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The Lowry, Salford – until 23^rd March 2019. 

Reviewed by Sarah Cockerill

5*****

The enchanting masterpiece that is Beauty and the Beast was welcomed by the audience at The Lowry, Salford this week. Whilst there’s no denying that the movie adaptations of Beauty and the Beast are magical, this spellbinding adaptation by Birmingham Royal Ballet was so entrancing it hooked us all – children and adults alike.

Yvette Knight’s performance as Belle was enough in itself to hypnotise the audience into a trance and it was impossible not to be always drawn to her when she took to the stage. When she opened the show in postcard-worthy freeze frame I couldn’t be 100% sure that she was a three-dimensional human being. Her performance throughout can only be described as utterly stunning.

The candelabra may not have been all singing and dancing, but the magic was still there, leaving the audience with that same feeling of fascination and joy that was felt as a child watching a Disney film which made this show all the better. I didn’t feel like I was watching a show for children, I was watching a world-class masterpiece that could be enjoyed by all.

The intricate detail in the set and costumes added to the magic. The Beast’s look was more feline than monstrous, but his grotesque mask meant his presence on stage was a chilling experience for the audience, a stark contrast to the presence of Belle.

The man behind the mask, Brandon Lawrence, was perfect for the role, and the chemistry between Lawrence and Knight was completely captivating. Their dances could have gone on all night and I wouldn’t have been able to keep my eyes off them.

Accompanying the cast was the live orchestra which was a glorious treat that plucked at the heartstrings at precisely the right moments during the show. The music of Glenn Buhr perfectly complemented the choreography of David Bintley, a collaboration I would be delighted to witness again.

Whilst this wasn’t the first production I’d seen from Birmingham Royal Ballet, it most certainly won’t be the last either.

Catch Beauty and The Beast at The Lowry, Salford until Saturday 23^rd March.

STATEMENT

On Friday 15 March a social media post dating from 2014, which was written by the The Color Purple cast member Seyi Omooba, was re-posted on Twitter. The comments made by Seyi in that post have caused significant and widely expressed concerns both on social media and in the wider press.

Following careful reflection it has been decided that Seyi will no longer be involved with the production. This decision was supported by the Authors and Theatrical Rights Worldwide.

The audition process, as ever, was conducted professionally and rigorously, led by an exceptional casting director with actors who are evaluated on what they present in the audition room. We do not operate a social media screening process in the casting of actors.

No further comment will be made at this time.

Chris Stafford and Nikolai Foster on behalf of Curve and Fiona Allan on behalf of Birmingham Hippodrome

Mayflower Theatre Southampton – until Saturday 30th March 2019.

Reviewed by Leanne Caplis

5*****

Dodger Theatricals and Ambassador Theatre Group present Jersey Boys who once again return to the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton.

Watch as you are taken through a musical extravaganza of one of the most successful bands in music history. Worldwide hits including Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like a Man and Sherry tell the true-life story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

The full cast have remarkable talent although the stands out stars, with their West End professionalism shining through were Simon Bailey (Tommy Devito), Declan Egan (Bob Gaudio) and Michael Watson (Frankie Valli). The voices of these three cast members were faultless with Simon Bailey taking my numbers one spot for star of the show.

Right from curtain up I found myself tapping my feet, clapping my hands and singing along with the music. I thought it clever how we saw a concert from the eyes of the Four Seasons although a warning to those in the dress circle – you might need your sunglasses at the end of the scene as the lights are extremely bright!

The staging is superb and continually changes from a bar to a car and even to a bedroom. The prop and scene changes are carried out seamlessly and although there are a lot of them they do not distract from the show which is testament to the talents of the cast and crew alike.

It was hard to find fault with most of this show which is to be expected with a show that has appeared in the West End. However, the continuous use of expletives is not required. This is a family show and those considering taking younger audience members might want to be aware of it.

The show doesn’t finish at curtain call as you will find yourself singing along with others to the songs of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons as you leave the theatre. If you like music this fast moving, hit after hit show is for you.

DAVID BADDIEL STORY TAKES TO THE STAGE

To many, David Baddiel is known for his award-winning work as a comedian and presenter including Newman and Baddiel, Fantasy Football, Baddiel & Skinner Unplanned and his platinum number one single Three Lions. Less is known about his writing of children’s books such as AniMalcolm – the stage adaptation of which is coming to Darlington Hippodrome on Thursday 18 and Friday 19 April.

Since making his debut with The Parent Agency in 2015, his children’s novels have gone on to sell over one million copies. One such novel is AniMalcolm, a runaway bestseller which tells the story of Malcolm, a boy who doesn’t like animals whilst his family are wild about them. Now AniMalcolm has been adapted for the stage as a gloriously funny musical from the award-winning Story Pocket Theatre, and after a smash-hit debut at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the production will play at Darlington Hippodrome as part of a major UK tour.

“AniMalcolm was my third book for children, and I think it’s my funniest” says David. “Animals are loveable, cute, sweet, friendly, and nice to cuddle, but they are also, always, funny.”

The amount of animal memes now swirling around the internet is testament to how entertaining we find our furry companions, but why exactly do we find them so funny? David explains; “They are what we in comedy call deadpan, meaning their faces never really change. So in almost any situation you put an animal in, they always just look like ‘OK, this is happening’. Which if they’re falling off a sofa, or running into a plate glass window, or eating a pair of sunglasses, is definitely the funniest face to make.”

A self-confessed animal-lover, David has always been interested in our curious relationship with our pets. “I myself have four cats and a guinea pig. I wrote AniMalcolm partly because I’ve never lived without animals, and I’m often struck by how wonderful it is that pets just happily accept living with you in your house, even though they haven’t paid rent, or had an interview to become your lodger”.

“But then I wondered what it would be like if you didn’t immediately feel drawn to animals, or find them cute or funny, what a strange thing that would be. So I created Malcolm, who just doesn’t get animals, but lives in a house full of them. And the story took off from there.”

Now AniMalcolm has been adapted for the stage by Story Pocket Theatre and is set to tour the UK throughout Spring 2019. “It has been such a thrill to see AniMalcolm brought to life on stage, and as a musical! Story Pocket have done a wonderful job with this adaptation, and it will be a real treat seeing Malcolm adventuring around the UK with his menagerie of animals in tow”.

AniMalcolm is at Darlington Hippodrome on Thursday 18 and Friday 19 April.

For more information or to book call 01325 405405 or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

Royal & Derngate announces its Made in Northampton2019 Christmas Show

The World Premiere of
Pippi Longstocking
by Astrid Lindgren
A Musical Adventure

Adapted for the stage by Mike Akers
Original music by Stu Barker

Tuesday 10 to Tuesday 31 December 2019

Royal & Derngate announces another world premiere production, a musical staging of Pippi Longstocking, for the venue’s Made in Northampton 2019 Christmas show. Meanwhile, the venue’s 2018 Christmas production of The Worst Witch continues to tour the UK. Pippi Longstockingis adapted for the stage for the first time by Mike Akers from Astrid Lindgren’s much-loved books, with original music by Stu Barker. It will be directed by The Wardrobe Ensemble’s Jesse Jones andHelena Middleton who co-directed Education, Education, Education for Royal & Derngate in 2017.

Celebrating nearly 75 years since Astrid Lindgren first conceived Pippi Longstocking as “the strongest girl in the world”, this stage premiere of one of our best loved children’s books promises an epic musical adventure set against a Northamptonshire backdrop that will be created especially for Christmas audiences at Royal & Derngate.

Nine-year-old Pippi is strong, brave and fearless. When she comes to live in her new home with her monkey and horse but with no parents and no rules, she brings mischief, chaos and confusion to the folk of this ordinary Midlands town. Pippi takes charge of her own crazy adventures, with her two new friends, Tommy and Annika. What else would you expect from the daughter of a swashbuckling pirate captain?

Pippi Longstocking has been adapted for the stage by playwright Mike Akers whose numerous family shows include Treasure Island, Peter Pan and Jane Eyre for Bristol Old Vic and the National Theatre.

Composed by Stu Barker, whose West End and Broadway credits with Kneehigh Theatre Company include Brief Encounter and The Red Shoes, this energetic and joyful production will be directed by The Wardrobe Ensemble’s Jesse Jones and Helena Middleton, who together directed Royal & Derngate’s co-production of Education, Education, Education, which won The Stage Award for Best Ensemble and a Fringe First. Jesse’s other credits for Royal & Derngate include early years Christmas show Second Star to the Right, whilst Helena’s family production of The Star Seekersrecently played at the National Theatre.

This enchanting family show is co-produced by Wizard Presents and ABA International Touring (UK) as part of Royal & Derngate’s Made in Northampton season.

Pippi Longstocking takes to the Royal stage from Tuesday 10 to Tuesday 31 December 2019. For more information, call Royal & Derngate’s Box Office on 01604 624811 or visitwww.royalandderngate.co.uk. Pippi Longstocking is presented by arrangement with IPR Ltd in cooperation with Nordiska ApS., Copenhagen.

Other forthcoming Made in Northampton productions include a new version of Ibsen’s Ghosts by Mike Poulton directed by Lucy Bailey and starring Penny Downie, James Wilby and Declan Conlon, a co-production of Richard III starring Tom Mothersdale, the regional premiere of August Wilson’s Two Trains Running, directed by Nancy Medina, winner of the 2018 RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award, and a new romantic musical comedy by Jim Barne and Kit Buchan, The Season. Royal & Derngate’s Christmas 2018 co-production of Jill Murphy’s The Worst Witch, adapted by Emma Reeves and directed by Theresa Heskins, is currently touring the UK.

Made in Northampton is sponsored locally by Michael Jones Jeweller.

@RoyalDerngate / #MadeInNorthampton / #pippimusical

* A charge of £3 applies for all transactions of £15 and over. Does not apply to Groups, Friends or Disabled Patrons, and is per-transaction, not per-ticket.

Sonia Friedman Productions presents
ROSMERSHOLM
By Henrik Ibsen
In a new adaptation by Duncan Macmillan
Directed by Ian Rickson

• STRIKING NEW UNDERWATER IMAGE OF ROSMERSHOLM RELEASED TODAY 
   
• TOM BURKE, HAYLEY ATWELL AND GILES TERERA LEAD THE CAST
   
• ROSMERSHOLM BEGINS PREVIEWS ON WEDNESDAY 24 APRIL AT DUKE OF YORK’S THEATRE

Sonia Friedman Productions have today released a new show image for Rosmersholm which begins previews at the Duke of York’s Theatre on 24th April. 

Tom Burke (Strike, The Musketeers) will play the soulful John Rosmer haunted by history and tradition. Hayley Atwell (Howards End, Captain America) will be Rebecca West, an enigmatic and unpredictable, free-spirited heroine. Giles Terera (Hamilton, West End) will be Andreas Kroll, a powerful moral voice, who struggles to reconcile his friendship to Rosmer amidst the changing political tides.

Henrik Ibsen’s classic examination of a country in state of political flux has been adapted byDuncan Macmillan and is directed by Ian Rickson.  The cast also includes Lucy Briers (Wolf Hall, West End/Broadway) as Mrs Helseth, Jake Fairbrother (Lady from the Sea, Donmar Warehouse) as Peter Mortensgaard and Peter Wight (The Birthday Party, West End) as Ulrik Brendel.

An election looming. A country on the brink. A rabid press baying for blood. At the centre of the storm is Rosmersholm, the grand house of an influential dynasty. This is where the future will be decided by John Rosmer – a man torn between the idealised hope of the future and the ghosts of his past.

Rosmersholm will play at the Duke of York’s Theatre from April 24th, with an opening night of May 2nd. The run will end on July 20th.

Produced by Sonia Friedman Productions
With Brenda Leff, Colin Callender, John Gore, 1001 Nights Productions, Burnt Umber Productions, Bradford W. Edgerton Living Trust, Tulchin Bartner Productions.

Fragen Theatre in association with Park Theatre present the World Premiere of

HELL YES I’M TOUGH ENOUGH

24Apr – 18 May 2019 | Park Theatre

Casting has been announced for the World Premiere production of Hell Yes I’m Tough Enough, a modern historical satire exposing the farcical pantomime behind the British 2015 election circuit. Informed by sources within the government, the production stars Ben Hood, Michael Edwards, Cassandra Hercules, Edward Halsted, Venice Van Someren, Mikhail Sen, Annie Tyson, James Bryant and Ben Alderton. The official press night will be Friday 26 April, 7pm at Park Theatre.

Political leaders Ned Contraband and David Carter ruthlessly battle it out to get into government. Whether it’s propaganda, ridicule, hacking, leaking, bullying, blackmail, coalition or negotiation – no tactic is too low. Which party has the best pitch? Who do we set up for failure? Why are we in this situation in the first place? And who is this peculiar janitor talking in riddles? One thing is clear: the system is very much broken. But who’s going to fix it?

Playwright Ben Alderton said of the play’s origins: “Hell Yes I’m Tough Enough took shape when, after years of our current political malaise, I began to explore what felt like the genesis for the personalities behind our current predicaments: the 2015 election. After years of research and working with inside sources to better understand the true personalities behind the podiums, I shared the script with contacts I’d made within the government. What I thought would be dismissed as a farcical and farfetched satire of debauchery was, I was told, uncannily and uncomfortably close to the truth. So much has come to pass since 2015, but this play serves as a worrying reminder of the pressures of political office, and the mechanisms that humans use to cope when the cameras are off.”

Playwright Ben Alderton will also play political leader David Carter, alongside Ben Hood (RANK – The Lowry;Faulty Towers The Dining Experience and The Wedding Reception – internationally touring) in the role of the opposition, Ned Contraband. In addition to being a playwright, Ben is an accomplished actor having appeared in productions for Secret Cinema (28 Days Later; Empire Strikes Back and Dr. Strangelove), and other recent work including You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Junction) and Planter’s Island (Black Box).

They are joined by Edward Halsted in the role of the mysterious janitor. Edward has performed extensively for Punchdrunk (Firebird Ball; The Yellow Wallpaper; The Drowned Man and the title role in Faust). His other credits include Twelve Angry Men (national tour); Lady Anna: All at Sea (Park Theatre and tour); Single Spies(National Theatre and West End) and Simon At Midnight (Young Vic).

The cast is completed by Michael Edwards (Counting Sheep – Vault Festival; The Fifth Column – Southwark Playhouse) as Will; Cassandra Hercules (One Hundred Trillion – Southwark Playhouse; Lest We Forget – Greenwich Theatre) as Sharon; Venice Van Someren (The Real Thing – Theatre Royal Bath/UK tour; Dear Brutus– Southwark Playhouse) as Poppy; Mikhail Sen (Troilus and Cressida – RSC; Taj Express – U.S tour and Sadler’s Wells London) as Patrick; Annie Tyson (King Lear – Old Vic; The Enemies Within – Young Vic) as Glyniss, andJames Bryant (PINKY – Feature Film; Street Magic – The Bunker Theatre) as Nick Clog.

CREATIVE TEAM

Ben Alderton – Writer

Roland Reynolds – Director

Isabella Van Braeckel – Designer

Alex Hopkins – Lighting Designer

Julian Starr – Sound Designer

Lewis Daniel – Composer

Annie Tayler – Producer

www.parktheatre.co.uk

Box office: 020 7870 6876*

DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE ROARS INTO WEMBLEY PARKWITH A SUMMER SEASON AT THE NEW TROUBADOUR WEMBLEY PARK THEATRE

18 July – 1 September 2019

Direct from the West End, DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE, the interactive children’s theatre show that brings dinosaurs to life on stage, today announces a seven-week summer season at the brand-new Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre. DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE will be one of the first productions to run at the new fully-flexible performance space located in North West London’s newest cultural neighbourhood, playing from Thursday 18 July to Sunday 1 September 2019, tickets go on sale today.

DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE is currently touring the UK and returns to London due to popular demand. It follows a hugely successful national tour last year, including a smash-hit season at Regent’s Park Open-Air Theatre. 

Using stunning puppetry to bring remarkably life-like dinosaurs to the stage, DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE presents a host of impressive pre-historic creatures including every child’s favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, along with a Giraffatitan, Microraptor, Segnosaurus and Triceratops. The show introduces Miranda, daughter of palaeontologists, who grew up surrounded by dinosaurs on a far-away island off the coast of South America. She has brought her pre-historic pals to Wembley Park and would love you to meet them. Warning: some of these dinosaurs aren’t as docile as they seem!

DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE delivers an entertaining and educational live show for all the family, suitable for all ages 3 and above. Each performance is followed by a post-show meet and greet where audience members have the opportunity to meet the dinosaurs up close and in person. Tickets are selling out fast on tour, so we urge all dino-lovers to book now for Wembley Park before tickets become extinct! 

Written and directed by Derek Bond (Sweet Charity, Manchester Theatre Awards 2017 winner, Little Shop of Horrors Manchester Royal Exchange), the creative team includes: Puppet Designer Max Humphries (National Theatre, Royal Opera House, Cirque de Soleil); Puppet Director Laura Cubitt (Running Wild, Chichester Festival Theatre; Don Quixote, RSC; War Horse NT Berlin); Puppetry Consultant Toby Olié (for the National Theatre: Elephantom, Peter Pan, The Light Princess, Hansel & Gretel, NT: 50 Years on Stage and also the original hind puppeteer of Joey in War Horse); Set & Costume Designer James Perkins; Lighting Designer John Maddox and Sound Designer Tom Mann. 

The cast includes: Lucy Varney (Miranda), Romina Hytten (Puppeteer / Understudy Miranda), Darcy Collins (Puppeteer / Puppet Captain), Gary Mitchinson (Puppeteer), Peter Twose (Puppeteer), Emily Cooper (Puppeteer / Puppet Technician). 

DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE is produced by Nicoll Entertainment.

Listings Information:

DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE 

Venue Address:Troubadour Wembley Park TheatreFulton Rd, Wembley HA9 8TS

Thu 18 July – Sun 1 September 2019Performance Times:18 – 19 Jul:-Thu 1.30pm & 4pmFri 1.30pm & 4pm
20 Jul – 1 Sep:-Wed 11amThu & Fri 11am & 2pmSat 10.30am & 12.30pmSun 11am & 2pm

Box Office:Telephone bookings: 0844 815 4865*

Website:www.dinosaurworldlive.com | www.troubadourtheatres.com/wembley-park *7p/min plus network access charge

Social Media: Twitter/Instagram: @dinoworldlive @troubadourWParkFacebook: /dinoworldlive /TroubadourWembleyParkTheatre

Prices: Tickets from £14School Groups 10+ £10.00 (plus 1 teacher free with every 10 tickets booked)Groups 10+ £14.50

Access Bookings: 0333 320 1663

Group and School’s Bookings: 0203 701 9370

Age Guidance: Suitable for ages 3+ 

Running Time: 50 minutes + 15 min post show meet and greet with the dinosaurs

ALMACK PRODUCTIONS PRESENT

Starring

DILLIE KEANE

Let there be light… applause and laughter. Actress and comedian Dillie Keane will lead the cast in new production of the original irreverent comedy musical Nunsense, as it makes a pilgrimage to London for a limited run at Union Chapel 18-20 July.

Olivier award-nominated Dillie Keane is probably best known as one third of the comedy cabaret trio Fascinating Aïda with a prominent solo career. Theatre credits include Perrier Award-nominated showSingle Again and many additional one woman shows including Citizen Keane and Back With You. Keane wrote songs for Sandi Toksvig’s musical comedy Big Night Out which she also starred in and other theatre works, amongst many, include A Slice of Life, Dancing at Lughnasa, Charley’s Aunt,, Present Laughter ,The Vagina Monologues, Little Women, Grumpy Old Women Live, Me and My Girl,and  Frank and Dolly. Television includes Pie in the Sky and The Truth About Women.

Dillie tells us that ‘Taking the role of Sister Mary Regina seems like a natural step in my career following a convent education, a kind of aversion therapy, if you like.  I am particularly delighted to be playing the ‘Top Nun’.  It means I haven’t had to climb the ranks from Sister Floor-Washer to Sister Communion-Wine-Buyer, and I’ve jumped straight in at Reverend Mother level.  Brilliant.  I can’t wait to bring this hilarious show back to London after such a long time and in such a fabulously appropriate venue’

Winner of the Outer Critics’ Circle awards for the best Off-Broadway musical and praised by audiences the world over for more than 30 years, Nunsense is a true international triumph having been translated into over 25 languages and performed around the globe.

Nunsense see’s five survivors of the Little Sisters of Hoboken convent (following an unfortunate incident of unintended soup poisoning!) putting on benefit to make up the shortfall on funds for the burial of the remaining 4 of the 52 dead. The sisterhood come together at the Union Chapel for an all-singing, all-dancing revue – with a bit of circus thrown in for good measure! Meet Sister Mary ‘Amnesia’ and city slicking nun Sister Robert Anne as calamities unfold whilst Mother Superior tries in vain to maintain order, but mischievousness prevails!

Nunsense is directed and choreographed by Andrew Wright, with lighting design by Jack Weir, sound design by Calum Martin and casting from Debbie O’Brien and  Harry J Blumenau. It is produced by ALMACK Productions, which was founded in 2017 by Alan Mackintosh, and follows previous critically acclaimed sell-out productions of Nunsense and Little Shop of Horrors in his home town of Inverness.

Alan says; “Nunsense is a laugh out loud show which never grows old! Having previously produced the show in Inverness in 2018, I’m delighted to share this side-splitting musical at such a gorgeous – and fitting- venue. To bring this back to London after such a long time with the incomparable Dillie Keane in such a fabulous role is the perfect London debut for Almack productions’

Prepare for uproarious fun, classic sing along songs from the sisters and witness for yourself what makes this musical one of the longest-running off-Broadway shows in history. Book your tickets today at www.NunsenseLondon.com to revel in this divine comedy musical

Thanks to the lovely people at Bristol Hippodrome we have a fabulous competition

In order to win a pair of tickets to see Calendar Girls, at Bristol Hippodrome, on Tuesday July 9th at 7.30pm – just answer this simple question:

To what organisation do the Calendar Girls belong?

Competition closes on Thursday 4 April at 1pm

To enter email lindsay@fairypoweredproductions.com