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Six new plays, 10 days, 5 discussions with 12 leading theatre professionals make this year’s Elevator Festival the biggest yet!

Six new plays from writers and companies selected by Live Theatre for their exceptional new ideas will be show-cased in Elevator Festival, which returns for its fourth edition between Thursday 21 to Saturday 30 March 2019. Picked as ones to watch in the new generation of theatre-makers, five of the companies were awarded a coveted Live Theatre bursary to develop their plays.

Graeme Thompson, Creative Producer, Live Theatre said;

“Elevator Festival is a real celebration of talent and has a huge amount of quality work on offer. It’s a chance see six fantastic new plays which are all are very different but all fabulous stories and a great night out. These artists are all on the rise, so we’ll be seeing more their work in the future so it’s worth seeing them here at Elevator Festival first.”

Alt-Right on the Night written and performed by Matthew Greenhough explores friendship and disenfranchisement in modern Britain, with a punk rock sound track. Matthew trained as an actor at Northumbria University (and whilst studying worked on the bar at Live Theatre). His play Bismillah! – a play exploring radicalism with a Queen soundtrack played to a packed studio theatre when it came to Live Theatre last year.

West End Girls follows three different women’s stories across three housing estates and three moments in time, and was inspired by writer Adam’s Hughes’ research into local history in Newcastle. Adam is an Offie Award winning playwright who is linked to Finborough Theatre and West Yorkshire Playhouse and is part of BBC Writers Room Shadow Scheme. This is performed in a Double Bill withW*nk Buddies, a show which explores identity, gender, and sexuality. Written and performed by Jake Jarratt and Cameron Sharp and is inspired by their own meeting as students on the Northumbria University performing arts course. Both now graduates, Cameron is co-founder and performer in drag cabaret theatre group Bonnie and The Bonnettes whilst Jake makes theatre exploring identity.

Pops by Charlotte Josephine looks at the relationship between a father and daughter and their attempts to honestly connect. Josephine wrote and performed Edinburgh hit shows Bitch Boxer andBlush and is currently under commission at BBC Films. See this in a Double Bill with Locks, a play about a mixed-race English lad goes to find his identity in Jamaica and spends his 18^th birthday in prison. Locks is written and performed by Ashleigh Nugent and adapted from his own memoir which won the 2013 Commonword Memoir Competition.

The Devil Danced in our Eyes by Jonluke McKie explores sexuality, mental health and the mother-son relationship through storytelling, sound and music. The play was in last year’s Elevator Scratch Night as Preconceived, and has been supported by Live Theatre into a longer show for this year’s Elevator Festival.

Audiences at Elevator Festival last year said:

‘Enjoyable, Eye-opening, Funny.’ on Preconceived by Jonluke McKie

“Two brilliant plays about stories that need to be told – I’d pay to come and see full length plays developed from these- amazing work.” Elevator Festival 2018 audience member

Accompanying the plays are a series of workshops and masterclasses in which leading theatre professionals share their insight into making new work. Talks include Working Class Representation on the Stage with Ishy Din, writer of Approaching Empty, Adam Hughes, writer of West End Girls, theatre maker Sian Armstrong, Stupid, Northern Stage and Graeme Thompson, Creative Producer, Live Theatre. Future of Playwriting with playwrights Vinay Patel and Chris Bush and alongside Chris Foxon, of playwright development agency Papatango, Charlotte Bennett, Associate Director, Soho Theatre, and Joe Douglas, Artistic Director, Live Theatre. Women and The World with Writer and actor Tracy Gillman, Live Theatre Writer-in-Residence Chinonyerem Odimba, Charlotte Josephine writer of Pops and a FREE Introduction to Producing Discussion with Live Theatre’sGraeme Thompson and a range of theatre producers.

Live Theatre has also launched it’s call out for its 2019 Bursary offering £2,000, support and space to develop innovative new theatre for next year’s Elevator Festival. See www.live.org.uk/bursary for details.

As well as the companies performing in this year’s Elevator Festival, previous Live Theatre Bursary winners include Rat Boy by Christina Berriman Dawson and Lee Mattinson, who are now currently working on a full length version of the play for Live Theatre, The Soaking of Vera Shrimp by Alison Carr and Captain Amazing by Alistair McDowall, both of which were produced a full length productions by live Theatre and transferred to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

“For young artists, it is a luxury to have the time to dedicate to the process of making a show, without constantly have to think about the end product. Having the support of Live Theatre gave us more confidence, we got to meet other artists working in the building and we had a space to develop and thrive.” Cameron Sharp and Jake Jarratt, 2018 Bursary recipients

Tickets for plays in Elevator Festival cost between £8 and £10, with concessions £8 and £6. Discussions are £3. Live Theatre has extended availability of its concession priced tickets to includeall young people aged 25 and under, proof of age is needed when booking or collecting tickets.

To book tickets and to find out more contact Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232 orvisit www.live.org.uk/elevator.

PARK HILL RESIDENTS GIVEN CHANCE TO SEE NEW MUSICAL FIRST

The landmark new musical, Standing at the Sky’s Edge, opens at the Crucible on Friday 15March, and Sheffield Theatres is giving the people of Park Hill a chance to see it first.

Throughout the process of creating Standing at the Sky’s Edge, the theatres have worked closely with both ex and current residents of Park Hill and surrounding areas. On Thursday 14 March, these local groups, individuals and organisations will be invited to be the first to see the show in its Public Dress Rehearsal.

As part of this engagement project with the communities of Park Hill, Sheffield Theatres has created the ‘People of Park Hill’ project, speaking to ex and current residents of the estate about their history, lives and stories of living in Sheffield’s most iconic building – these stories are available on social media and will be played within the Crucible during the run of Standing at the Sky’s Edge. 

In addition, ‘Songs from the Sky’s Edge’, has seen Sheffield Theatres bringing the community-based Everyone’s Singing Group, a based in the Manor & Castle Park and Arbourthorne neighbourhoods of Sheffield together with professional musician, Luke Carver Goss. Across several weeks the group are creating a song, giving voice to their own stories and experiences of community, place and heritage, culminating in performances in the Crucible foyer before Standing at the Sky’s Edge on Wednesday 27 March.

Finally, with thanks to Urban Splash, the photographic work of Bill Stephenson – which was recently part of the hugely successful Love Among the Ruins exhibition at Park Hill – will be displayed at the Crucible and Park Hill-based cafe, South Street Kitchen, throughout the run of Standing at the Sky’s Edge. The theatres is also putting a call out to people who have lived in or around Park Hill over the last 60 years to share their photos with them.

Dan Bates, Chief Executive at Sheffield Theatres, said: ‘”Standing at the Sky’s Edge is the story of our city. We’ve connected with so many people have contributed to the show’s development or are participating in music, photography or oral history projects that are inspired by it. These people, most of whom have never been to our theatres before, are at the heart of this musical and I’m delighted that we’re able to share the show with them first.”

Standing at the Sky’s Edge runs at the Crucible Theatre from Friday 15 March – Saturday 6 April. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased from Sheffield Theatres’ Box Office in-person, by phone on 0114 249 6000 or online at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.

Theatr Clwyd,

Mold, Flintshire, North Wales CH7 1YA

Theatr Clwyd Announces Writers in Residence for 2019

Theatr Clwyd announces six Writers in Residence who will be attached to its in-house productions this year. The bursary gives emerging writers the opportunity to spend time observing rehearsals, develop ideas in a creative environment, get to know other artists working at the theatre and, if appropriate, get feedback on their work.

Each writer will spend ten days at the theatre and the bursary will cover travel, subsistence and expenses. The Writers in Residence scheme is generously supported by Gladstone’s Library, where accommodation is provided at the Grade 1 listed building in Hawarden which is the only Prime Ministerial Library in Britain.

Theatr Clwyd is a home for writers in Wales and the residencies represent the beginning of a relationship with a network of writers.

Sami Ibrahim and Carys Lewis are Writers in Residence for Tennessee Williams’ Orpheus Descending. Ibrahim’s most recent play Wind Bit Bitter, Bit, Bit, Bit Her was part of last year’s VAULT Festival, following its shortlisting for Soho Theatre’s Tony Craze Award. Carys Lewis is a Welsh-Canadian writer and director, currently Filmmaker in Residence at Welsh National Opera where she has created a trilogy of films each responding to the theme of ‘revolution’.

In the summer Theatr Clwyd and Paines Plough will present three new plays in the Roundabout season. Louise Osborn and Samantha O’Rourke are writers in residence. Louise has worked with Mersey TV, Channel 4 and Radio 4. She was Artistic Director at Theatr Powys and has worked in Wales with Sherman Theatre and Hijinx. Earlier in her career she wrote over 40 episodes of the serial dramaHollyoaks. Samantha O’Rourke lives in North Wales and is Writer on Attachment at Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre.

Ming Ho and Hefin Robinson are the Writers in Residence for Theatr Clwyd’s autumn production, which will be announced next month. Ming has written for EastEnders, Casualty, Heartbeat and The Bill. She looks forward to exploring stories inspired by her Welsh mother’s family during her residency. Hefin Robinson is a bilingual writer who works in English and Welsh. His prize-winning play Estron(Alien) toured Wales last year in a Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru production and he has worked with other Welsh companies including Dirty Protest and The Other Room. 

Felicity Ward to lead the cast ofKill Climate Deniers
Pleasance Theatre, Carpenters Mews, North Road, London N7 9EF
Tuesday 4th – Friday 28th June 2019

Is it okay to upset and offend people with a hyperbolic title like this?
Does the end justify the means?

In her first UK theatre role, Felicity Ward will lead the cast of the European premiere of David Finnigan’s provocative and incendiary play Kill Climate Deniers. One of Australia’s hottest comics, Felicity Ward has taken the British comedy scene by storm. With critically acclaimed hit runs at the Edinburgh Fringe, London and beyond, she has also headlined Live from the BBC and appeared on Mock the Week, Russell Howard’s Good News and starred in The Inbetweeners Movie 2.

An action film wrapped in a TED talk, Kill Climate Deniers won the Griffin Playwriting Award ahead of its 2018 premiere in Sydney, Australia, where it provoked, enraged and delighted audiences and critics alike. On at the Pleasance this June, it is a bold new satire which blends fact and fiction as it explores in parallel a hostage situation teetering on the brink of calamity and what happened when Finnigan first tried to stage this play.

What would it take to actually stop climate change dead in its tracks? Science? Recycling? Experts? Or maybe: techno, guns and revolution? Environment Minister Gwen Malkin’s plan to stop climate change is rudely interrupted when a group of eco-terrorists storm Australia’s Parliament House during a Fleetwood Mac concert.

More than just a play about climate change and the end of civilisation as we know it, it’s about the power of echo chambers, about political division and allegiances, about a public increasingly distrustful and disinterested in experts. This is a play about failing to talk about the issues that matter most

Felicity Ward comments, I am absolutely delighted to be involved with Kill Climate Deniers. It’s the coolest play I’ve ever read and quite frankly what is not to love about the words: a self-aware post-modern comedy AND action play about climate change, politics, and media hysteria.

Writer David Finnigan comments, I wrote the first draft of this play back in 2014, and I really hoped it would be dated and irrelevant by now. The fact that more and more people are finding their way to it – including, excitingly, in the UK – is great, but also, a really bad sign. This play is saying: I’m scared, turn the volume all the way up, panic euphoria, hold hands tightly, let’s go.

Director Nic Connaughton adds, Last month schoolchildren went on strike across the country to protest about government inaction on climate change, in response climate change was debated in the main chamber of the House of Commons for the first time in two years. Only a handful of MPs attended. This play couldn’t be more timely. This is not a play about Australian politics; it is a play about how as a society we are failing to confront the realities of climate change. Kill Climate Deniers is a provocative and necessary satire that appeals to those on both sides of the debate to listen to one another, and to save the planet

PETERBOROUGH NEW THEATRE ANNOUNCES

ANNUAL PANTOMIME THE WIZARD OF OZ

There will be no place like Peterborough this Christmas as the newly relaunched New Theatre announces The Wizard of Oz as their pantomime spectacular running from 14 – 31 December with tickets on sale now.

Join Dorothy on a whirlwind adventure through the Emerald City as she and her loyal friends: the brainless but cheeky scarecrow, the cowardly lion, and the heartless (literally!) tap-dancing tin man, navigate through the magical Land of Oz in search of the mighty and mysterious wizard. With the Wicked Witch of the West determined to stop them by any means necessary, however, will the spirit of friendship triumph over evil?

With a star cast to be announced, the Wizard of Oz promises to be the biggest panto in town, a perfect treat for the whole family – expect lashings of audience participation, dazzling costumes and plenty of laughter with guaranteed to have you shouting, clapping, and singing along to a host of chart-topping hits!

The Wizard of Oz will be brought to the stage by Prime Pantomimes as part of their debut season. Prime Pantomimes is a dedicated pantomime production company founded by award-winning Selladoor Worldwide and Immersion Theatre Company. Both companies are passionate about pantomime and promise to create story-driven, localised, and highly interactive productions.

Prime Pantomimes producer James Tobias said: “We couldn’t be more delighted to be part of the inaugural season at the New Theatre Peterborough and are looking forward to bringing the wonderful story of Oz to life this Christmas in a spectacular show for all the family full of all of your favourite panto ingredients”

Click your heels together and book your tickets at www.newtheatre-peterborough.com  from just £12 – book before Easter Monday for an early bird offer of 10% off tickets.

Leeds Playhouse – until 30th March 2019

Reviewed by Dawn Smallwood

5*****

Following their success of Romeo and Juliet which was played in the Playhouse two years ago Shakespeare’s Hamlet is brought on stage during their exciting Pop-Up season. Amy Leach (who directed Romeo and Juliet) directs Hamlet, a modern contemporary retelling of the classic tragedy, and it stars Tessa Parr (who starred as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet) in the lead role.

It is about a young woman who returns from university to only find out her father, the King of Denmark, is dead and her mother, Gertrude (Jo Mousley), very soon after remarried her uncle, Claudius (Joe Alessi). Hamlet’s grief turns to anger when she finds out through the ghost of her father (Robert Pickavance) that her uncle murdered him and she seeks revenge.

Hamlet is certainly the tragedy of all Shakespeare’s tragedies and looks in detail how the tragedy affects all the characters and the impact it has on the families and the community. This production allows a thorough exploration of the characters amid the strong emerging themes of greed, power, revenge and ultimately murder and death. Mental health and distress play a big part and they are defining factors particularly among Hamlet as she is declared “mad” by her family. It also affects Ophelia (Simona Bitmate) who struggles with the events that affected their relationship between her and Hamlet.

The play tragically ends with an all-out fencing fight between Hamlet and Laertes (Dan Parr) which immediately changes the future of Denmark and the play also creatively underlines the political struggles with the other neighbouring kingdoms.

Hayley Grindle’s dark stunning staging is ambient, atmospheric and it represents the mood and spirit of Hamlet particularly with its strong themes. The space is versatile and creatively well used and every inch is certainly not wasted and symmetries well with Joshua Carr’s dimmed but effective lighting.

Parr plays this unique re-gendering role and crucially adds a fresh dimension to Hamlet. The re-gendering of Hamlet offers artists and creators opportunities to re-address the tragedy’s well known themes and how they and also its characters can relate to the world today particularly with regards to gender, sexuality and equality. This production had reignited the imagination of many that Hamlet can be a play for the 21st Century as much as when it was first written.

Parr is absolutely outstanding as Hamlet and articulately portrays this troubled character on stage and she is supported by the rest of an amazing cast including the Pop-Up season’s ensemble and young actors from the Playhouse’s youth programmes. An outstanding play from beginning to end and a big thanks to the cast and also to Leach and her talented creative team. Certainly a must see production and is on at the Playhouse until the end of March.

THE NATIONAL THEATRE’S 2019 RIVER STAGE LINE UP ANNOUNCED: THE GLORY, SHUBBAK FESTIVAL, NATIONAL PARK CITY FESTIVAL AND FRANTIC ASSEMBLY

The National Theatre today announces the creative partners for the 2019 River Stage Festival. The annual festival on London’s South Bank runs throughout the summer with leading arts and performance companies celebrating the best of British and International culture, drag artists and London’s green and blue spaces, including the River Thames. The line-up is as follows:

• The Glory (5-7 July)

East London’s cabaret mecca and drag pub The Glory celebrate Pride at the NT with a tour-de-force weekend of back-to-back shows and parties, including the best of their sensational drag queen contest LIPSYNC1000, plus their drag king battle Man Up.

• Shubbak Festival (12-14 July)

Mixing family activities with bands, spoken word and DJ sets, Shubbak presented in partnership with Amal – a Saïd Foundation programme – brings the best of the Arab cultural scene to the River Stage.

• National Park City Festival (19-21 July)

A line-up dedicated to all things green and wild in celebration of London becoming the world’s first National Park City.

• Frantic Assembly (26-28 July)

Celebrating their 25th Birthday Frantic Assembly kick off celebrations at the River Stage with DJ’s, live music, movement workshops, performances and much more.

• National Theatre takeover (2-4 August).

A joyful party weekend to close the River Stage festival 2019. The National Theatre will throw open its doors and let the creativity spill out bringing you the very best in family theatre, dance, music and more.

Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre, says: “River Stage has become synonymous with London’s summer festival scene: a month long celebration of the arts on the banks of the River Thames that welcomes revellers, the culturally curious and families to come and experience an abundance of talented performers and artists for free. This year, we are thrilled to once again partner with The Glory, partners new to River Stage Shubbak Festival, National Park City Festival and Frantic Assembly, as well as curating our own National Theatre take-over for the final weekend.”

No festival would be complete without an exciting food and drinks offer, and River Stage will be no different. Set alongside the backdrop of the National Theatre will be: Wine Box, Melt Ice Cream, The Cheese Iron, Campfire Pizza, The Otherstudy and Apothecary.

The complete line-up of acts, artists and performers will be announced at a later date.

DIRECTOR AND THEATRE-MAKER BETH SHOULER

TO JOIN CURVE AS NEW WORK ASSOCIATE

Curve is pleased to announce director, writer, theatre-maker and producer Beth Shouler will join Curve in the newly created position of New Work Associate.

Beth will lead on the delivery of Curve’s New Work projects including plays, musicals, dance and digital, alongside leading artist development, championing local talent and diversity, and developing both artists and audiences for the future.

Originally from Nottingham and having showcased new work previously at Curve as one of the theatre’s Breakthrough artists, Beth specialises in developing writing and work by and for young people and creating new work and platforms for artists to present their work. Beth has also worked with large groups of young people and community companies offering early-career artists support to develop their craft. Beth will continue this as New Work Associate and will also support the delivery of programmes and participatory projects for schools and young people across the East Midlands.

Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster said:

“Beth will be a phenomenal addition to our team. The number of Made at Curve productions, new work and ambitions around young people and our communities continues to grow in scale and ambition; Beth’s passion, vision for New Work at Curve and commitment to artists goes to the heart of all of this work. Developing local artists, writers, new musicals and telling local stories is paramount at Curve and we look forward to Beth furthering this work, challenging and inspiring us all.”

Beth has worked as a director and facilitator with various companies and organisations including: Kiln Theatre, The Almeida, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Nottingham Playhouse, Derby Theatre, Lakeside Arts Centre, Synergy Theatre, Index on Censorship, Theatre West, The Bike Shed Theatre, John Whiting Award, New Perspectives, Theatre Writing Partnerships, ACT2, NEAT 11, Junk Shop Theatre, Arsenal Football Club and the European Theatre Convention. 

She was resident Staff Director for two years at Theatre Royal Plymouth and was the Young Company Director at the Tricycle Theatre, Lakeside Arts Centre and Nottingham Arts Theatre. Beth was the recipient of the In Good Companymid-career commission, co-founded The Party Somewhere Else Collective and set up the Junk Shop Theatre, which she runs with Loreto Murray. She was also a member of development company Toast who produce Plymouth Fringe Festival and is Royal Court Writers Group alumni.

Commenting on her new role, Beth Shouler said:

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Curve team and championing new work within the building, Leicester and the wider region. The East Midlands is becoming one of the most exciting places to be an artist at the moment and it is real privilege to support artists, create opportunities for work to be made locally, and find ways to grow the theatre-making ecology more broadly. I’m originally from the area and was a Breakthrough Artist at Curve, so I’m especially delighted to nurture East Midlands voices as well as engage with brilliant new work, whether that’s by communities, young people, professional companies or individual creatives. Curve make brilliant shows and it’s an incredibly friendly building, I’m really looking forward to being part of the organisation and joining such a talented team.”

To find out more about Curve, visit www.curveonline.co.uk

Reimagining Yeadon Town Hall

Yeadon Town Hall Community Interest Company (CIC) officially takes over the iconic 140-year-old building from Leeds City Council from 1st April 2019.

The new management team has exciting plans for the regeneration. This includes full refurbishment and modernisation throughout the building and providing a new entertainment programme, including producing and curating a variety of shows and events to serve the wider community

With the help of Key Fund, a Sheffield-based social enterprise investment company, and a significant contribution from Leeds City Council Heritage Fund, Yeadon Town Hall CIC has been able to secure the funding needed to begin making the improvements.

Works will include carrying out major redecoration throughout the building – including replacing flooring and curtains, refurbishing the
kitchen and bathroom facilities and revamping the bar area to provide a
larger and more welcoming space for patrons to enjoy a pre-show drink.

Practical considerations include refurbishing the 90-year-old heating system and improving the main auditorium by increasing the stage depth, introducing new stage rigging equipment and adding professional stage flooring. There are also plans to create additional dressing rooms and backstage areas, a new accessible reception desk and Box Office that will be open during the day and before events, and a VIP lounge bar to
provide a luxurious area for VIP guests to enjoy.

The improvement work will respect and preserve the building’s heritage. The landmark clock tower and its clock faces will be restored, in addition to major repair work to the roof, exterior walls and the stunning stained glass windows. The original double height Victorian ceilings and stained glass windows in the bar area will be revealed, creating an entirely unique space. Care will also be taken to ensure decoration throughout the building complements the historical architecture, providing a characterful ambiance with a nod to Yeadon Town Hall’s impressive heritage

Jamie Hudson, Director of Yeadon Town Hall CIC, says: “The local community is as passionate as we are about preserving the Town Hall and ensuring it is fit for purpose for many years to come. The refurbishment will take a lot of time, money and dedication but we hope to have the building restored to its former glory by the end of 2020. In the meantime, wherever possible the building will continue to be functional, providing quality entertainment from across the UK.”

For over a century the Town Hall has been standing proud in the centre of Yeadon. It has previously been used as a public baths, council chambers, library, school rooms, cinema and a concert hall. In recent years, since its 1998 refurbishment, Yeadon Town Hall has been predominantly used as the theatre and arts venues we all know and love today. Many of its other rooms function as space available to hire for the local community. The current mix of tenants include a pre-school, writers’ groups and amateur theatre societies.

The new takeover will continue to serve the local community, providing quality space in the heart of the town for groups and businesses to hire.
The predominant focus, however, will continue to be the events showcased in the main auditorium. Yeadon Town Hall CIC has already planned a variety of one-night entertainment shows, ranging from tribute nights to classical concerts

The highlight of this year’s programme will be shows produced by Yeadon Town Hall – a feature that is only anticipated to grow and become more prominent over the forthcoming years. The Town Hall will aim to produce and tour original shows, as well as welcoming other production companies. Original 2019 shows produced by Yeadon Town Hall and resident theatre company Futurist Productions include A Night at the Musicals in July, Mr Montgomery’s Circus Spectacular in August and of course the annual Christmas Spectacular coming up in December, which is fast becoming a highlight for many people in the run-up to Christmas. Yeadon Town Hall will also introduce the world premiere of The Carole King Songbook from 13th-15th June, before the show embarks on a countrywide tour throughout 2019/20

Jamie continues: “Our programme of events includes something for everyone. Families will enjoy our musical cabaret show, A Night at the Musicals and of course our Circus Spectacular is ideal entertainment for those looking for fun activities during the summer holidays. We’re also catering for music fans and classical concert-goers, and have many exciting plans on the horizon including the introduction of Yeadon Town Hall cinema screenings and regular comedy nights. Watch this space!”

The group are hoping to raise an additional £100,000 to contribute to the improvements, that will ensure the building continues to be utilised and enjoyed by the wider community for many years to come. From sponsoring a plaque on the Town Hall’s Wall of Fame to larger corporate sponsorship opportunities, Yeadon Town Hall CIC welcome any level of contribution from the community. It also hopes both regular and new visitors to Yeadon Town Hall will support upcoming events at the venue.

For more information on the restoration and to find out what’s on at Yeadon Town Hall, visit www.yeadontownhall.co.uk or contact Box Office on 0333 666 33 66.

Above The Stag presents:

Goodbye Norma Jeane

The untold tale from the Golden Age of Hollywood

Written by Liam Burke
Directed by Robert McWhir

16^th March – 7^th April

Tuesday – Saturday 7:15pm, Sunday 5pm

ABOVE THE STAG THEATRE

72 Albert Embankment London, SE1 7TP

“A show you float away from, romanced by a moment in time that would never live again but for the imaginations of such talented artists.” AussieTheatre.com

“…moving, funny and simply brilliant”Theatre Press (AUS)

It’s the early morning hours of August 5, 1962 and, with a gay pool party playing out in his backyard, Hollywood choreographer Jack Cole wakes to devastating news…

The death of Marilyn Monroe.

Norma Jeane’s suicide signalled the death of glamorous Hollywood’s innocence and the fizzling out of Cole’s own prestige. We join him – the now-unknown architect behind many of Golden Age Hollywood’s most iconic leading ladies and largely uncredited father of theatrical jazz dance – on this tragic morning.

Visited by legends of the hour Lana Turner, Betty Grable and Rita Hayworth and his former assistant Gwen Verdon, rather than grieve, Cole obsesses over memories of how hard Norma Jeane was to work with. As audiences watch him slowly accept reality and graciously say farewell, they are treated to an intimate and untold true story, and an insightful glimpse behind the glitz of showbiz, into the life of a figure who made it tick.

A two-hander, the play features Tim English as Cole, and a myriad of female demigoddesses including Lana Turner, Norma Jeane, Martha Graham, Ann Miller, Gwen Verdon, Jane Russell, Betty Grable and Rita Hayworth all convincingly embodied by a single actress, Rachel Stanley.

Featuring Cole’s original choreography from as early as his 1938 club act (at New York’s Rainbow Room), famous routines such as Gwen Verdon’s Egyptian Dance from the 1951 movie ‘David and Bathsheba’ and thrilling, never-seen choreography, ‘Goodbye Norma Jeane’ is an extensively researched and thoughtful ode to one of dance’s under-acknowledged heroes. Its first run, under original name ‘Good-bye Miss Monroe’, was nominated for a Matilda Award in 2014 which was followed by a sold-out season in Melbourne, Australia.