Home

KAY MELLOR RETURNS TO LEEDS GRAND THEATRE WITH TV GOLD

Leeds Grand Theatre is proud to announce that Leeds’ own Kay Mellor will return to The Grand in 2019 with the world premiere stage production of the multi award-winning ITV series Band of Gold.

Following the unprecedented sell-out success of Fat Friends The Musical,which premiered at The Grand in November 2017, Band of Gold, directed by Mellor and produced by Joshua Andrews,will run from Thursday 28 November to Saturday 14 December 2019. The gritty thriller tells the story of a group of women – Carol, Rose, Anita and Gina – as they battle to survive whilst working in Bradford’s red-light district.

First aired on ITV in March 1995,Band of Gold captivated over 15 million viewers each week and starred (amongst others) Geraldine James, Cathy Tyson, Barbara Dickson and Samantha Morton. The groundbreaking crime drama ran for two series after which Kay felt the series had run its course, but over 20 years on, Kay is thrilled to breathe life back into this iconic piece: “I get asked once a day if I’m going to bring Band of Gold back.” says award-winning writer and director Mellor: “My answer will now be yes, on stage at The Grand Theatre! I’m thrilled that it’s going to premiere in my home town.”

General Manager, Ian Sime, comments: “We are so excited to welcome our good friend Kay Mellor back to The Grand Theatre & Opera House with another hugely successful stage adaptation of one of her many iconic TV classics. Kay knows Leeds and Yorkshire audiences like no other and is one of the great writers of our time; this is going to be pure gold.”

Band of Gold is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Thursday 28 November to Saturday 14 December 2019. Priority Membership tickets go onsale on Wednesday 16 January. General onsale is Wednesday 23 January.

Book online at leedsgrandtheatre.com or call Box Office on 0844 848 2700

CARLOS ACOSTA CBE APPOINTED AS THE NEW DIRECTOR OF BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET

Birmingham Royal Ballet is delighted to announce that internationally renowned Carlos Acosta CBE has been appointed as its new Director. He will take up his appointment in January 2020.

The appointment follows an open competition and extensive international search by Birmingham Royal Ballet Board, supported by an expert panel of leading figures in the dance world. It follows the news earlier this year that David Bintley CBE, the current Director, will be standing down as Director in July 2019 at the end of the current season. The new Director will work alongside the company’s Chief Executive, Caroline Miller OBE who was appointed on a permanent basis just before Christmas.

Carlos Acosta CBE, said: “It is a tremendous honour and privilege to have been appointed to lead Birmingham Royal Ballet. I am a great admirer of its heritage and of what David Bintley has done to establish it as one of the country’s leading classical ballet companies, following on from the wonderful foundations laid down by Sir Peter Wright. My ambition is to build on its classical traditions, to expand its repertoire and to reach out to new and more diverse audiences. I want to define what it is to be a world leading classical ballet company in the 21st century.”   

Chair of Birmingham Royal Ballet Sir David Normington GCB, said: “This is a great moment for Birmingham Royal Ballet. We have secured the greatest male dancer of his generation to be our new Director. I know he will bring us his legendary artistry, energy and charisma and enable us to connect with new audiences, particularly in Birmingham. It is a statement to the whole dance world that, building on David Bintley’s great legacy, Birmingham Royal Ballet intends to remain a major force for classical ballet in the UK and beyond.” 

Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair of Arts Council England, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Carlos Acosta CBE as the new Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet, with his wealth of experience and knowledge from the international world of dance. Birmingham Royal Ballet is an exceptional company, with an international reputation for the artistic quality of its work, and as Carlos takes to the helm, we’d like to pay tribute to the commitment, contribution and charisma of David Bintley, who leaves behind him an extraordinary legacy. We look forward to seeing Carlos build on this legacy, and to the company continuing to delight audiences with their array of classical and ground-breaking ballets.”

Born in Havana, the youngest of eleven children in an impoverished family, Acosta went on to train at the National Ballet School of Cuba, winning the prestigious Prix de Lausanne at the age of 16, before enjoying a celebrated thirty-year career in dance with many of the world’s leading ballet companies. He was a Principal with the Royal Ballet for 17 years and danced all the major classical, and many contemporary roles. He is the greatest male dancer of his generation and, in many people’s eyes, one of the greatest dancers of all time.

Since retiring from the Royal Ballet he has founded his Cuban dance company Acosta Danza and established his own dance academy in Havana which opened its doors to its first students in September 2017. His 2007 autobiography No Way Home told the extraordinary story of his progress from the poorest of beginnings in Cuba to world ballet star and became a UK bestseller. His many awards include an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance, a Prix Benois de la Danse, an Outstanding Achievement Award at the Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards and the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award from The Royal Academy of Dance in recognition of his standing as one of the most influential figures in dance today.

CAROLINE SHEEN TO JOIN THE CAST OF

DOLLY PARTON’S

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL

Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton, Book by Patricia Resnick

and Directed by Jeff Calhoun

Based on the 20^th Century Fox Picture

AT THE SAVOY THEATRE FROM 28 JANUARY 2019

Caroline Sheen will be joining the company of 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL in the role of ‘Violet Newstead’ at theSavoy Theatre, London from 28 January until the end of March.  Louise Redknapp will re-join the company and play ‘Violet Newstead’ in the musical from the end of March.

Caroline Sheen is renowned for her leading roles in the West End, US and on tour throughout the UK. These include the West End productions of “Les Misérables” at the Palace and Queen’s theatres, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” at the London Palladium, the original cast of “Witches of Eastwick” at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, ‘Once in a Lifetime’ and ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum’ at the National Theatre and the title role in “Mary Poppins” on tour throughout the US and the UK. She will be seen later this year as a lead role in the new BBC series ‘Pitching In.’

Caroline joins the previously announced Amber Davies as ‘Judy Bernly’, Natalie McQueen as ‘Doralee Rhodes’, Bonnie Langford as ‘Roz Keith’ and Brian Conley as ‘Franklin Hart’.

The cast also includes Victoria Anderson, Alexander Bartles, Ashford Campbell, Simon Campbell, Rhiane Drummond, Demmileigh Foster, Llandyll Gove, Lucinda Lawrence, Jenny Legg, Christopher Jordan Marshall, Jacob Maynard, Natasha Mould, Sean Needham, Jon Reynolds, James Royden-Lyley, Giles Surridge, Sasha Wareham and Emily Woodford.

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL features a book by Patricia Resnick, the legendary film’s original screenwriter, and an original Oscar, Grammy and Tony award-nominated score by country legend and pop icon Dolly Parton. It tells the story of Doralee, Violet and Judy – three workmates pushed to boiling point by their sexist and egotistical boss. Concocting a plan to kidnap and turn the tables on their despicable supervisor, will the girls manage to reform their office – or will events unravel when the CEO pays an unexpected visit? Inspired by the cult film this hilarious new West End production is about teaming up, standing up and taking care of business!

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL is written by Patricia Resnick, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. It is directed by Jeff Calhoun, choreography by Lisa Stevens, design by Tom Rogers, lighting design by Howard Hudson, musical supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Mark Crossland, musical direction by Andrew Hilton and casting by Victoria Roe.

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL Original Broadway Cast Recording is planned for re-release via Dolly Records/Sony Music.

Based on the 20^th Century Fox Picture. Originally produced on Broadway by Robert Greenblatt, April 2009.

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group and Selladoor Worldwide with Gavin Kalin Productions, Glass Half Full Productions, Showtime Theatre Productions, Hartshorn – Hook Productions and Kilimanjaro Live.

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR

THE RUBENSTEIN KISS

AT SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE

FROM 14 MARCH TO 13 APRIL 2019

NATIONAL PRESS NIGHT 18 MARCH 2019

Devil You Know Theatre Company are delighted to announce full casting for the first London production since 2005 of the multi-award winning play THE RUBENSTEIN KISS by James Phillips.

This new production will star Ruby Bentall as Esther Rubenstein. Ruby is perhaps best known for playing Verity in the BBC’s adaptation of Poldark. Other notable acting credits include Hils in ITV’s Jekyll & Hyde, Minnie Mude in BBC’s Lark Rise to Candleford and Mary Bennett in BBC’s Lost in Austen. She’s also had film roles in Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood, Mr Turner directed by Mike Leigh, and Armando Iannucci’s forthcoming adaptation of David Copperfield.

Esther’s husband Jakob Rubenstein will be played by Henry Proffit. Henry’s stage credits include For King and Country (Southwark Playhouse), Great Expectations (York Theatre Royal), Kindertransport (UK Tour), and A Dance of Death (Finborough Theatre).

Sean Ribgy will play David Girshfeld. Sean has starred as DS Jim Strange in ITV’s Endeavour since 2013, and is also known for his role as Lord Monteagle in the BBC drama Gunpowder. His theatre credits include Pomona (National Theatre, Orange Tree Richmond), Table Talk (Short Back And Sides), and Still Life And Red Peppers (Folie a Deux Productions).

FBI Agent Paul Cranmer will be played by Stephen Billington. Stephen’s acting credits include television roles in Armchair Detectives (BBC), Danny Lomax in Hollyoaks (Channel 4), Greg Kelly in Coronation Street (ITV), Edward Thurlow in Casualty (BBC), Doctors (BBC), and Jonathan Creek (BBC). On stage he has starred in The Crucible (York Theatre Royal), Peter James’s Not Dead Enough (UK Tour), and Alan Ayckbourn’s Hero’s Welcome and Confusions (UK Tours, Brits Off Broadway). He also played Phillip in Mel Gibson’s 1995 film Braveheart.

Matthew will be played by Dario Coates. Dario’s television acting credits include Damned (Channel 4), Endeavour (ITV), The Coroner (BBC), Drifters (E4) and Alex Neeson in Coronation Street (ITV).

Completing the cast are Katie Eldred as Anna, and Eva-Jane Willis as Rachel Girshfeld.

Directed by Joe Harmston (The Lover and The Collection, Donmar Warehouse; The Father, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry) this new production will play for a limited season at Southwark Playhouse from 14 March to 13 April 2019, with a national press night on Monday 18 March.

James Phillips said, “I’m thrilled about Joe Harmston’s new production of The Rubenstein Kiss, and I can’t wait to see the exciting new generation of actors he’s assembled in these roles I love. Our current, dangerous, fraught political moment – where so many are trying again to test the limits of political idealism, where we read daily of Russian agents in this country and in the United States – seems a perfect time from him to revive the play.”

THE RUBENSTEIN KISS is the story of the Rubensteins, a deeply devoted Jewish couple whose Communist idealism leads to their world being torn apart by suspicion and treachery which then echoes through the generations. Phillips’s explosive and affecting drama, inspired by the haunting true story of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, who were executed in 1953 for allegedly providing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union, is the study of conspiracy, betrayal, and guilt.

THE RUBENSTEIN KISS was originally staged in 2005 at Hampstead Theatre starring Gary Kemp and Samantha Bond, winning the John Whiting Award and the TMA Award for Best New Play.

THE RUBENSTEIN KISS has set design by Sean Cavanagh, sound design by Matthew Bugg, lighting design by Mike Robertson, and casting by Kate Plantin CDG. THE RUBENSTEIN KISS is produced by Devil You Know Theatre Company.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

14 March – 13 April 2019

Southwark Playhouse

77-85 Newington Causeway

London SE1 6BD

Performance Times:

Monday – Friday 7.30pm

Saturday and Tuesday – 3pm and 7.30pm

Tickets: £22 (£18 concessions), £14 preview performance tickets available

Box Office:  020 7407 0234Website:  southwarkplayhouse.co.uk / devilyouknowtheatre.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DevilYouKnowTheatre

Twitter: @DYKTheatre / @swkplay

Instagram: @DYKTheatre / @swkplay

GRAND OPERA HOUSE, York AND CITY OF YORK COUNCIL PARTNER TO OFFER AUDIENCES AGED 26 AND UNDER 
£5* TICKETS FOR ABIGAIL’S PARTY.

To help make theatre accessible to everyone, Grand Opera House York and City of York Council have teamed up to offer any students or people aged 26 and under the chance to see Mike Leigh’s iconic Abigail’s Party. One of Britain’s most celebrated comedies, it was described by The Guardian as ‘One of the greatest plays about the human condition ever written’.

Abigail’s Party stars Jodie Prenger and it tells the story of a 1970’s cocktail party that goes terribly wrong…

Beverly and her husband Laurence are throwing a party for their newlywed neighbours, Tony and Angela.  Joining them is highly strung Susan who’s been banished from the party of her teenage daughter Abigail.  Welcome to 1970’s suburbia and its heady mix of free-flowing cocktails, classic disco and cheese and pineapple sticks.  As tensions rise and tempers flare the sheen of respectability is torn away by the warring couples with hilarious and potentially disastrous consequences. 

Originally directed in 1977 by Mike Leigh and then starring Alison Steadman, Abigail’s Partyis a suburban situation comedy of manners, and a satire on the aspirations and tastes of the new middle class that emerged in Britain in the 1970s.  Leigh had developed a method for creating narratives that relied on actors’ improvisations to manufacture characters and conflict in an organic manner. That method would become a signature feature of Leigh’s work thereafter.

Cllr Keith Myers, executive member for education, children and young people, said: “We welcome this offer which gives young people and students the opportunity to access the theatre whether for part of their studies or for the pleasure of seeing a great, live performance.”

Cllr Nigel Ayre, executive member for culture, leisure and tourism, said: “This is a great offer which make’s the city’s rich and varied arts even more easily accessible. Live theatre is a spectacle worth enjoying and I hope many take advantage of this partnership. ”

People aged 26 or under and students can get tickets for just £5. Available for all performances, simply give the code ABIGAIL5 and present ID on collection

Book tickets at the box office on Cumberland Street, York or at:www.atgtickets.com/shows/abigails-party/grand-opera-house-york/

NEW CAST AND ADDITIONAL TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED FOR

TOM WELLS AND MATTHEW ROBINS’ DRIP

Script Club & Boundless Theatre present

DRIP

Words by Tom Wells

Music by Matthew Robins

Director: Jane Fallowfield; Designer: Russ Henry

Lighting Designer: Adam Foley; Musical Director & Sound Designer: Matthew Robins

Boundless Theatre and Script Club today announce that Josh Tucker will play the role of Liam in Tom Wells and Matthew Robins’ Drip, as it embarks on a new 2019 tour following its recent run at Bush Theatre. Directed byJane Fallowfield, the production tours to The Lowry, Salford; Customs House, South Shields; Curve, Leicester as part of#DMUpride festival; North Wall, Oxford; The Coliseum, Oldham; Slung Low, Leeds; New Wolsey, Ipswich; Nonsuch Studios, Nottingham; Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal; Phoenix Arts, Hampshire; Harrogate Theatre; Cast, Doncaster; LIVE, Newcastle; and Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough.

Drip is a one-man musical comedy about a 15-year old boy who signs up to Hull’s first ever synchronised swimming team, though he can’t swim. It tells a story of getting the hang of being a queer teenager in Hull, and feeling proud of yourself and your city.

#DripTheMusical

@boundlessabound

@ScriptClubPlays

Tom Wells is a playwright. His theatre credits include Me, As A Penguin (Arcola Theatre/UK tour), The Kitchen Sink – which won the Critics Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright and the George Devine Award (Bush Theatre), Jumpers For Goalposts (Watford Palace Theatre/UK tour), Cosmic (Hull Truck Theatre), Folk and Broken Biscuits (UK tour). He has also written Ben & Lump (Channel 4) and Jonesy (BBC Radio 4). He is currently under commission to the Royal Court Theatre and National Theatre. 

Matthew Robins composes the music following his previous collaboration with Tom Wells on Broken Biscuits in 2016. His writing and performing credits include Flyboy is alone again this Christmas and Lullaby (Barbican). As a designer and puppet maker his credits include Something Very Far Away (Unicorn Theatre), A Most Peculiar Wintry Thing (The Ark, Dublin) and Laila (Watford Palace Theatre). He also recently directed and designed an adaption of Ted Hughes’ The Iron Man (Unicorn Theatre). A collection of Matthew’s animations, songs and mechanical puppet installations is on permanent display at the Science Museum in London in the Information Age gallery.

Josh Tucker plays Liam.His theatre credits include The Dip (Bunker Theatre/Edinburgh Festival Fringe), Five:Eight (Bernie Grant Arts Centre) and Witch, Witch, Witch (Camden People’s Theatre). 

Jane Fallowfield directs. Her credits includeGerm Free Adolescent, Bird (Derby Theatre), Fingertips (Clean Break), Cosmic, Spacewang (Hull Truck), The Only Way is Chelsea’s (York Theatre Royal/Soho Theatre) andLagan (Ovalhouse). She is the Literary Associate at Talawa Theatre Company.  Previously, Jane was Director on Attachment at Clean Break, Director on Attachment at Birmingham Rep (John Fernald Award) and Senior Reader at Paines Plough.  She is a mentor for Graeae Theatre Company and she has been on the script panel for the George Devine Award panel, BBC Writersroom and Channel 4 Screenwriting Course.   

DRIP                                                                                                                                                Listings

UK tour

31 January – 14 May 2019

www.boundlesstheatre.org.uk

2019 Tour Dates

The Lowry

Thursday 31 January, 8pm           

Box Office: 0843 208 6000 / www.thelowry.com

Customs House

Sunday 3 February, 7.30pm        

Box Office: 0191 454 1234 / www.customshouse.co.uk

Curve, Leicester

Wednesday 20 February

Box Office: 0116 242 3595/ www.curveonline.co.uk

North Wall

Tuesday 26 February, 8pm          

Box Office: 01865 319450 / www.thenorthwall.com

Oldham Coliseum

Friday 1 – Saturday 2 March, 7.30pm       

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

Slung Low

Sunday 10 March, 5pm

Box Office: www.slunglow.org

New Wolsey, Ipswich

Tuesday 12 March, 7.45pm         

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

Nonsuch Studios

Wednesday 20 March, 7.30pm  

Box Office: 0115 837 1950 / www.wearenonsuch.com                                                                                                                                 

Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal

Saturday 23 March, 8pm

Box Office: 01539 725133 / www.breweryarts.co.uk                                                                                                                                      

Phoenix Arts Hampshire

Thursday 28 March, 7.30pm       

Box Office: 01420 472664 / www.phoenixarts.co.uk

Harrogate Theatre         

Thursday 4 April, 7.45pm             

Box Office: 01423 502116 / www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk                                                                                                                                           

Cast, Doncaster

Thursday 11 April, 7.15pm           

Box Office: 01302 303959 / www.castindoncaster.com                                                                                                                                

LIVE, Newcastle

Tuesday 23 – Friday 26 April, 7.30pm

Box Office: 0191 232 1232 / www.live.org.uk    

Stephen Joseph Theatre

Tuesday 14 May, 7.30pm             

Box Office: 01723 370541 / www.sjt.uk.com

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE UK

STEPHEN SCHWARTZ WILL TAKE PART IN

A PUBLIC Q&A

AN EVENING WITH STEPHEN SCHWARTZ

WILL BE PRESENTED BY HOPE ARIA PRODUCTIONS AT

HOPE MILL THEATRE, MANCHESTER

ON SUNDAY 17 FEBRUARY

Katy Lipson of Aria Entertainment and Joseph Houston and William Whelton of Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester are delighted to announce AN EVENING WITH STEPHEN SCHWARTZ, a showcase of the multi-award-winning American lyricist and composer’s best loved repertoire, on Sunday 17 February. A drinks and finger buffet will begin at 6pm, with the main event beginning at 7.30pm, including Schwartz’s first ever UK panel discussion about his life and work.

In a career that spans four decades, Schwartz has written such critically acclaimed shows as Wicked, Pippin and Godspell and contributed lyrics to the films Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame and songs for The Prince of Egypt. 

The evening will be Hope Aria Production’s second fundraising event, after the success of ‘An Aria of Hope and Dreams’, with all proceeds from ticket sales going towards their 2019 season of work. The season opens with Schwartz’s RAGS from 2 March – 6 April, MAME with music by Jerry Herman, starring Tracie Bennett, from 27 September – 9 November, and THE ASTONISHING TIMES OF TIMOTHY CRATCHIT, a new musical, with music and lyrics by newcomer Andre Catrini, from 22 November – 29 December.

Hope Aria Productions was created in 2016, when Joseph Houston and William Whelton of Hope Mill Theatre joined forces with Katy Lipson of Aria Entertainment to spearhead the venue as a home for new musicals, musical premieres and musical revivals. Katy is now Producing Artistic Director for all in-house musicals. Hope Aria productions since 2016 include Parade, Hair, the European premiere of Yank!, Pippin, the European premiere of Little Women, the world premiere of Toyboy Diaries, Spring Awakening, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love, new British chamber musical The Return of the Soldier, and Stephen Sondheim’s Putting It Together. London transfers include Yank! at Charing Cross Theatre, Pippin at Southwark Playhouse and Hair at The Vaults, which won the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Off West End Production.  Hair will tour the UK later this year and the London transfer of Aspects of Love has recently opened at Southwark Playhouse.  In 2018, Hope Mill Theatre won The Stage Award for Fringe Theatre of the Year and the company featured in The Stage 100 in 2018 and 2019.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Hope Mill Theatre

Hope Mill
113 Pollard Street
Manchester
M4 7JA

Box Office:  0333 012 4963

hopemilltheatre.co.uk

www.facebook.com/HopeMillTheatre/

@hopemilltheatr1 / @HopeAria2019

www.instagram.com/hopemilltheatre/

An Evening with Stephen Schwartz

Sunday 17 February

Buffet 6.00pm

Event 7.30pm

Tickets £45 (including drinks reception and finger buffet)

Rags

2 March – 6 April 2019

Press Night: 5 March 2019

Tickets: £18 – £28 (Previews £16) Premium tickets available

Tue-Sat 7.30pm, Wed & Sat 2.30pm, Sun 3pm

Mame

27 September – 9 November 2019

Press Night: 3 October 2019

Tickets: £21 – £29 (Previews £16) Premium tickets available

Tue-Sat 7.30pm, Wed & Sat 2.30pm, Sun 3pm

The Astonishing Times of Timothy Cratchit

22 November – 29 December 2019

Press Night: 27 November 2019

Tickets: £18 – £28 (Previews £16) Family and Premium tickets available

Tue-Sat 7.30pm, Wed & Sat 2.30pm, Sun 3pm (2.30pm only on 24 December, no performances 25 & 26 December)

REVIEW: Benidorm Live (Sunderland Empire) ★★★★★

January 15, 2019 

For: West End Wilma 

https://www.westendwilma.com/review-benidorm-live-sunderland-empire/

The move from the beloved TV series to stage play has gone seamlessly for Benidorm, due in no small way to the brilliant writing of Derren Litten. He has given life to all the characters he knows so well.

In the fine tradition of farce, the story is based on a series of misunderstandings. Posh couple Sophie (Tricia Adele-Turner) and Ben (Bradley Clarkson) have been sent to the 3* Solano hotel in Benidorm because the sister hotel, the 5* Santiago hotel in Altea is overbooked. Manager Joyce (Sherrie Hewson) thinks the couple are really Hotel Inspectors and starts to treat them like VIP’s with free champagne, a personal waiter and a cheque for £3000 for “compensation”.

After meeting Ben at the pool, Jacqueline (Janine Duvitski) and her friend from the Middlesbrough Swingers Club, “Gay” Derek (Damian Williams) think that the couple are swingers.

At “Blow and Go”, Liam (Adam Gillen) is missing his dad Les so Kenneth (Tony Maudsley) fixes up a blind date for him. Derek meets Kenneth and falls instantly in love – with a totally hilarious scene with Derek “singing” I Can’t Fight This Feeling to Kenneth – all that was missing was a fogmaster 3000.

After discovering that Sophie and Ben aren’t the inspectors, Mateo (Jake Canuso) believes it to be Derek and he is given the champagne and attentive waiters instead.

It turns out to be someone else completely different in the end, but all’s well that ends well and we leave the Solano on a high.

Shelley Longworth completely shines as Sam the rep, revealing her outstanding singing voice and Jake Canuso shows off his epic dancing skills. Asa Elliott moves the plot along with his fabulous singing and there is some excellent choreography from Alan Harding.

Mark Walters’s set is versatile and I loved the little touches of the towels on the balconies, some curtains closed and others open and different lights on.

From Kenneth’s outfits to the double entendres, this show is very near the knuckle filth wise and the entire audience seemed to love it. With a very much deserved standing ovation at the end.

In Sunderland until Saturday and on tour around the UK, if you are a fan of the TV show then this hilarious stage version is not to be missed.

THE BARRICADE BOYS

STARS OF LES MISERABLES

LIVE IN CONCERT

MAJOR UK TOUR & USA DATES

FROM 14 FEBRUARY TO 20 JULY 2019

★★★★★ “These guys are fantastic… DON’T miss this show!” – Alfie Boe

★★★★★ “Do you hear the people sing? Yes! With dashing good looks, incredible voices and outstanding musical magic!” – Elaine Paige, BBC Radio 2

Direct from London’s West End and Broadway, The Barricade Boys are back on the road with their sensational and critically acclaimed national tour! Featuring fabulous harmonies, incredible vocals, dashing good looks and stacks of charm, The Barricade Boys showcase the UK’s finest male voices from the world’s longest running musical – Les Misérables.

The Barricade Boys not only perform the world’s greatest show tunes, but they also celebrate music from some of the most iconic names in the music industry, from powerful ballads and beautiful operatic arias to some of the best pop, rock and swing numbers of all time.

After sell-out performances in London’s West End, an appearance on Broadway and a host of international dates, this exceptional group are once again taking their spectacular live show around the country, as well as across the pond to the USA (in April).

The Barricade Boys have played nearly every major role in musical theatre from The Phantom of The Opera, Wicked and Billy Elliot to Jersey Boys, The Sound Of Music and of course Les Misérables. As seen on ITV’s ‘This Morning’ and ‘The Paul O’Grady Show’, The Barricade Boyshave rightfully secured their place as the world’s leading musical theatre super group.

The Barricade Boys were founded in 2016 by Scott Garnham (Nativity! The Musical, Billy Elliot The Musical, Made in Dagenham, Les Misérables) and Simon Schofield (title role in Oliver! London Palladium, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Sound of Music, Doctor Doolitle, Les Misérables).Note To Editors:

Follow The Barricade Boys on Facebook and Twitter @Barricadeboys and Instagram @BarricadeboysUK

www.Barricadeboys.com

2019 Tour Dates:

Thursday 14th February          

Windsor, Theatre Royal

Book Tickets Here

Thursday 21st February           

Basingstoke, The Haymarket

Book Tickets Here

Friday 15th March

Paignton, Palace Theatre

Book Tickets Here

Saturday 16th March

Portsmouth, Kings Theatre

Book Tickets Here

Sunday 17th March

Birmingham, Alexandra Theatre

Book Tickets Here

Thursday 21st March

Walsall, Forest Arts Centre

Book Tickets Here

Friday 22nd March

Runcorn, The Brindley

Book Tickets Here

Saturday 23rd March

Consett, The Empire

Book Tickets Here

Sunday 24th March

Blackburn, King George’s Hall

Book Tickets Here

Sunday 7^th April

Florida, USA, Aventura PAC

Monday 8^th & Tuesday 9^th April

Florida, USA, Crest Theater

Friday 12^th April

New York (Brooklyn) Kingsborough College

Saturday 13^th April

New York (Long Island) Tiles Center

Sunday 14^th April

New York (Queensborough) Community College

Saturday 20th April

Doncaster, The Dome

Book Tickets Here

Wednesday 1st May

Radlett, Radlett Centre

Book Tickets Here

Friday 3rd May

Coventry, Belgrade Theatre

Book Tickets Here

Saturday 4th May

York, Grand Opera House

On Sale Soon

Sunday 5th May

Darlington, The Hippodrome

Book Tickets Here

Tuesday 14th May

Colchester, Mercury Theatre

Book Tickets Here

Saturday 18th May

Southend, Palace Theatre

Book Tickets Here

Sunday 19th May

Surrey. Dorking Halls

Book Tickets Here

Friday 24th May

Aylesbury. Waterside Theatre On Sale Soon

Saturday 25th May

Retford, Majestic Theatre

Book Tickets Here

Sunday 26th May

Bolton, Albert Halls On Sale Soon

Saturday 1^st June

Bromley, Churchill Theatre On Sale Soon

Wednesday 6th June

Poole, Lighthouse Theatre

Book Tickets Here

Friday 7^th June

Winchester, Theatre Royal On Sale Soon

Thursday 13^th June

Chesham, Elgiva Theatre On Sale Soon

Friday 14th June

Brecon, Theatr Brycheiniog

Book Tickets Here

Saturday 15th June

Malvern, Malvern Theatres On Sale Soon

Thursday 20th June

Hastings, White Rock Theatre

Book Tickets Here

Thursday 27^th June

Hertford, Hertford Theatre On Sale Soon

Saturday 20th July

Grimsby, Auditorium

Book Tickets Here

Whitney – Queen Of The Night

Second West End date announced as international

Whitney Houston tribute show announces sell out debut

Critically acclaimed international stage sensation Whitney – Queen of the Night will return to London’s Savoy Theatre for a second show – after its premiere performance sold out.

The production makes its West End debut in front of a full house at the Savoy on Sunday March 24.

And due to the huge demand for the stunning celebration of the music and life of one of the greatest singers of our time, the show will return to The Savoy Theatre on Sunday, June 2.

Tickets go on sale at 10am Friday, January 18 from www.thesavoytheatre.com  

Whitney – Queen Of The Night will star Elesha Paul Moses (Whitney – Queen Of The Night tour,What’s Love Got To Do With It?, The Voice, The X Factor) in the title role, supported by a stunning live band.

Speaking about the sell-out show and new date, Elesha said: “It is amazing to be planning and preparing for our West End debut knowing that there will be a sold out audience at the historic Savoy theatre.

“I am thrilled to be bringing Whitney – Queen Of The Night to the West End and am so excited that we are announcing a second date – thanks to the huge demand from audiences.”

The outstanding concert production has toured extensively across the UK and Europe for the past three years and promoters Cuffe and Taylor are delighted to be giving the show its West End premiere.

The Savoy audience can enjoy three decades of nostalgic hits, including I Wanna Dance With Somebody, One Moment In Time, I’m Every Woman, I Will Always Love You, My Love Is Your Love, So Emotional Baby, Run to You, Saving All My Love, How Will I Know, Million Dollar Bill, The Greatest Love Of All, and many more.

Elesha added: “Whitney – Queen Of The Night is a magnificent show, celebrating the life and music of a phenomenal performer. I’ve toured with the production in the past, and now to step into the limelight and perform as Whitney on the West End stage singing these incredible songs is an amazing opportunity, and one I’m really looking forward to.”

Ben Hatton, Cuffe and Taylor Director of Theatre Touring, said: “We are delighted to be givingWhitney – Queen Of The Night its West End premiere and to now be adding a second date in the capital. This is a stunning show and The Savoy is the perfect theatre to present this to a West End audience.”

Before her death in 2012, Whitney had been hailed as the most awarded artist of all time, by Guinness World Records – with six Grammy Awards and 30 Billboard Music Awards among her 415 titles.

Whitney – Queen Of The Night is an unmissable evening paying homage to one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with a sensational cast and a stunning live band.