finally seems to ‘have it all’ when she gets to be the Mrs to Mr Ben Cavendish. But she finds herself revolting; revolting against a society and a judicial system that just won’t listen. Fabric gives voice to one woman’s experience of sexual violence and trauma. Through Leah we bear witness to how grey areas seep into everyday life, and how a million small things – some seemingly harmless – can result in one terrible act.

Each performance during the tour will be accompanied by an opportunity to learn more and get involved. The first performance at each venue will be followed by a Q&A session with a specialist panel. The second and third performances will be preceded by active workshops on bystander intervention; the first for young people aged 16-25 and the second for people of all ages and genders.

Post-show Q&A with specialist panel for everyone

24 September, 27 September, 1 October & 4 October

A post-show panel discussion focussing on what’s next in the battle to end violence against women, with writer Abi Zakarian alongside representatives from Solace and their partner organisations.

Open to 16+

WORKSHOPS

Sexual harassment can be difficult to identify, and even more difficult to respond to. This session will help participants learn how to recognise sexual harassment and equip them with different strategies to safely respond and challenge behaviours, when it is happening to them and to someone else.

Workshop on bystander intervention for young people (16 -25)

25 September, 28 September, 2 October & 5 October

Workshop on bystander intervention for everyone (16+)

26 September, 29 September, 3 October & 6 October

Please find link to image here: https://we.tl/3b7bwGmjST

Abi Zakarian is an award-winning playwright and currently a member of the RSC’s writers group and the Dangerous Space collective. Her plays include I Have A Mouth And I Will Scream (VAULT Festival – winner of the People’s Choice VAULT Award), The Best Pies In London (Shakespeare in Shoreditch Festival), This Is Not An Exit(The Other Place/Royal Court Theatre), LULU7 (Drayton Arms Theatre), Swifter, Higher, Stronger (Roundhouse) and A Thousand Yards (Southwark Playhouse).

Nancy Sullivan plays Leah. Her theatre credits include, The Country Wife (Southwark Playhouse),  My Fair Lady (Naples Opera House, Teatro San Carlo), The Beggar’s Opera (Storyhouse), Gutted (Marlowe Theatre), The Rise and Fall Of Little Voice (Birmingham REP/West Yorkshire Playhouse), The Fastest Clock in The Universe (Old Red Lion), The Good Person Of Sichuan (Colchester Mercury Theatre), Les Miserables (Queen’s Theatre), Judy The Righteous (Trafalgar Studios), Never Forget (UK tour), The Wizard of Oz (West Yorkshire Playhouse) and The Likes of Us (Sydmonton Festival). Her television credits include Harry Price Ghost Hunter; and for film, Les Miserables.

 

Hannah Hauer-King is Artistic Director and co-founder of all-female theatre company Damsel Productions. For Damsel, Hannah has directed Grotty (Bunker Theatre), Lilith (Damsel Develops, Bunker Theatre), Fury, Brute (Soho Theatre) and Dry Land (Jermyn Street Theatre). Other directing credits include Breathe(Bunker Theatre), Witt ‘n Camp (Edinburgh Festival Fringe), Alginate (Bunker Theatre), Dead Playwright (Old Red Lion), Clay (Pleasance Theatre), and Hypernormal (Vaults Festival).  Her Associate/Assistant Director credits include Romeo & Juliet (Shakespeare’s Globe), Radiant Vermin (Soho Theatre) and Daytona (Theatre Royal Haymarket).

 

 

Fabric

Listings

 

SOHO THEATRE

21 Dean Street, London W1D 3NE

11 – 22 September 2018

Post-show discussion led by Solace: Thursday 20 September, following 3:15pm performance

Gala Performance in aid of Solace: Thursday 20 September, 8:30pm

Tickets for the Gala will be priced at £40; all profit from the evening will go to Solace.

Tickets for Soho Theatre:

Box office: 0207 478 0100

www.sohotheatre.com

 

LONDON TOUR                                                                                               

Hammersmith Town Hall

King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 9JU

24 – 26 September

Kingsgate Community Centre

107 Kingsgate Road, Camden London NW6 2JH

27 – 29 September

Goodinge Community Centre

Islington, London N7 9EW

1 -3 October

Draper Hall

1 Howell Walk, Southwark, London SE1 6TL

4 – 6 October

Tickets for London tour:

www.damselproductions.co.uk

 

Fabric describes events related to sexual violence and trauma; please contact Soho Theatre if you would like to know more before booking, or Damsel Productions if booking for the tour. At each show information and support will be available from Solace.

Casting announced for THE MIDNIGHT GANG by David Walliams

Adapted by Byrony Lavery

Music & Lyrics by Joe Stilgoe

13 October – 3 November, Festival Theatre

Suitable for ages 7+

 

Full casting has been announced for David Walliams’s THE MIDNIGHT GANG, adapted by Bryony Lavery with music and lyrics by Joe Stilgoe, which premieres at Chichester Festival Theatre from 13 October – 3 November, directed by Dale Rooks.

This inventive tale of fun, friendship and the importance of kindness, about a gang of children who each night escape from their hospital beds to make their dreams come true, is adapted from David Walliams’s biggest-selling children’s book of 2016. It’s recommended for everyone aged 7 and upwards.

Jennie Dale, currently playing ‘Parchester’ in Chichester’s hit musical Me and My Girl and known to a huge CBeebies’ TV audience as ‘Captain Captain’ in Swashbuckle, Shakespeare and The Snow Queen, plays the Matron. Dickon Gough makes his Chichester debut as the Porter; currently appearing in The Addams Family musical on UK tour, his credits also include The Pirates of Penzance at Regent’s Park. They are joined by Matthew Cavendish (Peter Pan Goes Wrong, The Play That Goes Wrong), as Dr Luppers, Marilyn Cutts (Funny Girl, Wicked, Fascinating Aida) as Nelly, Tim Mahendran (Spring Awakening) as Raj and Lucy Vandi (School of Rock, Guys and Dolls) as Tootsie.

Playing the children of ‘The Midnight Gang’ will be Rafi Essex, Cerys Hill, Fibian McKenzie, Cody Molko, Tumo Reetsang, Jasmine Sakyiama, Anjali Shah, Albie Stisted, Cooper Snow and Felix Warren.

A bang on the head during a cricket match at his boarding school has landed twelve-year-old Tom in the children’s ward of the spooky Lord Funt Hospital. Luckily, he’s not on his own with the child-hating Matron and the scary-looking Porter. George, Amber, Robin and Sally are in there too, and they’re not taking things lying down. When the lights go out and the clock strikes twelve, they’re off. But will they let new boy Tom join their forbidden midnight adventures through the hospital’s labyrinthine realm?

This new stage version is by Bryony Lavery, whose adaptations include Chichester’s hit family shows The Hundred and One Dalmatians (2014) and A Christmas Carol (2015), and the forthcoming world premiere adaptation of Alice Sebold’s The Lovely Bones which tours the UK this autumn. Music and lyrics are by renowned musician and composer Joe Stilgoe, whose work also includes the songs for the 2017 theatrical adaptation of The Jungle Book.

Director Dale Rooks’s production of Michael Morpurgo’s Running Wild (Festival 2015) won the UK Theatre Award for Best Show for Children and Young People; she later co-directed the play for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and a UK tour. Her most recent production at Chichester was Beauty and the Beast.

The Midnight Gang will be designed by Simon Higlett, with lighting by James Whiteside, sound byGregory Clarke and movement by Georgina Lamb.

 

The Midnight Gang is sponsored by Jackson-Stops and Kenwood.

EVENTS

Pre-Show Talk with Bryony Lavery & Dale Rooks  Tuesday 16 October, 5.15pm

Free but booking essential.

 

Post-Show Talk                                             Tuesday 30 October

Stay after the performance to ask questions, meet company members and discover more. Free.

Midnight Adventure                                      Saturday 3 November, 3pm

Explore what might happen beyond bedtime in a fun and practical workshop through craft, storytelling and character-based activities. Ages 5+ and their families.

Free but booking essential.

Joe Stilgoe & Friends                                   Thursday 1 November, 7pm

Join Joe Stilgoe and some special friends for a celebratory evening of music including songs fromThe Midnight Gang. Pyjamas welcome. Tickets £10, under 16s £5.

 

BOOKING INFORMATION

Box Office 01243 781312

Online cft.org.uk

 

Tickets £10 – £30. Family tickets: half price for up to four Under 16s attending with every full priced paying adult (excludes £10 & £15 tickets and Saturday evenings). Prologue tickets for 16 – 25 year olds for £5.

DAN LOONEY, ADAM PAULDEN,

JASON HAIGH-ELLERY, SELLADOOR WORLDWIDE AND GAVIN KALIN

ARE DELGHTED TO ANNOUNCE

DANIELLE HOPE

&

SAM FERRIDAY

TO JOIN THE CAST OF

THE AWARD-WINNING SMASH HIT MUSICAL

“ROCK OF AGES”

OPENING AT THE CHURCHILL THEATRE, BROMLEY

ON 20 SEPTEMBER 2018

Dan Looney, Adam Paulden, Jason Haigh-Ellery, Selladoor Worldwide and Gavin Kalin are delighted to announce that Danielle Hope and Sam Ferriday will join the cast of award-winning smash-hit musical “ROCK OF AGES”which opens at The Churchill Theatre, Bromley on 20 September 2018. www.rockofagesmusical.co.uk.

Danielle is perhaps best-known for having won BBC One’s ‘Over the Rainbow’, which lead to her professional debut in the lead role of Dorothy in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production of “The Wizard Of Oz” at the London Palladium. Since then, Danielle has starred as Éponine in the West End production of “Les Misérables”, as Maria in the UK tour of “The Sound Of Music”, and recently finished touring the UK as Sandy in “Grease”.

Sam Ferriday’s previous theatre credits include “The Jersey Boys” UK Tour and “GHOST The Musical” UK Tour. He also previously toured with “The Blue Man Group” across the USA.

Danielle will play role of ‘Sherrie’ until 24 November and from the 26 November Jodie Steele will play the role after starring in ‘Heathers The Musical’ at the Royal Haymarket this autumn.

Sam Ferriday will play the role of ‘Stacee Jaxx’ until 9 December.

Danielle and Sam will join the previously announced Kevin Kennedy who will play ‘Dennis’, Zoe Birkett ‘Justice’,Luke Walsh ‘Drew’, Lucas Rush ‘Lonny’, Andrew Carthy ‘Franz’, Vas Constanti ‘Hertz’ and Rhiannon Chesterman ‘Regina’.

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

 

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

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

WARNING: CONTAINS SERIOUS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL DEBAUCHERY!

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

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

ROCK OF AGES – UK Tour 2018/2019

2018

THURSDAY 20 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2018

The Churchill Theatre, Bromley www.churchilltheatre.co.uk

TUESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2018

Manchester Opera House www.atgtickets.com/venues/opera-house-manchester

TUESDAY 2 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 6 OCTOBER 2018

Wycombe Swan Theatrewww.wycombeswan.co.uk

MONDAY 8 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 13 OCTOBER 2018

Darlington Hippodrome www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

TUESDAY 16 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 20 OCTOBER 2018

Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie/

TUESDAY 23 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 27 OCTOBER 2018

Liverpool Empire Theatre www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire

TUESDAY 6 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2018

New Theatre, Cardiff www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

TUESDAY 13 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2018

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/

TUESDAY 20 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2018

The Orchard Theatre, Dartford www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

MONDAY 26 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 1 DECEMBER 2018

Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

 

2019

 

TUESDAY 22 JANUARY – SATURDAY 26 JANUARY 2019

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

TUESDAY 29 JANUARY – SATURDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2019

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

TUESDAY 12 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2019

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

TUESDAY 19 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2019

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

TUESDAY 26 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 2 MARCH 2019

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

TUESDAY 5 MARCH – SATURDAY 9 MARCH 2019

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

MONDAY 11 MARCH – SATURDAY 16 MARCH 2019

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

TUESDAY 19 MARCH – SATURDAY 23 MARCH 2019

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

TUESDAY 2 APRIL – SATURDAY 6 APRIL 2019

Theatre Royal, Nottingham www.trch.co.uk

 

TUESDAY 16 APRIL – SATURDAY 20 APRIL 2019

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

TUESDAY 23 APRIL – SATURDAY 27 APRIL 2019

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

TUESDAY 30 APRIL – SATURDAY 4 MAY 2019

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

TUESDAY 7 MAY – SATURDAY 11 MAY 2019

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

TUESDAY 14 MAY – SATURDAY 18 MAY 2019

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

TUESDAY 21 MAY – SATURDAY 25 MAY 2019

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

 

TUESDAY 28 MAY – SATURDAY 1 JUNE 2019

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre www.grandtheatre.co.uk

 

TUESDAY 25 JUNE – SATURDAY 29 JUNE 2019

Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury www.marlowetheatre.com

TUESDAY 2 JULY – SATURDAY 6 JULY 2019

Winter Gardens, Blackpool www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

MONDAY 8 JULY – SATURDAY 13 JULY 2019

Wyvern Theatre, Swindon www.swindontheatres.co.uk

TUESDAY 16 – SATURDAY 20 JULY 2019

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton www.mayflower.org.uk

TUESDAY 23 JULY – SATURDAY 27 JULY 2019

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

WEST END STAR LINZI HATELEY DEBUTS AS MRS JOHNSTONE IN

BLOOD BROTHERS

AUTUMN 2018 TOUR

Bill Kenwright’s ‘Dazzling’ (Sunday Telegraph) production of the international smash hit musical Blood Brothers announces its 2018 Autumn tour, opening on Tuesday 4 September at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley. This iconic musical has been visiting theatres across the country throughout 2018, performing to sell-out houses and receiving standing ovations.

Considered ‘One of the best musicals ever written’ (Sunday Times), Blood Brothers, written by award-winning playwright Willy Russell has triumphed across the globe. Scooping up no fewer than four awards for best musical in London and seven Tony Award nominations on Broadway, Blood Brothers is simply ‘Unmissable and unbeatable’ (The Spectator).

Olivier Award nominated British actress Linzi Hateley makes her debut in the seminal role of Mrs Johnstone. She said:

 

“Mrs Johnstone is an iconic role that I’ve always secretly dreamed of playing. I’m thrilled to finally get the chance to fulfil a dream – and to perform it to audiences right across our country.”

 

Linzi has performed in countless West End productions, the most recent of which being the role of Donna in Mamma Mia. At just seventeen years old, Linzi was cast as the title role in the Royal Shakespeare’s production of CARRIE: THE MUSICAL, a role that would take her to Broadway. She went on to star as The Narrator in the London Palladium production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, alongside Jason Donovan as Joseph, for which she was nominated for an Olivier Award.  Other West End roles include Éponine in Les Misérables, Roxie Hart in Chicago, Rizzo in Grease and Winifred Banks in Mary Poppins. She also starred as Helen in the National Theatre’s revival of London Road.

 

The cast for Blood Brothers includes Sarah Jane Buckley, Sean Jones, Mark Hutchinson, Robbie Scotcher, Danielle Corlass, Tim Churchill, Graham Martin, Amy Jane Ollies, Alison Crawford, Graeme Kinniburgh, Andy Owens and Josh Capper.

 

This epic tale of Liverpool life started as a play, performed at a Liverpool comprehensive school in 1981 before opening at the Liverpool Playhouse 35 years ago in 1983, completing sell out seasons in the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan. Blood Brothers also ran in London’s West End for 24 years, exceeding 10,000 performances, one of only three musicals ever to achieve that milestone.

 

Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving story of twin boys separated at birth, only to be reunited by a twist of fate and a mother’s haunting secret. The memorable score includes A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True.

When Mrs Johnstone, a young mother, is deserted by her husband and left to her own devices to provide for seven hungry children she takes a job as a housekeeper in order to make ends meet. It is not long before her brittle world crashes around her when she discovers herself to be pregnant yet again – this time with twins! In a moment of weakness and desperation, she enters a secret pact with her employer which leads inexorably to the show’s shattering climax.

A sensational cast, incredible show stopping music, remarkable staging and five star performances make Blood Brothers an enthralling night of entertainment.

Willy Russell is undeniably one of this country’s leading contemporary dramatists. His countless credits include Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine. Educating Rita, originally commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, enjoyed a two year run in the West End and was made into a movie starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters. Shirley Valentine also made the move from stage to screen in an enormously popular film starring Pauline Collins and Tom Conti.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Bill Kenwright presents

BLOOD BROTHERS

By Willy Russell

Directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright

Designed by Andy Walmsley                                    Sound Designed By Dan Samson

Musical Direction by Tim Whiting                           Lighting Designed by Nick Richings

BLOOD BROTHERS – AUTUMN 2018 TOUR DATES

 

Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 September                                                       Box Office:  020 3285 6000

Churchill Theatre, Bromley                                                                       Website: www.churchilltheatre.co.uk

 

Tuesday 11 – Saturday 15 September                                                 Box Office: 01744 756000

St Helens Theatre Royal                                                                                             Website: www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com

Monday 17– Saturday 22 September                                                   Box Office: 01772 804444

Charter Theatre, Preston                                                                          Website: www.prestonguildhall.co.uk

Tuesday 25 – Saturday 29 September                                                  Box Office: 01792 475715

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

Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 October                                                                             Box Office:  01262 678258

Bridlington Spa                                                                                                              Website: www.bridspa.com

Monday 8 – Saturday 13 October                                                          Box Office: 01743 281281

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury                                                                    Website: www.theatresevern.co.uk

Tuesday 16 – Saturday 20 October                                                        Box Office: 01293 553636

Hawth Theatre, Crawley                                                                                            Website: www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/The-Hawth

Monday 22 – Saturday 27 October                                                        Box Office: 0844 871 7649

Regent Theatre, Stoke                                                                                Website: www.atgtickets.com/stoke

Monday 29 October – Saturday 3 November                                    Box Office: 0844 871 7646

New Wimbledon Theatre                                                                          Website:  www.atgtickets.com/wimbledon

Monday 5 – Saturday 10 November                                                     Box Office:  0151 666 0000

Floral Pavilion, New Brighton                                                                   Website: www.floralpavilion.com

Tuesday 13 – Saturday 17 November                                                   Box Office: 01246 345222

Winding Wheel Theatre, Chesterfield                                                  Website: www.chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk

Monday 19– Saturday 24 November                                                    Box Office: 01698 452299

Town House, Hamilton                                                                                              Website: www.slleisureandculture.co.uk

Monday 26 November – Saturday 1 December                                Box Office: 0844 871 3020

New Theatre, Oxford                                                                                  Website:www.atgtickets.com/oxford

CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM ANNOUNCED

THE RETURN OF THE SOLDIER

 

HOPE MILL THEATRE, MANCHESTER

 

ADAPTED FROM THE NOVELLA BY REBECCA WEST

MUSIC BY CHARLES MILLER

BOOK & LYRICS BY TIM SANDERS

 

THURSDAY 6 – SATURDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2018

The cast has been announced for musical The Return of the Soldier which has its regional premiere at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester next month, following its critically-acclaimed London run in 2014.

The show, the fourth in-house production at the award-winning Ancoats theatre, is a musical adaptation of Rebecca West’s remarkable novella written at the end of World War One, with music by Charles Miller and a book & lyrics by Tim Sanders.

It comes to Manchester following its critically-acclaimed premiere at the Jermyn Street Theatre in London in 2014.

A five-strong cast has now been announced for The Return of the Soldier. Chris Jenkins (tick, tick…BOOM! and Billy Elliot the Musical) will play Christopher, Tessa Kadler (Pippin, Carousel) as Kitty, Marc Pickering (HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and Universal Pictures’ Les Misérables) as William/ Dr Anderson, Esme Sears (A Little Night Music, Parade) will play Jenny and Naomi Slights (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Mamma Mia!) as Margaret.

Set in Harrow during the summer of 1916, The Return of the Soldier is an intensely bitter-sweet tale, dissecting the very different love of three women for one man. When Christopher returns from the front, shell-shocked and with memory loss, there are profound consequences for all three women and their love. In the end, only an extraordinary sacrifice will restore the fragile status quo.

Composer Charles Miller puts a unique and contemporary twist on several English music styles from the period in his evocative score. Tim Sanders’ script aims to capture West’s sardonic and contemporary humour as well as her painfully accurate insights into human folly. This exciting new musical adaptation will bring a compelling story of war to a whole new generation.

The Return of the Soldier runs from Thursday 6 September to Saturday 29 September 2018 and is the fourth of five in-house musicals in 2018 from the successful and ambitious collaboration between Joseph Houston and William Whelton, co-founders of Hope Mill Theatre and producer Katy Lipson, from Aria Entertainment, resident producer and co-Artistic director of Hope Mill theatre. It follows the five star revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love, which closes this week.

Katy Lipson said: “It couldn’t feel more perfect to bring a new British chamber musical The Return of the Soldier to the beautiful Hope Mill Theatre four years after its first London workshop to coincide with the centenary of World War One. We are incredibly lucky and excited to be working with yet another wonderful group of performers to bring this powerful and emotional story to life.”

The Return of the Soldier is directed by Charlotte Westenra, musical direction by Daniel Jarvis, choreography by Matthew Cole, lighting design by Aaron J Dootson, sound design by Findlay Claydon, set and costume design by Simon Anthony Wells/Leah Sams and casting by Jane Deitch.

Aspects of Love is produced by Katy Lipson of Aria Entertainment, William Whelton and Joseph Houston of Hope Mill Theatre and Guy James.

Following Aspects of Love at Hope Mill Theatre is Putting it Together that runs from Wednesday 24 October to Saturday 24 November 2018

LISTING INFOR.MATION

The Return of the Soldier

Thursday 6 – Saturday 29 September

Hope Mill Theatre

Hope Mill, Ancoats, 113 Pollard Street

Manchester, M4 7JA

Tickets from £16. Visit www.hopemilltheatre.co.uk

WEBSITE: www.hopemilltheatre.co.uk

FACEBOOK: Hope Mill Theatre

TWITTER: @Hopemilltheatr1 @soldiermusical

Pop-Up Opera: Autumn Season 2018
La Tragédie de Carmen
Saturday 22nd September – Friday 23rd November 2018

Pop-Up Opera return this autumn with a reimagining of Bizet’s famous masterpiece La Tragédie de Carmen. In 1981 Peter Brook collaborated with composer Marius Constant to reimagine this emotive opera and, now, Pop-Up Opera will stage this stripped back incarnation. Sung in French with Pop-Up Opera’s signature ‘silent movie’ captions in English, this dark and thrilling piece may not always be as you expect

Pop-Up Opera’s retelling of this intense and tragic tale follows the four key multi-faceted characters in a thought-provoking drama of unhinged love and jealousy. Actions are not without consequences and the stark reality of the repercussions for Don José are laid bare as the story unfolds in a series of his tormented flashbacks

Pop-Up Opera continue to challenge the perception of opera and bring it to the next generation. With their combination of unique venues and cast of outstanding singers, this innovative opera company consistently capture the essence of this incredible refined and raw art form. Peter Brook’s fascinating and experimental ethos perfectly complements Pop-Up Opera’s passionate approach to staging relevant and exhilarating opera

Director John Wilkie comments, Peter Brook’s incarnation of Prosper Merimee’s Carmen has fascinated me for many years – everything is trimmed away from the grander adaptations with which many are accustomed to focus on the intense interaction, the tragedy of the four protagonists. This production will be set at the end of the Spanish Civil War and we will investigate the psychological elements that lie at the heart of this retelling of Carmen’s tale. I am immensely looking forward to bringing life to La Tragédie de Carmen with this very exciting team

If Pop-Up Opera pops up near you, do pop in

Tour Dates

Thurs 20th Sept Hayman’s Distillery, Balham, 7.30pm
8A Weir Road, Balham, London SW12 0GT

Sat 22nd Sept Court Gardens Farm, East Sussex, 7.30pm
Orchard Lane, Ditchling, Hassocks BN6 8TH

Tues 25th Sept Asylum Peckham, 7pm
Caroline Gardens Chapel, Asylum Road, London SE15 2SQ

Weds 26th Sept Brunel Museum, Thames Tunnel Shaft, 7.30pm
Railway Ave, London SE16 4LF

Sat 29th Sept Vera Fletcher Hall, Surrey, 7.30pm
4 Embercourt Road, Thames Ditton KT7 0LQ

Sun 30th Sept East Finchley Arts Festival, London, 6pm
Durham Road, London N2 9DP

Tues 2nd – Weds 3rd Oct Minack Theatre, Penzance, Cornwall, 7.30pm
Porthcurno, Penzance TR19 6JU

Fri 5th Oct The Subscription Rooms, Gloucestershire, 7.30pm
George Street, Stroud GL5 1AE

Tues 9th Oct Ugly Duck, Bermondsey, 7.30pm
49 Tanner Street, London SE1 3PL

Thurs 11th Oct NSPCC at Hope Church Islington, London, 7.30pm
Westbourne Road, London N7 8AB

Sat 13th Oct Beaulieu Abbey, Hampshire, 7pm
Palace Lane, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst SO42 7YG

Sun 14th Oct Farrington Hall, Port Regis School, Dorset, 6pm – TBC
Motcombe Park, Shaftesbury SP7 9QA

Thurs 18th Oct Bath Assembly Rooms, 7.30pm
Bennett Street, Bath BA1 2QH

Sat 20th Oct Black Mountains Barns, Herefordshire, 7.30pm
Lower Hunthouse Lane, Longtown, Hereford HR2 0PD

Sun 21st Oct Breast Cancer Haven at Lyde Court, Herefordshire, 7.30pm
Lower Lyde, Hereford HR1 3AE

Weds 24th Oct Masonic Temple, Andaz Hotel, London, 7.30pm
40 Liverpool Street, London EC2M 7QN

Thurs 25th Oct South Downs Centre Memorial Hall, West Sussex, 7.30pm
North Street, Midhurst GU29 9DH

Sat 27th Oct Anne of Cleves Barn, Essex, 8pm
Braintree Road, Great Bardfield, CM7 4QD

Fri 2nd Nov The Lantern Arts Centre Studio Theatre, London, 8pm
Tolverne Road, Raynes Park, London SW20 8RA

Sat 4th Nov Court Gardens Farm, East Sussex, 7.30pm
Orchard Lane, Ditchling, Hassocks BN6 8TH

Fri 9th Nov The Milton Rooms, North Yorkshire, 7.30pm
Market Place, Malton YO17 7LX

Sat 10th Nov Lancaster Brewery, 7.30pm
Lancaster Leisure Park, Wyresdale Road, Lancaster LA1 3LA

Fri 16th Nov Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, 7.30pm
Storey’s Way, Cambridge CB3 0DG

Sat 17th Nov Lourdes Hall, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, 7.30pm
Southdown Road, Harpenden AL5 1PF

Tues 20th Nov Water & Steam, Kew, 7.30pm
Green Dragon Lane, Brentford TW8 0EN

Fri 23rd Nov Grittleton Village Hall, Wiltshire, 8pm
Wiltshire SN14 6AP

 

Cuckoo
Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London W1D 3NE
Tuesday 13th November – Saturday 8th December 2018, 7.15pm

Shortlisted for the Papatango New Writing Prize, Cuckoo is the exciting world premiere from the distinctive new comic voice of debut playwright Lisa Carroll. Directed by Debbie Hannan (Things of Dry Hours, Young Vic; The Session, Soho Theatre; Who Cares, Royal Court), Cuckoo explores gender identity, belonging, and ego

Everyone hates Iona. Everyone except Pingu. Fitting in is hard when you can’t shut up and your silent best friend wears a tuxedo to school every day. Sick of the ceaseless bullying and despair, Iona and Pingu decide to get the fuck out of claustrophobic Crumlin, a small Dublin suburb

Who would have thought emigrating was such a great way to get noticed by the cool kids? Loving the attention, Iona is drunk on her new-found popularity until she discovers she’s messed with the wrong crowd. In a world where reputation must be defended tooth and nail, this can only end in disaster

From Lucozade to Kylie Jenner lip kits, this is a fresh, modern look at what it means to be young in Ireland today. Cuckoo examines what happens when Pingu’s non-binary identity rubs up against the gender expectations of those around them. Trying to navigate sexual politics and wanting more than the life that’s handed to them, Carroll’s teenagers are wild, funny, awful, and utterly human

Cuckoo considers the bond of friendship through the shifting turbulence of adolescence as Iona and Pingu fight to figure out what they want. Carroll dissects the true cost of belonging and reflects on how hard it is to break away from the place you grew up

Director Debbie Hannan comments, Cuckoo is an exciting new play with a unique voice about that febrile, explosive moment of adolescence when you’re striking out in attempt after attempt to be some kind of “SELF”. It’s about Iona, one scrubby weirdo that no-one likes, and Pingu, her silent best mate trying to scrape a bit of cultural capital before they leave forever – it’s about being uncool. It’s about teenage cruelty and friendships, and where those two things cross over. These brash and bright characters riotously, hilariously and often violently lash out to make their mark – on Crumlin, the world, and each other. I’m thrilled to be directing this quick-witted, feisty production, which lands us in their thumping, vivid world, whether we like it or not

From Box Office to Bon Jovi

 

Jennifer Caldwell – the actress working on the box office who dramatically saved the day by stepping into a major role in West End Show, Knights of the Rose, to save a major charity performance – now permanent member of the cast

Actress Jennifer Caldwell, was working on the box office at the Arts Theatre West End  when the show’s Producer asked for her help. Due to an unfortunate bout of cast illness, they needed to fill a major role in the production as the understudy was already covering another actor.

Jennifer agreed to help and by 7pm she was on stage playing the role of Emily. She took to the stage as if she had been in the cast from the start, and spectacularly came to the rescue to ensure that that night’s performance – a special gala charity to raise money for DEBRA the national charity that supports individuals and families affected by Epidermolysis Bullosa – went ahead.

After Jennifer saved the day, the evening went on to raise £15,000 for the charity.

Astounded by how quickly she learnt the songs and dance routines, the Producers of Knights of the Rose have now asked Jennifer to step in to a permanent role as a swing for the remainder of the run.

No stranger to the stage, Jennifer graduated from London School of Musical Theatre and her theatre credits include Cover Sophie/Ali in Mamma Mia! (West End – Prince of Wales & Novello Theatre), Cover/Played Fiona in Shrek the Musical (UK Tour) and Dyanne in Million Dollar Quartet (UK and Indian Tour).

Jennifer says: “Joining the company of Knights of the Rose has been quite a whirlwind. I feel incredibly fortunate to be working with such a talented, supportive and welcoming group of people”

 

Knights Of The Rose is a classic rock musical featuring the ultimate playlist including legendary ballads and timeless anthems from Bon Jovi, Muse, Meat Loaf, Bonnie Tyler, No Doubt and many more.

 

Knights of the Rose runs until the 26^th August at the Arts Theatre

For more information on the show visit http://knightsoftherose.co.uk/

For bookings visit https://artstheatrewestend.co.uk/